17.11.09 Vietnam Focus November issue: Table of contents

SPOTLIGHT
> Amid stock market recovery, Vietnam's new rich revealed: Chairman of HAGL Joint Stock Company tops list; Stock decline for FPT Corporation;
> Levelling the playing field: Despite negative reports, growth in Vietnam's business environment remains impressive
> State-owned enterprise overhaul? Financial support to be removed from inefficient state enterprises: Vinashin may bear the brunt of new measures.

POLITICS AND SOCIETY
> National Assembly convenes: Second stimulus plan to go ahead; Questions over the sustainability of the package; Delegates go on to discuss socio-economic development plan
> Anger at dam management: Tropical storm causes chaos in 15 provinces, killing 174.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
> Japanese commitments to Vietnam
> US-Vietnamese relations.

ECONOMY AND ENERGY
> Economic targets for 2010: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh predicted to see economic growth
> Competitive questions: Controversial amendment to minimum wage laws
> No currency devaluation: More dollar bonds; Reform still needed
> More tax on commodities
> Coal or rice? Vinacomin announce trial explorations for coal in northern rice bowl, Red River delta
> EVN announce projects falling behind schedule due to lack of finance: Situation suggests that leaders are wary of the company's ability
> Nuclear power takes a step forward
> PetroVietnam in Cambodia: Company also to start operating two new fields in Malaysia and Vung Tau.

GREATER MEKONG
> Thaksin returns: Controversial remarks from Hung Sen
> Cambodian opposition vents at Vietnam
> Looking up in Laos: Four fold increase in foreign direct investment so far this year.