Bronze drums cast for Hanoi millennial celebration

The drums are being cast in the traditional way, replicating the decorations of the four ancient drums of Ngoc Lu, Hoang Ha, Quang Xuong and Song Da, and some patterns of Thang Long and Hanoi .

The drums, 60cm in diameter and 48cm in height, are in Dong Son district, which is believed to be the home of the casting of bronze drums in Vietnam . So far, 26 drums have been completed and the remainder are expected to be finished before September 12, 2010.

The 100 drums will be on display at the Literature Temple in Hanoi and will be played only once at the grand ceremony for the millennium anniversary in October. Then they will be presented to 63 cities and provinces and outstanding enterprises nationwide. One of the drums will be auctioned to help poor children and children who are victims of Agent Orange. 

News agency, Lam Dong ink cooperation programme

Lam Dong (VNA) – A cooperation programme to boost development in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong and to fulfil the information needs of locals was signed by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and provincial authorities. 

Under the programme signed by Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Huynh Duc Hoa and VNA General Director Tran Mai Huong in Da Lat city on March 16, VNA will be responsible for spreading Lam Dong’s image through its publications and correcting inaccurate information about the province. 

In addition, VNA will provide reference information for provincial leaders and help Lam Dong train local journalists. 

Addressing the signing ceremony, Hoa spoke highly of VNA’s role in information and affirmed that it has been very helpful in his province’s socio-economic development. The cooperation programme will bring about more practical benefits for both sides, the chairman said. 

As head of the state news agency, Huong affirmed that the cooperation will be the start a new stage of closer and more effective cooperation between VNA and Lam Dong.  Hanoi to host conference on DaO initiativeHanoi (VNA) – A high-ranking international conference on the United Nations (UN) Delivering as One (DaO) initiative will take place in the capital city of Hanoi from June 14-16, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has assigned the Ministry of Investment and Planning (MPI) to work with the ministries of foreign affairs, public security, and finance, the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, the UN and other relevant agencies to make preparations for the world event, said sources from the Office. 

The UN launched the “Delivering as One” pilot initiative in 2007 to respond to the challenges of a changing world and test how the UN family can provide development assistance in a more coordinated way in eight countries.  

Vietnam, US veterans continue talks for reconciliation

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese and US veterans held talks in Hanoi on March 16 as part of activities to increase mutual understanding and promote reconciliation between the two nations after the war.

Under the theme of “People-to-people exchange and Vietnam-US relations: Looking back on the past and forwards to the future,” the talks were jointly organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam War Veterans’ Association of Vietnam (VWVA) and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).

The event was attended by VUFO Vice President Tran Dac Loi, representatives of the VVAV, a VVA visiting delegation led by Vice President Jack Devine and a number range of experts, scholars, and representatives from US non-governmental organisations and enterprises.

During the forum, participants discussed the role of grassroots organisations in mitigating the destructive impacts of war as well as increasing mutual understanding and fostering reconciliation.

They spoke highly of the contributions that veterans’ agencies have made to address the impacts of Agent Orange/dioxin and the role of Vietnamese veterans in helping heal the wounds of war. They also underlined the need to boost cooperation between enterprises through people-to-people exchanges.

US participants said the overseas Vietnamese community has contributed a great deal to the promotion of relations between Vietnam and the US .

During the function, both sides also discussed measures to increase trade and investment relations between the two countries in the future. 

NA Chairman seeks further judicial cooperation with Hungary

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam looks to increase cooperation on the judiciary with Hungary to contribute to the common development of two-way relations, according to National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

Vietnam is carrying out judicial reform and it needs to share experiences in the field with international friends, including Hungary, Chairman Trong stated while receiving visiting Hungarian Chief Prosecutor Kovacs Tamas in Hanoi on Mar. 16

Chairman Trong noted that relations between Vietnam and Hungary have developed well and said both countries are implementing signed cooperation agreements, including an agreement between the two legislative bodies. 

Dr. Tamas assured his host that Hungary is keen to strengthen friendship and cooperation with Vietnam . He said his agency is willing to share experiences and cooperate with Vietnam ’s Supreme People’s Procuracy in applying information technology and training staff.

Earlier, Tamas held talks with Tran Quoc Vuong, Director of the Vietnam Supreme People’s Procuracy. They briefed each other on the operations of their agencies and agreed to speed up the implementation of an agreement on legal assistance between the two countries. 

They also agreed to work for the signing of a cooperation agreement between their agencies, focusing on scientific research, IT applications and human resources training. 
During his stay from March 14-20, Dr. Kovacs Tamas and his delegation will hold working sessions in Quang Nam province, Da Nang City and Ho Chi Minh City .

Dr. Kovacs Tamas made active contributions to the implementation of the Paris Accord on ending the war in southern Vietnam . He was awarded the Friendship Order by the Vietnamese State , and the Labour Order by the International Committee on examining the Paris agreement. 

Prime Minister inspects first river tunnel project

HCM City (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung ordered that safety, quality and tempo of construction be top priorities for the Thu Thiem tunnel project, which will cross the Saigon river, after an inspection on March 16. 

The Government leader recognised efforts made by project executives and contractors in successfully towing and installing unit 1 of the nation’s first river tunnel--the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia with a total length of nearly 1.5 km. 

However he called on project executives and contractors to work harder to make the project a complete success in the interests of the city and the region as well. 

“Once completed, the East-West avenue, especially its most important part, the Thu Thiem tunnel, will not only help cut travel time from East to West and vice versa, thus contributing to reducing traffic jams in the centre of HCM City, but will also solve problems related to scenic views, environment and urban development,” Dung said. 

The Thu Thiem river tunnel has been designed by Japan ’s Obayashi company to have three major sections, including a 370 m long four-unit section under the Saigon River . 

The 9 m-high and 33 m-wide tunnel will have six lanes allowing speed limits of 60 km/h and be fully equipped with a ventilation system, including a ventilation tower, light, drainage, control and supervision systems and a ticket station. 

The Thu Thiem tunnel across the Saigon river and the new Thu Thiem road in HCM City cost over 9.86 trillion VND in total, to which Japan ’s official development assistance contributes close to 65 percent. The rest comes from the HCM City ’s budgets. 

The first unit of the tunnel was successfully towed and installed under the Saigon river on March 8. 

Executives reported that the second unit will be towed and put under the river on April 6 while the third and fourth ones are scheduled for May and June to finish the tunnel project. 

Agencies asked to work together for ASEAN Summit

Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem asked relevant agencies to maintain close cooperation in preparation of activities for the ASEAN year 2010 after conducting a review of this year’s progress. 

Deputy PM Khiem chaired the fourth meeting of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010 in Hanoi on March 16, which focused on examining the implementation of instructions issued at the third meeting as well as preparations for the 16th ASEAN Summit.

He underscored the importance for Vietnam to organise the 16th ASEAN Summit successfully and fulfil its duties as ASEAN Chair in 2010. He hailed related agencies, ministries, sectors and localities for working hard to prepare for the event.

To support the upcoming summit, several meetings were held successfully since the beginning of this year, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting and related meetings in the central city of Da Nang on Jan. 13-14 and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City in early March.

Sub-committees and the secretariat of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010 are stepping up final preparations in a wide range of fields to ensure that the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in April will go smoothly. 

Defence minister welcomes Russian trade minister

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam ’s Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh hosted the visiting Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Khrischenko Viktor Borisovich, in Hanoi on March 16. 

The two ministers reportedly discussed bilateral trade cooperation, aiming to boost the relationship between Vietnam and Russia as strategic partners. 

At the meeting, Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed Vietnam ’s deep gratitude for Russia ’s support of Vietnam during its struggle to gain national independence as well as in the cause of building and developing the country.  

Vietnam, EU urged to increase dialogues

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the EU should increase their dialogues and discussions in a constructive spirit of mutual trust to continue furthering their traditional ties.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and EU parliamentarians shared the view at their meeting in Hanoi on March 16. A delegation of EU parliamentarians, led by Wermer Langen, is in Vietnam for a working visit.

Deputy PM Khiem assured his guests that Vietnam always treasures the promotion of cooperation with the EU and welcomes the EU’s proposal on a free trade area with ASEAN.

He affirmed that as the ASEAN Chair in 2010, Vietnam will do its utmost to boost ASEAN’s role and position in the international arena and enhance ASEAN-EU cooperation.

Briefing the Deputy PM on his delegation’s current working visit, Wermer Langen commented that Vietnam is growing dynamically and firmly on its chosen path and that the EU wants to maintain and develop its well-established ties with Vietnam .

On the day, the EU parliamentarian delegation held working sessions with officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice.

They then left Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City to continue their tour of Vietnam. 

Bulgaria expects to bolster diplomatic ties with Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – The Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister has expressed his wish that the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria as well as their two foreign ministries will continue to grow. 

During his three day visit to Vietnam , First Deputy FM Marin Raykov hold talks with Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son on March 16. The two sides briefed each other on each country’s situation and shared viewpoints on regional and international issues of mutual concern while discussing measures to bolster their bilateral relations, especially in economics and trade. 

They also compared notes on the implementation of high-level agreements reached during Bulgarian President Parvanov’s visit to Vietnam in January, 2009 and mapped out plans for up-coming visits by Vietnamese government and State leaders to Bulgaria . They vowed to boost bilateral cooperation and international coordination between the two foreign ministries. 

Marin Raykov spoke highly of socio-economic achievements Vietnam has attained and the increasingly significant role of the country in the Southeast Asian region as well as in the world. 

On the same day, the Bulgarian diplomat paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem. 

The Bulgarian diplomat’s visit to Vietnam from March 15-17 was made within the framework of the cooperation protocol between the foreign ministries of the two countries. 

Nguyen Van Ly’s prison term suspended for medical treatment

Hanoi (VNA) – Prisoner Nguyen Van Ly, formerly a priest at the Hue Diocese, has had a year of his prison term suspended for medical reasons (from March 15, 2010 to March 15, 2011). 

The Ha Nam Provincial People’s Court issued the decision on March 12, 2010, following a conclusion from the Forensic Medicine Centre of the Ha Nam Health Service that his illness has unexpectedly worsened. 

The local authorities are ready to create conditions for Ly, who was sentenced to eight years by the Thua Thien-Hue Provincial People’s Court for disseminating information against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to receive medical treatment, said the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Vinh Ninh Ward, Thua Thien Hue province. 

Ly, who was born in 1946 in the central province of Quang Tri , is serving his sentence at the Nam Ha prison. He has become paralysed on the right side of his body due to three strokes since May 2009 due to a brain tumour. He is now in a stable condition thanks to good treatment. 

The suspension of his sentence conforms to the law and the State’s amnesty policy, the chairman added. 

Ly is now staying at the Archdiocese of Hue. 

Laos, Cuba boost ties for mutual benefit, says Lao official

Vientiane (VNA) – Laos and Cuba always stand by each other and share viewpoints at world forums for social progress and people’s happiness, affirmed Chaleune Ziapauheu, President of the Laos-Cuba Friendship Association. 

Ziapauheu, who is also Lao Minister of Justice, made the statement in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency reporter on March 16 ahead of the country’s hosting of the 5th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba from March 19-20. 

Despite the geographic distance, the Lao Party, government and people always enjoy the wholehearted supports of their Cuban counterparts in many fields, ranging from healthcare to human resource training, Ziapauheu said. 

Laos’s decision to host the event is a manifestation of the strong friendship and solidarity between the two nations, the President added.  

Women intellectuals--vital force in building nation

Hanoi (VNA) – “Vietnamese women intellectuals in the national industrialisation and modernisation process” was high on the agenda of a workshop in Hanoi on March 16. 

Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Tan Sang took the occasion to highlight the achievements and great contributions by all Vietnamese women, especially the intellectuals—those who are academics, experts, and others, whose role it is to create and apply knowledge and ideas in the cause of the nation’s construction and defence. 

The Party has affirmed that women in general, and women intellectuals in particular, are an important force that has contributed to the revolution’s success, said Sang, emphasising the attention the Party has paid to the role of women, as well as to building an intellectual staff. 

He went on to confirm that the Party and State will continue such efforts and supplement policies to encourage Vietnamese women in general and women intellectuals in particular to make further contributions to women’s equality and join with their countrymen and women at all levels to implement the target of a wealthy people, a strong country and an equal, democratic and civilised society. 

Vietnamese women intellectuals are involved in all fields, mainly the education and training sector, with 53.2 percent, Vietnam Women’s Union President Nguyen Thi Hoa cited the union report. 

Most women scientists demonstrate a special enthusiasm for training work, she said, noting that Vietnamese women, particularly women intellectuals, are worthy representatives within publicly-elected bodies, State management agencies and socio-political organisations. 

The workshop heard nearly 30 speeches on the State’s policies on women and women intellectuals, their role and responsibilities in science and technology as well as management and settlement of social issues. 

Many suggestions were put forward to encourage an expanded role for women intellectuals in the country’s renewal process. 

The participants also discussed causes and solutions to increase the number of women intellectuals, and amend and finalise the legal system to facilitate their further contributions to the nation. 

State President urges nation to help revolution’s cradle

Cao Bang (VNA) – State President Nguyen Minh Triet has urged ministries, departments and businesses to help economic development in Cao Bang province, the cradle of Vietnam’s revolution, to improve local people’s living conditions.

The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang is one of several localities having difficulties in economic development, due to specific geographical locations and certain objective conditions, President Triet said during his visit on March 15-16 to Truong Ha commune, Ha Quang district, Cao Bang province where the late President Ho Chi Minh stayed when he returned to the country after more than 30 years travelling abroad to find a way to save the country. 

Two years ago, President Triet presented 400 million VND to local people to buy buffaloes and cows for raising. The president said he was very happy to see that the villagers have used the capital effectively by raising their cowherd from 80 to 137 cows worth over 800 million VND. 

Businesspeople accompanied the president donated 5 billion VND to help local people build houses, farms and cultural houses.

The border commune of Truong Ha has nearly 400 households with 48.86 percent of them are poor. 

Tourists at loss to find local foods

HCM City (VNA) – Visitors to HCM City usually find it hard to find local food specialties like candies to take back home as gifts due to the absence of tourist stores even though the country is a haven for tropical farm products. 

“I don’t know where to buy locally made confectionery,” admitted Phan Quoc Viet, an English speaking tour guide with Sunrise Travel Agency. 

He said he was embarrassed once when asked by guests to take them to a shop to buy candies. 

“I know confectionery can be found at any local supermarket but the problem is they were looking for a store specialising in local brands, something not easy to find.” 

“So I just recommended Ben Thanh Market.” 

“Candies served in hotel lounges are mostly imported,” he explained. 

The country exports fruits like rambutan, pine-apple, coconut, jackfruit, and banana to more than 60 countries and territories, according to the Institute of Southern Fruits . 

But processors pay little attention to international visitors as potential customers despite the fact that many of them love to sample local tropical fruits or products made from them, like candies and cookies. 

“I especially love cakes made of coconut or cassava which I eat right away because they taste exotic, delicious, and really Vietnamese,” a Japanese visitor who identified herself as just Shiubu said. 

She would love to buy chocolate cookies which are tasty and much cheaper than in Japan , she said. 

“Except cashew nuts and coffee, which are typical of the country, I don’t know what other specialties I should take home,” Italian tourist Laure Pausini said. 

A German tourist who was travelling with his wife, said he was excited to see how coconut candies and rice cakes are hand-made in the Mekong Delta localities of Ben Tre and Can Tho. 

“If these agricultural products are made easily accessible to tourists in cities, I think they will become very popular,” he added. 


Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travel Agency, stressed the need to open specialised shops for tourists that sell a variety of local specialties. 

“All goods there must be of high quality, safe, and produced by credible companies,” he said. 

“We should make tourists spend more in the country.” 

He said foreign guests are interested in desiccated fruits, coffee, and tea. 

“If local travel agencies support the opening of a specialty store for international tourists, we will be more than happy to feature our products there,” Nguyen Anh Trung, deputy general director of Givral Bakery, said. 

Children main winners of cyclo challenge

HCM City (VND) – Sai Gon Children’s Charity’s 10 th annual Cyclo Challenge closed at the Taipei School in the Phu My Hung new urban area on March 13, raising an estimated 80,000 USD.

Paul Finnis, director of Sai Gon Children Charity, said: “We are very lucky to have so many wonderful and committed supporters here in Vietnam and around the world.”

The race aims to raise money to help disadvantaged Vietnamese children get an education and their families to break out of poverty.

The race day exceeded the organisers’ and spectators’ expectations, Finnis said.

This year’s Cyclo Challenge hosted for the first time the All-Star race with the participation of celebrities like Minh Beo, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Ngo Thanh Van, Luong The Thanh, Thanh Thuy and Phi Thanh Van.

Comedian Minh Beo said: “We have come together to do something to help disadvantaged children through activities like the Cycle Challenge.”

The race attracted the participation of 50 racing teams from various businesses, schools, consulates and other organisations in HCM City . The event was supported by numerous sponsors, spectators and volunteers.

The FV Hospital team won the first prize, followed by teams from Jardines and Caravelle Hotel. 
The most beautiful cyclo this year belonged to Santa Fe , the best cheerleader award went to the FV Hospital and the award for the best banner was won by HSBC.

Sai Gon Children’s Charity, the host and beneficiary of the event, will allocate the funds raised during the day for many educational projects, including the provision of school scholarships. 

First local digital video library opens in Hanoi

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Film Institute (VFI) opened a digital video library in Hanoi on March 16.

The library, which is the result of a cooperative effort between the VFI and the French Media Institute, houses 100 digitalised Vietnamese cinematic works from various genres including feature films, documentaries and cartoons.

Viewers may borrow the films for personal enjoyment for free during the next six months until library cards are issued. 

Bird flu strikes again in Bac Ninh

Hanoi (VNA) – An outbreak of avian flu (A/H5N1) has been reported in the northern province of Bac Ninh province. 

The latest outbreak brought the total number of affected provinces to six, including Bac Ninh, Ca Mau, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Khanh Hoa and Tuyen Quang, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Health Department. 

Authorities in Bac Ninh province said the epidemic has killed more than 200 chickens owned by a family in Da Cau hamlet, Nam Son Commune. An additional 200 birds had to be culled. 

The local Animal Health Unit vaccinated all of the remaining birds in the commune, set up check-up points and postponed all poultry sales at markets in the commune. 

The director of the Preventive Medicine and Environment Department under the Ministry of Health, Nguyen Huy Nga, said that there was a high risk the flu could spread to other localities because winter-spring weather conditions would create favourable conditions for the flu virus to develop. 

Meanwhile, unquarantined poultry were still on sale in many market, making it easy for more people to be affected by the flu, he said at a national workshop on preventing human infection of avian influenza in Hanoi last week. 

“People in many localities, particularly those in remote and mountainous areas, continue to slaughter and eat sick poultry,” he added. 

Four people were diagnosed with A/H5N1 since early this year. One 38-year-old patient from the southern province of Tien Giang province died as a result of the illness.

 IFC, ECOM to establish training centres

Lam Dong (VNA) -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement to establish the first training centre for Vietnamese coffee farmers. 

The corporation signed the co-operation agreement with coffee trader Atlantic Commodities Vietnam Ltd, a subsidiary of ECOM Agro-industrial Corporation. 

"Adding value to our farmer suppliers through farmer training centres makes good business sense for ECOM Group, which has been proven through similar projects in Mexico and Uganda," said Alexander Gruber, general director of Atlantic Commodities Vietnam Ltd. 

The centre will train Vietnamese coffee farmers to meet international certification standards, improve the sustainability and productivity of crops, and increase their earnings. 

The centre is part of a larger plan for the IFC to provide investment and advisory services to help ECOM Group, a global coffee trader, establish several farmer training centres. 

The plan includes a 55 million USD, five-year corporate loan facility for use in six countries, including Vietnam , which was committed in June 2008. 

The new training centre, which will target 4,000 farmer households over three years, will help smallholder farmers qualify for sustainable coffee certifications like Utz, Rainforest, or 4C. 

As ECOM and other buyers pay premium prices for certified coffee beans, farmers joining the training centres should see their incomes increase through certification. 

ACOM and IFC expect about 50,000 non-ACOM farmers to benefit indirectly from exposure to best management practices, and information disseminated by the project. 

Book festival opens in HCM City

HCM City (VNA) – The HCM City Book Festival 2010 opened at the Le Van Tam Park in HCM City ’s district 1 on March 15. 

The sixth festival, entitled “Books – Knowledge – Integration and Development”, aims to promote the publishing sector and cultural products. 

The biennial event drew the participation of more than 120 domestic and 30 foreign publishing and distributing businesses that display their books at 471 pavillions. 

The festival also included an exhibition on book titles and more than 100 photos on Thang Long- Hanoi to mark the grand celebrations of the 1,000 th birthday of the capital city.