PRESS DIGEST - Vietnam newspapers - January 4

HANOI, Jan 4 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in the official Vietnamese press on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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NHAN DAN

-- The Health Ministry plans to spend more than $100 million on beds for big city hospitals over the next two years to reduce congestion.

-- The government has approved a plan to privatise companies owned by the Education and Training Ministries, including school builders and technology consulting firms.

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SAIGON GIAI PHONG

-- Gasoline retailers said they face huge losses if high world oil prices continued.

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LAO DONG

-- Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines said it was short of planes due to soaring air travel demand. The company has ordered 47 new planes for delivery between now and 2015.

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TUOI TRE

-- Global oil price rises could trigger a rise of more than 30 percent in Vietnam's retail petrol price to 17,000 dong ($1.06) per litre, experts said.

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