Vietnam and the United States are to celebrate their 15th diplomatic relation establishment on July 12, 2010. Bilateral relations are at their highest point since then and the fundamentals are in place to build a more enduring and comprehensive partnership in the future

Central Vietnam has another world heritage site to add to its list, and the tourism payoffs are already obvious. Visitor numbers to the Phong Nha Grotto are up just two weeks after being listed by UNESCO and there are signs things will only get better. All this is welcome news for Quang Binh, home to the grotto and one of the region’s poorest provinces. Ngoc Son reports on how, once again, developing a viable and well-supported tourism industry can change the fortunes and the lives of local people.