The Khmer community in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is having a better life, with higher income and convenient access to medical support. Compared to 2013, the annual income per capita is up 1.4 times to VND70.5 million ($3,300) and the rate of poor households falls to 11.7% from 14.5%, according to Luong Van Tru, head of the city’s Ethnic Affairs Committee. All Khmer children of elementary school age go to school while the rate of enrolment in secondary and high school is 95% and 64%, respectively. The official also reported that 95% of Khmer households have access to electricity and 98% use safe water. Since 2013, Can Tho has dished out VND55 billion in aid and VND121 billion worth of preferential lending to Khmer people to expand agriculture. Over 6,000 farmers have received training in cultivation and breeding techniques. The city also helped over 200 Khmer residents move into new houses and offered vocational training to more than 1,000 workers. As many as 4,244 copies of Khmer-language newspapers are distributed free each month. (http://en.vietnamplus.vn/ [1] Oct 26)
