Health insurance budget faces deficit

Nguyen Minh Thao, head of the Health Insurance Evaluation Committee, attributed the deficit to the soaring number of policy holders who’ve joined this year. 

Ineffective management, abuse of hi-tech diagnostic tools, and high treatment costs were also reasons for the large deficit. 

The country now has more than 50 million people with health insurance, an increase of 23 percent over last year. –Enditem.

Push for Da Nang restaurants to go “green”

Hanoi (VNA) – The People’s Committee of central Da Nang city has announced five criteria that food and beverage outlets across the city have to meet to obtain a “green restaurant” recognition. 

These include green spaces, food safety and hygiene and local order and security. 

Establishments that awarded the “green restaurant” certificates that are valid for two years will be publicised on the city’s website free of charge and will also be eligible to participate in domestic and international environmental contests.

Over 20 products, solutions win Vietnam ITC Cup 2009

Hanoi (VNA) – Twenty-two products and solutions in four aspects, including sectorial-level IT solution and product, packaging software – commodity software, Vietnam brand name computer and e-commerce product, have won Vietnam ITC Cup Awards 2009. 

The award ceremony, the 18 th of its kind, was held by the Vietnam Association of Information Processing (VAIP) in Hanoi on December 10. 

The Vietnam ITC Gold Cup 2009 was given to the most successful products and solutions, namely the Accounting Software for Administrative and Non-business Organs MISA Mimosa.Net 2009 produced by the MISA Joint Stock Company; HiStaff, the Tinh Van Company’s Software Solution for HRM System; CMS Computer of the CMS Computer Company; and the Vietnam E-Commerce Portal – ECVN of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. 

According to Nguyen Minh Dan, a representative from the jury, MISA Mimosa.Net 2009 attracted 11,000 customers nationwide, earning over 41 billion VND during 2008-2009. Meanwhile, HiStaff saw initial success with revenues of 6.1 billion VND in 2008, up 2.7 billion VND over the previous year. 

Also the same day, in Ho Chi Minh City , the Chief Security Officer-CSO Awards was presented for the first time to nine individuals. 

The awardees included three CSO from State-owned agencies, namely Nguyen Van Xuan, Deputy Director of the Information Technology Department of the State Bank of Vietnam; Tran Nguyen Vu, Deputy Director of the Statistical Information Department under the Ministry of Finance, and Do Ngoc Duy Trac from the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VNCERT) – Ho Chi Minh City branch. 

The six others, who represent the private sector, are directors in charge of information safety of Bkis Telecom, Saigon Securities Inc. (SSI), the Vietnam Data Communication Company (VDC), the Asian Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Global CyberSoft Vietnam Co. and the Hoa Binh Software Solution Joint Stock Company. 

CSO Awards, hosted by the VNCERT, the International Data Group (IDG) and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communication, honour outstanding individuals in policymaking, implementing information security and ensuring an impeccable, secret and available information system.

Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009 on eve of conclusion

Tokyo (VNA) – Some 60 dancers from Japan and five countries in the Mekong River region, including Vietnam , have joined in an art performance, held in Tokyo , in the framework of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009. 

The art performance, titled “A Rainbow of Dance”, was organised on Dec. 10 by NPO Japan Asia Fine Arts Association with the attendance of Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as well as ambassadors of the five countries in the Mekong River region. 

“A Rainbow of Dance” is seen as one of the final activities to take place in the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009. “Rice” is the main subject of the art performance as this is essential foodstuff of Japan and Mekong River ’s countries, NPO chairwoman Kayoko Akimoto said.

In a message to the art performance, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada wrote that the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009 has seen an increase and expansion of exchange activities in all fields between Japan and the Mekong River region. This contributed to deepening the relationship as well as boosting mutual understanding between Japan and the Mekong River region’s countries.

Minister Okada expressed his hope that the relationship will be further strengthened for the sake of the mutual prosperity between Japan and the region in the near future. 

As scheduled, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a party on Dec. 11 to mark the conclusion of the Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009.

Vietnam studies India’s religious, ethnic minority affairs

New Delhi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong, Party Politburo member, has been paying a working visit to India since Dec. 9, to study the country’s religious and ethnic minority situation. 

Trong, who is Chairman of the Steering Committee for Northwestern Region, had separate talks with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Prakash Karat, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) A.B. Bardhan, and the leadership of the Congress Party of India. 

The talks focused on the two countries’ socio-economic development as well as religious and ethnic minority affairs. 

The leaders of the Indian parties spoke of their admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam ’s triumphs in the struggle for national independence and liberation and in national construction. They expressed hope to see further development of the ties between their parties and the Communist Party of Vietnam. 

The leaders of the Congress Party spoke highly of the traditional rapport between India and Vietnam , which was founded by India ’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Vietnam ’s President Ho and fostered by their succeeding leaders and people of the two countries. 

Trong expressed thanks to the Indian parties and people for their wholehearted assistance to Vietnam . He conveyed the best regards and an invitation to visit Vietnam from Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh to leaders of the Indian parties. 

On Dec. 11, the Vietnamese delegation left New Delhi for a tour of Tripura and West Bengal states in North-eastern region of India until Dec. 17.

Vietnam hails peace progress in Burundi

New York (VNA) - A Vietnamese diplomat has applauded positive steps in terms of security and humanitarian situation as well as the peace progress in Burundi . 

“My Delegation takes a positive note of the considerable stabilisation of the security situation and significant progress in Burundi ,” said Deputy Representative of Vietnam to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, at the council debate on Burundi and the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), in New York on Dec. 10. 

“In the humanitarian area, the continued repatriation of refugees is also a positive sign of the achievements recorded in the peace process,” he said. 

The representative called upon all parties concerned in Burundi to build on this positive momentum, promote national reconciliation, and fully implement the 2009 Bujumbura Declaration and other peace agreements. 

In noting persisting challenges faced by Burundi such as armed violence, uncontrolled criminality, food insecurity, Trung welcomed the continued assistance provided by the UN and the African Union (AU) to Burundi , especially ahead of the 2010 elections. 

He voiced support for BINUB and the Peace Building Commission’s close cooperation and coordination with the Burundian Government in capacity building, facilitating the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process, and promoting socio-economic recovery and development in the country. 

The ambassador also spoke highly of the contributions made by the UN and other international organisations, saying that “the continued support extended by these regional and international partners is crucial for peace consolidation and sustainable stability in Burundi .” 

“In this connection, we support the extension of BINUB’s mandate for 12 months as recommended by the Secretary-General in his Report,” he said.

Painter takes child’s view of pain, sorrow

HCM City (VNA) – The third exhibition of painter La Huy’s work, which opens from December 8-15 at HCM City Fine Arts Association, has sparked a mixture of feelings in viewers. 

Most of the works, some of which reach the ceiling, are figurative, and others are abstract. 

According to the 30-year-old artist, the images of children who appear to be miserable and troubled, symbolise the sorrow of life. 

The painter said he was deeply impressed after seeing a Japanese film in which a child was singing alone in a large, deserted green field amid the blood and remnants of war. 

Huynh Van Muoi, head of HCM City Fine Arts Association, said the paintings were drawn as a way to help calm the anxiety of the painter and his worries about the spiritual values being lost in materialism. 

Huy is one of the five youngest members of the city’s young painters’ club, Muoi said. 

A graduate of HCM City Fine Arts College, Huy is a member of the city’s Fine Arts Association.

Charming Vietnam gala celebrates 15 years

HCM City (VNA) – A nostalgic look at the past and the hearty welcome to the future will mark the 15 th anniversary of “Duyen Dang Vietnam” (Charming Vietnam) music gala this year, organisers said on December 10. 

The 21 st edition of the four-day music gala on New Year’s Eve will open to the strains of the international hit “Bonjour Vietnam” by Vietnamese-Belgian singer Pham Quynh Anh, composed by French singer and composer Marc Lavoine. 

Nguyen Cong Khe, chairman of the Thanh Nien Media Corporation which initiated the event, said “The song made her famous among the Vietnamese people, and it will be the theme of Duyen Dang Vietnam 21– Chao Vietnam (Hello Vietnam ).” 

Addressing a press conference held to announce the event on December 10, Khe said that the event had been the launching pad for many famous Vietnamese singers like My Linh, Thanh Lam, Dang Vinh Hung, Quang Dung and Duc Tuan. 

“In return, all of them gather together at the end of every year in this annual programme, which can be considered one of the largest music and fashion shows of the year.” 

Popular overseas Vietnamese singers – Elvis Phuong and Duy Quang will perform the song “Tro ve mai nha xua” (Vietnamese version of Come Back to Soriento) with lyrics by composer Pham Duy. 

“Singer Dam Vinh Hung asked me to compose a song to reciprocate Pham Quynh Anh’s “Bonjour Vietnam ”. I hope that the song “Chao Vietnam mot ngay moi” (Hello Vietnam on a New Day) written by Hung and music composed by myself will be a special highlight of this programme,” musician Le Quang said. 

Also making a comeback marking participation in earlier editions of the event will be Vietnamese models and specials guests like Miss Universe Thailand 2007, Farung Juthithum, and former Miss Vietnam pageant winners Ha Kieu Anh, Truong Ngoc Anh, Giang My and Jennifer Pham. 

They will present the three latest collections of designers Sifa Fashion, Son Collection and Quynh Paris. 

Aside from music and fashion, this year will so see the return of a comedy scripted by famous director The Ngu, performed by comedians Hoai Linh, Chi Tai, and Cat Phuong, Le Quang said. 

The music gala is a fund raising event for two charities founded by Thanh Nien – Talents of Vietnam and Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship Funds. Tickets to the event have been priced at between 200,000 VND (11 USD) and 2 million VND (108 USD). 

It will run every night from December 31 to January 3, 2010 at HCM City ’s Hoa Binh Theatre.

BUSINESS

Street markets survive city ban

Hanoi (VNA) – A five-month campaign to clear away the city’s unplanned temporary markets has been operating since November, but now those managing the scheme are doubtful if it is a practical goal. 

The campaign is being co-conducted by the Departments of Industry and Trade, Police and Transport. 

Ho Quang Khanh, head of the Market Management Unit in the Department of Industry and Trade, said removing unplanned temporary markets from across the city as a difficulty and time-consuming task. 

“This time, we are determined to implement an effective clearance which will deter any recurrence afterwards,” he said. “The municipal authorities have also requested officials to maintain their staff from three to six months after clearance.” 

Although many temporary street markets around Hanoi had been cleared away in the past, most of them re-opened quickly, allegedly because most vendors are farmers from nearby provinces or local people who make their living by selling wares on the street. 

Examples of these locations include Bach Mai Street , Bui Ngoc Duong and Nguyen Khac Can streets, Long Bien Bridge , and Quang An Ward. 

Tran Nhat Duat Street resident Nguyen Thu Huyen said going into modern markets also meant taking more time for parking, while buying at a temporary market much quicker. 

“You only need a few minutes to by a whole meal,” she said. 

Khanh said the fundamental issue was to change customer behaviours. 

“Unless customers build up a habit of shopping in modern retail formats rather than the traditional outdoor market, then unplanned temporary markets will continue to exist,” he said. 

According to the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, there are currently more than 260 unplanned markets in the city area which allegedly add to escalating traffic jams, environmental pollution and fall below food and hygiene safety standards.

Japanese beer producer to penetrate into Vietnam

Tokyo (VNA) - Sapporo Holdings Ltd., one of Japan’s leading beer producers, plans to launch its beer production in Vietnam in early 2012, said Kyodo News.

If successful, this will be Sapporo ’s second overseas manufacturing foray after Canada .

For the move into Vietnam , Sapporo will buy a 65 percent stake in Kronenbourg Vietnam Ltd., a local fifty-fifty joint venture between leading Danish brewer Carlsberg Brewery A/S and Vietnam National Tobacco Corp., for 25.35 million USD, the news agency said.

It cited the Tokyo-based company as saying on Dec. 10 that Sapporo will build a brewery in a suburb of Ho Chi Minh City , the first of its kind to be built by a Japanese brewer in Vietnam where beer sales have been growing at an annual rate of more than 10 percent.

The joint venture will then be renamed Sapporo Vietnam Ltd. and plans to produce 12 million cases (one case is equivalent to 20,633-millilter bottles) in 2019, with sales projected at 10 billion yen (115 million USD).

VN-Index hits lowest point since July

Hanoi (VNA) – The VN-Index dropped for a third day, declining by 2.53 percent to end the day at 458.72, the market’s lowest point since July. 

The volume of trades on the HCM Stock Exchange also plunged by 18.6 percent compared to the previous day, totalling just 36.26 million shares. Meanwhile, the combined value of the day’s trading reached just 1.44 trillion VND (77.8 million USD), a decline of 19.6 percent.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also dropped by 2.29 percent to close at 144.53 points. Volume decreased slightly to 16.4 million shares, worth a combined 470.16 billion VND (25.4 million USD). 

Stocks have lost 30 percent of their value since peaking in late October, and some shares have declined by over 50 percent, noted analysts of FPT Securities Co in their daily report. 

Foreign investors on December 10 carried on net sells on both markets. This sector was responsible for a net sale of 859,620 shares, worth a combined 28.7 billion VND (1.6 million USD) on the HCM City bourse. They were net sellers of 153,700 shares, with a net value of 2.35 billion VND (127,027 USD) on the Hanoi bourse.