Fleet-fingered: Ninety-six-year-old Vietnamese artist, Vinh Bao, teaches BBC's Working Lives presenter, Justin Rowlatt, how to play the Vietnamese zither. — Photo courtesy of BBC's Vietnam Direct

HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam has hit the airwaves in a new season of BBC programmes called Vietnam Direct, which is showcasing the country's transition into a dynamic dragon economy within Asia.

Beginning last Sunday, the series features several topics including the recovery from the devastating effects of Agent Orange; the rise of youth culture; the role of the workforce in Viet Nam's economic growth; and the latest technologies in the country's transport system.

Some of these topics have already received airtime in other BBC shows, including One Square Mile, Working Lives, Fast Track and Click.

"The BBC's unrivalled network of journalists explores the issues faced by a country and its people – from the economic opportunities and challenges to living life at every level of society; from its traditions and history to future plans and innovations," said a press release from the BBC.

In One Square Mile, BBC reporters travelled to Da Nang – a dynamic city in central Viet Nam that is re-inventing itself as financial and technical hub. The segment also told the story of families who, for two generations, have lived amongst the highest concentration of the toxic Agent Orange in the world.

The network's business segment Click recently featured HCM City's famous start-up culture, while in Working Lives, BBC journalists stepped into the shoes of five Vietnamese workers from across the wealth spectrum, speaking to the female CEO of dairy giant, Vinamilk; a 96-year-old teacher of the zither and recent graduates seeking hi-tech jobs in the region.

The segment also discussed the nature of the country's workforce and its potential to transform one of the fastest growing, emerging economies into a modern and industrialised economy. Meanwhile, Fast Track explored different aspects of Viet Nam's history; ranging from American War bunkers buried beneath Ha Noi's top hotel, to the fine art of making noodles in ancient Hoi An.

The network also has a number of segments exploring the country's habitats and wildlife with one BBC reporter staking out famous beaches to watch sea turtles.

Vietnamese experts believe the broadcast will give global audiences a positive look into Viet Nam's social and economic development. — VNS