Latest Foreign Assistance Briefs

- The Japanese government will provide $250,000 in aid to upgrade two primary schools in Nhat Tan district, Hung Yen province and Thai Hong commune, Thai Binh provinces. The signing ceremony for the grant contract was held in Hanoi on July 17 between the ad interim Charge d' Affaires of Japan to Vietnam Hideo Suzuki and Chairmen of the People’s Committee of Nhat Tan commune and Thai Hong Commune. (nhandan.org.vn Jul 22)

- The Japanese government and Switzerland-based Dariu Foundation have agreed to give financial support for school projects in Vietnam’s disadvantaged localities, state media reported. Under the agreement signed on July 18, Japan pledged to grant $245,000 to upgrade two primary schools in the northern provinces of Thai Binh and Vinh Phuc.  Meanwhile, the Swiss-based NGO has donated VND550 million to build a kindergarten school in a rural commune in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long.  The projects will help improve local children’s learning environment, contribute to the local socio-economic development, and strengthen the friendship between the two countries, said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hideo Suzuki. Since 1992, 160 schools have been built in Vietnam under the financial support from the Japanese government, providing a better learning environment for tens of thousands of children. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi July 18 p8, Vietnam News July 18 p3)

- Construction began on a kindergarten in a rural commune in Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta's Vinh Long Province's Vung Liem District on Jul 16. The VND1.23-billion school will be built on 243 sq. meters of land in Hieu Phung District. Switzerland-based Dariu Foundation donated VND550 million ($26,190) to build the school. The rest will be handled by the local government. After completion, the local government plans to expand the school to eight classrooms and 11 functional rooms. Construction will be carried out over a period of 105 days as the school plans to open in November. (Vietnam News July 18)