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
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