Vietnam Affirms Consistent Policy on Religion: White Paper

Viet Nam on Feb. 1 released a white paper on religion, affirming that it has consistently implemented an unswerving policy of great national unity without any discrimination on the basis of belief or religion.03L.jpg

Vietnam Joins ILO Convention on Forced Labor

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet signed Monday a document for the country's accession to an International Labor Organization (ILO) convention on eliminating forced and compulsory labor.

The convention, adopted by the ILO General Conference in 1930, stipulates that each member ratifying this convention has to adopt measures to eradicate forced or compulsory labor in all forms in the shortest possible period.

Vatican Pleased with Possibility of Bi-Lateral Relations With Vietnam

The Vatican has expressed its satisfaction with the outcome of the first ever meeting between a Pope and a Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 03_Linh_muc.jpg

PM Dung meets Pope, Vatican PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with Pope Benedict XVI and held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on Jan. 25. 0125_dung_GHoang.jpg

It was the Vietnamese PM's first meeting with both leaders, reflecting the goodwill and desire of Viet Nam and the Vatican to promote dialogue and mutual understanding.

Vietnam PM Hold Online Dialogue With People on Various Issues

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is scheduled to hold an on-line dialogue with the public through the websites of the government and the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as the electronic newspaper VietnamNet on 9 February. PM.jpg

Vietnam, Japan "Successfully" Concluded Bilateral Economic Partnership Talks

The first session of the talks on Vietnam-Japan bilateral economic partnership agreement (EPA) wrapped up in Tokyo, Japan, on 18 January after three-day sitting.

Vietnamese chief negotiator Deputy Foreign Minister Phan The Rue told a Vietnamese News Agency correspondent that the session was a success as both sides achieved their objectives.

Rue said that the two sides understood each other's proposals and agreed on an approach to the agreement, especially negotiation principles which will be the basis for the second session, scheduled to take place in Hanoi on 26 March.

VIETNAM - US HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION ON WAR LEGACIES

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VIETNAM - U.S. JOINT STATEMENT

Hanoi - November 2006

Vietnam PM to have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay a visit to the Republic of Italy on 25th January 2007At the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. This visit is aimed at strengthening the friendly and 03_Linh_muc.jpgcooperative relationship between Vietnam and the Republic of Italy, especially in economic, trade and investment areas.

New Import Tariff Regime Kicks in with WTO Membership

Vietnam‘s customs department has instructed its offices around the country to adopt preferential import tariffs dictated by WTO rules as of January 11 when the country became a WTO member.
The average tax will be gradually lowered on all items to 13.4 percent in 5-7 years.

It will begin this year with cuts on a third of the total 10,600 tariff lines, mainly those with tariffs rates of more than 30 percent now.

Vietnam's Economic Performance - Round-up

GDP Growth:
GDP growth is estimated to reach 8.2 %, exceeding the initial target of 8 % and higher than the average growth rate of 7.5 – 8 % set for the 2006 - 2010 period. Economic structure saw an increase in the proportion of industry, construction and services, and a reduction in the proportion of agro-forestry and fisheries.

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