Vietnam Sees Boom in American Arrivals in June

Tue, 06/28/2005 - 11:43

The number of American tourists to Vietnam in June skyrocketed 48.5 percent over May, totaling over 1.72 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2005, said the country’s tourism watchdog.
Statistics of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) showed that 35,053 Americans visited Vietnam in June. Thanks to the unexpected surge, the total US arrivals in the reached 166,875 or 19.4 percent over the same period last year.

In total, Vietnam lured more than 1.72 million foreign tour-goers in the January-June period, up 23.7 percent year-on-year.

Vietnamese Company to Publish Foreign Best Seller

Tue, 06/28/2005 - 11:41

The Vietnamese company First News inked an exclusive agreement with an American publishing corporation for the right to translate and distribute their books in Vietnam.

First News signed the contract with the US publishing corporation L. Ron Hubbard for exclusive distribution in Vietnam of the book entitled “Dianetics Modern Science of Mental Health.”

The deal includes three other books all penned by Doctor Hubbard.

UNHCR Checks on Repatriated Ethnic Minorities in Gia Lai

Thu, 06/23/2005 - 01:52

Gia Lai, June 23 (VNA) - Vu Anh Son, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Viet Nam, arrived in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on June 22 to inquire into the life of recently repatriated local ethnic minority people who had illegally crossed the border to Cambodia.

This was the second time the delegation came to Gia Lai for this purpose.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai visits United States in June 2005

Wed, 06/22/2005 - 02:02

President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to the White House to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

Foreign firm gets green light to build hangar in Vietnam

Fri, 06/17/2005 - 02:18

A foreign company will invest 500 million USD to build a hangar for heavy aircraft maintenance in central Quang Nam province following recent approval by the prime minister, said a provincial leader.
The project is scheduled to start this year at Chu Lai Airport in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone.

The PM also approved two other major foreign investment projects in the Chu Lai OEZ – a 400 million-USD nitrogen fertilizer and construction glass plant and 400 million-USD thermoelectricity plant.

AmCham praises Viet Nam’s progress in law

Fri, 06/17/2005 - 01:44

"We are pleased to see progress on important legislation, including the Unified Enterprise Law and the Common Investment Law. These laws, when enacted, represent an excellent opportunity for Viet Nam to demonstrate that it is taking practical and significant steps to meet its obligations under international bilateral trade agreements and its commitments under the WTO entry process."

Intel signs deal to help develop 'digital Vietnam'

Thu, 06/16/2005 - 02:29

The world's largest chipmaker Intel has signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government to improve the accessibility of information technologies throughout the country, the company's CEO said.
Intel president Paul Otellini said the foundation would aim to boost communication infrastructure across ministries, government, provinces and various organisations.

The company also wants to help Vietnam develop a robust local IT industry and increase computerisation in schools.

Otellini denied revealing how much the company would spend on the program.

Anti-corruption bill requires officials declare assets

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:33

Vietnam’s new bill on anti-corruption has, for the first time, legalized the responsibility of state officials, civil servants and army and police officers to declare assets of 50 million VND (roughly 3,150 USD) and up.

Officials’ declared assets must also include those of the spouse and children as well, according to the bill, stressing likely confiscation of assets for officials who fail to prove assets were acquired legally.

US students volunteer in central Hue province

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:31

Eleven students from a college in the US journeyed to the central city of Hue back on May 20, to take part in a month long program of charity work in the region, according to event organizers.
The 11 American students, part of the Break Away Association at Johnson State College, had a chance to attend the kick-off ceremony of Vietnam’s Youth Volunteer Campaign, the Green Summer 2005, in Hue June 4, organizers said.

HCMC property market heats up with available condos

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:26

The recent rising number of available condominiums in Vietnam’s southern hub Ho Chi Minh City, fueled by support from local banks, has given a big boost to the local property market after a stagnant period.

In the last few months, a huge number of housing projects to build condo blocks have been announced, attracting the attention of local house buyers.

In particular, buyers are falling for the attractive, low-priced condos within a housing program launched by a group of two local property developers and two banks, which will supply 20,000 to 30,000 condos.

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