PRESS DIGEST - Vietnam newspapers - February 21

HANOI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in the official Vietnamese press on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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VIETNAM NEWS

-- Northern Vietnam faces the probability of water shortages for both household and industrial use after a prolonged dry cold, meteorologists said. The Agriculture Ministry said the water volume for rice and other crops may fall by about one third.

-- Wholly foreign-owned insurance brokerage Gras Savoye Willis Vietnam has received approval to provide services to all economic sectors in Vietnam, the first firm of its kind allowed to do so. The firm is a venture between France's Gras Savoye and Britain's Willis Group Holdings Ltd (WSH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

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NHAN DAN

-- The central bank said the country's money market remained stable and banks' payment ability was ensured after it forced banks to buy Treasury notes as a measure to help control inflation.

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