While working with provincial leaders during a visit on June 20, Mr Dung suggested that Bac Kan make full use of its natural resources, including land, forests, minerals and tourism services, to get rid of poverty.

He asked the province to survey its mineral reserves to draw up appropriate exploitation plans, and provide good services for displaced residents. He also asked the province to re-examine projects to accelerate the disbursement of capital for construction projects and ensure they are implemented on schedule.

He agreed to inject more capital into Thanh Binh industrial park, but insisted that only potential investors be selected to operate in the park. He also agreed with the province’s proposal to hire foreign consultants to map out a tourism development plan for Ba Be Lake.

After being re-established 13 years ago, Bac Kan has achieved an annual economic growth rate of 11 percent. All communes have built asphalted roads and installed telephone networks. Its annual per capita income has increased considerably from just VND1 million in 1997 top more than VND8 million in 2009. The number of poor households has also fallen rapidly from 60 percent in 2005 to 25 percent in 2009.