Hanoi plans to develop IT center


Ha Noi, Sept. 4 (VNA) -- Ha Noi plans to spend VND 400 billion (USD 26.6 million) on developing information technology, making this a key industry in the first decade of the new century.

The city's first step is to built an IT service centre and put it into use by the end of this year. The next step aims to build an IT development centre and the Nam Thang Long IT industrial zone in 2002.

MOET Minister on fundamental & comprehensive change in education



Ha Noi, Sept. 5 (VNA) -- One of the major tasks of the education and training sector in the 2001-02 academic year and beyond is to comprehensively improve education and training quality, said Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Minh Hien.

Hien was speaking in an interview with the national daily Nhan Dan (People) on the occasion of the start of the 2001-02 school year (Sept. 5).

Nearly 22.5 million pupils and students start new school year

Ha Noi, Sept. 5 (VNA) -- Almost 22.5 million pupils and students throughout the country start their new academic year on Sept. 5.

This year's enrolment includes 3 million pre-school pupils, 9.7 million primary education students, 6.2 million junior secondary education students, 2.32 million senior secondary education students, 271,600 vocational trainees and almost 1 million college and university students.

Pupils and students in some parts of the Mekong delta began the 2001-02 school year a month ago to avoid floods.

Software companies enjoy free corporate tax for 4 years


Vietnamese and foreign software businesses that are operating in Vietnam and do not fall under the adjusted objects of the Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam will enjoy exemption from the corporate tax for four years when they have taxable income.

This was announced in a circular issued on May 21, by the Ministry of Finance, on guiding the implementation of tax preference which is stipulated in a decision by the Prime Minister on some policies and measures to boost investment and development of the software industry.

Gov't Degrees on residence prohibition and internet regulations


Ha Noi, Aug. 27 (VNA) --
* The Government on Aug. 23 issued Decree 53/2001/ND-CP guiding the implementation of residence prohibition and house arrest punishments.

The four-chapter, 21-article decree rules that residence prohibition is a supplementary punishment under which a convict is not allowed to temporarily or permanently reside in certain localities from one to five years after serving his/her imprisonment sentence.

Finance Ministry Website in English



Ha Noi, August 29 (VNA) -- The Finance Ministry on August 28 launched a new website in both Vietnamese and English which carries legal, financial, and investment information about Viet Nam as well as questions and answers on relevant policies.

Those who are interested in the integration process may also log in at http://www.mof.gov.vn to find relevant information on other regional economies.

Vietnam-ROK joint Communique on cooperation


Ha Noi, Aug. 23 (VNA) -- A Viet Nam-RoK joint communique was released in Seoul today, Aug. 23, during the official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong from Aug. 22-25.

Vietnam and Indonesia assure of further cooperation


Ha Noi, Aug. 22 (VNA) -- Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri have expressed their determination to continue promoting bilateral cooperative relations between the two countries by boosting cooperation in commerce, investment, tourism, and culture. They also agreed to step up efforts for a resolution of the continental shelf issue between two nations.

The two Presidents began their talks in Ha Noi on the morning of Aug. 22.

Vietnam and Indonesia sign rice supply agreement


Ha Noi, Aug. 22 (VNA) -- An agreement on rice supply between Viet Nam and Indonesia was signed in Ha Noi during the one-day visit by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri today, Aug. 22.

Signatories to the accord were General Director of the Southern Food Corporation Duong Thi Ngoc Trieu of Viet Nam and Director of the Indonesia National Reserve Department Widjanarko Puspoyo.

President Tran Duc Luong and his Indonesian counterpart witnessed the signing ceremony.

Party Central Committee Plenum issues communique


Ha Noi, August 22 (VNA) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, ninth tenure, held its third plenary session in Ha Noi from August 13-22.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh chaired the meeting and delivered opening and closing speeches.

The meeting highlighted the role of each and every member of the Party Central Committee (Party CC). Debates took place in an open and frank atmosphere so as to solve effectively issues raised in the session's agenda.

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