Film makers clash after Bar Girls triumphs at box office

Tue, 03/18/2003 - 11:10


The success of the moralistic but titillating Gai Nhay (Bar Girls), which has already racked up the equivalent of US$200,000 at the box office, is causing HCM City movie moguls to take a long hard look at their attitudes towards film making.

They’re realising that if they want to fill seats, their films need to be entertaining.

Bar Girls’ director Le Hoang is determined to push the local film industry to new levels by producing further films that people want to watch.

"New trends are needed to improve the country’s movies," he said.

Team of Vietkey creators enter big time

Tue, 03/18/2003 - 11:05


"I’ll never forget the night they announced our group as the first-prize winners for our Vietkey operating system in the Viet Nam Intellect software contest" said 29-year-old Nguyen Hong Anh, system developer and chief of Vietkey Linux.

The group finally knew the sweet taste of success after years of sweating together over the project.

Hong Anh, who now works as an engineer in the Ministry of Defence, told Viet Nam News that Vietkey Linux was established in 1997 by himself and fellow University of Technology graduate Tran Ngoc Son.

Epidemic task force tackles mystery bug

Tue, 03/18/2003 - 11:03



HA NOI — The Health Ministry has put its epidemic task force on the highest alert following the international outbreak of a disease that has killed one nurse and hospitalised 46 others in Viet Nam.

At an urgent meeting on Sunday, ministry officials said the task force would isolate and closely monitor patients and at-risk people while educating the public about preventative measures.

The officials suggested that people avoid gathering in public, and advised that they should wear masks and maintain high levels of personal hygiene.

PM Khai urges expanded role for labour unions

Tue, 03/18/2003 - 11:01


HA NOI (March 18, 2003) — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has asked the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour to set the example for productivity among State employees as the nation prepares for economic integration.

In a meeting with the labour movement’s peak body, Khai applauded the way the confederation’s activities had complied with Party and State policies.

He also praised the confederation’s frugality and close collaboration with State and grassroots organs to resolve disputes between workers and employers.

Decision on Policy Towards Overseas Vietnamese

Thu, 03/13/2003 - 10:11


http://www.nhandan.org.vn/english/legal/20000201.html

Following the Law on Organisation of the Government of September 30 1992, and the Law on Vietnamese Nationality of May 20 1998; with a view encouraging overseas Vietnamese to maintain close contact with their native land and actively contribute to the cause of national construction, the prime minister has issued the following decision.

ARTICLE I:

Agent Orange victims receive free surgery

Thu, 03/13/2003 - 10:06


VNA - March 13, 2003

About 90 of 300 poor Agent Orange victims have received free-of-charge operations at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Polyclinic in Mekong Delta Ben Tre province.

The programme was part of a project to support poor Agent Orange victims. The project is funded by Norway's Co-operation and Development Agency through the Vietnam Red Cross's Fund in Support of Agent Orange Victims.

In addition, 100 such victims have received functional surgery conducted by Tran Van An Traditional Medicine Hospital, and 80 others were given free wheelchairs.

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.

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