Australians confident about Vietnam

At the celebration of Australia’s 222nd National Day (Jan. 26) held by the HCM City Chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation in the city on Jan. 25, Consul General Swift highlighted the practical contributions the Vietnamese students community in Australia has made to bilateral ties. 

At present, there are more than 17,000 Vietnamese students studying in Australia and around 14,000 others are studying at Australian training centres and schools in Vietnam, said the Consul General. 

“ Australia is a very important trade partner of Vietnam ,” stressed the President of the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association Luong Van Ly. Despite difficulties, t wo-way trade turnover reached nearly 8 billion AUD in 2008. Australia is also among 10 countries and territories with the largest number of tourists to Vietnam , he added. 

Australia ’s aid programmes for Vietnam ’s infrastructure, education, environmental hygiene and prevention of climate change have benefitted many localities in the country. 

In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Vietnam became the fifth-largest Australian official development assistance (ODA) recipient with 106 million AUD. 

Both host and guest said that there remains huge potential for increased cooperation, tapping Australia ’s strengths in finance, technology and education. The consul general stressed that his country regards Vietnam as a major partner and that they attach importance to this market. 

The association’s leader took the occasion to call on Australia ’s business associations, friendship organisations and non-governmental organisations to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in various forms to further exploit the two countries’ potential.

Condolences over death of former Malaysian king

Hanoi (VNA) – State President Nguyen Minh Triet on Jan. 25 extended condolences to Malaysia ’s King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-muktafi Billah Shah over the death of former king Iskandar Ismail. 

The Sultan of Johor state, Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 77.

Vietnamese Party’s founding day celebrated in Laos

Vientiane (VNA) – An art exhibition opened in Vientiane , Laos on Jan. 25 to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding day of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Feb. 3). 

On display are 50 selected colour and lacquer paintings and wood-engravings created by Vietnamese painters. 

The artworks give visitors a better understanding of the landscape, customs and people of Vietnam, especially the country’s positive changes under the leadership of the Communist Party. 

The month-long exhibition is being jointly held by the Vietnam Culture Centre in Laos, Laos’s Ministry of Information and Culture’s Fine Arts Department and Vietnam’s Fine Arts College.

King Le Du Tong reburied in homeland

Thanh Hoa (VNA) – A special ceremony was held to rebury the remains of King Le Du Tong (1679-1731) in Bai Trach village, Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province on Jan. 25.

The King’s stele will be placed at the imperial temple of the former Le Kings, alongside those of all 27 Le Kings of the former Le dynasty (1418-1789) in Dong Ve ward of Thanh Hoa city.

A 700 kg coffin of the same dimensions and design along with royal dress in replicating the originals have been prepared for the burial 

King Le Du Tong was given his name Le Duy Duong by his father. He was the 22nd king of the Le dynasty, ruling from 1705 to 1729. The Le dynasty, which lasted from 1428 to 1789, is famous for its founder, King Le Loi, who liberated the country from Chinese Ming invaders.

When King Le Du Tong came to the throne, he reduced and eliminated a number of taxes. 

At the time of his reign, the power of the Le dynasty was beginning to decline. The Trinh Lords (1545-1787) held the real power over the court and the country. Lord Trinh Cuong (1709-1729) ruled at the same time as King Le Du Tong.

The country was peaceful at this time, according to ancient documents, such as the Kham Dinh Viet Su Thong Giam Cuong Muc (a history book with many chapters about Viet Nam, compiled by Nguyen dynasty historians). 

"The Le dynasty did many things for the country and laws were strictly implemented. The King did not have to work hard, but his domain was orderly, thanks to important contributions made by Lord Trinh Cuong," according to the text.

In 1729, the King abdicated the throne to his son Le Duy Phuong. Two years later, Le Du Tong died at the age of 52. For the last two years of his life, he was a devout Buddhist. 

The king’s remains were found in February of 1958 by farmers in Bai Trach hamlet of Ban Thach Village in Tho Xuan District, in the central province of Thanh Hoa while they were digging in a field. The outer coffin was discovered first and when they broke a corner they saw a red lacquer inner coffin trimmed with gold.

After hearing the news, relevant Government officials came and used cement to mend the broken corner and then assigned local authorities to manage the tomb.

However, the local authorities were worried that the tomb presented too attractive a target for thieves. 

So, with permission from the then Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and the Ministry of Culture and Information, experts from the Viet Nam History Museum and Thanh Hoa Province’s Department of Culture and Information excavated the tomb in 1964. They brought the coffin, which is made of precious ngoc am wood (also known as po mu), to the Viet Nam History Museum.

On April 2, 1964, museum scientists opened the coffin. PM Dong was in attendance. 

The coffin had two bottoms, with a 10 cm layer of roasted rice between them. The body was wrapped in many layers of clothing and shrouds, including eight large shrouds made of brocade, measuring 1.5m by 5m each; a small shroud made of two layers of brocade; a large royal robe with an embroidered dragon on the front and many other smaller dragons on the back and on both sleeves; two inner royal mantles; and three pairs of silk trousers.

The King’s face was covered with a towel that has an image of a dragon in the centre.

These were the first specimens of clothing the museum ever discovered from the Le dynasty.

Also found in the coffin were a book, a pen, a brush, a paper fan, and a bag to hold betel and areca nuts.

When the towel was lifted off the King’s face, excavators were surprised to see the face was grey, and that the body was soft and the joints could move. The corpse has been preserved in a cold room at the museum since.

After several requests by the council of the Le royal family, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism permitted transport of the remains to the King’s homeland for reburial. The Prime Minister signed off on the approval on Oct. 29, 2009.

Vietnam, Egypt eager for economic ties

Hanoi (VNA)- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and Investment Minister Mahmoud Mohieldin both showed interest in boosting bilateral ties in all fields, especially economics and trade. 

The duo met in Hanoi on January 25 as part of Mohieldin’s official visit to Vietnam , where the host emphasised that the two countries left untapped their huge potential in a number of fields, ranging from industry to construction, services, commerce and banking. 

“That’s why big opportunities for business circles from the two countries are ahead and should be grasped,” urged the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam. 

Hung pointed out that a boost in bilateral ties would be a spring pad to strengthening relations between Vietnam and the Middle East as well as between Egypt and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

The Egyptian minister said a number of industrial executives are accompanying him on this visit to look for business opportunities in Vietnam. He added that he expected more and more Vietnamese businesses would come and conduct market surveys in Egypt. 

“The two countries are expected to get balanced in trade relations soon,” he concluded. 

Egypt is now on the trade deficit side in regard with Vietnam.

Vietnam effectively uses New Zealand ODA

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is effectively using ODA granted by New Zealand in education and training, poverty reduction and sustainable development, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan has affirmed. 

Receiving New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Hanoi on Jan. 25, Doan expressed her pleasure at the fine development of relations between their two countries in many fields, saying she believed that FM Murray McCully’s Vietnam visit would deepen the friendship cooperation between the two countries. 

The Vice State President thanked New Zealand for recognising Vietnam ’s market economy and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals and students to live and study in the country. 

She expressed her wish that Vietnam and New Zealand would quickly implement the cooperation agreements reached between the two countries’ leaders to promote the bilateral friendship and cooperation. 

FM McCully affirmed that ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular will take central stage in New Zealand ’s cooperation programme in the near future. 

The same day, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong hosted a reception for FM McCully, during which Phong affirmed that the two countries have great potential for cooperation, especially in culture, tourism, and labour. 

She welcomed a New Zealand decision to receive 200 Vietnamese guest workers in 2010 with plans to recruit another 100 in 2011, and thanked the country for providing aid relief to Vietnam ’s storm and flood victims. 

She also expressed gratefulness to New Zealand for backing Vietnam ’s candidacy of the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council, saying she hoped New Zealand would continue to support Vietnam in its post as ASEAN chair. 

She proposed that the two legislative bodies increase the exchange of delegations to share experiences in the law-making work.

Party official pledges to boost ties with Egypt

Hanoi (VNA)- Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Politburo member Truong Tan Sang assured Egyptian Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieldin of Vietnam ’s unswerving respect for bilateral relations. 

Sang, also the CPV’s permanent secretary, made the statement at their meeting in Hanoi on January 25, saying Vietnam has always respected multi-faceted relations with Egypt, in the vested interests of the two nations and for peace, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia, the Middle East-North Africa and the world as a whole. 

The senior Party official welcomed the visit by the Egyptian investment minister, who is also a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) Central Committee, as evidence of the solidarity, friendship and fine cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples. 

“Egypt has played an important and active role in the Middle East – North Africa,” Sang said, expressing belief in still greater achievements recorded by the Egyptian people in their national construction under the NDP leadership. 

His views were echoed by the guest, who pledged to boost cooperation in all fields with Vietnam, including investment, industry, commerce and tourism. 

The Egyptian minister expressed admiration at Vietnam ’s achievements and experience in renewal as well as the Southeast Asian nation’s increasing prestige in the international arena.

Vietnam, Laos strengthen cooperation in fighting crime

Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong has hailed close and effective cooperation between the public security ministries of Vietnam and Laos .

The ministries of public security in both countries cooperated effectively in preventing and combating crime, providing personnel training, exchanging information and sharing experiences, NA Chairman Trong said while receiving Lao Minister of Public Security Thongbanh Sengaphone, in Hanoi on January 25.

Chairman Trong urged that the two countries should increase cooperation in fighting crime, maintaining political security and social order, thus contributing to the success of important events in 2010 in both countries as well as for the benefit of their people. 

Lao Minister Sengaphone emphasised effective cooperation between the two ministries, saying that Vietnam ’s public security force helped their Lao counterparts in security for the 25th SEA Games. 

The two ministries have maintained regular exchanges of visits to share experiences and mutual assistance in professional work, he said.

Teaching of Hindi stepped up

HCM City (VNA) – Indian Consul General Jitendra Nath Misra has said that teaching Hindi will be expanded among Vietnamese students nationwide as soon as possible. 

The Indian diplomat made the statement at a seminar entitled “Hindi awareness in Vietnam ” held in HCM City on Jan. 25 on the occasion of World Hindi Day (Jan. 10). 

Dr Le Tay from the HCM City University of Social Science and Humanities Oriental Studies Faculty emphasised the necessity to set up a Hindi Research Committee and translate cultural works and cultural and historical research from Hindi into Vietnamese and vice versa. 

It is necessary to have vivid and practical lectures to attract learners, said the participants, noting that lessons should be combined with extracurricular activities including those in culture and the arts. 

India has provided long term scholarships of two years and short term scholarships of two to three months for Vietnamese students and teachers to study in India in order to help them learn more about Indian culture and civilisation, said the seminar. 

Apart from upgrading methodology, the Indian Embassy and its Consulate General in HCM City will present Vietnamese graduates to work at Indian companies, said Consul General Jitendra Nath Misra. 

Hindi is currently being taught only at the HCM City University of Social Science and Humanities. The Indian Consulate General plans to finance Hindi classes at Tra Vinh, An Giang, Da Lat, Hue and Da Nang Universities.

Meeting opens to review emulation campaign

Hanoi (VNA) – A national conference was held in Hanoi on Jan. 25 to review last year’s implementation of the campaign to “Study and follow Ho Chi Minh’s moral example” and implement tasks in 2010.

Among participants to the meeting were General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nong Duc Manh, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong-- who is deputy chief of the central steering committee for the campaign--and other ranking party officials.

A total of 68 organisations and 144 individuals named as the most outstanding exemplary followers of Uncle Ho’s moral lessons also attended the meeting.

The steering committee said this year’s theme will be “Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and moral lessons in building the party into a truly transparent and strong organisation that upholds the values of morality and civilisation.”

The committee said the whole nation would continue to speed up activities, including the production of works of art and literature, to promote the campaign. 

As part of these activities, the Ministry of Education and Training will officially bring Ho Chi Minh’s moral lessons into school curricula starting with the 2010-2011 academic year.

The meeting said the campaign received continuous and widespread response nationwide and had been successfully conducted over the last three years, contributing to the cause of national construction and defence.

Each year’s theme for the campaign was integrated into national movements to prevent and fight corruption, wastefulness and bureaucracy.

Many localities have mobilised the involvement and coordination of ordinary people, party and mass organisations and media agencies to bring into full play combined strength of the campaign. Therefore, the committee said, the number of transparent party units has increased while the number of party members committing violations has fallen.

Addressing the closing ceremony, CPV General Secretaty Nong Duc Manh said the radical implementation of the campaign in 2009 gave additional impetus to ministries and agencies at all levels as well as local provinces in implementing the party and state’s policies.

This, Manh said, has helped the country prevent economic recession, maintain growth at an appropriate level, avoid inflation, stabilise the macro-economy and ensure social welfare. 

The Secretary General said Vietnam’s achievements last year were largely attributed to the campaign and implementation of Uncle Ho’s testament. 

He underlined the three most important factors that have made the campaign successful over the last three years, including high consensus among the party and people, leadership of party committees at all levels and the active involvement of the whole political system, which consists of state agencies, the Fatherland Front and political organisations.

Party representatives for Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, the CPV Central Committee’s Office, Vietnam Television, the Government Office and other provinces brought to the meeting their experiences in guiding and implementing the campaign.

The meeting also heard about the experiences of outstanding organisations and individuals in learning and following the moral teachings of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam Red Cross to send relief to Haiti quake victims

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) will provide victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti with 20,000 USD in initial assistance, said VRC Vice Chairman and General Secretary Doan Van Thai on January 25. 

VRC said that it has been receiving donations for the victims from organisations and individuals across Vietnam. 

Upon news of the earthquake, the VRC sent a message of condolences to the Haitian people, expressing their hope that they would soon recover from the devastation. 

The death toll from the earthquake has risen to 150,000 people at present.

State leaders send congratulations to Australia

Hanoi (VNA) – State President Nguyen Minh Triet on January 25 sent a message of congratulations to Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce on the occasion of Australia ’s 222nd Independence Day (January 26). 

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent message of congratulations to his counterpart Kevin Rudd.

State President urges courts to step up reform

Hanoi (VNA) – The courts should attach special importance to removing shortcomings in their work, limiting the need to correct or overturn erroneous verdicts. 

The statement was made by State President Nguyen Minh Triet at a meeting held in Hanoi on January 25 discussing the sector’s tasks for this year. 

These are issues with which the whole society is deeply concerned, stressed the President while pointing out some of the sector’s weaknesses. 

Triet also reminded the judiciary of its serious shortage of staff, especially in the Central Highlands and southern provinces, and the limited expertise of officials working in courts. 

The sector this year is tasked with continuing to speed up the trial process to reduce the number of trials that need to be suspended because they have waited too long to come before the court. 

Last year, the courts at all levels handled over 294,000 criminal and civil cases and tried more than 272,000 cases.

Official in IT project scandal gets 5-year jail term

Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi People’s Court on January 25 sentenced a former high-ranking official to five years in prison for his key role in a scandal involving a multi-million VND project to computerise government agencies, commonly known as “Project 112”.

Vu Dinh Thuan, former Director of Project 112, and 22 accomplices were convicted of “abusing positions and/or powers while performing official duties” and “taking advantages of one’s influence over persons with positions and powers to seek personal benefits” as described in Articles 281 and 291, respectively, of the Penal Code.

According to the court’ verdict, Thuan and his accomplices caused losses mounting to over 4.6 billion VND between 2003 and 2006 from a wide range of wrongdoings they committed in undertaking the project, ranging from procurement to awarding sub-contracts. 

Thuan, who played the key role in the signing of contracts and himself pocketed 275 million VND, was sentenced to five years in jail.

Luong Cao Son, who was Thuan’s junior colleague, was found guilty of initiating the wrongdoings involving Project 112 and personally siphoning off up to 749 million VND. He received the longest sentence--six years in jail.

A six-year term was also handed down to the Director of the ISA IT company, Nguyen Thuy Ha, who was accused of paying “kickbacks” for being awarded 60 economic contracts worth more than 23 billion VND, many of which were illegal. 

The court also handed down other sentences ranging from an 18-month suspended jail term to 30 months in prison to other defendants in the case.

Malaysia proposes trans-ASEAN railway network

Bandar Seri Begawan (VNA) – Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen on January 24 presented her country’s idea to set up a trans-ASEAN railway network on the sidelines of the Tourism Ministerial Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. 

The network, which links seven ASEAN member countries--Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Brunei--is part of Malaysia’s tourism development strategy, which features a combination of railway and waterway routes, the minister said. 

Malaysia has developed its own railway tourism and may become a railway tourism centre in Southeast Asia, she added. 

The minister called on member countries to support the plan as the tourism industry is opening up in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and the sector would help boost the economy in rural areas in the region, especially in costal ones.

Int’l donors discuss rebuilding Haiti

Hanoi (VNA) – International donors are scheduled to meet in Montreal, Canada, on January 25 to discuss immediate moves for long-term reconstruction efforts for quake-devastated Haiti.

Earlier, the foreign ministers of the Bolivian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) gathered in Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas to seek ways to channel more humanitarian relief into Haiti.

According to the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, the ALBA will adopt mid- to long-term strategies to help the Caribbean country’s rebuilding endeavours, including the construction of hospitals, water supply facilities and foodstuff processing plants. 

The Haitian Culture and Communications Minister, Marie-Lawrence Jocelyn Lassegue, on Jan. 24, reported that the death toll from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12 had climbed to 150,000.

She also feared that another 200,000 people could be dead under the rubble of wrecked buildings.

On Jan. 24, a mild earthquake measuring 4.7 in magnitude hit an area around 30 km west of Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the new quake.

Italian city moves to tighten links with Vietnam

Rome (VNA) - The Italian city of Genoa will seek opportunities to promote its investment and trade ties with Vietnam by building information channels and implementing projects in the fields of economy, culture and education. 

Genoa authorities unveiled the city’s plan during their recent meetings with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy, Dang Khanh Thoai. 

They said companies in Genoa and the Liguria region as a whole want to increase activities to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam - a market with a high potential for growth but a modest inflow of Italian investment largely due to the lack of information and knowledge about it. 

As an industrially developed city, and boasting a large seaport, Genoa is ready to step up cooperation with Vietnam in the areas of its strengths, such as ship repair, maritime transport, vocational training and two-way trade. 

Both the local leadership and the business community expressed their optimism that the understandings reached during State President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Italy last December, together with Vietnam’s high and steady economic growth rate, will create a foundation to spur investment between the two countries, especially in the Liguria region and in Genoa city. 

In his meeting with the city’s Mayor Marta Vincenzi, Thoai invited Genoa to participate in the millennium celebrations of Thang Long-Hanoi to be held in Vietnam and Italy this year. 

A committee was set up to guide the implementation of specific activities as part of the celebrations, including photo and painting exhibitions and music and dance performances. 

The Genoa Exhibition Centre also invited Vietnam to join Europe’s largest flower festival “Euroflora 2011”, while the University of Genoa expressed its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in scientific research, the sharing of information and in receiving Vietnamese students for study in fields such as mechanics, architecture and navigation. 

During Vietnam’s war of resistance against US aggressors, of all Italian cities, the solidarity movement with Vietnam was at its strongest in Genoa. The voyage of the Australe from Genoa in 1973, a ship which carried relief aid to the northern port of Hai Phong during the US blockade, is considered vivid evidence of the solidarity extended to the Vietnamese people by the people of Italy in general and Genoa in particular.

Misunderstanding causes Thai-Cambodian clash

Bangkok (VNA) - Thai and Cambodian army officers have agreed that fighting between military patrols of the two countries on Jan. 24 was caused by a misunderstanding and they will work together for a solution to ease the tension. 

The agreement came as a result of negotiations later in the same day when the clash broke out in the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple, leaving two Thai army soldiers wounded, the Thai news agency (TNA) reported.

The negotiation talks were joined by Col Thanet Wongcha-um, chief of staff of the commander for the Suranaree Task Force and Col Thawatchai Changprachak, commander of a special unit from Thailand’s Ranger Forces Regiment 23 and Major General Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia’s 3rd Reinforcement Division at an operation base in Thailand’s Kantharalak district following the clash.

After the one-hour meeting, they also agreed that soldiers of both sides would initially withdraw from areas near the clash site and return to their bases before officials of the two countries will meet again on Jan. 25 to discuss patrols in the disputed areas. 

According to ealier reports, Cambodia said the fighting began when Thai troops intruded into Cambodian territory. 

Lt-Col Nut Sri-in, commander of Thailand ’s Suranaree Task Force Unit 163, however said on Jan. 24 that the fighting broke out when a group of Thai Army Rangers on patrol and confronted Cambodian soldiers who were felling trees in Kantharalak district bordering Cambodia.

Laos economic growth ranks second in East Asia

Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao economy performed well in 2009 despite the global financial crisis with a growth rate of 6.4 percent, the second highest in East Asia after China, according to a World Bank report. 

The report showed that a main reason for this impressive growth is that the Lao economy is relatively insulated from the global financial system and its exposure to global trade is still limited, thereby mitigating the direct impact of external shocks. 

A sustained demand for Lao exports, including copper and gold bought by China, garment products by Europe and electricity by Thailand, combined with its strong tourism industry also helped cushion the Lao economy compared to other nations. 

Another cause was an increase in expenditures on domestic infrastructure in order to facilitate the 25th Sea Games in Vientiane in December 2009. 

The report also said that while Laos ’ economic growth remained strong during the recession, this growth is primarily driven by the metals processing industry and hydropower plants, which are not sustainable in the long-term due to the unavoidable depletion of natural resources. 
Therefore, the WB suggested that the Lao government shift the base of economic growth toward the agricultural processing industries and services, including tourism. 

The Lao government should focus on developing human resources, improving its investment mechanisms and increasing efforts to encourage private investment, create jobs and increase incomes for local people, the report said.

President says Vietnam enters 2010 full of confidence

Hanoi (VNA) – “We are confident in our internal strength, national unity and the extent of our international cooperation when entering the year 2010, as the country is hosting numerous large and important events,” said State President Nguyen Minh Triet. 

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency before the forthcoming Lunar New Year festival, the State leader said that the world economic and financial crisis continues to leave a strong impact across the globe, including Vietnam. 

However, thanks to the effort made by the whole Party, armed forces and the public, Vietnam has gradually overcome these difficulties and attained a GDP growth of over 5 percent, said President Triet, who described it as a considerable achievement. 

“Overcoming these difficulties has helped us to gain more experience and become even more confident on the road to development with many barriers and challenges lying ahead,” he added. 

In 2010, Vietnam will organise many large celebrations and important events, including the 80 th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 65 th National Day, the 65 th anniversary of the August Revolution and the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. 

The country will also mark the 35 th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification and the 120 th birthday of late President Ho Chi Minh, said Triet, adding that party committees at all levels are holding congresses during the year in preparation for the eleventh National Party Congress scheduled for 2011. 

According to the State leader, many factors have led to the country’s success, the most important being the solidarity and joint efforts made by the Party, armed forces and people and the Party and State’s sound policies. 

Another factor is that the country has a strong and stable agriculture sector which helps to ensure people’s standard of living. “While exports face difficulties, the vast domestic market has helped to maintain growth, he said, adding that the cooperation and assistance from international friends across the world has contributed a lot to the country’s accomplishments. 

These are valuable experiences that will be utilised in the near future, he stressed. 

President Triet went on to say that the Party and the State have mapped out programmes and plans to fulfil the objectives set for 2010 with the top priority to be given to consolidating national unity, which has always been of great importance throughout all periods of history. 

In addition, every sector and every person must try their best to fulfil their tasks to a high standard, he said, adding that these efforts should be focused on overcoming the consequences of the global economic-financial crisis to boost the national economy. 

The National Assembly has set its targets for 2010, with a GDP growth rate of up to 6.5 percent. “We are determined to reach a rapid and sustainable economic growth and I believe we will successfully make these targets,” Triet stressed. 

Regarding administrative reforms and the fight against corruption, the State leader stated that Vietnam has recorded some important initial results in administrative reforms, which has helped with the country’s socio-economic achievements. 

Thanks to these reforms, many economic institutions and regulations have been upgraded and the States organisation and operations of the State apparatus have been enhanced and completed in line with the current situation under international laws and practices, he said. 

They have also helped to create a socialist-oriented market economy and ensure democracy, he added. 

According to him, administrative reform is the key to effectively preventing corruption and administrative reforms and preventing corruption are inter-linked. Good administrative reforms are the best way of preventing corruption and vice versa, the successfully prevention of corruption will effectively speed up the implementation of administrative reforms. 

Discussing the role, position and prestige of Vietnam in the international arena, President Triet said that in 2009, the Party and State’s leaders, including him, attended many diplomatic events and paid a number of overseas visits. 

“The leaders and people of countries overseas have spoken very highly of Vietnam’s role, position and prestige,” he said, adding that many leaders of other nations and international organisations have praised Vietnam’s development over the past few years and hope to strengthen ties with the country. 

“This constitutes favourable conditions for us to continue cooperating with other countries,” he said. 

President Triet confirmed the Party and State’s policy to pursue diverse and multilateral international relations and said that Vietnam wants to become a friend and reliable partner to other countries, regions and international organisations around the world. 

In his summing up, he highlighted the good impressions Vietnam made on other countries last year. “In the past, they were impressed by an unyielding and brave Vietnam during its struggle for national independence but nowadays they admire our country for its economic growth, its friendship and solidarity with other countries and nations throughout the world,” he said. 

State President Triet used the occasion to thank people and soldiers nationwide as well as overseas Vietnamese people, for their efforts to boost national solidarity and maintain economic growth while making many achievements in internal and external relations. 

The State President expressed his wishes that Vietnamese people both at home and abroad continue to exert every effort and have more confidence in the Party leadership and a brighter future for the country.

HCM City fair promotes non-pirated discs

HCM City (VNA) – The country’s first fair for audio and video CDs and DVDs has opened in Ho Chi Minh City with organisers hoping it will promote consumption of original, copyrighted products.

Phan Mong Thuy, director of Phuong Nam Film Co, said the fair was a good opportunity to introduce audio and visual products made by Vietnamese recording companies to audiences.

“Through the fair, we expect to encourage customers to care more about copyright and not use illegal products,” she added. 

The three-day fair offers a wide collection of music instruments, traditional folks as well as music for children performed by local and international composers, musicians and singers.

It has two series by pianist Ricard Clayderman, hugely popular nationwide, the latest albums of singers like Duc Tuan and Quang Dung, as well as works of composers like Trinh Cong Son and Pham Duy.

Music CDs and English learning and entertainment programmes for children imported from Singapore are also expected to be popular draws at the fair as summer gifts.

High-quality movie DVDs with Vietnamese subtitles distributed by two major Hollywood producers of Warners Bros and 20 th Century Fox including I Am Legend, Music and Lyrics and The X-Files, will also be on sale for the first time in the country.

Phan Duc Luan, visiting from the Central Highlands Province of Kon Tum, said “The fair helps music lovers access wonderful songs from international and local composers.”

All new audio and video products are being sold at a 10 percent discount, while old, used ones are being sold for between 5,000 – 10,000 VND.

The fair also provides fans with the opportunity to meet in person their favourite singers.

The fair, organised by Phuong Nam and the Recording Industry Association of Vietnam, has attracted the participation of the country’s major recording companies including Rang Dong, Ben Thanh Audio-Video, Sai Gon Vafaco and Music Face.

Apartment project posts high occupancy rates

HCM City (VNA) – The InterContinental Asiana Saigon Residences announced last week it had rented half of its total 260 serviced apartments, after more than three months in operation. 

Deputy General Director Tash Tobias said strong interest as well as contracts in the pipeline from potential tenants were expected to lead to full occupancy by the year end. 

The serviced apartment tower, which is part of the Kumho Asiana complex, offers a free swimming pool, fitness center and sauna. 

The complex includes an office and hotel tower, shopping mall restaurants and bars.

McDonald’s profit hits 1.22 bln USD

Chicago (VNA) – McDonald’s dollar menu keeps gaining fans in the recession, and its profit rose last fall, but the world’s largest burger chain said on Jan. 22 that its annual revenue slipped for the first time in at least a quarter century.

Analysts said McDonald’s fortunes won’t dramatically increase until the economy – especially the US unemployment rate – does.

“If it does improve, I think things will definitely get better,” said Morning star analyst R.J. Hottovy.

For the three months that ended December 31, McDonald’s rang up revenue of 5.97 billion USD – 7 percent more than the same period last year.

Falling commodity costs and currency fluctuations helped boost the company’s fourth quarter profit, which amounted to 1.22 billion USD, or 1.11 USD per share. That’s 23 percent more than the same period last year when McDonald’s profit amounted to 985.3 million USD, or 87 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, McDonald’s earned 1.03 USD per share. That was a penny per share above Wall Street’s average forecast.

For the full year, McDonald’s profit climbed 6 percent to 4.55 billion USD, or 4.11 USD per share.

Sales growth at its restaurants that have been open at least a year, considered a key figure, slowed in the fourth quarter as penny-pinching diners tried to cut back still further. Its Angus burgers and coffee were among the top sellers.

The figure, important for restaurants and retailers because it excludes the effects of stores opening and closing during the year, grew 2.3 percent worldwide for the fourth quarter and 0.1 percent in the US, McDonald’s said on Jan. 22.

That was the figure’s weakest quarterly increase in at least three years.

And McDonald’s overall revenue slipped 3 percent to 22.74 billion USD – its first annual decline since at least 1984, according to figures in regulatory filings.

Still, Mc. Donald’s did markedly better than nearly all its fast-food competitors, who have been slashing prices – at the expense of profits – to get customers in the door as the economy lumbers towards recovery. 

“In this challenging economic environment, we feel very good about our trends,” CEO Jim Skinner told investors during a conference call.

Skinner said the company expects its January sales in US stores that have been open at least a year to be “relatively flat.”

“This is still better than most other burger chains are doing,” Janney Capital Markets analyst Mark Kalinowski told investors in a research note. Much of that is because of its massive size and its ability to manage its stores and costs well, analysts said.

Industry wide figures aren’t yet available for the fourth quarter. But research firm NPD Group estimates that customers visits to US fast-food restaurants sank 4 percent during the previous quarter, the months of July to September.

McDonald’s is based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook , Ill. 

Its shares climbed 73 cents, or 1.2 percent, to 63.93 USD in late afternoon trading on January 22.

PM approves eastern highway

HCM City (VNA) – An eastern north-south freeway that travels a distance of more than 1,811 kilometres from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta capital of Can Tho received approval from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last week.

According to the detailed planning, the freeway is divided into 16 sessions ranging from four to eight lanes, with a total investment of more than 300 trillion VND (16 billion USD).

The freeway will cover an area of over 1.2 million ha and be managed by three regional control centres which will be built in the north, centre and south of the country in coordination with control centres of each section.

Three sections are under construction, including Cau Gie – Ninh Binh in the north, Ben Luc – Trung Luong and Dau Giay – Long Thanh in the south, which are 50.37 and 43 km-long, respectively, with a total investment of around 41 trillion VND (2.2 billion USD).

Eleven sections will be built between 2011 and 2020 to complete 1,469 km of the road. The remaining 342 km will be built after 2020, together with the expansion of the Dau Giay – Long Thanh and Ben Luc – Trung Luong sections.

Some sections will cost much more than others, including the three sections from Quang Ngai to Binh Dinh, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet in the centre, with a total investment of 101 trillion VND (5.5 billion USD).

The State budget will cover costs, while private investors are also invited to join according to BOT (Building – Operation – Transfer), BT (Building-Transfer) or PPP (Public – Private Partnership) models, among others.

Once completed, the freeway will connect key economic centres and important traffic hubs with easy connections to railway, seaports and airports, easing traffic pressure on the existing National Highway 1.

PM leads delegation to World Economic Forum

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and a Vietnamese delegation will leave for Dovos , Switzerland , to attend the World Economic Forum on January 25, following the invitation of Forum President Klauds Schwab.

Also on this occasion, Dung will pay working visit to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation in Geneva to strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and these two organisations.

The main objective of the trip is to talk with world leaders about global issues in economics, politics, the environment and technology and sciences, and to meet and exchanges opinions with CEOs of large enterprises and economic groups.

This will be a good chance to promote the image of Vietnam as an active and responsible member in the international community, engaging deeply in international economic and political activities, particularly as Vietnam will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia this June.

Solid developments in Laos-Vietnam economic ties

Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat has affirmed that Laos-Vietnam economic cooperation has seen solid developments and brought mutual benefit to both sides. 

Talking on economic cooperation between Laos and Vietnam during the 2006-09 period and future prospects, Deputy PM Somsavat, who is also Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Sub-Committee, said that Vietnam ’s investment in Laos was small from 2006 to the end of the third quarter of 2007. 

But since the end of 2008, a wave of investment by Vietnamese businesses has helped Vietnam become one of Laos ’s three biggest investors, he said. 

There are many bright prospects for bilateral economic ties, confirmed the Lao Deputy PM, adding that the two governments have set orientations for cooperation in which both sides will bring their strengths to the effort. 

Laos has strong potential in hydro-electricity, land and minerals while Vietnam has capital, capability and technology so that both countries can cooperate in building hydroelectric projects, planting industrial crops and exploiting minerals, Somsavat said. 

However, enterprises on both sides should have a thorough grasp of the other country’s laws and regulations to avoid unnecessary mistakes, he noted. 

Deputy PM Somsavat highlighted direct cooperation between the Lao Government and Vietnamese companies and conglomerates, which he said is a good model creating mutual benefits. 

He also said that the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Joint Stock Company has provided 4 million USD in non-refundable aid and 15 million USD in a non interest bearing loan to the Lao Government to build the athletes village for the 25th Southeast Asian Games. 

The Long Thanh Golf Company of Vietnam is investing more than 1 billion USD in exploring gold ore in the southern Lao province of Attapu and building a golf course and villas in Vientiane . 

According to Laos ’ Ministry of Planning and Investment, 2009 was the second consecutive year that Vietnam topped Laos ’s investor list with 48 investment projects totalling 1.42 billion USD. It was followed by China with 47 projects which are valued at 932.8 million USD and Thailand with 37 projects worth 908.6 million USD in total. 
During the 1989 to Sept. 2009, Vietnam had 207 projects totalling 2.123 billion USD focusing on services, mining, hydroelectricity and industrial crops.

Hanoi to attract 180 million USD into IZs in 2010

Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi plans to attract around 180 million USD into its industrial zones (IZs) this year, according to the Hanoi IZs and Export-Processing Zones Management Board (HIEMB). 

The city will facilitate businesses’ operation to help them post an increase of 11-13 percent in revenues and a rise of 12-13 percent in export value compared to last year. 

To reach these goals, the HIEMB has been speeding up investment promotion to present Hanoi ’s industrial development potentials and its incentives to investors alongside simplifying administrative procedures and upgrading infrastructure. 

In 2009, the HIEMB licensed and approved capital adjustments for 16 domestically-invested projects worth 728 billion VND and 27 foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of 91.4 million USD. 

Hanoi’s IZs have so far attracted 508 investment projects, including 240 foreign-invested investments with a total registered capital of over 3.5 billion USD and 268 domestically-invested investments worth over 11 trillion VND (595 million USD).

Dong Nai stirs up real estate market down south

HCM City (VNA) – Ten real estate projects in the southern province of Dong Nai near HCM City were opened to potential customers last week. 

The introduction was part of a joint effort by property trading floors and the provincial natural resources and environment department. 

The projects include the 4.7 ha Nhat Tuong Residential Project, the 6.9 ha Thong Nhat Market Street, 1.5 ha Trang Bom Residential Area, the 36 ha Tam An Residential Area, and the 1.4 ha Long Thanh Plaza complex which will soon be offered for purchase this quarter. 

According to the real estate research and consulting firm VietRees, Dong Nai province, one of the localities in the Southern Key Economic Zone, has a large land acreage with population density. 

With its strong economic development, attracting a large portion of the country’s foreign direct investment, the province receives flows of migrants who will need housing. 

The province’s retail turnover grew in 2008 at more than 35 percent compared to its GDP growth of 15.5 percent. It has planned various trading centres, markets and convenience store chains. 

To date 27 industrial parks has existed, with a combined area of 8,216ha. Another 18 are planned on a total of 7,826ha. 

In 2007 and 2008, Dong Nai attracted from both domestic and foreign investors total registered investment capital of 3.5 billion USD in real estate projects, with foreign sources representing 64 percent. 

“Under the housing development strategy by the end of 2010, the province will have built 7.23 million square metres,” saif VietRees General Director Vu Quoc Thai. 

Its provincial city, Bien Hoa, has only a few small office buildings, he said, adding that commercial banks had shown interest in acquiring land to build their branches. There is only one international four-star hotel in Bien Hoa. 

The apartment sector is still at its initial development stage, and in three years, most of those on offer will be targeted for resettlement or low-and average income earners. 

Tin Nghia, HUD, Sonadezi and D2D companies are considered prestigious developers in the province, according to Viet Rees’s Dong Nai real estate report for 2011.

DongA Bank launched VI Banking office

HCM City (VNA) – The joint- stock DongA Bank last week launched its first VIP Banking transaction office in HCM City’s District 1, the first of its kind in Vietnam. 

Individual VIP customers have saving deposits of 2 billion VND (112,000 USD) or card payment turnover of 50 million VND and more over a six-month period. 

Shareholders of 2 billion VND in face value or with a monthly income of 70 million VND are also VIP customers.

Cambodian rice venture formed

HCM City (VNA) – A rice joint venture specialising in rice processing and export has been reached between Cambodian and Vietnamese companies, according to Vietnam Food Association. 

The Cambodia-Vietnam Foods Company (Cavifoods) is a joint venture between the Investment and Development Company of Cambodian (IDCC), with 33 percent stake, Vietnam’s Southern Food Corporation (Vinafood II), with a 37 percent stake, and Cambodia’s Green Trade Co, with a 30 percent stake, said the association’s chairman, Truong Thanh Phong. 

With registered capital of 8 million USD, the Phnom Penh-based Cavifoods specialises in the investment, processing, storage and exportation of rice. 

The joint venture contract for Cavifoods, the first cooperation in rice production between the two ASEAN countries, was signed in October 2009, with a licensed period of 99 years. 

The rice cooperation was approved by the government of Cambodia and Vietnam, said Phong. 

He said the company had been building a rice processing plant, warehouses, instant noodle and bread plants, and a rice purchasing nerwork.

VN to export 750,000 tonnes of rubber in 2010

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Rubber Association predicted that this year’s total rubber exports will hit 750,000 tonnes, valued at over 1.5 billion USD. 

At present, the price of Vietnam ’s natural rubber price stands at 2,900USD per ton, the highest level since the third quarter of 2008. 

The association said that 2010 promises a growing year for the rubber industry as the price is forecast to increase by 30 percent. 

Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that last year, Vietnam exported around 726,000 tonnes of rubber, worth 1.2 billion USD, of which 90 percent were natural rubber.

Market capitalisation reaches 38 percent of GDP in 2009

Hanoi (VNA) – Stock market capitalisation reached 620 trillion VND (33 billion USD) at the end of last year, equaling nearly 38 percent of GDP, announced State Securities Commission vice chairman Nguyen Doan Hung at a conference in Hanoi on Jan. 22. 

The value of foreign investors’ portfolios also increased by 1.5 billion USD this year, to a total of 6.6 billion USD at the end of the year, Hung said. 

The number of companies listed on the stock market grew to a total of 453, a year-on-year increase of 30 percent, while the number of investor accounts rose by 50 percent to 793,000. 

However, Hung said, the market was heavily imp[acted by the global economic crisis, with the VN-Index dropping 25 percent in the first three months of last year and trading volume falling by an even more precipitous 60 percent during the period. 

In the first quarter, foreign investors also withdrew 530 million USD worth of capital from the market. 

However, the stock benefited from the Government’s stimulus policies and began a strong rebound in the second quarter, Hung said. The VN-Index rose 150 percent from a low of 235 points in February to a high for the year of 624 in October. 

The Index fell back to a year-end close of 494 points, a level nearly 60 percent higher than back at the beginning of 2009. 

Average daily trading value for the year on both exchanges averaged 3 trillion VND (159.6 million USD), four times higher than the previous year’s average. 

Hung told the conference that the State Securities Commission had a specific development plan for the stock market that would include tighter State management and supervision of intermediary institutions and foreign representative offices. 

The commission would also accelerate completion of the legal framework governing the market, particularly regulations on over-the-counter trading and development other equity markets such the unlisted public companies market (UPCoM) and bond market. 

New brokerage services such as collateralised lending, margin trading, and allowing transactions within a shorter clearance time, would soon take effect in a further effort to improve market liquidity, Hung said.