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Hanoi’s festival expects 30,000 visitors daily
Hanoi (VNA)- The Thang Long-Hanoi International Tourism Festival will take place at Bao Son Paradise Theme Park in Hanoi from October 2-5 to mark the 1000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism made the announcement on August 24.
According to the organising board, the festival, the most important event of the 2010 National Tourism Year hosted by Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, is expected to draw around 30,000 visitors per day.
There will be about 376 pavillions displaying Vietnam and other countries’ tourist products and a wide range of cultural and culinary activities during the festival.
A seminar on promoting the value of cultural heritages and traditional craft villages to develop tourism will also be put on to strengthen ties with domestic and international partners.
Mai Tien Dung, Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the festival is a chance to spread the word about Vietnam’s potential for tourism as well as its different cultures to international friends.-Enditem
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US helps Vietnam in technical tertiary training
HCM City (VNA) – A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the US ’s higher education programme for leading Vietnamese engineering universities was signed in Ho Chi Minh City on August 24.
Under the MoU, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will work together with the Intel group, the Arizona State University (ASU) and the Portland State University (PSU) to carry out the programme.
The five pilot Vietnamese beneficiaries are the Hanoi University of Technology, the HCM City University of Technology, Can Tho University, the HCM City Technical Teaching University and Da Nang University of Technology.
The three-year programme has a total investment of 2.5 million USD, of which Intel is contributing 1.5 million USD. It will focus on training lecturers, helping them to compile curricula, draw up lesson plans and apply advanced teaching methods in Vietnam .
As part of the programme, 25 Vietnamese lecturers from engineering universities will be provided with summer training courses every year at the ASU and PSU. They will continue to receive further help on how to apply new teaching methods from US specialists after finishing their training courses.
The programme will help to train a pool of skilled lecturers for Vietnam ’s engineering universities, said US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak.
Meanwhile Deputy Minister of Education and Training Bui Van Ga affirmed that the move is in line with Vietnam ’s human recourses development strategy as well as the training goals of individual engineering universities in Vietnam .
It is also expected to partially meet Intel Vietnam ’s demand for human resources, he added.-Enditem
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HCM City breaks ground for Metro project
HCM City (VNA)- Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai launched the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro line No.2 on August 24, which will eventually link Ben Thanh market in the city centre and Tham Luong in district 12.
Hai highlighted the important role the project plays in the city’s socio-economic development as it is the nation’s most populous city and constantly plagued by traffic jams.
He called on all executive agencies to focus on the quality of the project whilst still keeping on schedule.
Nguyen Do Luong, the Head of the Urban Rail Management Board, said that the 20 km long Metro line will use European technology. In the first phase, from now to 2016, almost 11.5 km of tunnel will be dug at a depth of 18 m and include 11 stations.
The cost of almost 23.7 trillion VND (over 1.2 billion USD) will come largely from international official development assistance (ODA) provided by the Asian Development Bank, the German Reconstruction Bank (KfW) and the European Investment Bank. Vietnam committs almost 3.8 trillion VND (roughly 198.9 million USD) to the project.
The project will have additional investment supplied by the Clean Technology Fund.
German Ambassador Rolf Schulze and ADB Country Director Ayumi Konishi both pledged to work closely with domestic agencies to speed up the preparatory steps for signing the credit and consultancy contracts.--Enditem
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Thailand keen on Vietnam’s software industry
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam ’s software market is developing rapidly and is offering good investment potential for Thai investors.
Assistant to Deputy Chairman of Thai Software Export Promotion Association (TSEP) Kittikorn Kunnlekha told the press briefing on the sidelines of a software solutions seminar in Hanoi on August 24.
In his opinion, Vietnam ’s websites have not met the demand of foreign enterprises and tourists as they are written only in Vietnamese and English languages.
Vietnam should develop multi-language websites and Thai businesses are ready to help Vietnamese enterprises approach advanced software products, he said.
Deputy Director of TNT Media&Network Co., Ltd Parinya Pongpipat said he hoped that his company would have more chances to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises in the finance, banking and insurance sectors.
He also highly valued Vietnam ’s internet growth as well as the boom of e-trade through local enterprises.
“The software industry is a promising sector in Vietnam and we can see a bright future for our products in Vietnam ,” he said.
A delegation of 16 Thai leading software designers in civil engineering, hospitality, finance-banking, tourism, delivery service and health care is attending the software exhibition cum seminar in Hanoi .
After the organisation of two similar seminars in Vietnam since 2008, many Vietnamese companies have seen success in cooperating with Thai partners.-Enditem
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Exporters rush to opportunities in Myanmar
Hanoi (VNA)- Economists said there was a golden chance for Vietnamese businesses to export their products to Myanmar as its Government was making numerous offers to foreign traders and investors.
Just 20 percent of domestic demand in the 58 million-strong market has been met by domestic production, leaving significant room for imports.
The Myanmar Government has recently promulgated numerous policies to encourage foreign trade and investment, including mandates for establishing wholly foreign-invested companies and streamlining application procedures for business visas.
In two consecutive months, July and August, Vietnam sent two business missions to Myanmar for market surveys. Another mission with the participation of 30 companies is expected to leave for the potential market in October. The coming mission aims to study the feasibility of building a showroom and shopping centre for Vietnamese products in Yangon .
Many Vietnamese business giants have already shaken hands with Myanmar partners. The Ton Hoa Sen Group has signed a memorandum of understanding on investment in producing corrugated iron, steel and construction materials worth 300 million USD with the Myanmar Ministry of Industry 2.
A similar investment has been planned by the Hoang Anh-Gia Lai Group for a project to build a Vietnam-Myanmar trade and cultural complex in Yangon .
The Vinashin Vung Tau has planned to invest in a lobster farming project in Myanmar after success in raising cold water fish such as salmon and sturgeon.
Back from a market survey trip in August, Ngoc Linh from the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Centre guaranteed the Myanmar market is opening its door wide for Vietnamese enterprises, especially consumer goods, food processors and drug makers.
Statistics released by the Myanmar Customs Office showed that two-way trade revenues increased 86.7 percent year on year to 56 million USD in the first half of the year. Vietnam ’s exports rose by 53.5 percent to 16 million USD.
Vietnam is the 14 th largest exporter to Myanmar . Its hard currency earners ranged from materials for the garment industry to assorted steels, medicines, medical equipment, vehicle tyres and inner tubes, and building materials.
Vietnamese products such as electric lamps, medicines and aluminium products have taken a firm foothold in the Myanmar market. Dien Quang brand, for example, has become the second-best seller in electric lamps, earning some 1.5 million USD in monthly export revenues.
Products from the Hau Giang Pharmaceutical Company have become popular in this market over the past three eyars.
Vietnam ’s imports included timber, rubber latex, farm produce, raw seafood and copper.
A major problem facing Vietnamese businesses is fierce competition with low-priced made-in-china products, with prices between 20 and 25 percent lower than those from Vietnam .
Linh has advised businesses to facilitate trademark promotion campaigns along with expanding distribution networks in an effort to make made-in-Vietnam products familiar to customers in Myanmar .
Ambassador Chu Cong Phung gave another piece of advice - that Vietnamese businesses should set up strong ties with Myanmar partners to help clear the way for Vietnamese exports into Myanmar.--Enditem
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New decade in sustainable transport begins
Bangkok (VNA) – The fifth Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia opened in Bangkok , Thailand on August 23.
Themed, “A new decade in sustainable transport”, the three-day forum provides a strategic and knowledge platform for sharing experiences and disseminating among Asian countries best practices, policy instruments, tools, and technologies in relation to various aspects of EST.
They include building partnerships and funding mechanisms, urban and regional rail development, fuel efficiency and sustainable freight transport.
The forum also seeks to provide a strategic platform to discuss a range of issues in the transport sector and develop a common understanding among participating countries on sustainable policy options with a specific emphasis on developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
The forum is expected to ratify the “Bangkok 2020 Declaration - Sustainable Transport Goals for 2010-2020” with commitments of Asian countries towards realising a promising decade (2010-2020) of sustainable actions and measures for achieving safe, secure, affordable, efficient, and people and environmentally friendly transport in Asia.
Participants, including representatives of members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, South Asian countries, and 20 other Asian countries, will also discuss and propose policy options in the transport sector for sustainable development.-Enditem
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Vietnam’s bamboo honoured throughout the world
Hanoi (VNA) – The Phu An Bamboo Village – a bamboo ecological reserve which is considered the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia – has been announced as one of 25 winners of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Equator Prize 2010.
“This is the first time a project on Vietnam’s bamboo has been honoured in the world,” Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper quoted Dr Diep Thi My Hanh, who chairs the project on “Phu An Bamboo Ecological Museum and Botanical Reserve” in the southern province of Binh Duong, as saying on August 24.
The Phu An Bamboo Village is a cooperation project between Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City National University , France ’s Rhone Alpes Region and Pilat Natural Park of France. It has an initial investment of nearly 675 million EUR.
Six years after implementation, the ecological reserve in Binh Duong province has a collection of about 130 species of bamboo belonging to 17 varieties. Among them are rare and precious varieties of each region in the country such as ivory bamboo and yellow-striped bamboo.
The 10ha reserve also includes a museum made from bamboo displaying equipment, instruments and works made from bamboo materials such as music instruments, and a research area for scientists and students who want to learn about bamboo and growing and developing this tropical tree.
The Phu An Bamboo Village is likely to turn into Asia’s bamboo reserve, said Dr. Gabriel de Taffin, regional director of the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) in Southeast Asia .
According to Hanh, bamboo grows fast, is used for different purposes, and is particularly useful in absorbing carbon dioxide and fighting climate change.
Apart from protecting the biodiversity of bamboo, the Phu An Bamboo Village is a centre for research and technological transfer on the applications of bamboo in life and environmental protection, Hanh said.
Dr. Hanh now researches the applications of bamboo in absorbing heavy metal present in soil, bamboo fibre in replacing composite material, and cellulose from bamboo as water-resistant material, and production of biological clothes or nylon bags.
The Equator Prize is an award for initiatives in natural resource conservation that meets the goal of poverty reduction, community development, gender equality, focusing on women, environmental protection, and serving sustainable development.
Equator Prize 2010 winners will be celebrated at a high level event at the American Museum of Natural History on September 20, 2010. Representatives from winning communities will also participate in the Community Summit dialogue space, to be held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly in New York.-Enditem
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Transport sector urged to meet national demand
Hanoi (VNA) – The transport sector should aim to meet the national economy’s development demand in the new period, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
The Government leader made the instruction while attending a ceremony to mark the 65 th anniversary of the transport sector (August 28, 1945-2010) held in Hanoi on August 24.
To reach this goal, the sector should focus on strengthening the efficiency of State management work and continue to complete its institutional system and development planning strategies, he said.
It also needs to boost the application of new technologies, strengthen construction investment management and waste prevention as well as improve the quality and progress of traffic works, he added.
The PM asked the sector to speed up the comprehensive development of transport forms, develop the traffic mechanics industry and encourage the participation of all economic sectors in this field.
The sector should implement drastic and synchronous measures on traffic safety in an effort to reduce accidents as well as enhance educational campaigns to raise public awareness of traffic safety, he noted.
Over past years, the transport sector has built a number of regional-scale projects such as Thang Long, Chuong Duong, My Thuan, Thanh Tri and Bai Chay bridges, Hai Van tunnel, Cai Lan deepwater port, Noi Bai International Airport’s T1 terminal and the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong expressway.
Throughout the country, almost all national roads, bridges, airports and ports have been built and upgraded. The rural traffic network has been reaching into remote areas and helping to improve people’s lives.
Notably, Ho Chi Minh Road , the country’s second trans-Vietnam way, which is of great significance to national socio-economic development, security and defence, has seen its first phase basically completed.-Enditem
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Cambodian Royal Army Guards visit Vietnam
Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation of the High Command of the Cambodian Royal Army Guards led by deputy commander General Dieng Sarun, has paid a working visit to the High Command of Military Zone 7.
During a session with the Cambodian delegation, Lieutenant General Trieu Xuan Hoa, Commander of Military Zone 7, briefed about recent socio-economic development and operations of armed forces in the military zone.
General Dieng Sarun, who is also deputy chief of the Cambodian Infantry High Command and Prime Minister Hun Sen’s adviser, said he wished his visit to Military Zone 7 would be a good opportunity for the delegation of Cambodia ’s High Command of Guards to learn and share experiences with the military zone’s armed forces.
The visit was made under a protocol on bilateral cooperation between the defence ministries of Vietnam and Cambodia.-Enditem
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Red River Delta fine arts exhibition opens
Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 15 th Fine Arts Exhibition of the Red River Delta’s Zone II opened in Ha Long city, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on August 24.
On display are nearly 260 paintings, graphic and sculptural works featuring the lives of people in the Red River Delta created by 228 artists from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and regional localities such as Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam , Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh , Nam Dinh and Thai Binh.
The organising board has selected 20 outstanding works to be displayed at an exhibition on sea and islands which will take place in Hanoi this December.
The exhibition will last until September 2.-Enditem
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Film week celebrates with national festivals
Hanoi (VNA) – The Cinematographic Department (CD) will held a film week nationwide from August 31 to September 6 to mark the celebration of the 65 th August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).
At a press briefing in Hanoi on August 24, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism assigned the CD to partner with Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 63 cities and provinces, cinema companies, and movie and film publishing centres across the country to hold the event.
The organisation board said the CD has directed the Vietnam Film Import-Export and Distribution Company (FAFIM Vietnam) to send film versions to cities and provinces.
As scheduled, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will show the first film on August 31. Other cities and provinces will incorporate the film week into their future schedules.
Free entrance will be available for movie fans on the first day of the film week.
The film week will screen famous celluloid films such as Dung Dot (Don’t burn), Nhin ra bien ca (Look at the sea), Duoc Song (Right to live), Sinh menh (Life) and documentary films like Buoc ngoat (Turning point), Teing Vi Cam o My Lai (The sound of violin in My Lai), Cao nguyen Da (Stone Plateau).
The film “Hoa Dao” will open the film week at the National Centre Cinema, the August cinema, Thang Long A cinema in Hanoi and several cinemas in cities and provinces nationwide.-Enditem
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ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting convenes
Ba Ria-Vung Tau (VNA) – The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) was held in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau from August 23-24 under the chair of Vietnamese Assistant Foreign Minister and Head of SOM ASEAN-Vietnam Pham Quang Vinh.
At the meeting, participants discussed measures to implement decisions issued during the 43 rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-43) and related meetings in Hanoi in July, 2010 as well as preparations for ASEAN summits and summits between ASEAN and Dialogue Partners, including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Nations scheduled for October 28-30 in Vietnam.
The meeting also discussed preparations for agendas and contents of the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this September.
The ASEAN senior officials devoted significant time to an exchange of views on a regional cooperation structure, especially the invitation of Russia and the US to become East Asia Summit (EAS) members.
They agreed that the regional architecture should support the goal of building the ASEAN Community, ensure the association’s role, respect the EAS’s consensus principle, its objectives, rules and priorities as well as actively contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in East Asia in general and Southeast Asia in particular.
The meeting considered a report by the working group for compiling an ASEAN statement on cooperation in rescuing persons and vessels in distress at sea, to be submitted to ASEAN Foreign Ministers for approval.
Regional senior officials also discussed several issues relating to priority areas in the overall plan on building the ASEAN Politic-Security Council (APSC) and strengthening ASEAN connectivity, the Hanoi Action Plan on implementing ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Vision Statement as well as legal documents for implementation of the ASEAN Charter.-Enditem
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Top leaders of Vietnam, Laos hold talks
Vientiane (VNA) – The top leaders of Vietnam and Laos have agreed to give all priorities to strengthening and promoting the bilateral special friendship and comprehensive cooperation, considering them valuable assets which must be preserved and handed to future generations.
Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet and Party General Secretary and State President of Laos, Chummaly Sayasone reached consensus on this issue during their talks in Vientiane on August 24, after an official welcome ceremony held for the former.
President Sayasone warmly welcomed the visit of President Triet, his wife and a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam , and saying it would contribute to the enhancement of special ties and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.
The Lao leader applauded the important achievements Vietnam has recorded in stepping up socio-economic development, surmounting adverse effects of the global economic crisis and posting a GDP growth rate of 6.2 percent in the first half of 2010.
He spoke highly of Vietnam ’s outstanding role and its great contributions in regional and international arenas, especially in its capacity as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since the beginning of the year.
President Sayasone also praised the close coordination between the two nations’ ministries, agencies and localities in implementing agreements reached by their senior leaders, as well as cooperation deals signed between the two governments.
For his part, President Triet said he hoped that the visit would help further advance the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos .
The Vietnamese leader expressed his delight at the successes Laos has made in maintaining political stability, security and national defence, fostering its economic, cultural and social development and improving living conditions of the people.
Both host and guest noted with pleasure that the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity has been reinforced, and the mutual trust and attachment between leaders and people of the two nations have been enhanced through high-level visits as well as meetings for exchange and experience sharing of ministries, agencies and mass organisations at all levels.
The two leaders were unanimous that bilateral economic relations have been flourishing, bringing practical benefits to both sides. Vietnam is among the top foreign investors in Laos , with 219 projects capitalised at 2.4 billion USD at present.
They agreed to soon accomplish a project to improve the quality and efficiency of bilateral cooperation in education and human resource development.
The two presidents also agreed to open a Vietnamese language faculty at Laos National University and soon begin the construction of a secondary school in Luang Phrabang province, as well as a number of other educational cooperation projects.
Triet and Sayasone agreed to step up cooperation in security, national defence and in the fight against cross-border crimes, build a common border of peace, friendship and cooperation, and speed up the upgrading and erection of more markers along the borderline.
The two presidents promised to accelerate the establishment of a Vietnam-Laos joint venture airline, as well as the compilation of a book on Vietnam-Laos relations and the construction of a monument dedicated to the late President Ho Chi Minh in Laos .
They also agreed to foster cooperation in other fields, including healthcare, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure, tourism, culture, post and telecoms, and two-way trade.
During the talks, the two leaders also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concerns. They expressed their pleasure at bilateral cooperation and mutual support in foreign affairs, as well as close coordination at the United Nations, ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and other forums.
President Triet took this occasion to invite the Lao leader and his wife to pay an official visit to Vietnam . President Sayasone expressed his thanks and accepted the invitation.-Enditem
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State leaders salute Gen Giap’s 100th birthday
Hanoi (VNA) – State President Nguyen Minh Triet, being on an official visit to Laos , on August 24 cabled a message of congratulations to General Vo Nguyen Giap on his 100 th birthday (August 25).
In his message, President Triet said Gen Giap is an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and an eminent commander-in-chief. He wished the general good health and to always be an outstanding example.
On August 24, National Assembly, Government and Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee leaders visited the general and congratulated the former military commander on his birthday.
On behalf of the government, PM Dung said the government always remembers and speaks highly of the general’s significant contributions to the cause of national liberation and reunification as well as the country’s construction.
He stressed the government, the Party and people will continue to unite to make the country more prosperous as late President Ho Chi Minh desired.
In response, Gen Giap thanked the leaders for their attention and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Party and the State, the country would continue to reap greater socio-economic achievements.-Enditem
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ASEAN, Russian economic ministers in Da Nang
Da Nang (VNA) – The first consultation between ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and Russia took place in the central city of Da Nang on August 24 as part of the 4 th ASEAN Economic Council (AEC) Meeting, the 42 nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings.
The consultation was co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and Russian Minister of Economic Development Elvira Nabiullina.
The ministers welcomed the first AEM-Russia Consultation, saying that it would create a momentum for expanding the economic and trade relations between ASEAN and Russia .
They exchanged views on current developments that affect regional and global trade and realised that two-way trade between ASEAN and Russia in 2009 saw a decrease over the previous year due to the global economic recession while both sides are emerging economies.
However, they affirmed that the 2009 two-way trade was still higher than the level before the crisis.
The ministers put forward many ideas to boost the ASEAN-Russia economic cooperation and agreed that economic cooperation will bring a host of benefits to both sides.
They also agreed that the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM)- Russia Consultation will become a main mechanism that regulates economic cooperation programmes and activities between the two sides.
The ministers entrusted senior economic officials to study a proposal to set up a group of experts to be responsible for building a comprehensive economic cooperation roadmap to be submitted to the next AEM-Russia Consultation.
They said they are awaiting the second ASEAN-Russia Summit to be held in Vietnam this October.
The ministers agreed to hold the second AEM-Russia Consultation in 2011.
On the same day, a policy dialogue on the implementation of the ASEAN roadmap for logistics services integration, the AEM-AFTA Council and AEM-AIA Council Meetings were also held.
Two new publications designed to attract more foreign investment to the region and also to support ASEAN-based enterprises were launched in Da Nang on the day.
The ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Competition Policy illustrates country experiences and international best practices, while the Handbook on Competition Policy and Law in ASEAN for Business provides current approaches and practices relating to competition policy and law in ASEAN member states.-Enditem
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Japanese diplomat honoured with peace award
Hanoi (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Council for Peace and Friendship (JVPF) Matsuura Masami has been honoured with the “For peace and friendship among nations” insignia of Vietnam.
The award was presented by Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations in Hanoi on August 24.
The award has honoured Matsuura Masami for his effective contributions to exchanges in fine arts and culture, and especially charity activities between the people of Vietnam and Japan over the past 15 years.
During his August, 1996 visit, Masami had the chance to witness the plight of many children afflicted with Agent Orange/dioxin in Hanoi and the central city of Hue .
Their gloomy outlook prompted him to launch a number of fact-finding tours of Vietnam for Japanese people to help them understand more about AO victims in the country.
He successfully operated 13 tours, attracting 168 Japanese people, during which he assisted nine AO victims in Hoa Binh village, Hanoi to have surgery and worked with other Japanese organisations to raise funds for Vietnamese AO victims.
Annually, he grants ethnic high-school scholarships in Hanoi and the highland province of Phu Tho .
Addressing the award ceremony, Matsuura Masami expressed his honour to receive the noble award, saying he always wishes to share his experiences of wars in Vietnam with Japanese people and bring happiness to Vietnamese children.
For his part, Hong thanked Masami for his contributions to friendship between the two countries. He said he hoped the Japanese diplomat would continue his support to Vietnam-Japan bilateral relations.-Enditem
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Activities to mark National Day abroad
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney , Australia , held a solemn ceremony to celebrate the 65 th National Day (Sept. 2, 1945-2010) in New South Wales on August 24.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Vu Hong Nam highlighted great political, socio-economic and cultural achievements made by the Vietnamese people over the past 65 years and affirmed Vietnam ’s consistent policy of befriending with all countries worldwide for peace, cooperation and development.
He also spoke highly of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Australia since they set up diplomatic ties in 1973.
Australia is Vietnam ’s seventh largest trade partner with two-way trade reaching 2 billion AUD in the first five months of this year.
The country is also home to the largest contingent of Vietnamese students in the world with more than 20,000 now studying there.
The Vietnamese community in Australia currently numbers 300,000, including 140,000 living in New South Wales .
A similar ceremony took place in Beijing on August 23 to celebrate National Day and the 65 th founding anniversary of Vietnam ’s diplomatic sector.
Addressing the function, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Tho highlighted the great significance of the August Revolution and National Day, which established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam – the first state of farmers and workers in Southeast Asia .
In the Republic of Korea , the Vietnamese Students’ Association has organised the third Vietnamese Students Sports Festival (VSAK 2010) to mark the National Day and the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi as well as to strengthen mutual understanding among Vietnamese students at RoK universities and institutes.
The festival attracted 60 delegations of Vietnamese student athletes from all corners of the RoK, who competed in such events as football, badminton, table tennis and track and field.
The final rounds and award ceremony took place at Ulsan University on August 21-22.-Enditem
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State President vows to strengthen ties with Laos
Vientiane (VNA) -- The Party, State and people of Vietnam are resolved to preserve and promote Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.
Vietnam ’s State President Nguyen Minh Triet made the commitment during separate meetings with Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Buaphavanh, National Assembly Chairman Thongsing Thammavong, and President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Sisavath Keobounphanh, in Vientiane on August 24.
The Vietnam-Laos relationship is one of the decisive factors that ensure the success of the national construction and defence cause in each country and is a valuable asset that should be handed to future generations, President Triet said.
He spoke highly of the great achievements the Lao people have reaped in the renewal process, especially high GDP growth rates, political stability, expanded foreign relations and an improved position in the international arena.
The State leader thanked Laos for its support for Vietnam ’s role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
President Triet called on the Lao leaders to back Vietnam ’s initiatives in ASEAN and affirmed his nation’s support for Laos ’s bid to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
At these meetings, President Triet and the Lao leaders also discussed a wide range of measures to strengthen and advance bilateral relations, including ways of boosting economic and trade ties as well as bonds between the two nations’ legislatures, governments and mass organisations.
Meeting with PM Buaphavanh, the president said he delighted at the fruitful and effective economic cooperation, noting that Vietnam is currently one of the leading foreign investors in Laos .
In this spirit, President Triet requested that the Lao government intensify inspection and supervision, along with creating more favourable conditions and incentives to ensure that Vietnamese-invested projects are carried out effectively. He said Vietnam is ready to welcome PM Buaphavanh’s planned visit next month.
Both leaders agreed that the two governments need to work together more closely to implement the already signed high-level agreements and facilitate cooperation between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries.
During his talks with NA Chairman Thammavong, President Triet stressed that the Vietnamese and Lao parliaments play an increasingly important role in making laws and promulgating resolutions, particularly in the oversight work.
In the years to come, the two parliaments should step up cooperation and sharing of experience in legislative activities, as well as in performing their function of overseeing and deciding major issues of each nation and urging the two governments to deploy high-level agreements, the president said.
Chairman Thammavong affirmed the Lao NA would do its utmost to nurture the bilateral relationship, and support and coordinate closely with its Vietnamese counterpart at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.
Meeting with the LFNC leader, President Triet and Keobounphanh shared a view that the Front organisations of Vietnam and Laos need to enhance cooperation and the exchange of experience and information, and assist each other in training personnel for the Front, ethnic and religious affairs.-Enditem
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Seminar helps boost retail market
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Multilateral Trade Assistance Project III (EU-Vietnam MUTRAP III) co-organised a seminar on good trading activities by foreign-invested businesses in Vietnam in Hanoi on August 24.
According to experts, Vietnam ’s distribution network is mainly through traditional retail channels. Modern retail channels have been slowly developed and are yet to change local consumers’ habits.
They stressed the need to encourage and create favourable conditions for businesses to develop modern retail channels.
Hoang Thi Tuyet Hoa, Deputy Head of the Planning Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that to help the retail market effectively operate, Vietnam has put distribution on the list of conditional investments applied to foreign investors.
Since it joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Vietnam has step by step allowed foreign investors to export, import and distribute goods in order to ensure the adaptability and harmonious development of the domestic market.
By the end of 2009, there were 445 supermarkets operating in Vietnam , up 62 compared with 2008. Domestic enterprises opened 60 of these new supermarkets and foreign businesses established two.-Enditem
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State leader wants stronger investment ties with Laos
Vientiane (VNA) - State President Nguyen Minh Triet has pledged more favourable conditions for further investment and trade relations between Vietnam and Laos .
President Triet, who is on an official visit to Laos , delivered this promise at a seminar, “Experience, potential and opportunity for Vietnamese investors in Laos ” held in Vientiane on August 24. Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Somsavat Lengsavat also attended the event.
Triet requested Vietnamese businesses to explore every opportunity to make long-term investments in Laos and ensure the efficiency in terms of economy, politics and society on the basis of equality, mutual benefits and the interest of both nations.
The leader took this occasion to call on major companies from Laos to seek investment opportunities in Vietnam .
Both President Triet and Deputy PM Lengsavat emphasised that businesses and concerned agencies of the two countries need to correctly evaluate and analyse the reasons behind the current shortcomings to remove them as soon as possible, thereby further advancing bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.
At the seminar, representatives of Vietnamese firms spoke of opportunities and potential in the Lao market as well as their achievements and proposals to lift Vietnam-Laos economic ties on a par with political relations.
Reports delivered at the seminar show that two-way trade reached 212 million USD in the first half of this year. The two nations have set the target of 2 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2015.
Vietnam now ranks third in terms of foreign direct investment in Laos , with 219 projects capitalised at 2.4 billion USD by the end of May 2010. Vietnamese-invested projects have been carried out in 16 out of the nation’s 17 cities and provinces, focusing on finance, banking, energy, mining, services, agriculture and forestry.
Later in the day, President Triet received the President of the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Association Phankham Viphavan, and attended the opening of a representative agency of Radio the Voice of Vietnam in Laos .
Lao President Chummaly Sayasone and his wife hosted a banquet on the evening of August 24 in honour of President Triet, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.-Enditem
Primary teachers join training course on English
Hanoi (VNA)- The Ministry of Education and Training and Hong Kong’s Sun Wah Corporation on August 23 opened a training course for 100 teachers of English from 100 primary schools across the country.
During the five-day course, the teachers will learn about new primary-level English programme, approach of teaching and studying English, activities in teaching listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as well as improvement of teachers’ leadership skills.
According to the Institute for Science and Education, pupils from the third grade to fifth grade will study four main topics including me and friends, me and my school, me and my family, and me and world around. Once completed, the pupils will reach A1 level of the CEF, a common European programme of language.
The 870 million VND course is funded by Sun Wah Corporation. Earlier, the Sun Wah Fund signed one million USD agreement with the Ministry of Health and Hanoi University for healthcare, education and art projects in Vietnam.-Enditem
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Tien Thien Caodaism sect issues practice rules
Ben Tre (VNA) – The Tien Thien Caodaism Church has issued regulations guiding its religious practices from the central to grassroots levels, helping solidify unity in the sect during the 2005-2010 term.
The church reviewed its operation during its fourth congress in Tien Thuy commune, Chau Thanh district in the Mekong delta province of Ben Tre on August 23.
The congress was attended by 380 delegates who represented nearly 79,000 dignitaries and followers of the sect in 16 cities and provinces across the country and representatives from the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs and relevant local agencies.
They heard that, the standing committee of the 2005-2010 term also issued a letter calling on all dignitaries and followers to join hands in strengthening the Tien Thien Caodaism Church and developing the sect further.
In the 2005-2010 term, followers and dignitaries of the Tien Thien sect contributed over 21 billion VND for charitable activities.
Huynh Van Bay was elected Head of the 15-member Standing Committee in the 2010-2015 term.
The Tien Thien Caodaism Church has instructed its followers to practise their faith in line with the Party and State’s religious policies and the rights to freedom of beliefs and religions of the people and encouraged them to actively participate in the nation’s patriotic and emulation movements as well as social and charitable activities in their communities. -Enditem
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Radio stations of Vietnam, Russia reinforce ties
Moscow (VNA) – Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Voice of Russia will exchange information and experiences in the non-commercial principle as said in their cooperation agreement for 2010 signed on Aug. 23.
Under the agreement signed in Moscow during VOV Deputy Director-General Hoang Minh Nguyet’s working visit to Russia , the two radio stations will also exchange experts, jointly design their own websites and reproduce information posted on each other’s website free of charge.
The VOV executive said she hoped with their time-honoured relationship, the two radio stations will further enhance their cooperation, not only on the traditional broadcasting service but also on multimedia, to serve their listeners in both countries.
President of the Voice of Russia Andrei Bystritsky said he believed on the new cooperation with the VOV on new Internet-based and digital broadcasting.-Enditem
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New guide to historic game
Hanoi (VNA) - Over 100 new solutions to the popular Vietnamese puzzle game Evereto – but now more often referred to by the name of the game's creator, Tri Uan, – have been published in time for the millennial anniversary of Hanoi, according to Uan's son, Nguyen Tri Hung.
The game helps sharpen powers of observation through the discovery of resemblances between geometric and natural forms, such as a face, a lotus, a horse, a bird and a heart.
Hung told the English-language daily Vietnam News that the new answer book guides players to form various figures from seven basic wooden pieces to resemble famous Hanoi landmarks such as the Tortoise Tower and the One-Pillar Pagoda.
The game has been popular since Uan created it in 1940.
According to Uan's daughter, Nguyen Bach Ngoc, her father took part in revolutionary activities from a very young age. He was arrested by French troops in May 1940 when he was 24 and exiled in the northern province of Phu Tho. With help from his comrades, he fled to nearby Hanoi and took part in the revolutionary underground.
Uan hid himself in a lumber room at a house at 42 Hue Street in Hanoi. His only source of entertainment was to cut cartons into pieces and make them into shapes.
"My father told me that he was an excellent student of math at the Buoi High School, so he wanted to make something out of what he had learned," said Ngoc. "After several days, he had cut seven pieces from an 8 by 10cm rectangle. From these pieces, he could shape thousands of natural forms. At that time, my father named the game Evereto."
Ngoc says that the game's name was changed to Tri Uan by President Ho Chi Minh, who said that the game contained Tri (intelligence) and Uan (mystery), making the creator's name well-suited to the game.
After the restoration of peace in Vietnam in 1954, President Ho and Party and Government leaders chose Tri Uan game sets as gifts for their international friends.
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Courses for Lao officials begin
Hanoi (VNA) - A political training course for senior Lao officals kicked off on August 23, which is the result of a cooperative agreement between Vietnam and Laos.
About 20 officials will be trained in Marxism and will learn about President Ho Chi Minh’s Though. The cadres will attend the five-month course to learn more about the demands of industrialisation and development.
The officials will also learn about the Vietnamese Party’s experiences in management and organisation since the country’s economic renewals.-Enditem
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Brand buzz secured by breakthrough ideas
HCM City (VNA) — Breakthrough creative ideas are more important in securing brand buzz than official sponsorship during an event like the football World Cup, according to a recent report by Cimigo, an independent team of marketing and brand research specialists.
Being an official sponsor of the World Cup was not necessarily sufficient to secure brand recognition, the 2010 Football World Cup Communication Landscape survey found.
Cimigo interviewed 1,000 Vietnamese in HCM City and Hanoi about what they saw, heard, felt, bought and consumed during the 19th FIFA World Cup in June and July. Cimigo engaged a community of 50 fans to understand the World Cup brand buzz.
"Many brands seek to be associated with the Football World Cup and tap into the extreme emotions and sense of belonging with fans, teams, nations and the world," Tom Skilbeck, director at Cimigo, said.
However, official sponsorship does not always guarantee that a brand will get all the buzz and association with the sport, the event or the fans.
"Among the top 10 brands creating a buzz and association with the World Cup, only four were official sponsors," he said.
The brands that created the most buzz around the Football World Cup included Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Tiger, Sony, Samsung, Heineken, Castrol, Nokia, Adidas and The Gioi Di Dong.
Of these, Coca-Cola, Sony, Castrol and Adidas were the only official sponsors.
"Advertising proved critical," Skilbeck said.
True buzz was generated by exciting live events, World Cup-related promotions and online contests.
For example, Pepsi's TV commercial propelled the association of the World Cup with Pepsi to second place behind Coca-Cola.
The Pepsi advert used a football star line-up, including Vietnam's first and third favourite players, Lionel Messi and Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Kaka), along with other stars including Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
Pepsi paid large endorsement fees to these celebrities, and most people in Viet Nam assumed that the company was an official sponsor. Coca-Cola was the most associated brand with the World Cup.
Skilbeck said the company "did a fantastic all-round marketing effort" including strong TV advertising supported by the World Cup Trophy Event, under-the-bottlecap promotion and online contests.
The Mobile World Handset retail chain, or The Gioi Di Dong, with 56 branches nationwide cut through with compelling promotions, according to the survey.-Enditem
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Furniture makers ‘neglecting' local market
HCM City (VNA) — Vietnamese wood furniture firms are focused mostly on export markets, leaving the local market to imports, especially from China.
Huynh Van Hanh, deputy chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), said with its population of 86 million and increasing incomes, Vietnam is a promising market for furniture and other wooden products.
Demand for wooden indoor furniture has grown at an annual rate of 15-20 per cent in recent years, he said.
But Vietnamese firms, among the world's largest exporters of wood products, continue to ignore the local market, which, at 3 billion USD, is equal to the export market, Hanh said.
They accound for just 20 percent of the Vietnamese market, with imports from mainland China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand accounting for the rest.
Dien Quang Hiep, director of Binh Duong-based Minh Phat Furniture Company, said companies prefer exports to domestic sales because orders are usually big. The domestic market not only places small orders but also requires various designs.
And then there is the cost of setting up distribution systems, he pointed out.
Furniture shops on Ngo Gia Tu and To Hien Thanh streets in District 10, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai in district 3, and other places in HCM City, display a lot of imported furniture products.
Tran Hoang Trung, owner of a shop on Ngo Gia Tu street, said most of his products are from China and they come in a range of designs and materials.
As for local products, he sold the odd table made of natural wood, he said.
Many foreign companies, mostly Chinese, import large quantities of timber from Vietnam at cheap prices and export finished products at high prices to Vietnam.
Many distributors import 30-40 containers of furniture every month from China, according to insiders.
Nguyen Ton Quyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association, said the low import tariffs on wooden products, of 0-3 percent, encourage furniture distributors to import them, creating pressure on domestic producers. -Enditem
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Pump demand expected to grow by 10%
HCM City (VNA) — The market for pumps in all industrial segments in Vietnam is expected to increase at least 10 percent a year over the next 10 years, a pump company director has said.
Gert Borrits, general director of the Danish-based Grundfos in Vietnam, said the country is an attractive market for foreign companies to invest, especially in beer, foodstuff and industrial equipment.
"These industries create a huge need for pumps and pump systems, especially energy-saving ones, including high-pressure services for steam, water and waste water services," Gert said.
Currently, Grundfos holds the largest market share of the pump market in Vietnam after two years of operation, offering products including circulator pumps, submersible pumps and centrifugal pumps.
It plans to employ more staff in Vietnam to serve its business expansion needs as well as develop its after-sales services nationwide.
"We hope to set up some factories here also because we think Vietnam is a very good place to produce pump products," Gert said.
"We already have a huge investment in China and now we are looking at Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam," he said.
Last week, the company organised an industrial solution seminar in HCM City to introduce its sanitary range to 200 businesses in the food and water treatment industries and other sectors. -Enditem
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Stocks slump to one-year low
Hanoi (VNA) — Shares continued their downward spiral again on the two national stock exchanges on August 23, reversing the unexpected rebound on previous trading day despite news that the State Bank of Vietnam may back off from imposing stricter capital adequacy requirements on the nation's commercial banks.
On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index opened the week down 1.52 percent to 447.92, its lowest point since the beginning of the year.
Trading volume and value also hit rock-bottom for the year. Only 22.8 million shares changed hands, worth a combined 611 billion VND (31.7 million USD). Both figures represented declines of 33 percent from August 20’s levels.
Meanwhile, only 34 shares advanced on the day, against 183 decliners, 28 of which dropped to their floor prices.
Heavy sales of Tan Tao Investment & Industry (ITA) lifted ITA to the spot as most-active share on the day, but with only a million traded. ITA closed down 4.55 percent to 18,900 VND (0.98 USD) per share.
On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index also fell by 1.77 percent to close at 129.09 points. The volume of trades reached 19.3 million shares worth only 470 billion VND (24.3 million USD), declines of 30 percent from August 20 in both volume and value.
Losers outnumbered gainers by 236-54, with PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) the most-active share on a volume of 2.2 million.
A few shares managed to rise to their ceiling prices, including An Phat Plastic and Green Environment Co (AAA), following an announcement that Japan's Maruzen Kanri Kaihatsu Co Ltd intended to buy a 25 percent stake in the company, and Long An School Book and Equipment (LBE) as investors expected positive earnings in the third quarter from the publishing and educational supplies companies.
Nevertheless, foreign investors concluded August 23 as net sellers on the HCM City market, offloading 37 billion VND (1.9 million USD) worth of shares. They remained net buyers in Hanoi, picking up 57,800 shares worth 940 million VND (48,700 USD). –Enditem
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President begins visit to Laos
Hanoi (VNA) - President Nguyen Minh Triet headed a delegation on an official three-day visit to Laos on August 24. The President is accompanied by his wife.
The high-level delegation includes Chairman of the Presidiential Office, Nguyen Van Chien; the Education and Training Minister, Pham Vu Luan; Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung; the Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, Ta Minh Chau; the Deputy Public Security Minister, To Lam: the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Cao Viet Sinh; and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the People’s Army, Pham Hong Loi.
On August 26, the delegation will pay a three-day visit to Cambodia after their trip to Laos.-Enditem
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New Zealand helps disabled children
Hanoi (VNA) – The Embassy of New Zealand has provided 15,000 USD to Thuong Tin district of Hanoi to carry out a project on helping disabled children to integrate into the community.
Under the project, 29 disabled children, their parents and teachers will receive training and communal activities will be organised for disabled children.
The project is carried out by the district’s Centre for Education of Disabled Children in coordination with Centre for Knowledge Development and Social Skills under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations.-Enditem
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Foreign oil and gas firms helps poor students
Hanoi (VNA) – The National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) has signed an agreement with oil and gas firms from the US, Japan and Thailand to finance a 125,000 USD programme on education development in five southern provinces.
Under the agreement, Chevron Vietnam , a subsidiary of the US Chevron Group, the Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. Ltd of Japan and the PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand will provide 755 scholarships each worth 1.2 million VND to Vietnamese poor students. The three companies will also help upgrade some schools in the Mekong delta provinces of Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu and Can Tho city.
Between Aug. 17-19, representatives of the three firms and the NFVC presented 280 scholarships to disadvantaged children in Kien Giang, Ca Mau and Can Tho.
Between 1994 and 2009, the NFVC mobilised funding from domestic and foreign organisations and agencies, providing over 30,000 scholarships worth more than 17.5 billion VND to poor students across the country.-Enditem
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Booklet hopes to confront AIDS discrimination against children
Hanoi (VNA) — Half a million copies of a booklet intended to help lower the incidence of AIDS and combat discrimination against children with the disease will be distributed to schools and the broader community.
The publication, titled Facts on Children and HIV/AIDS was publicly launched on August 23 in Hanoi . It has been sponsored by the United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF).
It was drafted by experts from the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), the Women's Union and the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).
It provides information in simple language and format to address commonly held misconceptions about HIV, which have led to discrimination of children, and adults, infected with it.
These include the belief held by many that all HIV-positive mothers give birth to HIV-positive children. However, the rate of transmission is only about two to eight per cent if the mother uses anti-retroviral medicine (ARV) before and after giving birth.
The booklet points out that with adequate health-care, children with HIV can study and live normal lives.
"We hope the book will soon become the gold standard for preventing the stigmatisation of children with HIV," said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS representative in Vietnam .
Nguyen Trong An, deputy director of the Child Protection and Care Department under MoLISA, said discrimination against HIV children was pervasive.
He said the booklet should provide teachers with factual information on HIV/AIDS so that teachers and others can deal effectively with questions and inquiries.
Murphy, however, said that the booklet itself would not make a difference. "We strongly believe how it will be used matters," he said.
He suggested it be used to help discussions in schools and in the community to address gaps in the knowledge about the disease.
Ngu Duy Anh, director of the Department of Students' Affairs under MoET, said that he expected more booklets may be printed so that every teacher can have one.
Le Thi Luong (not her real name), aged 12, from Hai Phong City , received HIV from her mother. However, she has finished primary school and is entering sixth grade next month at Le Chan Secondary School in the city.
The smiling girl said she had many friends in her class.
"My best friends, Mai, Khanh and Hang, and I often go to school together," she said. "We have also been playing together since we were in grade two."
A teacher at Le Chan Secondary Highs, said Phuong Anh was not the only HIV-affected child to study at the school.
"School managers and teachers did not hesitate to receive her into our family," she said.
This is because the school had been active in providing every teacher and student with information on HIV/AIDS.
"I think education on this issue is important. Every child should have the right to access education regardless of their health status. This book will be a significant part of that effort," Nghia said.-Enditem
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Children hospital transplants kidney successfully
HCM City (VNA)- Doctors of Ho Chi Minh City’s Children Hospital No.2 have successfully performed the kidney transplantation on an eleven-year-old boy, Nguyen Van G, from the southern province of Binh Phuoc.
Suffering from kidney disease for three years, the boy was treated artificial blood purification since August, 2009.
During the five hours operation with support of experts from Cho Ray hospital, the doctors cut the left kidney of his father, Nguyen Van T, 50 years old by endoscopy for the transplantation.
After the transplantation, the patient is now in stable condition with his kidney working and beginning to have urine.
This is the 7 th successful case of its kind conducted in the hospital.-Enditem
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Large art progamme to be held on National Day
Hanoi (VNA) – A large art performance programme named “Proud of the Word Vietnam” will be held at Hoan Kiem lake in downtown Hanoi on Sept. 2 to celebrate the 65 th National Day and the count-down to the 100 th birthday of the capital city.
The performance will draw participation of hundreds of artists, actors and choruses of the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre, the Vietnam Play Theatre, the Vietnam Classical Opera Theatre, the Vietnam Dance School and children.
The programme will include a performance of Vietnamese martial art, Vovinam, to highlight the national sportsmanship spirit.
It will have five parts, depicting the history of the name of Vietnam through historical periods, the country’s development and the 1,000 years of Thang Long-Hanoi.-Enditem
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Vietnamese female artists exhibit works in US
Hanoi (VNA) – Ten Vietnamese female painters will introduce a part of Vietnam ’s contemporary arts to the world at the Littman Gallery in Portland , the US’s State of Oregon.
The painters’ works, mainly oil colours on realistic or abstract topics, will be exhibited together with works by 74 other women artists from 24 countries around the world at an event called “Her Presence in Colours IX”.
The exhibition, organised by the International Women Artists Council (INWAC), will run through August.-Enditem
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Hostage crisis in Philippines ends, seven died
Hanoi (VNA) – Police of the Philippines ended the 12-hour hostage siege in their capital city involving a busload of Hong Kong tourists in the evening of August 23, however, seven of 22 hostages died.
As negotiations failed, police stormed the bus with tear gas and shot dead kidnapper Rolando Mendoza, who was a dismissed police officer. Mendoza , 55, was fired in 2008 and is under investigations for alleged involvement in drug-related crimes and extortion.
Following the incident, China sent a working term to the Philippines to deal with the aftermath and the Hong Kong government has already issued a total travel ban to the Philippines , according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.
Attacks targeting foreigners have recently been on the rise in the Philippines .
Early on August 23, a man from the Republic of Korea was shot dead by an armed man in Manila . Last month, several foreigners became victims of killings and robbery in the Philippines ’ capital city. -Enditem
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Governor of New Mexico in the US visits Cuba
Havana (VNA) – The Governor of the State of New Mexico in the US , Bill Richardson, has started a five-day visit to Cuba to consolidate trade and cultural ties between the two sides, announced the governor’s office on August 23.
Last August, Governor Richardson visited Cuba and held talks with the Chairman of Cuba’s National Assembly Ricardo Alarcon.
In an interview published in the Washington Post earlier this month, the politician urged President Barack Obama to lift the travel ban on Cuba as it would be a bold step towards normalising relations with the Caribbean State .
Governor Richardson also visited Cuba in 1996 and was received by President Fidel Castro.-Enditem
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