Door opens to foreign investment

Thu, 03/13/2003 - 09:58



HA NOI (March 13, 2003) — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has endorsed a landmark decision allowing foreign investors to acquire up to a 30 per cent stake in Vietnamese companies in the public sector.

Prime Ministerial Decision 36/2003, issued on Tuesday, states the move is aimed at encouraging foreign investment in State enterprises which need foreign expertise and management methods as well as foreign technology and capital in order to gain influence and competitiveness.

Government floats aquaculture growth plan

Tue, 03/11/2003 - 13:56


HA NOI (March 11, 2003)— The Government has announced plans to expand Viet Nam’s aquacultural area to one million ha, a rise of 4.5 per cent over last year.

And despite ongoing international trade disputes, shrimp – the sector’s biggest cash-spinner – will make up most of the aquaculture industry’s 1.1 million tonne production target for 2003.

Tourism industry cries out for foreign cash

Tue, 03/11/2003 - 13:54

HCM CITY (March 11, 2003) — The country’s tourism sector must devise a specific strategy to attract the large amount of foreign direct investment needed to develop the industry, according to a Government tourism body.

Deputy director of the Viet Nam Tourism Research and Development Institute, Pham Trung Luong, said the scheme must include policies that encourage foreign investors to construct tourist facilities of international standards.

The plan should also encourage development of remote, rural localities that have tourism potential.

Govt sees bright year for rural trade

Tue, 03/11/2003 - 13:53

Ha Noi (March 11, 2003) — No stone will be left unturned to boost retail trade and services while there will be a strong new focus on rural markets in 2003, according to a Ministry of Trade report.

Identifying a growth target of 13 per cent for retail trade and services and 5 per cent for the consumption index, the ministry seeks the fulfilment of domestic demand for both raw materials and manufactured goods. It also hopes to assist farmers in selling all their produce.

Stand for peaceful solution to Iraq crisis reconfirmed

Tue, 03/11/2003 - 13:49

(Nhan Dan, March 10, 2003)

Vietnam reiterated on March 10 its stance for a political solution to the Iraq issue in line with the United Nations' Charter.

Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry Phan Thuy Thanh said UN weapons inspectors' March 7 report submitted to the UN Security Council has made it clear that their mission in Iraq has been making encouraging progress. She said that the report has recognised Iraq's increasingly active co-operation with UN weapons inspectors.

Female city slickers celebrate Women’s Day the fitness way

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:12

HCM CITY, March 6, 2003 — You could be excused for thinking that International Women’s Day is a chance for Viet Nam’s hard-working female population to take a well-deserved break, but at least 10,000 of them will be marking the event with a mass physical exercise demonstration in HCM City this Saturday.

Foreign photographer clicks into daily routines in Viet Nam

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:10


HA NOI - March 6, 2003

For Richard Vogel, a photo capturing the tranquillity of daily rural life is just as valuable as an action shot from the heart of the latest war zone.

A Ha Noi exhibition is currently showcasing the Associated Press’ photographer’s Viet Nam collection; a must for anyone with an interest in the country.

Hosted by the Press Club, the exhibition offers "a glimpse through a window into the world of the Vietnamese people", as Vogel puts it.

Trade Ministry clears way for level commercial playing field

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:05


HA NOI — March 6, 2003

The Ministry of Trade is honing a competition law which it describes as a "double-edged knife", designed to prevent both experienced foreign companies and privileged Vietnamese firms from using unfair practice to dominate the domestic market as the country opens up to regional trade.

The trade ministry discussed the drafting process and some of the difficulties involved at a seminar in Ha Noi a fortnight ago, where it also sought more expert recommendations on the law.

Viet Nam strives to combat drug and prostitution

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:59



Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - Viet Nam achieved remarkable results in drug and prostitution control last year with over 5,000 communes, wards and towns free from drug abuse and prostitution, up 13.8 percent from a year earlier.

2002's ten outstanding young people acclaimed

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:57



Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's Central Committee has selected 10 out of the 39 nominees as the most outstanding young stars of last year. These people, coming from cultural, academic, scientific and technological, business, security and defense, youth activity, sports and art fields, include:

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