Ms Hoa said she was very pleased to see great changes in the commune. Despite a number of difficulties, poor infrastructure and 72.5 percent of its population being ethnic minority people, Khanh Vinh party committee has led local people to boost socio-economic development, reduce poverty and ensure security and national defence. In particular, the district has successfully implemented forest planting and water rice cultivation programmes.

State Vice President Hoa paid great attention to the district’s poverty reduction. Despite great efforts, the number of poor households still remains high at more than 49 percent. The district hopes to reduce poor households to under 10 percent by 2010.

State Vice President Hoa presented gifts to some outstanding families of social policy beneficiaries.

On the same day, State Vice President Hoa also worked with leaders of Khanh Hoa province and heard reports on provincial preparation for the 12^th National Assembly election. She discussed some major issues with provincial leaders such as tourism and services development, implementation of the poverty reduction programme, job generation and implementation of Politburo’s decree 39, Emulation Law and Prime Minister’s Decree 17.

Provincial socio-economic growth has remained high (10.4 percent in 2006).

Ms Hoa said that Khanh Hoa has effectively exploited its potential and strength and paid due attention to developing sea tourism. She urged the province to pay more attention to human resources and vocational training while implementing the poverty reduction programme.