Outlook examines healthcare

The nation's healthcare has seen great improvements in recent years, with expansion of health services to remote areas and reform of the health insurance system.

This month's issue of Outlook examines the successes of healthcare reform across the country. We report on expansion of healthcare services in rural provinces such as Cao Bang, where provincial hospital facilities have improved dramatically. Back in the cities, we find that students have also benefited thanks to the reform of health cover in schools.

We weigh up the pros and cons of private and public health clinics, and report that public hospitals often provide the best value for money.

We also explore the challenges still facing the health sector, meet one of Viet Nam's top surgeons working on fixing cleft palates, and take a special look at the plight of the nation's underpaid and overworked nurses.

Elsewhere in this issue, we tour the ancient city of Hue by cyclo, sample a delicious meal of fried worms, and meet a French martial arts champ who is helping popularise kick-boxing in HCM City.

Readers can also catch up on what's hot in the country's culinary, sports and arts scenes – and check out listings for everything from bars to embassies. Outlook retails for VND15,000 at news-stands, major hotels and restaurants and can be purchased at the head office of the Viet Nam News at 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi, or at our HCM City office at 120 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. — VNS

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Outlook eyes heritage preservation

Viet Nam's rapid urbanisation during the past several years has produced many benefits, but one of the drawbacks has been the growing threat that modernisation poses to the nation's heritage.

This month's issue of our news magazine Outlook examines efforts to preserve the nation's rich culture - from historical sites to centuries-old art forms.

Outlook, which goes on sale in Ha Noi, HCM City and other major centres this morning, reports that ensuring effective preservation of historically important relics and art forms faces many challenges, including a lack of funds for preservation work.

We travel to Hoi An to report on the threat of urbanisation and a booming tourism sector to the city's old quarter, while in the Central Highlands, we find that the local gong culture is in danger of being lost as a dwindling number of musicians chose to keep their traditional art alive. We also report on successes in restoring the highly refined and unique art form of nha nhac (court music), and talk to the director of the Institute for Preservation of Monuments, Le Thanh Vinh, about recent successes in heritage preservation.

Elsewhere in this issue, we visit the sleepy village of Lo Hanh, tell the story behind Nguyen Dinh Thi's revolutionary anthem The Hanoian and meet an English singer who has been wowing local audiences with his fluent performance of Vietnamese songs.

Readers can also catch up on what's hot in the country's culinary, sports and arts scenes - and check out our listings for everything from bars to embassies.

Outlook retails for VND15,000 at news-stands, major hotels and restaurants, at the head office of the Viet Nam News at 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi, or at our HCM City office at 120 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. — VNS

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Outlook enjoys the party

As Ha Noi's millennium anniversary celebrations wind down, this month's issue of our news magazine Outlook joins in the capital city's big birthday party.

Outlook, which goes on sale in Ha Noi, HCM City and other major centres this morning, examines the history of Ha Noi and spotlights some of the local people who embody the city's culture and character.

We examine the treasure trove of artefacts unearthed at the site of the capital city's ancient Imperial Citadel and tell the story of King Ly Thai To, who decided to move his royal capital from Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh Province to Dai La, the site of present-day Ha Noi and renamed it Thang Long (Rising Dragon).

We talk to four outstanding Hanoians who have been recognised by the Government for their contributions to the local community, and meet a family who have lived in the city for several generations while preserving their traditional values. Special features on Ha Noi also include an article about the capital city's favourite mayor and a photo essay on the city's changing face during the past two centuries.

Elsewhere in this issue, we go on a tour of the Central Highlands, meet a naval soldier stationed on one of Viet Nam's most remote islands and visit one of HCM City's best shoemakers.

Readers can also catch up on what's hot in the country's culinary, sports and arts scenes - and check out our listings for everything from bars to embassies. Outlook retails for VND15,000 at news-stands, major hotels and restaurants, at the head office of the Viet Nam News at 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi, or at our HCM City office at 120 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. — VNS