Vietnamese officials banned from playing golf

[October 19, 2011]  HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- Vietnam's Transport Minister has banned his senior staff from playing golf, saying it distracts them from their work too much.

Dinh La Thang issued an document recently saying that some ministry leaders have had lackluster performance and that part of the problem was they spent too much time playing golf.

The ministry's website posted a statement late Tuesday saying Thang has ordered all senior ministry officials and executives of corporations under the ministry not to play golf, particularly in this difficult time.

Golf has become more popular among Vietnam's growing middle class, including Communist Party officials, in recent years and there are several dozens of golf courses across the country.

[Associated Press]

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