By 2013, price is climbing, the minimum wage should be VND3.5 million ($168.3) to meet today’s workers’ livelihoods.” - Dang Quang Dieu Chief of VGCL’s Institute of Labour Research

Low incomes and the insecurity of a life away from home force many local workers to consider taking temporary jobs at foreign-invested enterprises.

The first integrated township development with a giant Central Park, located north of Ho Chi Minh City, is envisaged to be the preferred address of the young and vibrant community seeking quality living environment in a modern township.

As Vietnam is actively responding climate change, it is essential to attach much importance to green architecture when planning urban areas in the country, writes Professor Dang Hung Vo, former vice minister of Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Si Ma Cai, a remote mountainous district of Lao Cai province, is considered one of Vietnam’s most under privileged districts, due to its distant rural location on the Chinese border and communication difficulties between the14 different ethnic minority groups living in the area. Even though the living standard of minorities such as the H’Mong, Thu Lao and Nung have recently improved, many of them are still living in very difficult circumstances prompting international donors and the government to focus on improving their quality of life further. Bich Ngoc reports.

Every year in Vietnam millions of young people rush to the cities to earn their living. With limited skills and low literacy rates, the majority of them find themselves working in industrial zones. Although they can save some income to help their families they are suffering a poor standard of living in the cities.