The Japanese Embassy in Hanoi on Feb 20 signed a deal to grant nearly $325,000 to three healthcare and education projects in Vietnam, state media reported on Feb 21. Of the sum, $120,700 will go to a health project in Hanoi and the remainder to two education projects in the northern provinces of Bac Kan and Ha Nam. Earlier, the Japanese government agreed to grant nearly $820,000 for seven healthcare and education projects in Vietnam. While Vietnam’s economy sees stable growth, the quality of healthcare and education, especially in poor areas, has not improved, said Ambassador Hiroshi Fukada said, noting that Japan is willing to provide more funds for these projects in Vietnam in the coming years. Japan is one of the biggest donors of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam. The Japanese government has so far helped build around 300 primary schools in 17 provinces in flood-prone areas and mountainous northern provinces. (Vietnam News Feb 21 p2, Cong An Nhan Dan Feb 21 p1)
