NGO "American Help for Asian Children" presents hearing aids


* US Organization Presents Hearing-aids Worth USD 46,000 to Southern Provinces

"American Help for Asian Children" - a NGO from the US - has donated hearing-aids worth USD 46,000 to hearing-impaired children in southern provinces.

Ho Chi Minh City's Association in Support of Poor Patients on Jan. 16 handed over 482 hearing-aids to hearing-impaired children's centres in the city and in Tien Giang, Can Tho, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces.--VNA

FM seeks early ratification of Vietnam-US trade agreement




Ha Noi, Jan. 17 (VNA) -- Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien would like the U.S. Congress to make further contributions to improving relations between Viet Nam and the U.S. - especially by ratifying the Bilateral Trade Agreement, BTA, signed last July.

The Foreign Minister was speaking about the efforts by the Congress to boost relations between the two countries while receiving a visiting House of Representatives delegation in Ha Noi on Jan. 16. The delegation is led by Democratic Party leader Richard Gerphardt.

Amb. Peterson continues his term in Vietnam




Ha Noi, Jan. 16 (VNA) -- The first U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam, Pete Peterson, had made active contributions to the normalisation of Viet Nam-U.S. relations, including the signing of the Bilateral Trade Agreement, says Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh.

Ms.Thanh made her assessment while answering a question from the Viet Nam-based DPA correspondent about Peterson's role in the improvement of Viet Nam-U.S. relations in Ha Noi on Jan. 16.

Vietnam attaches importance to relations with the US




Ha Noi, Jan. 16 (VNA) -- Viet Nam attached importance to its relationship with the United States, National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh told a visiting U.S. House of Representatives delegation led by Democratic Party leader Richard Gerphardt, in Ha Noi on Jan. 16.

Mr. Manh said that Viet Nam had persistently implemented its policy of peace, friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and to their mutual benefit.

Vietnam and US agree to share Flood Forecast technology



Jan. 9 A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in meteorology and hydrology between Viet Nam and the U.S. was signed in Washington on Jan. 9.

Signatories were Director General of the Hydro-Meteorological Service of Viet Nam Dr. Nguyen Cong Thanh and Director of the National Weather Service under the U.S. Department of Commerce John Kelly.

Washington State University helps train Vietnamese



Ha Noi, Jan. 1 (VNA) -- Washington State University is working with Ha Noi National Economics University to provide Vietnamese students a two-year course in business management.

The course, which started todoay, Jan. 2, is the first joint training programme between a Viet Nam university and a university from the US.

The cooperation programme for its establishment is newly approved by the Viet Nam Government and is expected to provide an opportunity for Vietnamese students and teachers to learn and exchange views about commerce.

NGO Clear Path finances project to neutralize unexploded bombs


* U.S. Organization Finances Central Province's Project to Neutralize Unexploded Bombs

Clear Path International, a non-governmental organization in the U.S., has agreed to finance a project for neutralizing unexploded bombs and ordnance and developing infrastructure on a 51-ha area in Dong Ha commune, central Quang Tri province.

The USD 952,899 project is to be carried out in three years from 2001.--VNA

American professor honored with Vietnam edu. medal





Ha Noi, Dec. 27 (VNA) -- The Education and Training Ministry presented a "For the cause of education" medal to the President of the U.S. Committee for Scientific Cooperation with Viet Nam, Prof. Judith L. Ladinsky, in Ha Noi on Dec. 27.

Professor Ladinsky has helped more than 300 Vietnamese students and cadres win scholarships and enrol in universities and colleges in the U.S. and Canada since 1989. Her Committee grants three scholarships for English-language short-term course in the U.S. to Vietnamese cadres each year.

US Trade Development Agency funds to Danang Airport terminal




Ha Noi, Dec. 15 (VNA) -- The Viet Nam Civil Aviation Administration (VCAA) and the US Trade Development Agency (TDA) Dec. 15, reached a USD 579,900 agreement to partially fund a feasibility study on the construction of a new passenger terminal at Da Nang International Airport.

The signing ceremony was held in Ha Noi with the participation of VCAA director general Nguyen Tien Sam and US Ambassador to Viet Nam Douglas Peterson.

Vietnam congratulates US President - Elect






On Dec. 14 Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry spokesman responding to Vietnamese and foreign journalists who sought Viet Nam's reaction to the outcome of the US presidential elections said that Viet Nam congratulated US President-elect George Bush and hoped that its relations with the United States would continue to be improved and developed on the basis of mutual understanding and respect, equality and mutual benefit.

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