Private sector increases investment

Tue, 06/04/2002 - 23:23

Ha Noi, June 4 (VNA) -- The private sector invested almost VND 19,000 billion (USD 1.26 billion) in business during the first five months of this year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The figure has brought the total private sector investment capital to VND 60,000 billion (USD 4 billion) since the implementation of the Enterprise Law in 2000. This investment has been poured mainly into industrial production and the processing of goods for export.

Standard&Poor's credit ratings is an achievement for Vietnam

Mon, 06/03/2002 - 16:43

Ministry of Finance answered question from Reuters correspondent: Could I ask your assistance in obtaining comment from the Finance Ministry on Standard & Poor's assignment of credit ratings for Vietnam and ask what implications this has for Vietnam's plans to issue bonds overseas. Given this rating, does the ministry plan to go ahead with plans to issue bonds internationally this year?

Answer:

WB provides VN USD 200 million credit to develop rural economy

Sun, 06/02/2002 - 23:27

Washington, June 1 (VNA) -- The World Bank (WB) on May 30 approved a USD 200 million credit for viet Nam to develop its rural economy.

The funds are part of the second Rural Finance Project which aims to help Viet Nam develop its rural economy and improve living conditions in rural areas by giving farm households and private rural entrepreneurs money to invest in developing their businesses. The project is also designed to strengthen the banking system's capacity to better serve the rural economy and to increase access of the rural poor to financial services.

Residence cards up to 3 years for foreigners in HCM city

Sun, 06/02/2002 - 23:24

Ho Chi Minh City, June 1 (VNA) -- As of July, overseas Vietnamese and foreigners residing in Ho Chi Minh City for more than one year will be granted permanent or temporary residence cards valid for one to three years.

Residence card holders will be exempted from entry and exit visas.

The announcement was jointly made by the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh City, the Immigration Department and the Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Buddha's birth anniversary celebrated nationwide

Wed, 05/29/2002 - 00:25


Buddha's 2,546th birth anniversary was celebrated on May 26, or the 15th day of the fourth lunar month in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces throughout the country.

At the Quan Su pagoda in Hanoi, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, deputy president of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) read a letter from VBS President Most Venerable Thich Tam Tich. The message expressed hope for more contributions to the nation and good preparations for the fifth national VBS congress from Buddhist dignitaries and followers in and outside the country.

List of winning candidates to National Assembly announced

Wed, 05/29/2002 - 00:23


The Electoral Council has made public the list of 498 winning candidates of the May 19 National Assembly elections.

The election of deputies to the eleventh National Assembly was a great success with 99.73% of the total registered 49,902,976 voters casting their ballots, Deputy National Assembly Chairman Mai Thuc Lan told a press briefing in Hanoi on Saturday.

Mr Lan, also head of the election information board, added that the high turnout reflected voters' high sense of responsibility and political awareness.

Deputy PM praises international assistance

Wed, 05/29/2002 - 00:20

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam said that the assistance from international donors, World Bank and associations of businesses had helped Vietnam carry out socio-economic development strategies and plans as well as the strategy for reducing poverty and eradicating hunger.

Mr Cam was addressing the closing ceremony of the mid-term Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 24.

Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth has reached 7.5% and the number of poor households has been halved, noted Mr Cam.

Freedom of religion in Vietnam

Fri, 05/24/2002 - 18:10

Vietnam is a country of diverse religious and spiritual beliefs, with more than 30,000 houses of worship throughout the country.

Every person in Vietnam is free to practice the religion of his or her choice. This is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The constitution adopted after the complete independence and reunification of Vietnam, ensures that freedom of religion and belief is an inalienable right of our citizens, which must be respected by our government.

Structure of Religions in Vietnam

FM Spokeswoman rejects USCIRF report on religion in VN

Fri, 05/24/2002 - 12:07

On May 17, 2002, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh answered question from the Voice of Vietnam " Please provide Vietnam's response to "Report 2002" by the US Commission for International Religious Freedom.

Answer:

Public opinion can not accept the US Commission for International Religious Freedom continuing to pass judgment on religious situations in other countries, flagrantly interfering into their internal affairs.

Textile industry calls for elimination of all quota restrictions

Wed, 05/22/2002 - 23:35

Ha Noi, May 21 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's textile industry has called on the United States and the European Union to eliminate all quantity restrictions imposed on textile imports from Viet Nam, said Le Quoc An, Chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Garment Association.

Mr. An was speaking at the 35th meeting of the International Textile and Clothing Bureau (ITCB) in Ha Noi on Monday.

He also called on ITCB member countries to support Viet Nam in removing restrictions that the U.S. Government might impose on apparel imports from Viet Nam.

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