Berne copyright convention comes into effect in VN

Wed, 10/27/2004 - 11:47

Beginning on October 26, foreign books translated into Vietnamese might be more difficult to find in bookstores throughout the country as the Berne Convention becomes effective in Viet Nam.

Viet Nam has officially become the 156th member of the international treaty on the protection of copyrights in literature, science and arts publication.

Under the convention, Viet Nam has to respect and protect the copyright reservations for works of literature, arts and science from 155 other member nations and in return, its works will be protected in those countries as well.

Five more projects licensed in Dung Quat

Wed, 10/27/2004 - 11:45

QUANG NGAI — The Dung Quat Economic Zone Management Authority in the central province of Quang Ngai has granted business licenses to five new investment projects. The new initiatives in the Economic Zone (EZ) will bring with them a registered capital of VND304.1 billion (nearly US$19.3 million).

Vietnam’s competitiveness not declining; finance minister

Wed, 10/27/2004 - 11:41

It was “not accurate” to say Vietnam’s competitiveness is declining as in a recent report by the World Economic Forum, said Vietnam’s Finance Minister during the 6th National Assembly session Oct. 25 in Hanoi.

The competitiveness of Vietnam’s economy is improving although it is not really excellent, Finance Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung told the press on the sidelines of the NA session.

Vietnamese ministries, sectors and domestic businesses have the same opinion, Mr. Hung said.

Vietnam ideal place for Taiwanese, Korean investors

Wed, 10/27/2004 - 11:32

As the country’s top foreign investors, the Taiwanese and Koreans said they continued to choose Vietnam as their favorite destination for investment because of its low labor costs and links to other countries.

In the first nine months of this year, Taiwan was the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, followed by Korea, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Korean investors said they were attracted to a U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade pact, which provided a channel for Korean-backed exports to the U.S., as well as Vietnam's entrepreneurial spirit.

Int’l experts make suggestions for Vietnam’s tourism law

Wed, 10/27/2004 - 11:00

Vietnam’s tourism law should encourage private investments, facilitate the establishment of national tourism strategies and policies, and be enforced by a tourism police force, experts suggested Oct 25.

The international tourism experts from the International Tourism Organization (ITO) and the Dutch Development Organization (DDO) gave their opinions in a seminar hosted by the Vietnamese National Tourism Administration (VNTA) in Hanoi to discuss elements of Vietnam’s tourism law.

Vietnam's economy keeps growing high

Tue, 10/26/2004 - 17:58

The Government, in its report to the on-going sixth session of the 11th Legislature, pointed out that the country maintained a high gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 7.6% in the first ten months of the year despite facing various difficulties and challenges.

Government targets 8-8.5% GDP growth in 2005

Mon, 10/25/2004 - 10:33

 The Government, in its report to the on-going sixth session of the 11th Legislature, set the target to achieve a GDP growth rate of 8-8.5% in 2005. The report pointed to other specific objectives for 2005 as follows:

On the economy:

Sixth session of 11th National Assembly opens

Mon, 10/25/2004 - 10:31

The 11th National Assembly opened its sixth session in Hanoi on Monday under the chairmanship of Chairman Nguyen Van An.

In his opening speech, Chairman An affirmed Vietnam's socio-economic achievements in the past nine months. He said, in spite of difficulties and challenges, the country registered a GDP growth rate of 7.4% as compared to an estimated 7.6% for the whole year. Poverty reduction has seen remarkable progress and stability has been maintained in the political system, national defence and social security, he added.

Outlook of local property market is good

Wed, 10/20/2004 - 16:53

A report from the US based CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), which manages a dozen high-rise building projects across Vietnam, says that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were experiencing “unusually” high occupancy rates compared with the rest of Asia and this trend should continue over the next three to four years.

The outlook of the local property market is good if you look at the number of projects and the very unusual high occupancy rates in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the managing director of CBRE, Marc Townsend, said.

WTO: Full commitment leads to intrnational support

Fri, 10/15/2004 - 16:25

As much as the Vietnamese have shown their desire for independence throughout their history, they understand the benefits of economic integration. World Trade Organization (WTO) membership has become one of Hanoi's key goals for 2005 and would be the crowning achievement of a year that also celebrates 30 years of unification and 10 years of normalized relations with the United States.

Pages