During a visit to the province on December 13-14, Mr Manh noted that Dak Nong has great potential for economic development, citing its abundant sources of minerals, fertile land and mild climate appropriate for agricultural production, livestock breeding and tourism services.

Dak Nong should make the most of its geographical position for economic development as the province is located near cities of the central and southern key economic regions and HCM City – the country’s largest economic hub, said Mr Manh.  

In economic development, he reminded Dak Nong to focus on environmental protection and preservation of cultural identity of its different ethnic groups.

He suggested that the province pay more attention to the development of education and vocational training services to increase local people’s education levels and create qualitative human resources for its apparatus.

As Dak Nong is inhabited by different ethnic groups, it must work hard to preserve the distinctive cultures of each group and ensure the equitable and harmonious development of these ethnic groups, considering this an important factor behind national unity, said the Party leader.

To prepare for grassroots-level Party congresses next year, Mr Manh asked the provincial Party Committee to make an in-depth analysis and learn lessons from implementation of its socio-economic development plans to overcome shortcomings in 2010.

While staying in Dak Nong, Mr Manh visited and presented gifts to village chiefs in Quang Khe commune, Dak Glong district. He called on villagers to join hand with other ethnic people to build a united and prosperous province.

To reduce poverty steadily, he suggested local people apply scientific and technological advances to farming to raise production capacity and their incomes.

He asked the communal Party committee to pour more investments into education and the construction of basic infrastructural facilities such as medical stations, power and water supply systems while building strong and healthy Party organisations at grassroots level.

Separated from larger Dak Lak province on January 1, 2004, Dak Nong has a natural area of more than 650,000ha and borders with Cambodia. Its economy grew at 15.4 percent annually between 2004-2008. Despite the global economic and financial turmoil this year, its GDP is estimated at 14.6 percent and per capita income at VND13.8 million.