The project, which receives two million euros from the German government via the German Organisation for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), is being conducted in 12 villages in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh, the central coastal province of Thanh Hoa and the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

The six-year project, beginning in March 2006, aims to help the target provinces develop policies on poverty production and improve the capacity of staff working for poverty alleviation, especially at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, the international friendship associations from Thailand, US, Russia, and Switzerland together with their consulates and businesses have offered VND20 billion (US$1.25 million) to alleviate poverty in the southern province of Kien Giang.

The funding will go to projects to improve housing for the poor, provide clean water for rural areas and support the implementation of a wildlife conservation programme.