In Vietnam, one of the wealthiest banking tycoons has been arrested on suspicion of violating economic regulations. The detention of Nguyen Duc Kien, one of the founders of nkAsia Commercial Ba prompted sharp falls on the Stock Market amid fears about the health of the Vietnamese economy. Mr Kien is the chairman of Hanoi Football Club.

Hillary Clinton has arrived in Laos. She is the first US Secretary of State to visit the country in 57 years. She is expected to discuss plans to build the controversial Mekong river dam, which critics say, would impact the environment and millions of lives. The effects of Agent Orange, a defoliant used during the Vietnam war, are also likely to be on the agenda. Mrs Clinton, who arrives in Vientiane from Vietnam, will then head to Cambodia for an Asean meeting.
The last top US diplomat to visit Laos was John Foster Dulles in 1955. The 3.8 billion dollars hydro-electric dam project at Xayaburi, has caused tension among Mekong region countries - Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. In April, a multi-billion dollar contract was signed for a Thai company, CH Karnchang, to build the dam. The Lao government has pledged not to go ahead with the project until environmental issues have been resolved.

China says it will allow tourists to visit disputed islands in the South China Sea, a move likely to further inflame tensions over the vast maritime region.

Beijing's plans for the Paracel islands are likely to irritate Vietnam, which also claims the islands as part of its territory. Hanoi issued a statement last week denouncing a sailing race around the Parcels staged by authorities in China's Hainan province.

In remarks first broadcast by Chinese state radio, officials say the tourist visits can help China strengthen its claim over the islands, which are called Xisha in Chinese.

Vietnam has sought India’s assistance in training its teachers in English language and for curriculum development. Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Thien Nhan expressed keenness to source around 20 thousand English teachers over the next few years to teach English and train Vietnamese teachers.

This was discussed at a meeting co-chaired by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and the visiting Vietnamese leader.

The Secretary, School Education suggested that the CBSE has a strong academic and training wing to train English teachers. It will work out details after more discussions with the Vietnamese side.

During the meeting, acting vice-chancellor of English and Foreign Languages University, EFLU, Hyderabad R. Amritavallai suggested a special three-month training programme at EFLU in two batches of 50 teachers per year over the next three years.

Delhi University and Jawahar lal Nehru University have also agreed to co-operate with Vietnam’s academies and two national Universities.

This includes offering Indian studies in Vietnam and Vietnam study in India. A Joint Working Group under the existing Education Exchange Programme will be formed with Vietnam to effect the proposals .