Finally, after two years of construction and an investment of approximately $9 million, Vietnam has opened its first deep-sea port in the central coast province of Ha Tinh north of Danang. The Port of Vung Ang will open up a new route and transportation alternative for merchandise moving from central Vietnam, Laos, and northeastern Thailand. The port complex features a 600-foot causeway, 80,000 square feet of cargo storage, asphalt roads, and modern port equipment. It is suitable

for ships up to 15,000 deadweight tons and is designed to handle 460,000 tons of cargo a year. Vietnam's exports have begun to rise sharply and the country plans to make considerable improvements to its 10 main ports over the next few years.