Viet Nam's information and communications technology industry has seen rapid growth during the past several years, but this growth represents only a small part of the sector's huge potential.

This month's issue of our news magazine Outlook, which goes on sale in Ha Noi, HCM City and other major centres this morning, Sep 21, examines plans to further develop the nation's ICT to rival that of other ICT powerhouses in the region.

Our cover stories report on ambitious plans to expand the nation's ranks of skilled IT workers and look at the country's potential to attract software outsourcing contracts from overseas.

We talk to Truong Gia Binh, chairman of the country's leading multinational information technology corporation FPT, who says the nation is well on the way to reaching its ambitious information technology targets.

We also spotlight some of the biggest successes in the sector, including a locally-developed anti-virus programme that has won praise at home and overseas and report on Viettel's expanding global telecommunications business that has seen the local company set up in places as far away as Haiti.

Elsewhere in this issue, we meet snake farmers of Chi Ngai Village, visit the south-western province of Tien Giang and go behind the scenes of a traditional cai luong opera to see how artisans make the colourful costumes that help ensure a successful theatrical production.

Readers can also catch up on what's hot in the country's culinary, sports and arts scenes - and check out listings for everything from bars to embassies.

Outlook retails for VND15,000 at news-stands, major hotels and restaurants and can be purchased at the head office of the Viet Nam News at 11 Tran Hung Dao, Ha Noi, or at our HCM City office at 120 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News