Vietnam aims to reduce its poverty rate 1.3-1.5% in 2016. To this end, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs will boost the implementation of poverty reduction policies based on a multidimensional approach to poverty, giving poor people greater access to basic social services. Deputy Minister Nguyen Trong Dam said: “We need to build on our achievements to narrow the development gap between regions. Priority will be given to mountain, ethnic, and island areas. Poor people should be able to access education, medical treatment, housing, clean water, and information.”