International donors conference opens in Hanoi

Vietnam asked for increased aid at the opening of the annual Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi. Deputy PM Vu Khoan estimated economic growth at 7.4 percent over the past four years. Aid to Vietnam last year amounted to US$2.8 billion. Donors have pushed for increasing government transparency and reducing corruption in Vietnam. (Associated Press, Dec. 1; see also Nov. 23 entry below).