HA NOI — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday approved the assignment of 22 deputy ministers at six ministries, including the ministries of Health, Industry and Trade, Information and Communication, Agriculture and Rural Development, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
The seven new deputy ministers of Industry and Trade include Nguyen Thanh Bien, Do Huu Hao, Bui Xuan Khu, Le Duong Quang, Chau Hue Cam, Le Danh Vinh and Nguyen Cam Tu.
Six new deputy ministers of Information and Communication include Le Nam Thang, Vu Duc Dam, Tran Duc Lai, Nguyen Thanh Hung, Nguyen Minh Hong and Do Quy Doan.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s four new deputy ministers include Tran Chien Thang, Le Tien Tho, Huynh Vinh Ai and Nguyen Trong Hy.
The three new deputy ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development are Nguyen Viet Thang, Luong Le Phuong and Vu Van Tam.
The new deputy minister of Health is Nguyen Ba Thuy, while Phung Ngoc Hung is set to be the new deputy minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
On the same day, Prime Minister Dung decided to assign Truong Hoa Binh, former deputy minister of Public Security, and Le Thi Thu Ba, former deputy minister of Justice, to undertake new tasks. —VNS
Monday, August 13, 2007
Assembly deputies hear citizen concerns
HA NOI — Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, who is also a National Assembly deputy from the northern province of Ha Nam, met with citizens in the province over the past two days, joined by other provincial National Assembly deputies .
Meeting with voters in Ly Nhan District, Doan said the Party and State continued to issue solutions and adjust policies to strongly boost socio-economic development.
Doan also expressed her sympathy for Ha Nam farmers as their fields were small and hard to cultivate, and livestock epidemics had recently caused setbacks to many residents.
The provincial residents asked the deputies to pay greater attention to policies for cadres in wards and communes and to increase the pay of kindergarten teachers.
Farmers’ incomes were low, they said, while farmers had to cover many expenses.
Nguyen Minh Tuyen of Nhan Binh Commune said residents in his area had had to contribute their own money to building an electric transformer station so that they could have access to power, but they still had to buy electricity at a higher price than prices set by the State.
Meanwhile, in the southern city of Can Tho, National Assembly deputies met with citizens in Binh Thuy and Ninh Kieu districts.
Many voters proposed that the State should quickly discontinue some pending construction projects.
They also urged the establishment of anti-corruption committees in cities and provinces, and said cases of corruption needed to be resolved more quickly.
In the northern province of Tuyen Quang, National Assembly deputies and local residents discussed administrative reform, preventing and controlling epidemics and natural disasters, assuring food safety, reducing pollution and traffic accidents, and controlling inflation.
Residents informed deputies of the poor quality of the provincial educational system, as well as the province’s high unemployment rate and rising cost of living.
Voters in Ham Yen District and the town of Tuyen Quang also urged the National Assembly to improve policies for the elderly, the poor, the disabled and for Agent Orange victims.
Citizens in Thanh Hoa Province asked provincial deputies to address such issues as high inflation, vocational training, the environment, and problems arising in equitising enterprises.
They said it was necessary to have better policies for grassroots cadres and prioritised classes of people and to reduce unemployment, especially among youth. — VNS
Meeting with voters in Ly Nhan District, Doan said the Party and State continued to issue solutions and adjust policies to strongly boost socio-economic development.
Doan also expressed her sympathy for Ha Nam farmers as their fields were small and hard to cultivate, and livestock epidemics had recently caused setbacks to many residents.
The provincial residents asked the deputies to pay greater attention to policies for cadres in wards and communes and to increase the pay of kindergarten teachers.
Farmers’ incomes were low, they said, while farmers had to cover many expenses.
Nguyen Minh Tuyen of Nhan Binh Commune said residents in his area had had to contribute their own money to building an electric transformer station so that they could have access to power, but they still had to buy electricity at a higher price than prices set by the State.
Meanwhile, in the southern city of Can Tho, National Assembly deputies met with citizens in Binh Thuy and Ninh Kieu districts.
Many voters proposed that the State should quickly discontinue some pending construction projects.
They also urged the establishment of anti-corruption committees in cities and provinces, and said cases of corruption needed to be resolved more quickly.
In the northern province of Tuyen Quang, National Assembly deputies and local residents discussed administrative reform, preventing and controlling epidemics and natural disasters, assuring food safety, reducing pollution and traffic accidents, and controlling inflation.
Residents informed deputies of the poor quality of the provincial educational system, as well as the province’s high unemployment rate and rising cost of living.
Voters in Ham Yen District and the town of Tuyen Quang also urged the National Assembly to improve policies for the elderly, the poor, the disabled and for Agent Orange victims.
Citizens in Thanh Hoa Province asked provincial deputies to address such issues as high inflation, vocational training, the environment, and problems arising in equitising enterprises.
They said it was necessary to have better policies for grassroots cadres and prioritised classes of people and to reduce unemployment, especially among youth. — VNS
Nation comes to aid of flood-hit provinces
HA NOI — Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh yesterday sent a message of condolence to provinces in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands) that have suffered the brunt of recent floods.
Manh expressed his sympathy to victims’ families and praised the work of civil servants, residents and soldiers in dealing with the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions.
He also asked the Government and leaders of cities and provinces to focus on stabilising residents’ living conditions in flood-affected areas.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also sent a message to people in provinces struck by storms in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands).
He asked related ministries to help residents in the provinces rebuild their homes and clean up after the floods.
The PM also urged northern mountainous provinces to be on the alert for flash floods that may be caused by heavy rains from degrading Storm Pabuk.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on Thursday made an inspection tour of the flood-battered central province Ha Tinh.He urged government ministries, branches and local authorities to focus their efforts and available resources on helping local people resume normality as soon as possible.
Across the country, at least 56 people have been killed by the floods so far, according to Flood and Storm Control Committees of provinces.
By Thursday, floods and lightning had killed 19 people in Ha Tinh, injuring five, with one still missing.
Estimated cost of the damage in the province has been set at over VND400 billion (US$25 million).At present, close to 30,000 households in the locality are still marooned as communes in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts remain submerged in 3 to 5 metres of water.
Meanwhile in central and Central Highlands provinces the death toll has topped 40, with 13 still missing, according to the Central Storm and Flood Prevention and Control Steering Committee.
According to the department, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has been hit hardest financially with initial losses estimated at VND630 billion ($39.3 million).
In Tien Giang Province, a whirlwind at 4am yesterday damaged 74 houses in Go Cong Tay District, and impaired hundreds of ha of rice and vegetables.
Tropical storm lulls
In a change for the better, the Department for Dike Management and Flood and Storm Control has announced that Typhoon Pabuk has degraded to an area of tropical low pressure. The low pressure system is now over the coastal area of Guangdong Province (China), 230km east of the Leizhou Peninsula.
Strong winds in the centre of the pressure system were measured at 39-61km per hour, with gusts more than 61km per hour.
It is forecast that in the next 24 hours, the tropical low pressure will move gradually, ending up at sea 21.3 degrees north latitude and 112.3 degrees west longitude, 150km east of Leizhou Peninsula by 1am today.
Facing the aftermath
A section of National Highway No 1A in the central province of Ha Tinh jammed by floods for a day has been put into action again.
Director of Management Company 474 Nguyen Truong Tuong, in charge of the repair work, said the Son Tra Bridge in Son Tra Commune, Huong Son District suffered serious damages on Thursday morning but was repaired and ready for use yesterday.
It took more than 100 workers and dozens of vehicles and bulldozers to get the 12m long, 7m wide road ship shape again, the company said.
Repair workers are also busy in Quang Binh where the provincial Railway Management Company reported 54 out of 60 damaged sections of railway in the province had been fixed.
Also in Quang Binh Province, a memorial service was held to commemorate Lieutenant Pham Huu Huyen, 34, born in Le Thuy District, who lost his life while helping residents in Tuyen Hoa District.
Huyen used his boat to rescue 74 flood-hit residents from raging waters but tragedy struck when his boat was overturned by a whirlpool. His body was discovered on Thursday afternoon.
Fourteen people so far have been killed by storms in Quang Binh.
Central province Nghe An hasn’t fared much better, with two people killed by falling rocks and lightning. Storm No 2 caused damage worth around VND38 billion, waterlogging 2,000ha of rice and 3,500ha of crops and washed away 350ha of fish and shrimp breeding ponds.
In Dak Lak, 14 have died and seven remain missing. Damage, estimated to stand at VND630 billion includes more than 6,500 houses submerged, 137 others washed away, 17,400ha of rice and 11,400ha of corn damaged, dozens of dams broken and 77km of rural roads destroyed.
Dak Lak have used their local budget to buy more than 1,120 tonnes of rice to feed 17,180 flood-hit families.
Eight people remain missing and as many as 394 houses have collapsed or been washed away by floods; 54,459 houses remain waterlogged; and 98,543 houses are submerged. More than 98,500ha of crops are waterlogged and 4,267ha of shrimp breeding ponds have been washed away. — VNS
Manh expressed his sympathy to victims’ families and praised the work of civil servants, residents and soldiers in dealing with the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions.
He also asked the Government and leaders of cities and provinces to focus on stabilising residents’ living conditions in flood-affected areas.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also sent a message to people in provinces struck by storms in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands).
He asked related ministries to help residents in the provinces rebuild their homes and clean up after the floods.
The PM also urged northern mountainous provinces to be on the alert for flash floods that may be caused by heavy rains from degrading Storm Pabuk.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on Thursday made an inspection tour of the flood-battered central province Ha Tinh.He urged government ministries, branches and local authorities to focus their efforts and available resources on helping local people resume normality as soon as possible.
Across the country, at least 56 people have been killed by the floods so far, according to Flood and Storm Control Committees of provinces.
By Thursday, floods and lightning had killed 19 people in Ha Tinh, injuring five, with one still missing.
Estimated cost of the damage in the province has been set at over VND400 billion (US$25 million).At present, close to 30,000 households in the locality are still marooned as communes in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts remain submerged in 3 to 5 metres of water.
Meanwhile in central and Central Highlands provinces the death toll has topped 40, with 13 still missing, according to the Central Storm and Flood Prevention and Control Steering Committee.
According to the department, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has been hit hardest financially with initial losses estimated at VND630 billion ($39.3 million).
In Tien Giang Province, a whirlwind at 4am yesterday damaged 74 houses in Go Cong Tay District, and impaired hundreds of ha of rice and vegetables.
Tropical storm lulls
In a change for the better, the Department for Dike Management and Flood and Storm Control has announced that Typhoon Pabuk has degraded to an area of tropical low pressure. The low pressure system is now over the coastal area of Guangdong Province (China), 230km east of the Leizhou Peninsula.
Strong winds in the centre of the pressure system were measured at 39-61km per hour, with gusts more than 61km per hour.
It is forecast that in the next 24 hours, the tropical low pressure will move gradually, ending up at sea 21.3 degrees north latitude and 112.3 degrees west longitude, 150km east of Leizhou Peninsula by 1am today.
Facing the aftermath
A section of National Highway No 1A in the central province of Ha Tinh jammed by floods for a day has been put into action again.
Director of Management Company 474 Nguyen Truong Tuong, in charge of the repair work, said the Son Tra Bridge in Son Tra Commune, Huong Son District suffered serious damages on Thursday morning but was repaired and ready for use yesterday.
It took more than 100 workers and dozens of vehicles and bulldozers to get the 12m long, 7m wide road ship shape again, the company said.
Repair workers are also busy in Quang Binh where the provincial Railway Management Company reported 54 out of 60 damaged sections of railway in the province had been fixed.
Also in Quang Binh Province, a memorial service was held to commemorate Lieutenant Pham Huu Huyen, 34, born in Le Thuy District, who lost his life while helping residents in Tuyen Hoa District.
Huyen used his boat to rescue 74 flood-hit residents from raging waters but tragedy struck when his boat was overturned by a whirlpool. His body was discovered on Thursday afternoon.
Fourteen people so far have been killed by storms in Quang Binh.
Central province Nghe An hasn’t fared much better, with two people killed by falling rocks and lightning. Storm No 2 caused damage worth around VND38 billion, waterlogging 2,000ha of rice and 3,500ha of crops and washed away 350ha of fish and shrimp breeding ponds.
In Dak Lak, 14 have died and seven remain missing. Damage, estimated to stand at VND630 billion includes more than 6,500 houses submerged, 137 others washed away, 17,400ha of rice and 11,400ha of corn damaged, dozens of dams broken and 77km of rural roads destroyed.
Dak Lak have used their local budget to buy more than 1,120 tonnes of rice to feed 17,180 flood-hit families.
Eight people remain missing and as many as 394 houses have collapsed or been washed away by floods; 54,459 houses remain waterlogged; and 98,543 houses are submerged. More than 98,500ha of crops are waterlogged and 4,267ha of shrimp breeding ponds have been washed away. — VNS
Monday, June 11, 2007
Dengue fever outbreak plagues Mekong Delta region
HCM CITY — Dengue fever is on the rise in the Mekong River Delta as the rainy season continues, according to health officials.
Over the last two months, more than 10,000 dengue fever cases were reported in the region, including two fatalities.
In Dong Thap Province, 2,000 people are currently suffering from dengue fever.
The emergency division of Tam Nong District’s hospital has received 157 dengue fever patients since the beginning of the rainy season.
Nguyen Kim Thinh, deputy director of Tam Nong District’s Preventive Medicine Centre, said the number of dengue fever patients had increased severalfold compared with the same period last year.
Thinh said there were also some serious cases that needed to be tranferred to city-level hospitals for treatment.
Most patients under treatment at the district’s hospital were children under 15 years old.
She attributed the growing dengue fever cases to the public’s lack of awareness about preventing the disease.
The health sector in the Mekong River Delta is strongly advocating preventive measures, including the spraying of mosquito repellents in densely populated districts and waterlogged areas in communes.
Local health workers have been sent to rural areas to disseminate information on sanitation methods, dredging of canals and culverts, and the use of mosquito nets.
In Tien Giang and An Giang provinces, 2,000 people have been struck by dengue fever.
The director of Tien Giang Province’s General Hospital, Hoang Tho Man, said the Mekong Delta this year was facing a high risk of a widespread outbreak of dengue fever.
He aslo called for prompt measures to effectively fight and prevent an epidemic in the rainy season.
Dengue fever patients whose high fever has not abated within a day should go to a hospital and not stay at home, health officials said. — VNS
Over the last two months, more than 10,000 dengue fever cases were reported in the region, including two fatalities.
In Dong Thap Province, 2,000 people are currently suffering from dengue fever.
The emergency division of Tam Nong District’s hospital has received 157 dengue fever patients since the beginning of the rainy season.
Nguyen Kim Thinh, deputy director of Tam Nong District’s Preventive Medicine Centre, said the number of dengue fever patients had increased severalfold compared with the same period last year.
Thinh said there were also some serious cases that needed to be tranferred to city-level hospitals for treatment.
Most patients under treatment at the district’s hospital were children under 15 years old.
She attributed the growing dengue fever cases to the public’s lack of awareness about preventing the disease.
The health sector in the Mekong River Delta is strongly advocating preventive measures, including the spraying of mosquito repellents in densely populated districts and waterlogged areas in communes.
Local health workers have been sent to rural areas to disseminate information on sanitation methods, dredging of canals and culverts, and the use of mosquito nets.
In Tien Giang and An Giang provinces, 2,000 people have been struck by dengue fever.
The director of Tien Giang Province’s General Hospital, Hoang Tho Man, said the Mekong Delta this year was facing a high risk of a widespread outbreak of dengue fever.
He aslo called for prompt measures to effectively fight and prevent an epidemic in the rainy season.
Dengue fever patients whose high fever has not abated within a day should go to a hospital and not stay at home, health officials said. — VNS
Programme opens eyes to plight of AIDS victims
NINH BINH — Many men from Kim Son District, in the northern province of Ninh Binh, are migratory workers. It is the stress of having to leave their communities to find work that is being blamed for the relatively high incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in the region.
To increase understanding about the disease the Vietnamese and Canadian rehabilitation associations joined forces to set up HIV/AIDS-awareness programmes in An Hoa Commune and Phat Diem Town.
Vu Van Kiem from Kim Son’s People’s Committee says when HIV-infected migrant workers return home they often pass on the disease to their wives.
"The highest risk of catching the disease comes from those who have moved away from home to earn a living. When they come back to their hometown, they infect their wives."
One HIV sufferer (who prefers to remain anonymous) used to work as an electrician in his local commune. However, he was forced to move away from home to find better-paid work. It was then that he started taking drugs, which he was introduced to by his landlord. And it was through using a dirty needle that he contracted HIV.
Since 1995 there have been 396 HIV patients in Kim Son. Of those, 18 have developed full-blown AIDS and 83 have died.
He says a lack of understanding about the disease is aggravating the problem.
"Although I haven’t made it public that I have HIV, people talk about me behind my back and avoid coming into contact with me. They even avoid sitting down with me to have a drink or a meal. Even my wife, children and relatives ignore me," he says, adding that villagers have also asked kindergartens not to accept his children.
It is the fear that his children won’t be able to attend school that another HIV sufferer, who also wishes to remain anonymous, has kept his disease secret. And it’s not just ill-informed and frightened villagers that shun him.
"It’s not just villagers but local officials like the head of the women’s association, the commune’s People’s Committee - even medical staff discriminate against us," he says.
And the discrimination doesn’t end with death - even some cemeteries are refusing to accept those who have died of AIDS.
In an effort to reduce the discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers the Vietnamese rehabilitation association and the Canadian rehabilitation association launched its HIV/AIDS-awareness campaign that involves dropping leaflets through doors, running training courses, and holding public meetings. As a result, knowledge about the devastating disease has improved markedly.
Family members are now willing to look after HIV sufferers, without fear of catching the disease. HIV patients have even set up two social clubs - "Love and Responsibility" in Phat Diem town and "Consulting Care" in An Hoa Commune. The two clubs now have a combined membership of 47. HIV sufferers come to share their feelings, making their lives, if not happy, then at least less miserable and lonely. — VNS
To increase understanding about the disease the Vietnamese and Canadian rehabilitation associations joined forces to set up HIV/AIDS-awareness programmes in An Hoa Commune and Phat Diem Town.
Vu Van Kiem from Kim Son’s People’s Committee says when HIV-infected migrant workers return home they often pass on the disease to their wives.
"The highest risk of catching the disease comes from those who have moved away from home to earn a living. When they come back to their hometown, they infect their wives."
One HIV sufferer (who prefers to remain anonymous) used to work as an electrician in his local commune. However, he was forced to move away from home to find better-paid work. It was then that he started taking drugs, which he was introduced to by his landlord. And it was through using a dirty needle that he contracted HIV.
Since 1995 there have been 396 HIV patients in Kim Son. Of those, 18 have developed full-blown AIDS and 83 have died.
He says a lack of understanding about the disease is aggravating the problem.
"Although I haven’t made it public that I have HIV, people talk about me behind my back and avoid coming into contact with me. They even avoid sitting down with me to have a drink or a meal. Even my wife, children and relatives ignore me," he says, adding that villagers have also asked kindergartens not to accept his children.
It is the fear that his children won’t be able to attend school that another HIV sufferer, who also wishes to remain anonymous, has kept his disease secret. And it’s not just ill-informed and frightened villagers that shun him.
"It’s not just villagers but local officials like the head of the women’s association, the commune’s People’s Committee - even medical staff discriminate against us," he says.
And the discrimination doesn’t end with death - even some cemeteries are refusing to accept those who have died of AIDS.
In an effort to reduce the discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers the Vietnamese rehabilitation association and the Canadian rehabilitation association launched its HIV/AIDS-awareness campaign that involves dropping leaflets through doors, running training courses, and holding public meetings. As a result, knowledge about the devastating disease has improved markedly.
Family members are now willing to look after HIV sufferers, without fear of catching the disease. HIV patients have even set up two social clubs - "Love and Responsibility" in Phat Diem town and "Consulting Care" in An Hoa Commune. The two clubs now have a combined membership of 47. HIV sufferers come to share their feelings, making their lives, if not happy, then at least less miserable and lonely. — VNS
Nation’s largest cooking oil facility opens in HCM City
HCM CITY — Cai Lan Oils & Fats Industrial Co. (Calofic) opened the country’s largest cooking oil processing plant in HCM City last Saturday at a cost of US$34 million.
The plant in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park, which can produce 600 metric tonnes of refined oils a day, is the Quang Ninh Province-based company’s third in the country.
Do Ngoc Hai, general director of Vocarimex - the local partner of Cai Lan joint venture company, said the new facility took Calofic’s total production to 1,150 tonnes per day.
"The new factory hopes to meet the rising demand for cooking oil in the local market, especially in the south, as well as overseas markets like Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, and South Korea," said Hai.
Established in 1996, Calofic is a 68/32 joint venture between Siteki Investment Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kuok Oils & Grain Ltd. of Singapore, and the Ministry of Industry’s Viet Nam Vegetable Oils, Aromas and Cosmetics Corp. (Vocarimex).
Hai added Calofic’s investment in Viet Nam had risen to $83.4 million since it opened its first plant 11 years ago.
Speaking at the inauguration last Saturday Deputy Minister of Industry Chau Hue Cam said the company had a 35 per cent share in the country’s cooking oil market last year.
She said Cai Lan’s three cooking oil factories in Quang Ninh, Can Tho, and HCM City provided more than 900 jobs. — VNS
The plant in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park, which can produce 600 metric tonnes of refined oils a day, is the Quang Ninh Province-based company’s third in the country.
Do Ngoc Hai, general director of Vocarimex - the local partner of Cai Lan joint venture company, said the new facility took Calofic’s total production to 1,150 tonnes per day.
"The new factory hopes to meet the rising demand for cooking oil in the local market, especially in the south, as well as overseas markets like Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, and South Korea," said Hai.
Established in 1996, Calofic is a 68/32 joint venture between Siteki Investment Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kuok Oils & Grain Ltd. of Singapore, and the Ministry of Industry’s Viet Nam Vegetable Oils, Aromas and Cosmetics Corp. (Vocarimex).
Hai added Calofic’s investment in Viet Nam had risen to $83.4 million since it opened its first plant 11 years ago.
Speaking at the inauguration last Saturday Deputy Minister of Industry Chau Hue Cam said the company had a 35 per cent share in the country’s cooking oil market last year.
She said Cai Lan’s three cooking oil factories in Quang Ninh, Can Tho, and HCM City provided more than 900 jobs. — VNS
PM Dung calls for action to speed up capital disbursements
HA Noi — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said yesterday he appreciated the country’s efforts in reaching a gross domestic product growth rate of 8 per cent during the first five months of the year.
But Dung said many projects were progressing slowly because of shortcomings in management, especially complicated administrative procedures that have hindered investors.
He presided over a conference to review the implementation of investment plans during the first half of the year and ways to implement plans for the last six months.
Cumbersome mechanisms, disparate guidelines from ministries and regional governments, weak consultation regimes and slow site clearance all hampered investment, he said.
The PM asked ministries and business leaders to find solutions to construction delays, especially for key projects.
He asked the Ministry of Finance to review capital sources, State bonds and development aid to assure money for construction.
He also asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to work out mechanisms for investors and strengthen its management of basic construction projects.
According to the ministry, total social spending in the first six months of this year rose to VND195 trillion, accounting for 43 per cent of yearly targets and 38.4 per cent of GDP. Of this figure, the State budget accounted for VND42.4 trillion and capital from credit sources was VND10.3 trillion.
Record investment
Viet Nam posted a record US$5.2 billion in foreign investment during the first five months of this year, according to the Government’s website.
The country also recorded a growth rate of more than 30 per cent in fields like capital investment, exports and tax collection.
According to economists, the Government’s decision to open ‘sensitive’ sectors, including seafood, garments and electronics import and export, to foreign investors helped drive the boom.
More than 400 foreign investment projects have been licensed in the first half of this year, including several in poorer regions such as Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Son La.
During the first five months of 2007, foreigners also invested $2.1 billion to build workshops and equip new facilities, an increase of 30 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment is to ask the Prime Minister to issue an instruction on attracting foreign investment and issue a call for domestic investment capital for 2006-10.
Oil and gas deadlines
Dung has urged Technip, the general contractor of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery plant, to do everything possible to ensure the plant starts operation in February, 2009.
The PM also instructed various ministries, agencies and contractors to implement various projects and ensure that the country’s key oil and gas projects finish on time in Government Office Official Letter, No 2999/VNCP-DK.
Technip needs to co-ordinate with the project management consultants to monitor closely the manufacture and installation of equipment for the oil refinery plant in accordance with the required standards, including the country of origin of the equipment. They should provide the design blueprints to the Vietnamese sub-contractors as soon as possible, so they can keep up with their deadlines.
The winning contractors of packages 5A and 5B must discuss and co-ordinate their projects so that construction is completed with minimum inflation to their approved budget.
The COMA contractor are to organise the bid for Engineering Procurement Construction Contract (EPC) No 7 as soon as possible, procure the necessary equipment as well as complete its contracts.
Vietsovpetro contractor must complete the equipment installation as soon as possible at Ca Mau gas fired electricity and fertiliser project, so that it will begin generating electricity from December 2007.
Finally the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to consider and approve a proposal to grant bonuses, equivalent to half a month salary, to employees working at the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Plant. — VNS
But Dung said many projects were progressing slowly because of shortcomings in management, especially complicated administrative procedures that have hindered investors.
He presided over a conference to review the implementation of investment plans during the first half of the year and ways to implement plans for the last six months.
Cumbersome mechanisms, disparate guidelines from ministries and regional governments, weak consultation regimes and slow site clearance all hampered investment, he said.
The PM asked ministries and business leaders to find solutions to construction delays, especially for key projects.
He asked the Ministry of Finance to review capital sources, State bonds and development aid to assure money for construction.
He also asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to work out mechanisms for investors and strengthen its management of basic construction projects.
According to the ministry, total social spending in the first six months of this year rose to VND195 trillion, accounting for 43 per cent of yearly targets and 38.4 per cent of GDP. Of this figure, the State budget accounted for VND42.4 trillion and capital from credit sources was VND10.3 trillion.
Record investment
Viet Nam posted a record US$5.2 billion in foreign investment during the first five months of this year, according to the Government’s website.
The country also recorded a growth rate of more than 30 per cent in fields like capital investment, exports and tax collection.
According to economists, the Government’s decision to open ‘sensitive’ sectors, including seafood, garments and electronics import and export, to foreign investors helped drive the boom.
More than 400 foreign investment projects have been licensed in the first half of this year, including several in poorer regions such as Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Son La.
During the first five months of 2007, foreigners also invested $2.1 billion to build workshops and equip new facilities, an increase of 30 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment is to ask the Prime Minister to issue an instruction on attracting foreign investment and issue a call for domestic investment capital for 2006-10.
Oil and gas deadlines
Dung has urged Technip, the general contractor of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery plant, to do everything possible to ensure the plant starts operation in February, 2009.
The PM also instructed various ministries, agencies and contractors to implement various projects and ensure that the country’s key oil and gas projects finish on time in Government Office Official Letter, No 2999/VNCP-DK.
Technip needs to co-ordinate with the project management consultants to monitor closely the manufacture and installation of equipment for the oil refinery plant in accordance with the required standards, including the country of origin of the equipment. They should provide the design blueprints to the Vietnamese sub-contractors as soon as possible, so they can keep up with their deadlines.
The winning contractors of packages 5A and 5B must discuss and co-ordinate their projects so that construction is completed with minimum inflation to their approved budget.
The COMA contractor are to organise the bid for Engineering Procurement Construction Contract (EPC) No 7 as soon as possible, procure the necessary equipment as well as complete its contracts.
Vietsovpetro contractor must complete the equipment installation as soon as possible at Ca Mau gas fired electricity and fertiliser project, so that it will begin generating electricity from December 2007.
Finally the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to consider and approve a proposal to grant bonuses, equivalent to half a month salary, to employees working at the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Plant. — VNS
Friday, June 1, 2007
Centre to nurture cinematic talent with free courses
HA NOI — The Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents has invited people under 40 years of age to enrol in a training course for producing short films. There will be no cost.
Under the one-year project, learners, who must have a passion for movie making, will be taught about script and film editing, directing and the value of a good soundtrack.
Candidates can apply until June 30. They should enclose a curriculum vitae and a well prepared outline of a movie or script covering no more than 15 minutes.
Students from distant provinces will receive food allowances and travel expenses to enable them to complete the course in Ha Noi.
Under the sponsorship of the Ford Foundation, the centre will also provide financial support for students to produce 10 short films. The best films will be presented at national and international film festivals.
Students at previous courses, earned seven prizes at national short-film festivals in 2003 and 2005. The winning movies were screened at the Cannes, Clemond Ferrant (France) and Pusan (South Korea) film festivals. — VNS
Military ties with China key to peace: president
HA NOI — President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday expressed delight over friendly relations between the Vietnamese and Chinese armies at a meeting with visiting Senior Lieutenant General Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.
During talks, Triet said he was pleased with the traditional friendly relations between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
"Such development is suitable to the interests of the two peoples, and profitable for peace, stability and development in the region and world," he said.
Triet applauded the outcome of the meeting between the two countries’ armies. He said the delegation’s visit would contribute to Sino-Vietnamese relations in accordance with the 16 word motto and the four good spirits agreed upon by the two countries’ leaders.
He emphasised that Viet Nam was pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and openness, under which the country attached much importance in working with China to strengthen relations between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
Triet said the most important thing that the two Parties, Governments, peoples, and armies needed to do was to build trust and co-operate for mutual development.
Senior Lieutenant General Liang said relations between the two armies were an integral part in ties between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
As a result, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attached great importance in co-operating with the Viet Nam People’s Army, said Liang.
Based on agreements with Viet Nam’s Ministry of National Defence, the two armies would implement practical co-operation programmes to meet the demands in creating an invaluable relationship, said Liang.
Two armies talk
Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien, chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army, also received Senior Lieutenant General Liang yesterday.
Nghien told Liang that his visit strengthened solidarity and co-operation between the two peoples and armies according to the "Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, durable stability and future oriented vision" guidelines, and the four good spirits of "Good neighbourliness, good comradeship, good friendship and good partnership". Liang thanked Nghien and other Vietnamese officers for a solemn and friendly reception for the Chinese delegation.
The two sides exchanged experiences in military development, and pledged to continue exchanging military delegations, co-ordinate sea patrol efforts and other issues of common concern for peace and stability in the region and world.
Earlier, Liang and his delegation laid a wreath and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the National Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Quang Thanh. — VNS
During talks, Triet said he was pleased with the traditional friendly relations between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
"Such development is suitable to the interests of the two peoples, and profitable for peace, stability and development in the region and world," he said.
Triet applauded the outcome of the meeting between the two countries’ armies. He said the delegation’s visit would contribute to Sino-Vietnamese relations in accordance with the 16 word motto and the four good spirits agreed upon by the two countries’ leaders.
He emphasised that Viet Nam was pursuing a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and openness, under which the country attached much importance in working with China to strengthen relations between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
Triet said the most important thing that the two Parties, Governments, peoples, and armies needed to do was to build trust and co-operate for mutual development.
Senior Lieutenant General Liang said relations between the two armies were an integral part in ties between the two Parties, Governments and peoples.
As a result, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army attached great importance in co-operating with the Viet Nam People’s Army, said Liang.
Based on agreements with Viet Nam’s Ministry of National Defence, the two armies would implement practical co-operation programmes to meet the demands in creating an invaluable relationship, said Liang.
Two armies talk
Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien, chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army, also received Senior Lieutenant General Liang yesterday.
Nghien told Liang that his visit strengthened solidarity and co-operation between the two peoples and armies according to the "Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, durable stability and future oriented vision" guidelines, and the four good spirits of "Good neighbourliness, good comradeship, good friendship and good partnership". Liang thanked Nghien and other Vietnamese officers for a solemn and friendly reception for the Chinese delegation.
The two sides exchanged experiences in military development, and pledged to continue exchanging military delegations, co-ordinate sea patrol efforts and other issues of common concern for peace and stability in the region and world.
Earlier, Liang and his delegation laid a wreath and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.
He also paid a courtesy visit to the National Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Quang Thanh. — VNS
Party general secretary begins Venezuela visit
CARACAS — A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh began an official visit to the Republic of Venezuela on Wednesday.
General Secretary Manh was received with a solemn ceremony reserved for foreign heads of state.
The same day, the Vietnamese Party leader met with Venezuelan Parliament Chairwoman Cilia Flores, who lauded the visit as an historical event.
The Venezuelan people had always admired the heroic Vietnamese nation that defeated powerful enemies in the past and was now overcoming poverty to build its own socialist-oriented developed nation, she said.
General Secretary Manh and Chairwoman Flores shared the view that the traditional solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and Venezuela is a common valuable asset and an important factor to accelerate bilateral co-operation.
The two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of experiences between the two countries’ parliaments, especially in building a legal framework for a stable, long-term and sustainable co-operation between Viet Nam and Venezuela.
The General Secretary then received the head of the Board of Leaders of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
On behalf of the party, Hoochie Rodriguez said that the PSUV, as a core political party in the Boliva revolution led by President Hugo Chavez, wishes to promote regular exchanges of experiences with the Communist Party of Viet Nam, helping boost the friendship, solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.
General Secretary Manh affirmed the people of Viet Nam’s support for the Venezuelan people in the cause of protecting national independence and sovereignty and building peace, democracy, development and social advancement.
He emphasised the need to strengthen the friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and Venezuela’s political parties and organisations.
The two sides discussed specific measures to increase the exchange of delegations and experiences between the two parties.
The Party leader invited PSUV’s high-ranking delegation to visit Viet Nam. — VNS
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Unchecked emissions will continue to grow, study says
HA NOI — Total emissions from four-stroke engines will continue to grow because of poor maintenance and the spike in numbers of people behind the wheel, a study released last Thursday said.
Motorcycle Check made the announcement based on their 2006 vehicle study that discovered only 41 per cent of inspected motorbikes met requirements of emission standards.
But inspected motorbikes make up a small portion of those on the road, the study found, making air pollution a more difficult problem to solve, since around half of the capital’s residents own a motorbike.
The six-day programme, which was conducted from November 25-30, 2006, was a co-operative effort between Ha Noi’s Natural Resource and Environment Department, the World Bank and the Swiss-Vietnamese Clean Air Programme which aimed to further pollution prevention efforts in the capital and outlying districts.
It’s estimated that for Ha Noi’s 3 million plus people, there are about 1.5 million motorcycles currently on the roads, turning the capital into a breeding ground of noise and smog pollution.
During the study, technicians from the Ha Noi University of Technology measured the pollutant emission of 1,675 motorbikes in three locations. The technicians offered drivers advice on how to keep their emissions down, like maintaining the proper speed, which also conserves petrol and prolongs engine life.
The results collected from the study will be further used to create a database which aims to control the city’s transportation.
Organisers also hope the programme will help inspire drivers to take an active part in improving air quality in Ha Noi. — VNS
Motorcycle Check made the announcement based on their 2006 vehicle study that discovered only 41 per cent of inspected motorbikes met requirements of emission standards.
But inspected motorbikes make up a small portion of those on the road, the study found, making air pollution a more difficult problem to solve, since around half of the capital’s residents own a motorbike.
The six-day programme, which was conducted from November 25-30, 2006, was a co-operative effort between Ha Noi’s Natural Resource and Environment Department, the World Bank and the Swiss-Vietnamese Clean Air Programme which aimed to further pollution prevention efforts in the capital and outlying districts.
It’s estimated that for Ha Noi’s 3 million plus people, there are about 1.5 million motorcycles currently on the roads, turning the capital into a breeding ground of noise and smog pollution.
During the study, technicians from the Ha Noi University of Technology measured the pollutant emission of 1,675 motorbikes in three locations. The technicians offered drivers advice on how to keep their emissions down, like maintaining the proper speed, which also conserves petrol and prolongs engine life.
The results collected from the study will be further used to create a database which aims to control the city’s transportation.
Organisers also hope the programme will help inspire drivers to take an active part in improving air quality in Ha Noi. — VNS
Sacom to issue 17 million shares
HA NOI — The Cable and Telecommunications Materials Co (Sacom) will issue an additional 17 million shares in a move to finance the company’s business diversification strategy.
Sacom said it would pour capital into a joint venture to produce cable and into construction of a five-star resort and high-rise office buildings, as well as contribute capital to the Cambodia-based PCP Telecom Co and Taihan-Sacom Co.
Shares at a face value of VND10,000 each would be offered to existing shareholders at VND20,000 while it expected the shares to fetch at least VND150,000 when sold to strategic investors.
Sacom has attained a growth rate of more than 84 per cent in the past two years. With profits of nearly VND204 billion (US$12.75 million) last year, the company has paid an average dividend of 16 per cent during this period.
With charter capital of VND374 billion ($23.4 million), Sacom holds stakes in such companies as the Sai Gon Cable Joint Stock Co, the Sam Thinh Packing Co, the Sam Cuong Telecom and Electronic Materials Co, and the Sam Phu Plastics Co.
According to Sacom statistics, 75 per cent of the company’s products are bought up by the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). The company was expanding its market, however, by providing products to five other telecommunications enterprises in both domestic and regional markets.
Sacom shares traded last Friday at VND183,000, down a per cent from the previous session, at the HCM City Securities Trading Centre. — VNS
3 given prison sentences after pleaing guilty to slander, libel
HCM CITY — The HCM City People’s Court yesterday handed down imprisonment sentences to three defendants for disseminating slanderous and libellous information against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, in accordance with Article 88 of the Criminal Code.
Le Nguyen Sang, 48; Nguyen Bac Truyen, 39; and Huynh Nguyen Dao, 39, are sentenced to five, four and three years in prison, respectively, and then will be put under probation for two years after completing their jail terms.
The court said the defendants, on circulating distorted information on Party and Government policies, had sparked political instability.
The defendants pleaded guilty and showed their repentance, rescinding their statements, which resulted from incitement by hostile forces to violate the law.
According to the prosecutors’ statement, the three defendants became acquainted with Vietnamese-American Do Thanh Cong (aka Do Cong Thanh) in 2004-2005 through an internet club that Thanh had set up. They later joined the so-called "People’s Democratic Party". Under Thanh’s instruction, the trio printed and spread thousands of leaflets with distorted information about the Vietnamese Party and State.
Le Nguyen Sang, 48; Nguyen Bac Truyen, 39; and Huynh Nguyen Dao, 39, are sentenced to five, four and three years in prison, respectively, and then will be put under probation for two years after completing their jail terms.
The court said the defendants, on circulating distorted information on Party and Government policies, had sparked political instability.
The defendants pleaded guilty and showed their repentance, rescinding their statements, which resulted from incitement by hostile forces to violate the law.
According to the prosecutors’ statement, the three defendants became acquainted with Vietnamese-American Do Thanh Cong (aka Do Cong Thanh) in 2004-2005 through an internet club that Thanh had set up. They later joined the so-called "People’s Democratic Party". Under Thanh’s instruction, the trio printed and spread thousands of leaflets with distorted information about the Vietnamese Party and State.
Two Vietnamese jailed for anti-State smear campaign
HA NOI — Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were sentenced to five years and four years in prison, respectively, for "disseminating slanderous and libellous information against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam," violating Article 88 of the 1999 Criminal Code.
Dai, 38, will also serve four years of probation, and Nhan, three years, following their release, the Ha Noi People’s Court ruled.
According to the indictment handed down by the Ha Noi People’s Procuracy, Dai and Nhan had, from 2006 to the day they were arrested, used the Thien An Lawyers office run by Dai to draft, archive, and circulate documents biased against the Vietnamese State.
Dai was also found to have held courses through which he spread libellous and distorted news against the State and through which he recruited members for illegal organisations established by anti-Government elements, including groups so-called 21st Century Democracy Party, Viet Nam Progress Party and Block 8406.
The court also found that Dai and Nhan had done a great deal of harm to national security and to the accomplishments the entire nation has attained through hardship and war. Their behaviour degraded the prestige of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the socialist regime, the court concluded.
Attorneys Tran Lam from the Hai Phong Bar Association and Dam Van Hieu of the Ha Noi Bar Association who defended Dai and Nhan failed to present the court with any convincing new evidence.
Dai, 38, will also serve four years of probation, and Nhan, three years, following their release, the Ha Noi People’s Court ruled.
According to the indictment handed down by the Ha Noi People’s Procuracy, Dai and Nhan had, from 2006 to the day they were arrested, used the Thien An Lawyers office run by Dai to draft, archive, and circulate documents biased against the Vietnamese State.
Dai was also found to have held courses through which he spread libellous and distorted news against the State and through which he recruited members for illegal organisations established by anti-Government elements, including groups so-called 21st Century Democracy Party, Viet Nam Progress Party and Block 8406.
The court also found that Dai and Nhan had done a great deal of harm to national security and to the accomplishments the entire nation has attained through hardship and war. Their behaviour degraded the prestige of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the socialist regime, the court concluded.
Attorneys Tran Lam from the Hai Phong Bar Association and Dam Van Hieu of the Ha Noi Bar Association who defended Dai and Nhan failed to present the court with any convincing new evidence.
People’s Court gives slander offender 5 years in prison
HCM CITY — HCM City’s People’s Court doled out a five-year prison sentence to a 42-year-old resident for disseminating slanderous and libellous information against the State of Viet Nam, on May 15.
The court also ordered that Tran Quoc Hien, a HCM City resident, would also be placed under probation for two years following his release from prison.
Hien pleaded guilty, showing remorse and pledging to split from reactionary groups such as Bloc 8406, of which he was a member from July, 2006.
The court heard that Hien was also a member of the so-called "Viet Nam Workers-Farmers Alliance," which was founded by overseas extremists and issued a joint statement announcing the opening of the organisation’s representative office in HCM City.
The announcement contained fabricated and distorted information against Viet Nam and called on the public to hold general strikes and riots against the state. — VNS
The court also ordered that Tran Quoc Hien, a HCM City resident, would also be placed under probation for two years following his release from prison.
Hien pleaded guilty, showing remorse and pledging to split from reactionary groups such as Bloc 8406, of which he was a member from July, 2006.
The court heard that Hien was also a member of the so-called "Viet Nam Workers-Farmers Alliance," which was founded by overseas extremists and issued a joint statement announcing the opening of the organisation’s representative office in HCM City.
The announcement contained fabricated and distorted information against Viet Nam and called on the public to hold general strikes and riots against the state. — VNS
Police get 1,200 convictions in major narcotics crackdown
HA NOI — Authorities discovered over 800 drug-related crimes and punished nearly 1,200 people between April 15 and May 18.
In total the anti-drug force, police, border guards and air security seized 20kg of heroin, 2,100 heroin doses, 4.5kg of opium and 3,500 amphetamine tablets from drug smugglers and dealers during the period.
The Security Ministry’s anti-drug force, in co-operation with the police and border guards of Nghe An and Ha Tinh central provinces, arrested Lao citizens smuggling 19 heroin batches weighing 6.65kg in Son Kim Commune, Ha Tinh Province’s Huong Son District. Furthermore police and border guards of Quang Ninh southern province caught another two people and seized 7.15kg heroin in 21 batches, .
In another development, the HCM City Police Department arrested Nguyen Tuan Khanh, 48, and another seven people in District 2 with 3,016 stimulant tablets and 63.61gr of Ice.
As part of the operation, the Hai Ba Trung District’s police of Ha Noi caught eight people red-handed with 200 stimulant tablets and the Noi Bai Airport security force arrested one person attempting to smuggle 200 amphetamine tablets.— VNS
In total the anti-drug force, police, border guards and air security seized 20kg of heroin, 2,100 heroin doses, 4.5kg of opium and 3,500 amphetamine tablets from drug smugglers and dealers during the period.
The Security Ministry’s anti-drug force, in co-operation with the police and border guards of Nghe An and Ha Tinh central provinces, arrested Lao citizens smuggling 19 heroin batches weighing 6.65kg in Son Kim Commune, Ha Tinh Province’s Huong Son District. Furthermore police and border guards of Quang Ninh southern province caught another two people and seized 7.15kg heroin in 21 batches, .
In another development, the HCM City Police Department arrested Nguyen Tuan Khanh, 48, and another seven people in District 2 with 3,016 stimulant tablets and 63.61gr of Ice.
As part of the operation, the Hai Ba Trung District’s police of Ha Noi caught eight people red-handed with 200 stimulant tablets and the Noi Bai Airport security force arrested one person attempting to smuggle 200 amphetamine tablets.— VNS
HCM City court sentences four drug dealers to death
HCM CITY — The mighty hand of the law came crashing down on Monday as the HCM City People’s Court handed down four death penalties and one life imprisonment sentence to convicted drug dealers.
A total of 21 defendants were tried for producing and trafficking drugs.
The death penalties were slapped on Le Van Tien, 48, a resident of An Giang and head of the trafficking ring; Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyet, a 31-year-old resident of HCM City’s District 1; Tran Van Quynh, 47, a resident of HCM City’s Binh Tan District; and Nguyen Van Tien, 42, a resident of Binh Tan District.
The four condemned to die are charged with trafficking from 3.4 kg to 5.2 kg of ecstasy each.
Truong Hoang Bao Son, a 31-year-old resident of HCM City’s District 8, was sentenced to life in jail.
Another 17 defendants were sentenced to between five years to 18 years imprisonment.
Between July and December 2003, the ring led by Tien produced and sold more than 11,000 pills of ecstasy, 700 grams of Methamphetamines, 600 grams of Ketamin and 600 grams of other drugs.
In HCM City, these drugs were sold at restaurants, bars, hotels, discos, and cafes.
A total of 21 defendants were tried for producing and trafficking drugs.
The death penalties were slapped on Le Van Tien, 48, a resident of An Giang and head of the trafficking ring; Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyet, a 31-year-old resident of HCM City’s District 1; Tran Van Quynh, 47, a resident of HCM City’s Binh Tan District; and Nguyen Van Tien, 42, a resident of Binh Tan District.
The four condemned to die are charged with trafficking from 3.4 kg to 5.2 kg of ecstasy each.
Truong Hoang Bao Son, a 31-year-old resident of HCM City’s District 8, was sentenced to life in jail.
Another 17 defendants were sentenced to between five years to 18 years imprisonment.
Between July and December 2003, the ring led by Tien produced and sold more than 11,000 pills of ecstasy, 700 grams of Methamphetamines, 600 grams of Ketamin and 600 grams of other drugs.
In HCM City, these drugs were sold at restaurants, bars, hotels, discos, and cafes.
Monday, May 28, 2007
New book explores art of war
A book featuring paintings and sketches, mostly of war, by former soldier and artist Huynh Phuong Dong has been released in Vietnamese in HCM City.
Huynh Phuong Dong – Visions of War and Peace, sponsored by American NGO Indochina Arts Partnership was earlier published in English in the US last November.
Dong is famous for his collection of over 20,000 sketches, silk, gouache, and oil paintings, as well as wood, plaster, and bronze sculptures.
Most of his works feature forests, the faces of soldiers and guerrillas, and battles and the hardships in a soldier’s life during the wars in Viet Nam between 1945 and 1975.
Published in Viet Nam by the Sai Gon Culture Publishing Company, the book with 107 sketches and art works – mostly the former – is a brainchild of C David Thomas, manager of Indochina Arts Partnership.
Thomas was in Viet Nam in 1969 as an engineer in the US Army. In 1987 he returned for the first time after the war and has since travelled to the country many times to research and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He met Dong in HCM City during his first visit in 1987 and was fascinated by his sketches and paintings.
In 2000 he received a For the Cause of Viet Nam Fine Arts medal from the Government. Two years later, with funding from the Fulbright Program, he published a photo essay called Ho Chi Minh: A Portrait, which was received warmly in the US.
Thomas, now professor of Oriental Art at Massachusetts University in the US, marked his 50th visit to Viet Nam by publishing Huynh Phuong Dong - Visions of War and Peace last year.
Born in 1925 in Sai Gon, Dong joined the resistance army in 1945 after completing a five-year course at the Gia Dinh Fine Arts School. He spent nine years in battle in the south during the war against the French.
He left for the north in 1954 and joined Ha Noi’s Fine Arts College. After graduating from the sculpture department in 1963, he again left for the south where the war for national reunification had begun.
Many of his works are displayed at HCM City’s Fine Arts Museum and Military Museum.
Six hundred out of the 2,000 copies of the book will be sold in Viet Nam and the remainder in America for US$40 each. —VNS
Huynh Phuong Dong – Visions of War and Peace, sponsored by American NGO Indochina Arts Partnership was earlier published in English in the US last November.
Dong is famous for his collection of over 20,000 sketches, silk, gouache, and oil paintings, as well as wood, plaster, and bronze sculptures.
Most of his works feature forests, the faces of soldiers and guerrillas, and battles and the hardships in a soldier’s life during the wars in Viet Nam between 1945 and 1975.
Published in Viet Nam by the Sai Gon Culture Publishing Company, the book with 107 sketches and art works – mostly the former – is a brainchild of C David Thomas, manager of Indochina Arts Partnership.
Thomas was in Viet Nam in 1969 as an engineer in the US Army. In 1987 he returned for the first time after the war and has since travelled to the country many times to research and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He met Dong in HCM City during his first visit in 1987 and was fascinated by his sketches and paintings.
In 2000 he received a For the Cause of Viet Nam Fine Arts medal from the Government. Two years later, with funding from the Fulbright Program, he published a photo essay called Ho Chi Minh: A Portrait, which was received warmly in the US.
Thomas, now professor of Oriental Art at Massachusetts University in the US, marked his 50th visit to Viet Nam by publishing Huynh Phuong Dong - Visions of War and Peace last year.
Born in 1925 in Sai Gon, Dong joined the resistance army in 1945 after completing a five-year course at the Gia Dinh Fine Arts School. He spent nine years in battle in the south during the war against the French.
He left for the north in 1954 and joined Ha Noi’s Fine Arts College. After graduating from the sculpture department in 1963, he again left for the south where the war for national reunification had begun.
Many of his works are displayed at HCM City’s Fine Arts Museum and Military Museum.
Six hundred out of the 2,000 copies of the book will be sold in Viet Nam and the remainder in America for US$40 each. —VNS
Southern history published
Ha Noi — The Viet Nam Historical Science Society is working with the World Publishing House on a book about the history of the country’s southernmost area.
"A Historical Glance At Viet Nam’s Southern Land," compiled by a group of scientists who conduct research on the area for many years, helps readers have a better understanding about the history of the country’s southernmost area.
The authors, headed by Prof. PhD. Vu Minh Giang, have collected research by scientists in many related fields such as historiography, archaeology, ethnography and jurisprudence at home and abroad.
The book, which was written objectively and systematically, presents fundamental evidence that the south is an integral part of Viet Nam.
The book’s index includes a chronicle of historical events and full or quoted legal documents relating to the contents analysed in the work. — VNS
"A Historical Glance At Viet Nam’s Southern Land," compiled by a group of scientists who conduct research on the area for many years, helps readers have a better understanding about the history of the country’s southernmost area.
The authors, headed by Prof. PhD. Vu Minh Giang, have collected research by scientists in many related fields such as historiography, archaeology, ethnography and jurisprudence at home and abroad.
The book, which was written objectively and systematically, presents fundamental evidence that the south is an integral part of Viet Nam.
The book’s index includes a chronicle of historical events and full or quoted legal documents relating to the contents analysed in the work. — VNS
Spotlighting Viet Nam’s leading spy
A book about the incredible double life of Pham Xuan An, reporter for Time Magazine and Vietnamese secret agent, has been released in the US.
The Perfect Spy by Larry Berman, professor at the University of California, is the story of An’s extraordinary double-life; both as a well-respected Vietnamese journalist and communist intelligence agent gathering information during the American War in Viet Nam.
An began his military career in the 1950s when he was a member of the Viet Nam People’s Army. After the French left the country, the Vietnamese army sent him to America to study journalism and to observe its people and culture. There he attended community college in California, worked for the Sacramento Bee, interned at the United Nations, and travelled across the country making friends.
Later, in the 1960s, An returned to his homeland to work as a reporter for Reuters and Time Magazine.
Meanwhile, he was providing intelligence to the Vietnamese army fighting against the US invasion of South Viet Nam.
It was a dual-life that was to continue for 20 years.
In recognition for the contributions made by An, the Vietnamese Government awarded him six medals and named him Hero of the People’s Army. He is one of only two intelligence officers during the war ever promoted to the rank of General and Hero. He died last September in HCM City.
Larry Berman is professor of political science at the University of California, Davis and the director of the UC-Davis Washington Programme. He is the author of three books on Viet Nam.
Berman met An in 2001 in HCM City where they quickly became friends. Over the next five years, the US professor made more than a dozen trips to Viet Nam and spent hundreds of hours interviewing An.
In return, the retired general allowed Berman to peruse through his personal belongings, including photographs and books he had read and was influenced by.
The Vietnam News Agency’s Publishing House holds the right to publish The Perfect Spy in Vietnamese. — VNS
The Perfect Spy by Larry Berman, professor at the University of California, is the story of An’s extraordinary double-life; both as a well-respected Vietnamese journalist and communist intelligence agent gathering information during the American War in Viet Nam.
An began his military career in the 1950s when he was a member of the Viet Nam People’s Army. After the French left the country, the Vietnamese army sent him to America to study journalism and to observe its people and culture. There he attended community college in California, worked for the Sacramento Bee, interned at the United Nations, and travelled across the country making friends.
Later, in the 1960s, An returned to his homeland to work as a reporter for Reuters and Time Magazine.
Meanwhile, he was providing intelligence to the Vietnamese army fighting against the US invasion of South Viet Nam.
It was a dual-life that was to continue for 20 years.
In recognition for the contributions made by An, the Vietnamese Government awarded him six medals and named him Hero of the People’s Army. He is one of only two intelligence officers during the war ever promoted to the rank of General and Hero. He died last September in HCM City.
Larry Berman is professor of political science at the University of California, Davis and the director of the UC-Davis Washington Programme. He is the author of three books on Viet Nam.
Berman met An in 2001 in HCM City where they quickly became friends. Over the next five years, the US professor made more than a dozen trips to Viet Nam and spent hundreds of hours interviewing An.
In return, the retired general allowed Berman to peruse through his personal belongings, including photographs and books he had read and was influenced by.
The Vietnam News Agency’s Publishing House holds the right to publish The Perfect Spy in Vietnamese. — VNS
Catholic priest’s religious, secular writings published
HCM CITY — A HCM City publisher released a collection of essays on spiritual and temporal issues, patriotism, and society by a famous Catholic priest on Tuesday.
Thao Thuc (Sleeplessness) is a compilation of works by Jean Baptist Bui Tuan, a former bishop of Long Xuyen in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang, who is well-known in Viet Nam and abroad for his profound writing on both religious and secular life and relations between Catholics and others.
The book published by Tong Hop Publishing Co is a collection of Tuan’s writings appearing over a period of time in Cong Giao&Dan Toc (Catholicism&The Nation), a magazine published by the HCM City Committee for Catholic Solidarity.
The function in Long Xuyen to launch the book – on his 80th birthday – was attended by over 300 priests and representatives of An Giang Province’s Committee for Religious Affairs and the Fatherland Front committees of many delta provinces.
Tuan started writing many decades ago even while he was a student at Long Xuyen Seminary. He wrote mainly about patriotism and people’s responsibilities and obligations towards family and society.
"My writings are not intended just for Catholics but for all people with good will," he said.
Despite his old age and poor health, Tuan still writes every day. His writings, in plain and succinct style and on issues concerning ordinary life, have always evoked a warm response in readers at home and abroad.
Tong Hop Publishing Co received orders for over 2,000 copies at the release function.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called Tuan two days before the ceremony and spoke about the relationship between politics and religion.
"[He] also spoke to me about the relations between the State and Vietnamese Catholic Church and between Viet Nam and the Vatican," Tuan said.
Tuan became the bishop of Long Xuyen on April 30, 1975, the day that south Viet Nam was liberated. He retired five years ago. — VNS
Thao Thuc (Sleeplessness) is a compilation of works by Jean Baptist Bui Tuan, a former bishop of Long Xuyen in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang, who is well-known in Viet Nam and abroad for his profound writing on both religious and secular life and relations between Catholics and others.
The book published by Tong Hop Publishing Co is a collection of Tuan’s writings appearing over a period of time in Cong Giao&Dan Toc (Catholicism&The Nation), a magazine published by the HCM City Committee for Catholic Solidarity.
The function in Long Xuyen to launch the book – on his 80th birthday – was attended by over 300 priests and representatives of An Giang Province’s Committee for Religious Affairs and the Fatherland Front committees of many delta provinces.
Tuan started writing many decades ago even while he was a student at Long Xuyen Seminary. He wrote mainly about patriotism and people’s responsibilities and obligations towards family and society.
"My writings are not intended just for Catholics but for all people with good will," he said.
Despite his old age and poor health, Tuan still writes every day. His writings, in plain and succinct style and on issues concerning ordinary life, have always evoked a warm response in readers at home and abroad.
Tong Hop Publishing Co received orders for over 2,000 copies at the release function.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung called Tuan two days before the ceremony and spoke about the relationship between politics and religion.
"[He] also spoke to me about the relations between the State and Vietnamese Catholic Church and between Viet Nam and the Vatican," Tuan said.
Tuan became the bishop of Long Xuyen on April 30, 1975, the day that south Viet Nam was liberated. He retired five years ago. — VNS
Summer reading for youth lacks Vietnamese titles
HCM CITY — Local publishers will print 17 new books for young readers to consume on their summer holidays, but people are concerned about the availability of authentic Vietnamese material, as 15 of the titles are foreign.
Local publishers and readers are concerned about the ratio.
Explaining the shortage of Vietnamese stories for children, Nguyen Quang Vinh, director of the Kim Dong Publishing House, said his company did not receive good ideas from authors that know how to appeal to children’s imagination.
"We hope to receive creative ideas for characters and stories that appeal to Viet Nam’s children and youth and give them an appreciation for stories about Vietnamese life," Vinh said.
Toi La Be To (I’m Be To) by well-known writer Nguyen Nhat Anh and Sieu Nhan Do (A Red Superman) by Nguyen Thi Hong An are the two new Vietnamese stories published to entertain the country’s young readers over their summer holidays, which begin next week.
Anh’s story is about five dogs living in a writer’s family. His story Kinh Van Hoa (Kaleidoscope) broke publishing records in Viet Nam, selling more than 1.5 million of copies when it was published two years ago.
A Red Superman, with illustrations by Eddy Coubeaux, a painter from Belgium, praises teenage friendship.
Kim Dong also will republish some already popular Vietnamese children stories like To Hoai’s An Adventure of a Cricket and Nguyen Huy Tuong’s A Flag Embroidered with Six Golden Letters.
The Youth Publishing Co and Kim Dong Publishing House will organise a week-long children’s book fair at the HCM City Exhibition House, 92 Le Thanh Ton Street, beginning tomorrow.
Next Monday, participants will have the chance to meet An and Coubeaux, the writer and illustrator of A Red Superman.
Local publishers and readers are concerned about the ratio.
Explaining the shortage of Vietnamese stories for children, Nguyen Quang Vinh, director of the Kim Dong Publishing House, said his company did not receive good ideas from authors that know how to appeal to children’s imagination.
"We hope to receive creative ideas for characters and stories that appeal to Viet Nam’s children and youth and give them an appreciation for stories about Vietnamese life," Vinh said.
Toi La Be To (I’m Be To) by well-known writer Nguyen Nhat Anh and Sieu Nhan Do (A Red Superman) by Nguyen Thi Hong An are the two new Vietnamese stories published to entertain the country’s young readers over their summer holidays, which begin next week.
Anh’s story is about five dogs living in a writer’s family. His story Kinh Van Hoa (Kaleidoscope) broke publishing records in Viet Nam, selling more than 1.5 million of copies when it was published two years ago.
A Red Superman, with illustrations by Eddy Coubeaux, a painter from Belgium, praises teenage friendship.
Kim Dong also will republish some already popular Vietnamese children stories like To Hoai’s An Adventure of a Cricket and Nguyen Huy Tuong’s A Flag Embroidered with Six Golden Letters.
The Youth Publishing Co and Kim Dong Publishing House will organise a week-long children’s book fair at the HCM City Exhibition House, 92 Le Thanh Ton Street, beginning tomorrow.
Next Monday, participants will have the chance to meet An and Coubeaux, the writer and illustrator of A Red Superman.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Artists, techies capture spirit of old Ha Noi
Many artists have tried to revive the quaint beauty of "old" Ha Noi, a city that will mark its millennium anniversary in 2010.
One such artist is Bui Xuan Phai.
He has devoted most of his life to painting scenes of quiet streets and small houses with peeling paint and moss-covered tile roofs. Phai’s works, full of nostalgia for an era long past, earned him the nickname Phai Pho, or Phai of the old streets.
The Khang, an artist that paints in black and white almost exclusively, made his mark by resurrecting scenes of life in 19th-century Ha Noi.
His 23 lacquer paintings, carefully crafted pictures of old monuments, street vendors, scribes in turbans and long robes and mandarins riding on palanquins, can be likened to a mini-documentary of Ha Noi’s past, no mean feat for a self-taught artist in his 70s.
More recently, a group of five young architects and architecture students decided to preserve the city’s long history using electronic means.
The five IT specialists, who call themselves 3D-Ha Noi, set up shop at Cafe 18C on Cha Ca Street.
They began their conservation project with few financial resources, but somehow got a grant from the Swedish-Vietnamese Cultural Fund as the project neared its spectacular end.
After two hectic years, the group was able to unveil the final result of their strenuous labour at an exhibition called Ha Noi Through the Prism of Time last January.
On display were breathtaking digitally reconstructed images of the capital as it was during three different periods: before French rule, under the French administration and during the 60 days of street fighting in late 1946 and early 1947, when parts of the city were razed to the ground to deny shelter to enemies.
The five compared the periods in Ha Noi’s dramatic history and showcased how French architecture came to overtake much the city’s older Vietnamese styles.
Viewers were most impressed by the aerial views of old Ha Noi, made possible thanks to recent archaeological discoveries. They saw the former glory of the Royal Citadel, the sprawling grounds of the Bao An Pagoda, of which only one small archway is left on the corner of Hoan Kiem Lake and what Transverse Street looked like when it was filled to the brim with Chinese-owned shops.
Audiences also got a chance to see the city’s many transformations thanks to German architect Lena Hairmann. The amateur photographer presented 15 photos showcasing the more than 50-year metamorphosis of a house on Hang Ga Street.
Before the French arrived, Number 53 only had one storey and no front windows to prevent Vietnamese from peeping at passing royal processions.
During the colonial period, the house was renovated and now boasted a set of French windows. Today, there stands a modern four-storey building, replacing the old structure that was demolished in 1995.
Flushed by their initial success, 3D-Ha Noi is setting its sights on digitally restoring the ancient port in Hoi An, the ruins of Cham in My Son and other historic sites across the country. — VNS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One such artist is Bui Xuan Phai.
He has devoted most of his life to painting scenes of quiet streets and small houses with peeling paint and moss-covered tile roofs. Phai’s works, full of nostalgia for an era long past, earned him the nickname Phai Pho, or Phai of the old streets.
The Khang, an artist that paints in black and white almost exclusively, made his mark by resurrecting scenes of life in 19th-century Ha Noi.
His 23 lacquer paintings, carefully crafted pictures of old monuments, street vendors, scribes in turbans and long robes and mandarins riding on palanquins, can be likened to a mini-documentary of Ha Noi’s past, no mean feat for a self-taught artist in his 70s.
More recently, a group of five young architects and architecture students decided to preserve the city’s long history using electronic means.
The five IT specialists, who call themselves 3D-Ha Noi, set up shop at Cafe 18C on Cha Ca Street.
They began their conservation project with few financial resources, but somehow got a grant from the Swedish-Vietnamese Cultural Fund as the project neared its spectacular end.
After two hectic years, the group was able to unveil the final result of their strenuous labour at an exhibition called Ha Noi Through the Prism of Time last January.
On display were breathtaking digitally reconstructed images of the capital as it was during three different periods: before French rule, under the French administration and during the 60 days of street fighting in late 1946 and early 1947, when parts of the city were razed to the ground to deny shelter to enemies.
The five compared the periods in Ha Noi’s dramatic history and showcased how French architecture came to overtake much the city’s older Vietnamese styles.
Viewers were most impressed by the aerial views of old Ha Noi, made possible thanks to recent archaeological discoveries. They saw the former glory of the Royal Citadel, the sprawling grounds of the Bao An Pagoda, of which only one small archway is left on the corner of Hoan Kiem Lake and what Transverse Street looked like when it was filled to the brim with Chinese-owned shops.
Audiences also got a chance to see the city’s many transformations thanks to German architect Lena Hairmann. The amateur photographer presented 15 photos showcasing the more than 50-year metamorphosis of a house on Hang Ga Street.
Before the French arrived, Number 53 only had one storey and no front windows to prevent Vietnamese from peeping at passing royal processions.
During the colonial period, the house was renovated and now boasted a set of French windows. Today, there stands a modern four-storey building, replacing the old structure that was demolished in 1995.
Flushed by their initial success, 3D-Ha Noi is setting its sights on digitally restoring the ancient port in Hoi An, the ruins of Cham in My Son and other historic sites across the country. — VNS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keys to longevity? Eat fish and exercise
It is generally thought in modern medicine that the human life span could ultimately be extended up to 100 or even 175 years. But how come we have yet to reach those limits? The answer from the World Health Organisation is that death occurs less often as a result of aging than of physical and mental ailments, ignorance or lack of will.
Vietnamese and Chinese doctors seeking a recipe for longevity have discovered that illnesses have more external causes (80 per cent) than hereditary or internal causes (20 per cent).
The researchers, from both the Asian and Western schools, say that external causes are related to a person’s mode of life, which revolves around his or her dietary habits, physical activity and mental state.
In terms of food, they recommend more fish and less meat. Small fish (or small crustaceans) are better and should be eaten whole because the head and the belly contain most of the active elements. Goat meat is better than pork, chicken better than goat, fish better than chicken, crustaceans better than fish. The smaller the animals are, the better their proteins. Flea protein is the best in the world; it enables those tiny creatures to jump and clear a height of over 1m.
Leading in protein excellence is the soybean. The high life expectancy in Japan is attributed to a regular consumption of what is called striped seaweed, 8g of which can sustain life for 40 days. For the elderly, 200ml of fresh milk every day, preferably before sleep, is good protection against bone decalcification. For Asians, soy is more compatible, as the lactose existing in cow milk cannot always be assimilated into their bodies. None of these, however, is comparable to yogurt, which allows beneficent bacteria to multiply while inhibiting the growth of harmful ones.
Green tea (not black tea) is rich in fluorine, a good protection for teeth; it also has anti-cancer properties and prevents cerebral haemorrhage. A daily intake of 50cc or 100cc of red wine helps guard against hypertension and high cholesterol rates. The same effect can be obtained with whole red grapes (not white grapes). Bone soup and mushroom soup are very nourishing; the latter also improves immunity. A normal diet should consist of 500g of vegetables a day, preferably carrots (good for mucous membranes and guarding against cancers), pumpkins (beneficent to pancreatic cells and for preventing diabetes), tomatoes (cooked, not raw, to guard against prostate hypertrophy and various cancers and inflammations), garlic (polyvalent, best when raw, sliced and exposed to air for 15 minutes for oxidisation) and black mushrooms (for preventing heart problems). Maize and sorghum both have life-prolonging effects, as believed by the Indians and the Chinese.
Physical activity, in particular the Asian psycho-physical gymnastics, ensures a longer life. Walking (five times a week, each time over 3km, for 30 minutes) is good for guarding against heart problems and high cholesterol. Evening is a better time for exercises, as maximum blood pressure and body temperature in the morning might result in undesirable effects.
Finally, longevity would be impossible without mental equilibrium, which can be obtained by means of Asian psycho-corporal exercises. People with cardiovascular troubles should rid their minds of past unpleasantness, live in the present and look forward to the future optimistically. — VNS
Vietnamese and Chinese doctors seeking a recipe for longevity have discovered that illnesses have more external causes (80 per cent) than hereditary or internal causes (20 per cent).
The researchers, from both the Asian and Western schools, say that external causes are related to a person’s mode of life, which revolves around his or her dietary habits, physical activity and mental state.
In terms of food, they recommend more fish and less meat. Small fish (or small crustaceans) are better and should be eaten whole because the head and the belly contain most of the active elements. Goat meat is better than pork, chicken better than goat, fish better than chicken, crustaceans better than fish. The smaller the animals are, the better their proteins. Flea protein is the best in the world; it enables those tiny creatures to jump and clear a height of over 1m.
Leading in protein excellence is the soybean. The high life expectancy in Japan is attributed to a regular consumption of what is called striped seaweed, 8g of which can sustain life for 40 days. For the elderly, 200ml of fresh milk every day, preferably before sleep, is good protection against bone decalcification. For Asians, soy is more compatible, as the lactose existing in cow milk cannot always be assimilated into their bodies. None of these, however, is comparable to yogurt, which allows beneficent bacteria to multiply while inhibiting the growth of harmful ones.
Green tea (not black tea) is rich in fluorine, a good protection for teeth; it also has anti-cancer properties and prevents cerebral haemorrhage. A daily intake of 50cc or 100cc of red wine helps guard against hypertension and high cholesterol rates. The same effect can be obtained with whole red grapes (not white grapes). Bone soup and mushroom soup are very nourishing; the latter also improves immunity. A normal diet should consist of 500g of vegetables a day, preferably carrots (good for mucous membranes and guarding against cancers), pumpkins (beneficent to pancreatic cells and for preventing diabetes), tomatoes (cooked, not raw, to guard against prostate hypertrophy and various cancers and inflammations), garlic (polyvalent, best when raw, sliced and exposed to air for 15 minutes for oxidisation) and black mushrooms (for preventing heart problems). Maize and sorghum both have life-prolonging effects, as believed by the Indians and the Chinese.
Physical activity, in particular the Asian psycho-physical gymnastics, ensures a longer life. Walking (five times a week, each time over 3km, for 30 minutes) is good for guarding against heart problems and high cholesterol. Evening is a better time for exercises, as maximum blood pressure and body temperature in the morning might result in undesirable effects.
Finally, longevity would be impossible without mental equilibrium, which can be obtained by means of Asian psycho-corporal exercises. People with cardiovascular troubles should rid their minds of past unpleasantness, live in the present and look forward to the future optimistically. — VNS
Keys to longevity? Eat fish and exercise
It is generally thought in modern medicine that the human life span could ultimately be extended up to 100 or even 175 years. But how come we have yet to reach those limits? The answer from the World Health Organisation is that death occurs less often as a result of aging than of physical and mental ailments, ignorance or lack of will.
Vietnamese and Chinese doctors seeking a recipe for longevity have discovered that illnesses have more external causes (80 per cent) than hereditary or internal causes (20 per cent).
The researchers, from both the Asian and Western schools, say that external causes are related to a person’s mode of life, which revolves around his or her dietary habits, physical activity and mental state.
In terms of food, they recommend more fish and less meat. Small fish (or small crustaceans) are better and should be eaten whole because the head and the belly contain most of the active elements. Goat meat is better than pork, chicken better than goat, fish better than chicken, crustaceans better than fish. The smaller the animals are, the better their proteins. Flea protein is the best in the world; it enables those tiny creatures to jump and clear a height of over 1m.
Leading in protein excellence is the soybean. The high life expectancy in Japan is attributed to a regular consumption of what is called striped seaweed, 8g of which can sustain life for 40 days. For the elderly, 200ml of fresh milk every day, preferably before sleep, is good protection against bone decalcification. For Asians, soy is more compatible, as the lactose existing in cow milk cannot always be assimilated into their bodies. None of these, however, is comparable to yogurt, which allows beneficent bacteria to multiply while inhibiting the growth of harmful ones.
Green tea (not black tea) is rich in fluorine, a good protection for teeth; it also has anti-cancer properties and prevents cerebral haemorrhage. A daily intake of 50cc or 100cc of red wine helps guard against hypertension and high cholesterol rates. The same effect can be obtained with whole red grapes (not white grapes). Bone soup and mushroom soup are very nourishing; the latter also improves immunity. A normal diet should consist of 500g of vegetables a day, preferably carrots (good for mucous membranes and guarding against cancers), pumpkins (beneficent to pancreatic cells and for preventing diabetes), tomatoes (cooked, not raw, to guard against prostate hypertrophy and various cancers and inflammations), garlic (polyvalent, best when raw, sliced and exposed to air for 15 minutes for oxidisation) and black mushrooms (for preventing heart problems). Maize and sorghum both have life-prolonging effects, as believed by the Indians and the Chinese.
Physical activity, in particular the Asian psycho-physical gymnastics, ensures a longer life. Walking (five times a week, each time over 3km, for 30 minutes) is good for guarding against heart problems and high cholesterol. Evening is a better time for exercises, as maximum blood pressure and body temperature in the morning might result in undesirable effects.
Finally, longevity would be impossible without mental equilibrium, which can be obtained by means of Asian psycho-corporal exercises. People with cardiovascular troubles should rid their minds of past unpleasantness, live in the present and look forward to the future optimistically. — VNS
Vietnamese and Chinese doctors seeking a recipe for longevity have discovered that illnesses have more external causes (80 per cent) than hereditary or internal causes (20 per cent).
The researchers, from both the Asian and Western schools, say that external causes are related to a person’s mode of life, which revolves around his or her dietary habits, physical activity and mental state.
In terms of food, they recommend more fish and less meat. Small fish (or small crustaceans) are better and should be eaten whole because the head and the belly contain most of the active elements. Goat meat is better than pork, chicken better than goat, fish better than chicken, crustaceans better than fish. The smaller the animals are, the better their proteins. Flea protein is the best in the world; it enables those tiny creatures to jump and clear a height of over 1m.
Leading in protein excellence is the soybean. The high life expectancy in Japan is attributed to a regular consumption of what is called striped seaweed, 8g of which can sustain life for 40 days. For the elderly, 200ml of fresh milk every day, preferably before sleep, is good protection against bone decalcification. For Asians, soy is more compatible, as the lactose existing in cow milk cannot always be assimilated into their bodies. None of these, however, is comparable to yogurt, which allows beneficent bacteria to multiply while inhibiting the growth of harmful ones.
Green tea (not black tea) is rich in fluorine, a good protection for teeth; it also has anti-cancer properties and prevents cerebral haemorrhage. A daily intake of 50cc or 100cc of red wine helps guard against hypertension and high cholesterol rates. The same effect can be obtained with whole red grapes (not white grapes). Bone soup and mushroom soup are very nourishing; the latter also improves immunity. A normal diet should consist of 500g of vegetables a day, preferably carrots (good for mucous membranes and guarding against cancers), pumpkins (beneficent to pancreatic cells and for preventing diabetes), tomatoes (cooked, not raw, to guard against prostate hypertrophy and various cancers and inflammations), garlic (polyvalent, best when raw, sliced and exposed to air for 15 minutes for oxidisation) and black mushrooms (for preventing heart problems). Maize and sorghum both have life-prolonging effects, as believed by the Indians and the Chinese.
Physical activity, in particular the Asian psycho-physical gymnastics, ensures a longer life. Walking (five times a week, each time over 3km, for 30 minutes) is good for guarding against heart problems and high cholesterol. Evening is a better time for exercises, as maximum blood pressure and body temperature in the morning might result in undesirable effects.
Finally, longevity would be impossible without mental equilibrium, which can be obtained by means of Asian psycho-corporal exercises. People with cardiovascular troubles should rid their minds of past unpleasantness, live in the present and look forward to the future optimistically. — VNS
Greek PM pays first visit to VN
HA NOI — Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is expected to arrive in Viet Nam today for a two day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The visit, the first made by a prime minister of Greece since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975, is aimed at cementing firmer ties with Viet Nam, a country that Greece views as a potentially lucrative market for its businesses and an increasingly important partner in the region.
Viet Nam and Greece signed a framework agreement on economic, industrial and technological co-operation in 1996. The agreement was followed by a trip to Greece by then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam in 1998. His Greek counterpart, Petro Molyviatis visited Viet Nam in 2004 to attend the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM5).
Marking the importance that Greece is attaching to forging broader interests with Viet Nam was the appointment of a permanent ambassador to the country in early 2007 and the vocal support that the Greek administration has given for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
However trade between the two has been modest, with total two-way trade valued at US$207 million for the 2001-2005 period. In 2006 Viet Nam exported footwear, garments, aquatic products and woodwork worth $84.2 million to Greece, a 22.5 per cent increase over 2004. Most experts predict that trade will increase as ties are strengthened and that trade revenues could exceed $100 million in 2007.
Viet Nam is eager to co-operate with Greece in its traditional strengths of shipbuilding, tourism, historical preservation and labour exports. — VNS
The visit, the first made by a prime minister of Greece since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975, is aimed at cementing firmer ties with Viet Nam, a country that Greece views as a potentially lucrative market for its businesses and an increasingly important partner in the region.
Viet Nam and Greece signed a framework agreement on economic, industrial and technological co-operation in 1996. The agreement was followed by a trip to Greece by then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam in 1998. His Greek counterpart, Petro Molyviatis visited Viet Nam in 2004 to attend the 5th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM5).
Marking the importance that Greece is attaching to forging broader interests with Viet Nam was the appointment of a permanent ambassador to the country in early 2007 and the vocal support that the Greek administration has given for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
However trade between the two has been modest, with total two-way trade valued at US$207 million for the 2001-2005 period. In 2006 Viet Nam exported footwear, garments, aquatic products and woodwork worth $84.2 million to Greece, a 22.5 per cent increase over 2004. Most experts predict that trade will increase as ties are strengthened and that trade revenues could exceed $100 million in 2007.
Viet Nam is eager to co-operate with Greece in its traditional strengths of shipbuilding, tourism, historical preservation and labour exports. — VNS
South African president talks investment at forum
HCM CITY — South Africa’s lack of investment in Viet Nam is not due to disinterest but a lack of knowledge of the market, according to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who visited HCM City yesterday.
Mbeki answered questions from business representatives at the South Africa-Viet Nam Business Forum, saying that South Africa needed to look at Viet Nam more closely to learn more about the country.
According to the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the first South African investment project in Viet Nam, a US$22.5 million brewery joint venture, was licensed by the local authority in early 2006.
The director of VCCI, Vo Tan Thanh, said South Africa was Viet Nam’s biggest market in Africa, with export turnover from Viet Nam to South Africa rising from $15.5 million in 2002 to $56.8 million in 2004, to $101 million last year. The latter figure accounts for 17 per cent of Viet Nam’s total export to the African continent.
Viet Nam exports rice, textile and garment products, footwear, coffee, rubber, electrical and electronic products, wood products and foodstuffs to Africa.
Thanh said the trade agreement signed by the two governments in 2000 and the co-operation agreement signed between the chambers of commerce and industry from the two countries four years later became tools to promote business and investment between Viet Nam and South Africa. Two-way trade between the two countries rose from $20 million in 1999 to $155 million last year.
Covering 1.2 million square kilometres with a population of 45 million, South Africa is the best-developed nation in Africa and has paved the way for the development of all 14 states in the South Africa Development Community (SADC).
Dr. Rob Davies, deputy minister for Trade and Industry of South Africa, said his country was calling for investment in the sectors of textiles and garments, footwear, mining and metallurgy, transportation, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and film production industry.
He said South Africa sells to Viet Nam steel, aluminum and aluminum products, fibres, boilers and machinery, tobacco and tobacco products, with total export of $48 million in 2006. "We expect that we shall import more agricultural products from Viet Nam," said Davies.
President Mbeki said there would also be possibilities in the tourism sector of Viet Nam and encouraged Viet Nam Airlines to open flights to South Africa.
Held by the South Africa Department of Trade and Industry, the South African Embassy in Viet Nam and VCCI, the forum was attended by representatives of 18 South African companies and some 100 Vietnamese enterprises. —VNS
Mbeki answered questions from business representatives at the South Africa-Viet Nam Business Forum, saying that South Africa needed to look at Viet Nam more closely to learn more about the country.
According to the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the first South African investment project in Viet Nam, a US$22.5 million brewery joint venture, was licensed by the local authority in early 2006.
The director of VCCI, Vo Tan Thanh, said South Africa was Viet Nam’s biggest market in Africa, with export turnover from Viet Nam to South Africa rising from $15.5 million in 2002 to $56.8 million in 2004, to $101 million last year. The latter figure accounts for 17 per cent of Viet Nam’s total export to the African continent.
Viet Nam exports rice, textile and garment products, footwear, coffee, rubber, electrical and electronic products, wood products and foodstuffs to Africa.
Thanh said the trade agreement signed by the two governments in 2000 and the co-operation agreement signed between the chambers of commerce and industry from the two countries four years later became tools to promote business and investment between Viet Nam and South Africa. Two-way trade between the two countries rose from $20 million in 1999 to $155 million last year.
Covering 1.2 million square kilometres with a population of 45 million, South Africa is the best-developed nation in Africa and has paved the way for the development of all 14 states in the South Africa Development Community (SADC).
Dr. Rob Davies, deputy minister for Trade and Industry of South Africa, said his country was calling for investment in the sectors of textiles and garments, footwear, mining and metallurgy, transportation, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and film production industry.
He said South Africa sells to Viet Nam steel, aluminum and aluminum products, fibres, boilers and machinery, tobacco and tobacco products, with total export of $48 million in 2006. "We expect that we shall import more agricultural products from Viet Nam," said Davies.
President Mbeki said there would also be possibilities in the tourism sector of Viet Nam and encouraged Viet Nam Airlines to open flights to South Africa.
Held by the South Africa Department of Trade and Industry, the South African Embassy in Viet Nam and VCCI, the forum was attended by representatives of 18 South African companies and some 100 Vietnamese enterprises. —VNS
Japan’s Nidec to expand operations in the north
HA NOI— The Nidec Corporation of Japan planned to expand operations in northern Viet Nam, said President of the group Shigenobu Nagamori while meeting President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday.
Shigenobu said the group would build more plants in Ha Noi to supply electronic components for its customers who were already located in Viet Nam, including Cannon in the Thang Long industrial park in Ha Noi.
Viet Nam’s investment procedures had become clear in recent times and this has strongly encouraged foreign investors, said the Japanese guest.
The corporation had invested US$156 million in four projects in HCM City which were in operation and had helped make Viet Nam Nidec’s second largest investment destination in Asia, Shigenobu said.
President Triet said Viet Nam always welcomed foreign investors - Japanese investors in particular.
Triet said Viet Nam was still poor, lacked funds and management experience and therefore needed foreign investors’ assistance for development, Triet said.
The State and government of Viet Nam were improving the business environment aimed at making the country an attractive destination for foreign investors, he said.
Viet Nam always showed respect to foreign investors and was ready to facilitate their operation, thus making more contributions to socio-economic development throughout the country, the Vietnamese President said.
Nidec is one of the world’s leading producers of hard disk drives, optical disk drives and DC motors. The company has 89 factories with some 120,000 staff, not including those working at its two plants at the HCM City-based Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone. — VNS
Shigenobu said the group would build more plants in Ha Noi to supply electronic components for its customers who were already located in Viet Nam, including Cannon in the Thang Long industrial park in Ha Noi.
Viet Nam’s investment procedures had become clear in recent times and this has strongly encouraged foreign investors, said the Japanese guest.
The corporation had invested US$156 million in four projects in HCM City which were in operation and had helped make Viet Nam Nidec’s second largest investment destination in Asia, Shigenobu said.
President Triet said Viet Nam always welcomed foreign investors - Japanese investors in particular.
Triet said Viet Nam was still poor, lacked funds and management experience and therefore needed foreign investors’ assistance for development, Triet said.
The State and government of Viet Nam were improving the business environment aimed at making the country an attractive destination for foreign investors, he said.
Viet Nam always showed respect to foreign investors and was ready to facilitate their operation, thus making more contributions to socio-economic development throughout the country, the Vietnamese President said.
Nidec is one of the world’s leading producers of hard disk drives, optical disk drives and DC motors. The company has 89 factories with some 120,000 staff, not including those working at its two plants at the HCM City-based Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone. — VNS
Party leader starts Chile visit after Cuban stopover
HAVANA — General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation started their visit to Chile’s capital Santiago yesterday, after a brief stop-over in Havana.
The delegation includes Nguyen Sinh Hung, Politburo member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and permanent deputy prime minister, Nguyen Van Son, member of the PCC and director of the PCC’s External Relation Commission, and Ngo Van Du, director of the PCC Office, and other senior government officials.
The ceremony to receive the Vietnamese visitors was organised solemnly at the Institution Square. The General Secretary was planned to meet with Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet Jeria yesterday.
The General Secretary’s tour to the Latin American countries of Chile, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba, included a brief stop over in Havana, Cuba on Thursday.
Politburo member of the Cuban Communist Party and Council of State Vice President Esteban Lazo Hernandez welcomed the leader of the Communist Party of Viet Nam when he arrived in the Caribbean Island State.
Hernandez said that the General Secretary’s first official tour of Latin American countries would not only mark a new era of relations between Viet Nam and the Latin American countries, but would also aid in the development of relations with all countries in the region.
The host went on to relay the importance that the Cuban Party, State and public placed on the General Secretary’s visit. Hernandez said Cuba was eager to receive the General Secretary within the next several days when Manh officially begins his visit to Cuba.
General Secretary Manh said the Vietnamese Party, State and public would always be grateful to the Latin American people for their aid to Viet Nam during the current process of national construction and during Viet Nam’s struggle for independence, freedom and national unification.
The Party chief also stated Viet Nam’s desire to expand upon co-operation with Latin American countries through equal partnership and mutually beneficial frameworks. — VNS
The delegation includes Nguyen Sinh Hung, Politburo member of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and permanent deputy prime minister, Nguyen Van Son, member of the PCC and director of the PCC’s External Relation Commission, and Ngo Van Du, director of the PCC Office, and other senior government officials.
The ceremony to receive the Vietnamese visitors was organised solemnly at the Institution Square. The General Secretary was planned to meet with Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet Jeria yesterday.
The General Secretary’s tour to the Latin American countries of Chile, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba, included a brief stop over in Havana, Cuba on Thursday.
Politburo member of the Cuban Communist Party and Council of State Vice President Esteban Lazo Hernandez welcomed the leader of the Communist Party of Viet Nam when he arrived in the Caribbean Island State.
Hernandez said that the General Secretary’s first official tour of Latin American countries would not only mark a new era of relations between Viet Nam and the Latin American countries, but would also aid in the development of relations with all countries in the region.
The host went on to relay the importance that the Cuban Party, State and public placed on the General Secretary’s visit. Hernandez said Cuba was eager to receive the General Secretary within the next several days when Manh officially begins his visit to Cuba.
General Secretary Manh said the Vietnamese Party, State and public would always be grateful to the Latin American people for their aid to Viet Nam during the current process of national construction and during Viet Nam’s struggle for independence, freedom and national unification.
The Party chief also stated Viet Nam’s desire to expand upon co-operation with Latin American countries through equal partnership and mutually beneficial frameworks. — VNS
Friday, May 25, 2007
FDI hits $4.3 billion in first five months
Ha Noi — Almost US$4.37 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) was pumped into the Vietnamese economy in the first five months of the year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s statement yesterday.
Over $3.7 billion was funnelled into an additional 372 new projects, while the remaining $577 million was used as additional investments in previously licensed or operating businesses.
FDI investment capital recorded a 25 per cent increase over the same period last year, while the number of newly licensed initiatives surged by 32 per cent.
Analysts at the ministry’s Foreign Investment Agency said the majority of the investments headed to the southern coastal Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Thua Thien-Hue and the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s Hau Giang Province.
Topping the list of major projects to get off the ground were a $527-million Indian steel mill in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, a $276-million resort in the Chan May economic zone in Thua Thien-Hue Province and a $220-million paper and pulp mill financed by Thailand’s Kraf Vina in southern Binh Duong Province. — VNS
Over $3.7 billion was funnelled into an additional 372 new projects, while the remaining $577 million was used as additional investments in previously licensed or operating businesses.
FDI investment capital recorded a 25 per cent increase over the same period last year, while the number of newly licensed initiatives surged by 32 per cent.
Analysts at the ministry’s Foreign Investment Agency said the majority of the investments headed to the southern coastal Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Thua Thien-Hue and the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s Hau Giang Province.
Topping the list of major projects to get off the ground were a $527-million Indian steel mill in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, a $276-million resort in the Chan May economic zone in Thua Thien-Hue Province and a $220-million paper and pulp mill financed by Thailand’s Kraf Vina in southern Binh Duong Province. — VNS
Bird flu threats continue to haunt Mekong Delta region
HCM CITY — Viet Nam’s avian flu scare is far from over as the Animal Health Department officially confirmed the re-emergence of bird flu in the Mekong Delta Province of Dong Thap on Wednesday.
The province is the sixth locality in the country recently hit by bird flu, alongside Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Son La and Nam Dinh Provinces as well as Can Tho City.
Local veterinary workers said about 1,600 dead ducks had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus on May 22 at a farm in My Quy Commune, Thap Muoi District.
Veterinarians culled the flock immediately after the test and disinfected the area.
The 30-day old dead ducks had not been vaccinated before they died.
Animal Health Department representatives warned about the high risk of a more widespread bird flu outbreak in the Mekong Delta due to local farmers’ failure to implement the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s new regulations on hatching, breeding and vaccinating waterfowls.
In response to the six localities’ outbreaks, the department has culled thousands of birds and disinfected surrounding areas.
The department representatives said that generally, provinces and cities nationwide are implementing the 2007 vaccination programme.
By May 23, nearly 120 million poultry had been vaccinated by veterinary workers in Viet Nam.
The province is the sixth locality in the country recently hit by bird flu, alongside Nghe An, Quang Ninh, Son La and Nam Dinh Provinces as well as Can Tho City.
Local veterinary workers said about 1,600 dead ducks had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 virus on May 22 at a farm in My Quy Commune, Thap Muoi District.
Veterinarians culled the flock immediately after the test and disinfected the area.
The 30-day old dead ducks had not been vaccinated before they died.
Animal Health Department representatives warned about the high risk of a more widespread bird flu outbreak in the Mekong Delta due to local farmers’ failure to implement the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s new regulations on hatching, breeding and vaccinating waterfowls.
In response to the six localities’ outbreaks, the department has culled thousands of birds and disinfected surrounding areas.
The department representatives said that generally, provinces and cities nationwide are implementing the 2007 vaccination programme.
By May 23, nearly 120 million poultry had been vaccinated by veterinary workers in Viet Nam.
Leader meets IMF, Angolan officials
HA NOI — Viet Nam is highly appreciative of the role the International Monetary Fund has played in aiding the country’s development. That was the message delivered by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong to visiting IMF Deputy Managing Director Takatoshi Kato in Ha Noi yesterday.
The National Assembly chief went on to thank the IMF for its help in providing consultancy on policy-making and technical support, particularly regarding financial systems.
Chairman Trong informed the visiting IMF leader of Viet Nam’s commitment to continuing implementation of its market reforms in order to integrate even deeper into the global economy. He stressed that during the country’s renovation period, the National Assembly has actively promoted reforms in law making and was a key player in supervising and deciding issues of importance.
Kato was of the opinion that the National Assembly was instrumental to the country’s socio-economic development, proven by the increasing participation of the public in successful events such as the recently concluded 12th National Assembly elections.
The IMF leader said he wanted to study the NA’s future law-making work, particularly those relating to the equitisation of the State-owned commercial banks.
He stressed however that reforms would have to continue to create a more advantageous environment for Viet Nam’s development.
The National Assembly chief went on to thank the IMF for its help in providing consultancy on policy-making and technical support, particularly regarding financial systems.
Chairman Trong informed the visiting IMF leader of Viet Nam’s commitment to continuing implementation of its market reforms in order to integrate even deeper into the global economy. He stressed that during the country’s renovation period, the National Assembly has actively promoted reforms in law making and was a key player in supervising and deciding issues of importance.
Kato was of the opinion that the National Assembly was instrumental to the country’s socio-economic development, proven by the increasing participation of the public in successful events such as the recently concluded 12th National Assembly elections.
The IMF leader said he wanted to study the NA’s future law-making work, particularly those relating to the equitisation of the State-owned commercial banks.
He stressed however that reforms would have to continue to create a more advantageous environment for Viet Nam’s development.
Deputy PM stresses Japan ties, Asian unity
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday expressed his wish that Japan and Viet Nam accelerate the process of negotiation on an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
While meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Tokyo, who is on an official visit, Prime Minister Abe said Japan is considering three construction projects on which he and his Vietnamese counterpart had agreed, namely an express railway and a highway linking the northern and southern regions and the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
Khiem informed the Japanese prime minister of the result of the first session of the Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee.
He also said Japanese politicians and entrepreneurs in various meetings showed strong support for developing relations with Viet Nam, particularly in the implementation of the above-mentioned three projects.
Khiem conveyed President Nguyen Minh Triet’s invitation to visit Viet Nam to the Japanese Emperor and Queen and members of the Royal family.
The same day, the deputy prime minister met with Minister of Finance Koji Omi, Minister for Administrative Reform Sato Genichiro, and Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano.
He also received Nikkei President Rykio Sugita and representatives from other big groups.
In other meetings, Khiem met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday.
The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding for establishment of the Viet Nam-Japan Co-operation Committee.
The committee was established according to the initiative of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his visit to Japan last October.
After the signing ceremony, the two ministers chaired the first meeting of the committee, where they agreed that relations between the two sides were headed to a new stage in strategic partnership relations for peace and prosperity in Asia.
While meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Tokyo, who is on an official visit, Prime Minister Abe said Japan is considering three construction projects on which he and his Vietnamese counterpart had agreed, namely an express railway and a highway linking the northern and southern regions and the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.
Khiem informed the Japanese prime minister of the result of the first session of the Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee.
He also said Japanese politicians and entrepreneurs in various meetings showed strong support for developing relations with Viet Nam, particularly in the implementation of the above-mentioned three projects.
Khiem conveyed President Nguyen Minh Triet’s invitation to visit Viet Nam to the Japanese Emperor and Queen and members of the Royal family.
The same day, the deputy prime minister met with Minister of Finance Koji Omi, Minister for Administrative Reform Sato Genichiro, and Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Katsuhito Asano.
He also received Nikkei President Rykio Sugita and representatives from other big groups.
In other meetings, Khiem met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday.
The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding for establishment of the Viet Nam-Japan Co-operation Committee.
The committee was established according to the initiative of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his visit to Japan last October.
After the signing ceremony, the two ministers chaired the first meeting of the committee, where they agreed that relations between the two sides were headed to a new stage in strategic partnership relations for peace and prosperity in Asia.
VN, South Africa pledge to boost tradition of co-operation
HA NOI — President Nguyen Minh Triet said the State and people of Viet Nam warmly welcomed the first President of South Africa to visit Viet Nam, lauding it a milestone in the two countries’ traditional friendship and co-operation.
Triet made the statement at a meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki yesterday.
Triet said he appreciated the great achievements the South African people have gained in the last 10 years under the leadership of African National Congress and President Thabo Mbeki as well as South Africa’s contributions to peace, stability and development in Africa and the world.
Earlier, the two leaders held a signing ceremony to mark a joint declaration between Viet Nam and South Africa.
The two leaders on the same day also witnessed the signing of three co-operative documents including a co-operative agreement between the two governments, an agreement to exempt visas for people with diplomatic passports and official passports; and minutes of a partnership forum of Viet Nam and South Africa.
Triet said Vietnamese and South African peoples had a traditional friendship, and the two countries had supported each other in the previous national struggles for independence as well as in current national development.
He said the two countries’ leaders share points of view on matters of mutual concern in addition to regional and international issues. He said the two sides had expressed their wish to strengthen relations in every aspect, especially to lift political relations to a higher level, further boosting co-operation in economy, culture, science, technology, education and health care.
President Thabo Mbeki had supported Viet Nam in becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2008-09 and recognised Viet Nam as having a market economy. This special sentiment meant a great deal to the State and people of Viet Nam, Triet said.
He said Viet Nam was ready to share with South Africa experiences in hunger eradication, poverty alleviation, and agricultural development. With its strengths, South Africa can help Viet Nam as a member of the WTO.
Triet applauded South Africa for joining with Viet Nam and the island of Guinea Conakry’s co-operation agreements in agriculture.
In turn, President Thabo Mbeki said he admired Viet Nam’s previous struggles for national independence and said he appreciated Viet Nam’s achievements in the renewal cause, national development, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation.
He congratulated Viet Nam for its achievements in successfully organising the 10th National Party Congress, organising Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting, elections for the 12th National Assembly and for becoming the 150th member of the WTO.
He also said South Africa wanted to strengthen and develop traditional friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Viet Nam, and highly valued Viet Nam’s role and position in the region, in the Non-Aligned Movement and in the world.
He said Viet Nam was becoming an important destination for foreign investment in Asia, and its experience in socio-economic development and attracting foreign investment would help South Africa in development of the country.
Though South Africa was Viet Nam’s largest partner in Africa, the two countries still had much co-operative potential that remained untapped, he said.
The two countries should work out concrete steps to boost economic, trade and investment relations, as well as expand co-operation in other fields, he said.
At their meeting, the two leaders agreed to ask ministries and sectors to boost co-operation in trade, investment, science and technology, education, tourism, national defence, security and other potential aspects.
Meeting with PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also met with President Thabo Mbeki yesterday to discuss boosting co-operation between the two countries in all aspects.
The two discussed ways to use the countries’ strong bilateral ties to boost development in economics, trade, investment, education, science and technology.
The Prime Minister asked the South African president to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in South Africa in agricultural production and to grant scholarships to Vietnamese students to study in the country.
He affirmed that the Government of Viet Nam would do its best to implement agreements on which the two countries’ presidents had agreed.
President Thabo Mbeki said co-operation scopes between the two nations are very large, especially in economy, trade and investment.
He then affirmed his desire to consolidate co-operation with Viet Nam in all aspects.
Home visit for General Giap
On the same day, President Thabo Mbeki visited General Vo Nguyen Giap at his house.
The president said he was happy to meet the general, a man he’d admired since his youth alongside President Ho Chi Minh.
In its struggle for national independence, South Africa gleaned many experiences from Viet Nam, he said.
In return, General Giap said the friendship between Viet Nam and South Africa had a historical length, adding that Viet Nam was happy to see the great achievements made by the South African people in national development, which have rendered South Africa an important role model in economic development for the African continent.
He said he hoped friendship between the two nations would be boosted in the future in every aspect, especially relations between the two countries’ younger populations.
Yesterday, President Thabo Mbeki’s wife, Zanele Mbeki, visited the Viet Nam Women’s Union. — VNS
PM: Viet Nam will facilitate more investment from RoK
HA NOI — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday affirmed that the Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for businesses from the Republic of Korea to invest in Viet Nam.
While receiving Yeon June-Churl, special envoy of the president and chairman of the RoK’s Board of Audit and Inspection, Prime Minister Dung said he hoped that in 2010, when Viet Nam and the RoK celebrate their 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the RoK would rank first among foreign countries and territories in Viet Nam in terms of the number of investors.
He also expressed his pleasure that after 15 years of establishing diplomatic ties, the Viet Nam-RoK relations had developed in all areas.
At present, the RoK ranks third in the number of large-scale investments in Viet Nam. RoK investors have poured around US$8 billion into more than 1,000 projects.
The special envoy conveyed a letter to the Prime Minister from the RoK president, in which the president proposed that Viet Nam support the RoK in hosting the 2012 International Exhibition, themed "Sea and Ocean".
Yeon June-Churl thanked the Vietnamese Government for its assistance to more than 1,000 RoK businesses in Viet Nam and expressed his wish that Viet Nam would provide further support for them to operate efficiently. — VNS
While receiving Yeon June-Churl, special envoy of the president and chairman of the RoK’s Board of Audit and Inspection, Prime Minister Dung said he hoped that in 2010, when Viet Nam and the RoK celebrate their 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the RoK would rank first among foreign countries and territories in Viet Nam in terms of the number of investors.
He also expressed his pleasure that after 15 years of establishing diplomatic ties, the Viet Nam-RoK relations had developed in all areas.
At present, the RoK ranks third in the number of large-scale investments in Viet Nam. RoK investors have poured around US$8 billion into more than 1,000 projects.
The special envoy conveyed a letter to the Prime Minister from the RoK president, in which the president proposed that Viet Nam support the RoK in hosting the 2012 International Exhibition, themed "Sea and Ocean".
Yeon June-Churl thanked the Vietnamese Government for its assistance to more than 1,000 RoK businesses in Viet Nam and expressed his wish that Viet Nam would provide further support for them to operate efficiently. — VNS
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Veteran violinist to take city stage
Viet Nam’s leading violinist Ta Bon, former deputy director of the Ha Noi Music Conservatory, is returning to the stage with an upcoming performance in HCM City.
Bon will appear with the HCM City Ballet and Symphony Orchestra, presenting Mozart’s Concerto No 3 in G major KV 216. Conductor Tran Vuong Thach will direct the 30-minute performance.
To open the one-hour concert, Bon will perform romantic solo pieces by Tartini. He will later perform with the support of pianist Ly Giai Hoa.
Later, Bon will perform Bach’s Concerto in D minor with his oldest son, violinist Ta Ton, a graduate of the San Francisco Music Conservatory and Houston University.
Bon’s daughter, dancer Ta Thuy Chi will also highlight the concert with a performance of Chinese dance. After completing three years of study in China, Chi became a teacher and choreographer for the HCM City Dance School.
The opportunity to perform with his family was Bon’s major motivation for the performance.
"I decided to perform in HCM City, where my family lives and works together," said the 65-year-old musician, a native of Ha Noi.
Bon’s love for violin originated in childhood, when his father, musician Ta Phuoc, the first headmaster of the Viet Nam Music School (now the Ha Noi Music Conservatory), began teaching him.
At the age of 12, he studied music in China. In 1958, he continued his study of music in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, later receiving the equivalent of an undergraduate degree.
He worked as a teacher and a manager for the Ha Noi Music Conservatory for years. In 1978, Bon’s reputation in the music world earned him his first invitation to serve as a judge at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, which was followed by two other invitations in 1982 and 1986. He also joined judged the JS Bach Competition in Germany in 1980 and 1984.
In 1994 he moved to live in HCM City and began working for the city’s orchestra, performing in many concerts at home and overseas.
For his contribution to the nation’s arts, Bon received the honourable title of People’s Artist from the Government.
The concert will be held on Monday at 8pm at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square. Tickets range from VND80,000 (US$5) to VND100,000 ($6) apiece and are available at the theatre’s box office. —VNS
Italian rocker Pelu to join forces with singer Lap for Ha Noi show
Viet Nam is getting ready to rock as Italian musician Piero Pelu prepares to perform in the capital this Saturday.
The Italian will join Vietnamese rock singer Tran Lap on stage as part of the Italian Rainbow festival, currently taking place in Viet Nam (from April to October). Lap is former singer-songwriter of the band The Wall.
"I’m very happy to be here to perform with the Vietnamese rockers. We are going to try to sing a duet at the concert," Pelu said at a press conference yesterday. He has just arrived in Viet Nam after a performance tour in France and Switzerland promoting his latest album, In Faccia.
Throughout his life, Pelu has been fuelled by his passion for rock. It began in his native Florence when he fronted the schoolboy band Wave Scholastic.
Driven by a need to explore the rock scene abroad, the Italian travelled to London, home of punk. Inspired, the musician returned to Florence but by now he was interested in a new avenue of the rock genre: Med-rock. With this style in mind, he founded his current band Lifiba and in 2000 they released their debut album Ne buoni ne cattivi.
Med-Rock is a mixture of rock and blues blended with traditional music from South America and the Mediterranean.
"I want to make rock music more popular through Med-Rock. But most important is that the singer can express how he feels about life through his music," the musician said at the press conference.
The singer also revealed that he and his five member band will perform six songs from In Faccia at Saturday’s concert.
Faccia is about communication, Pelu said: "Communication means sharing, talking, looking, taking action or staying silent."
And what better way to show it than a duet between two friends from different countries and cultures, united by rock.
Other Vietnamese rock bands at the concert include Ha Noi-based Red Tide, Microwave and HCM City’s Unlimited. The performance will take place at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre at 8pm.
A part of ticket sales will be donated to the HIV/AIDS Orphan Village in Ha Tay Province. Tickets will be sold at VND50,000; 100,000 and 150,000 at 162 Phuong Liet Street and 17/167 Tay Son Street. — VNS
The Italian will join Vietnamese rock singer Tran Lap on stage as part of the Italian Rainbow festival, currently taking place in Viet Nam (from April to October). Lap is former singer-songwriter of the band The Wall.
"I’m very happy to be here to perform with the Vietnamese rockers. We are going to try to sing a duet at the concert," Pelu said at a press conference yesterday. He has just arrived in Viet Nam after a performance tour in France and Switzerland promoting his latest album, In Faccia.
Throughout his life, Pelu has been fuelled by his passion for rock. It began in his native Florence when he fronted the schoolboy band Wave Scholastic.
Driven by a need to explore the rock scene abroad, the Italian travelled to London, home of punk. Inspired, the musician returned to Florence but by now he was interested in a new avenue of the rock genre: Med-rock. With this style in mind, he founded his current band Lifiba and in 2000 they released their debut album Ne buoni ne cattivi.
Med-Rock is a mixture of rock and blues blended with traditional music from South America and the Mediterranean.
"I want to make rock music more popular through Med-Rock. But most important is that the singer can express how he feels about life through his music," the musician said at the press conference.
The singer also revealed that he and his five member band will perform six songs from In Faccia at Saturday’s concert.
Faccia is about communication, Pelu said: "Communication means sharing, talking, looking, taking action or staying silent."
And what better way to show it than a duet between two friends from different countries and cultures, united by rock.
Other Vietnamese rock bands at the concert include Ha Noi-based Red Tide, Microwave and HCM City’s Unlimited. The performance will take place at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre at 8pm.
A part of ticket sales will be donated to the HIV/AIDS Orphan Village in Ha Tay Province. Tickets will be sold at VND50,000; 100,000 and 150,000 at 162 Phuong Liet Street and 17/167 Tay Son Street. — VNS
VN’s film season promises to enthral
Love triangles, ghosts, hair-raising action scenes, betrayal and loss are just some of the themes of Viet Nam’s first summer movie season. Vietnamese movie-makers are rolling out their best work – with many films expected to become blockbusters.
At the forefront of Vietnamese film-making, Giai Phong Film Studio has brought out Gia Mua Mot Thuong De (The Cost of a God) and Vu Dieu Tu Than (The Deadly Dance) – both partly sponsored by the Government.
The films tackle social issues, such as drugs and vice. The Cost of a God is a humorous story of a woman’s struggle to protect the Ben Tre Coconut Candy brand name from being stolen. The film stars many celebrated Vietnamese actors such as Viet Trinh and Minh Tiep, and was first screened last weekend.
Deadly Dance is a tale of dancing-girls and drugs and will be screened at the end of next month.
Private studios are also bringing out a number of major film this summer. Chanh Phuong Film Studio has just finished making the two-episode 45-minute horror movies Ngoi Nha Bi An (The Mysterious House) and Suoi Oan Hon (Haunted River) – both sure to make your hair stand on end.
The studio’s productions are influenced by British film director Alfred Hitchcock, a pioneering figure in the thriller genre. The two films will be screened towards the end of next month.
Last but not least, Muoi (Ten), the first joint-production by Viet Nam’s Phuoc Sang Film Studio and Billy Pictures from South Korea. The film depicts the life of a South Korean female writer who comes to Viet Nam. While in Viet Nam she hears of a poltergeist – a broken-hearted woman – who haunts the home of her former boyfriend. She nightly rips up newspapers, moves pictures and drips blood. With investment climbing to around US$3 million, the filmmakers promise the horror flick will keep audiences glued to their seats. Muoi will hit screens at the end of the summer movie season on July 7.
Dong Mau Anh Hung (The Rebel), which was released last April, is set in the early 20th Century during the Vietnamese struggle against invading French forces. The film, acclaimed for its magnificent action scenes, was an instant hit with Vietnamese audiences – in the first two weeks of screening, the film was watched by more than 50,000 moviegoers.
Sai Gon Eclipse is also set in the past. Adapted from the Vietnamese literary masterpiece Nguyen Du’s Kieu Tale, the film was directed by Othello Khanh, who lives in France, and stars Truong Ngoc Anh and Nhu Quynh. The movie opened in theatres last Tuesday. — VNS
Police get 1,200 convictions in major narcotics crackdown
HA NOI — Authorities discovered over 800 drug-related crimes and punished nearly 1,200 people between April 15 and May 18.
In total the anti-drug force, police, border guards and air security seized 20kg of heroin, 2,100 heroin doses, 4.5kg of opium and 3,500 amphetamine tablets from drug smugglers and dealers during the period.
The Security Ministry’s anti-drug force, in co-operation with the police and border guards of Nghe An and Ha Tinh central provinces, arrested Lao citizens smuggling 19 heroin batches weighing 6.65kg in Son Kim Commune, Ha Tinh Province’s Huong Son District. Furthermore police and border guards of Quang Ninh southern province caught another two people and seized 7.15kg heroin in 21 batches, .
In another development, the HCM City Police Department arrested Nguyen Tuan Khanh, 48, and another seven people in District 2 with 3,016 stimulant tablets and 63.61gr of Ice.
As part of the operation, the Hai Ba Trung District’s police of Ha Noi caught eight people red-handed with 200 stimulant tablets and the Noi Bai Airport security force arrested one person attempting to smuggle 200 amphetamine tablets.— VNS
In total the anti-drug force, police, border guards and air security seized 20kg of heroin, 2,100 heroin doses, 4.5kg of opium and 3,500 amphetamine tablets from drug smugglers and dealers during the period.
The Security Ministry’s anti-drug force, in co-operation with the police and border guards of Nghe An and Ha Tinh central provinces, arrested Lao citizens smuggling 19 heroin batches weighing 6.65kg in Son Kim Commune, Ha Tinh Province’s Huong Son District. Furthermore police and border guards of Quang Ninh southern province caught another two people and seized 7.15kg heroin in 21 batches, .
In another development, the HCM City Police Department arrested Nguyen Tuan Khanh, 48, and another seven people in District 2 with 3,016 stimulant tablets and 63.61gr of Ice.
As part of the operation, the Hai Ba Trung District’s police of Ha Noi caught eight people red-handed with 200 stimulant tablets and the Noi Bai Airport security force arrested one person attempting to smuggle 200 amphetamine tablets.— VNS
Top leaders meet Kuwaiti PM to boost economic ties
HA NOI — State President Nguyen Minh Triet and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday met visiting Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah to discuss the two countries’ economic ties.
In his meeting with Triet, Al-Sabah reaffirmed Kuwait’s policy of supporting Viet Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council.
He added that Kuwait planned to open its embassy in Ha Noi within the year and a general consulate in HCM City soon.
Al-Sabah also outlined a list of projects to boost economic ties, including inviting Vietnamese businesses to participate in four Kuwaiti infrastructure projects with investment amounting to US$480 million in total.
"In pursuing an open-skies policy, Kuwait expects to soon conclude negotiations on an agreement on civil aviation services with Viet Nam," Al-Sabah said, in addition to noting, "Viet Nam is the 39th country in the world to which Kuwait will apply the granting of visas at the airports."
In reply, President Triet pledged that Viet Nam would do its utmost to maintain and further develop friendship and solidarity with Kuwait.
"The two countries have a great potential for mutual development, and Kuwait’s economic potential will broaden our bilateral co-operation in the near future," the State leader said.
Their views on strong bilateral relations were echoed by Trong in another meeting also in Ha Noi. Trong expressed his expectation for an early deployment of the accords signed recently by the two countries.
"The two legislative bodies should further promote bilateral ties, especially in the exchange of experience in law-making," the host leader concluded.
Al-Sabah underscored the fact that the selection of Viet Nam as the first step of his Asia tour showed the importance of bilateral co-operation between his country and Viet Nam.
Talks with PM Dung
In his talks with Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday in Ha Noi, Prime Minister Al-Sabah affirmed Kuwait’s desire to boost long-term co-operation with Viet Nam, particularly in investment, trade and labour. Dung said the two countries had developed a fine rapport, held great potential to further develop their relations and should turn this potential into reality. He also thanked Al-Sabah for the substantial assistance that Kuwait had recently given to Viet Nam.
The two prime ministers discussed ways to expand bilateral co-operation, stating their beliefs that with the efforts of both sides, the bilateral relationship will begin a new stage of development.
After the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a treaty on investment protection; a protocol on forming a joint committee for economic, scientific and technological co-operation; and an agreement on co-operation between the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and its Kuwaiti counterpart KCCI.
In the evening, Dung held a banquet in honour of Al-Sabah and his entourage, who are on a three-day visit to Viet Nam that began yesterday. — VNS
In his meeting with Triet, Al-Sabah reaffirmed Kuwait’s policy of supporting Viet Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council.
He added that Kuwait planned to open its embassy in Ha Noi within the year and a general consulate in HCM City soon.
Al-Sabah also outlined a list of projects to boost economic ties, including inviting Vietnamese businesses to participate in four Kuwaiti infrastructure projects with investment amounting to US$480 million in total.
"In pursuing an open-skies policy, Kuwait expects to soon conclude negotiations on an agreement on civil aviation services with Viet Nam," Al-Sabah said, in addition to noting, "Viet Nam is the 39th country in the world to which Kuwait will apply the granting of visas at the airports."
In reply, President Triet pledged that Viet Nam would do its utmost to maintain and further develop friendship and solidarity with Kuwait.
"The two countries have a great potential for mutual development, and Kuwait’s economic potential will broaden our bilateral co-operation in the near future," the State leader said.
Their views on strong bilateral relations were echoed by Trong in another meeting also in Ha Noi. Trong expressed his expectation for an early deployment of the accords signed recently by the two countries.
"The two legislative bodies should further promote bilateral ties, especially in the exchange of experience in law-making," the host leader concluded.
Al-Sabah underscored the fact that the selection of Viet Nam as the first step of his Asia tour showed the importance of bilateral co-operation between his country and Viet Nam.
Talks with PM Dung
In his talks with Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday in Ha Noi, Prime Minister Al-Sabah affirmed Kuwait’s desire to boost long-term co-operation with Viet Nam, particularly in investment, trade and labour. Dung said the two countries had developed a fine rapport, held great potential to further develop their relations and should turn this potential into reality. He also thanked Al-Sabah for the substantial assistance that Kuwait had recently given to Viet Nam.
The two prime ministers discussed ways to expand bilateral co-operation, stating their beliefs that with the efforts of both sides, the bilateral relationship will begin a new stage of development.
After the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of a treaty on investment protection; a protocol on forming a joint committee for economic, scientific and technological co-operation; and an agreement on co-operation between the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and its Kuwaiti counterpart KCCI.
In the evening, Dung held a banquet in honour of Al-Sabah and his entourage, who are on a three-day visit to Viet Nam that began yesterday. — VNS
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Remembering Jackie Robinson
April 15 is a special day in the history of baseball. It was on this day in 1947 that Jackie Robinson became the first black person to play in the top professional league in the United States.African-American players had to play in their own league - called the Negro League - until that time.Now, 60 years later, the Dodgers, the team Robinson played for, are honoring their former player with Jackie Robinson Day. Other teams are also honoring Robinson with special ceremonies.The number on Robinson's uniform was 42. In honor of Robinson, no other professional player is allowed to wear the number 42 on his uniform. Robinson is also remembered for his excellent skills as a player. He died in 1972.
New York Taxis Will 'Go Green'
New York City will start using taxicabs that are better for the environment. The city's famous yellow cabs will be hybrids - that is, they are cars which run on both gasoline and electricity. Hybrid cars are more expensive than regular cars. However, they save a lot more money on gasoline.
Steroids and Sports
There are two big stories in the United States these days that are related to the use of steroids in sports. The first involves Floyd Landis, the 2006 winner of the Tour de France bicycle race. This week Landis is being asked by a court in California why he tested positive for steroid use after the race Steroids can help an athlete perform better at sports. Meanwhile, Barry Bonds, a baseball player for the San Francisco Giants, is close to breaking one of baseball's biggest records - the home run record. (A home run is when a baseball is hit over the fence in a stadium.) Bonds has also used steroids in the past.
A Telephone Call From The Top Of Mt. Everest
There are few places in the world where you will not find someone speaking into a mobile phone. And if you thought you could climb to the top of Mount Everest to escape cell phones, you would be wrong. Rod Baber, a British climber, called home from the world's highest point on Monday morning, thanks to some help from China Telecom. "It's cold, it's fantastic … I can't feel my toes," Baber said. The peak of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters high.
Kuwaiti PM to arrive today
Ha Noi — Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from May 23-25, at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The Kuwaiti Prime Minister’s trip to Viet Nam will be the first by a high ranking delegation from the oil rich state to the country and is aimed at boosting bilateral co-operation in the fields of economics, investment, trade and labour.
Viet Nam and Kuwait first established diplomatic relations on January 10, 1976 and in October of 2003, Viet Nam officially opened its embassy in the Arabian country.
To date Kuwait has played an important role in providing development aid for Viet Nam. Through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the geographically tiny state has so far provided loans worth over US$100 million to fund infrastructure projects.
he two countries’ agencies are working towards agreements on investment promotion and protection and mechanisms to avoid double taxation.
wo-way trade reached $380 million last year, a three-fold increase over 2002.
Viet Nam mainly exported garment and textile products, seafood, wooden furniture, computers, electronic equipment, pepper, footwear, ceramics and pottery to Kuwait, while importing oil, urea fertiliser and fabric.
The Persian Gulf country also plans to pour around $500 million into the Nghi Son oil refinery in Viet Nam’s central Thanh Hoa Province. — VNS
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