A Vietnamese farmer, with ancestor's graves behind and new rice seedlings in front, turns his buffalo as he ploughs to prepare a new paddy field on the outskirts of Hanoi. While Vietnam's economic growth in recent years has been fast rural lifestyles remain almost unchanged with many people locked in poverty. Analysts said rising income disparities across the country, and where ownership of a water buffalo is considered a status symbol in rural areas, is of increasing concern to the ruling communist party. Picture taken 14JUL98.