The funding will focus on energy, environment, and vocational training in the next two years.

The Government, speaking at a National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi last week, proposed granting a special status for Danang City so that it can have more cash for development.

 Funding to battle the Zika virus faces a struggle in the U.S. Senate this week, with Democrats scornful of a Republican proposal they say short-changes the challenge posed by the mosquito-borne virus as well as other health priorities.

Health officials said 279 pregnant women in the United States and U.S. territories have tested positive for Zika infection, prompting a new call from President Barack Obama for more funding to fight the outbreak spreading through the Americas.

VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) Economic Committee has voiced concerns over the viability of a fund raising plan for the big-ticket Long Thanh airport project

 Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been a key source of funds, helping Vietnam make great socio-economic strides in its renewal process.

 VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City has asked the World Bank to continue lending US$450 million for the second phase of the HCM City environmental sanitation project (Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Basin), according to the city's Transport Department.

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than VND586 billion (nearly US$28 million) will be spent on drug prevention and rehabilitation under a project recently approved by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

 Hanoi police confiscate smuggled animal organs; Man accused of stealing from poor; Operations of leather tannery suspended for environment pollution; Excessive pressure on children to study

 Vietnam encourages investment in deprived areas; Banking sector audit shows mixed results; Exports increase in three quarters; Thanh Hoa rolls out welcome mat for Nghi Son EZ

 Import costs hit textile firms; Ha Noi to lend $15m in bid to stabilise prices; State Bank funds asset management firm; Shortlist due for Binh Dinh's $27b oil project; Marubeni eyes on metro construction in Da Nang

 Diseases ravage shrimp farms in several provinces; US grants FDA certificate to Vinamilk; Sugar inventory running high as export deadline over; EZs, IPs database to be finalized

 Market for children’s goods, services exceeds US$5 bil./year; Vinacomin stands firm on bauxite projects; More staff recruited by realty brokerage firms; MVCorp cancels music download fee deal

 Mortgage loan for social housing touches 6%; VDB mobilises 4.45 trillion VND from guaranteed bonds; Ship yards go on with new orders; Hue plans to build VND 17 billion science-technology centre