Vietnam's SARS outbreak containment praised

Mon, 07/07/2003 - 16:06

A US health official has appreciated Vietnam's experiences in containing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, saying that its lessons are necessary for all countries around the world.

Ms Julie C Gerberding, director of the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) made the comment at the end of her recent visit to Vietnam.

Sa Pa gets ready to celebrate birthday

Mon, 07/07/2003 - 15:58



by Hong Thuy

Gone are the days when young Mong, Dao, Tay and Giay people from Sa Pa’s surrounds headed to town to play music and seek a spouse.

But this doesn’t stop the multitude of tourists who still flock to the town hoping to glimpse young, ethnic minority men and women flirting at the cho tinh (love market).

When they get there the last thing they find is the melodious sounds of the khen (bamboo pipe flute) or the courtships between men and women dressed in their traditional rainbow of colours.

Four children killed by war-era grenade

Mon, 07/07/2003 - 15:56


(07/07/2003 -- 22:21GMT+7)

Dac Lac, July 7 (VNA) - A US-made grenade which was left over from the US war in Viet Nam, killed four children in an accident on Saturday in Dac So hamlet, Dac Rung commune, Dac Song district, central Dac Lac province.

The accident, the worst of its kind there so far, killed three siblings and their cousin, aged between seven and 11.

Thich Quang Do exempted from being under house arrest

Fri, 06/27/2003 - 16:47

(06/27/2003 -- 22:07GMT+7)

HCM City, June 27 (VNA)-The Phu Nhuan District People's Court in HCM City on Friday afternoon announced its decision to exempt Dang Phuc Tue (alias Thich Quang Do) from being under house arrest ahead of schedule.

Open arms and flowers welcome peace boat

Wed, 06/25/2003 - 23:37



DA NANG — The Japanese Peace Boat, which docked in Da Nang last Saturday, became the first international tourist ship to visit Viet Nam since the World Health Organisation declared the country SARS-free on April 28.

Eight hundred tourists, mostly students, poured off the boat, surrounded by hundreds of locals decked out with flowers and flags to welcome the arrivals.

HCM City must lead the way: PM

Wed, 06/25/2003 - 23:28



HCM CITY — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai wants HCM City to focus on re-structuring industrial production for the making of high-quality, competitive goods,
It should also become a pivotal commercial and financial centre that led development of the country’s economy and trade, he told a working session with the HCM City Party’s and People’s Committees on Monday.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the municipal authorities needed to quickly resolve such urgent issues as the supply of safe water, waste treatment, pollution, crime and other social problems.

President asks front to nurture democracy

Wed, 06/25/2003 - 23:26



HA NOI — President Tran Duc Luong wants the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee to play a greater role in ensuring grassroots democracy.

Such democracy was necessary to making the people understand, discuss, participate and supervise the workings of the State, he told members of the Central Committee, including the president of presidium Pham The Duyet and the committee’s General Secretary Huynh Dam.

Party leader pledges to beat the corrupt

Wed, 06/25/2003 - 23:26



HA NOI — Corruption would be steadily beaten, Viet Nam Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh told 250 voters from Ha Noi and its outskirts on Tuesday.

But the work needed the support and participation of every individual and most importantly must be thoroughly done, he said.
The General Secretary said the lifestyle of Party members and State employees should be a model for others and they must keep themselves and their families away from the temptations triggered by the market economy.

Donors gather to take close look at ODA use

Thu, 06/19/2003 - 17:12



HA NOI — Viet Nam’s economic and institutional reforms, poverty reduction and growth schemes were scheduled to top the agenda at the mid-year Consultative Group Meeting opening on Thursday in Sa Pa.

The forum, expected to draw senior Government officials and about 50 international donors to Viet Nam, was expected to concentrate on the opportunities and challenges facing Viet Nam and the country’s progress in disbursing Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds.

National Assembly waives land-use tax for most farmers

Thu, 06/19/2003 - 17:11



HA NOI — A new regulation exempting millions of farmers from paying land-use tax until 2010 was adopted before the 11th National Assembly closed its third sitting on Tuesday.

The regulation – written by the Finance Ministry – exempts all northern farmers owning two hectares of cultivated land and all southern farmers owning three hectares of cultivated land from the tax.

Farmers holding more than two or three hectares will have their land-use liability reduced to 50 per cent.

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