HANOI, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's economic hub, southern HoChi Minh City, has decided to cease licensing new golf projects tore view socioeconomic effects of already licensed ones, according to local newspaper Pioneer on Wednesday.

    The city has licensed a total of six golf projects covering a combined area of 1,262 hectares, one of which is operating.

    The Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment has recently proposed local governments cease issuing new golf licenses if the projects are built on land which is currently used to cultivate two rice crops each year.

    To date, Vietnam has had 78 licensed golf-related projects totaling 13.3 billion U.S. dollars and covering a total area of 26,170 hectares in 39 cities and provinces, but only 13 of which are currently operating.

    Sixty-six other golf-related projects have been given in-principal approval with total estimated investment of 4.8 billion dollars and acreage of 22,100 hectares.