Overseas Vietnamese Asked to Help IT Development

HCM CITY (August 22, 2005) — Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem has urged overseas Vietnamese to make greater contributions to the development of the country’s information and communication technologies.

Speaking at a weekend meeting with 140 overseas Vietnamese at the Reunification Hall, Khiem said ICT had been recognized by the Vietnamese Government as one of the most important factors needed for the country’s sustainable development.” It should now be the major tool in turning Viet Nam into an industrialized country by 2020," Khiem said.

Vietnam's Top Banks Kick off New Net Services

Vietnam's three leading commercial banks said beginning on August 15 they will offer a series of e-banking services in a bid to attract more customers.

The East Asian Bank (EAB) said starting today it would provide internet banking services at http://ebanking.eab.com.vn, enabling customers to access account balance and transaction information.

In the near future, the services would include online transactions and utilities payments, the bank said.

VTV Plans to Launch New Channels, Increase Air Time

HA NOI — Viet Nam Television (VTV) will increase its broadcasting time to 168.5 hours per day through its eight channels by 2010, with 80 per cent of the total broadcasting time devoted to its own programs, according to the VTV development plan for 2010.

Vietcombank Seals Vietnam's 1st Rate Swap Contract

State-run Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) said on Tuesday it has become the country's first bank to secure an interest rate swap agreement with a foreign bank.

The unlisted bank signed the contract with the undisclosed foreign bank on July 25 to swap interest rates and two transactions have been conducted so far for a combined value of nearly $30 million, a Vietcombank official told Reuters.

Vietnam Tests More Locally-made Light Planes

maybayluongdung_221.jpgTwo Vietnam-made amphibious light planes underwent successful test flights in South Vietnam on August 3-5.

The planes are the enhanced version of a light plane – actually Vietnam’s second locally-manufactured plane – which was tested last December, said the producers, technicians of the Vietnam Air Defense-Air Force.

Back in Vietnam, Refugees Happily Adjust

UNITED NATIONS | August 06, 2005 2:11:35 AM IST

Montagnard refugees returned or deported from Cambodia to Vietnam seem to be adapting, U.N. officials say after finishing their first monitoring visit.

Depository Will Ease Securities Deals

HA NOI — The State Securities Commission announced yesterday that it will soon open the Viet Nam Securities Depository (VSD) as part of the Government’s efforts to boost the country’s ailing stock market by facilitating transactions for investors, particularly those from abroad.

By using the depository services, overseas Vietnamese and foreign investors can place orders and purchase stocks, according to the State Securities Commission (SSC).

Meeting with Leader of the So-called DeGa Protestantism

NB: In a 3-part series, Thanh Nien newspaper journalists probe into the so-called Dega Protestantism in the Central Highlands.

Part 1 - June 27, 2005

Part 2 - June 28, 2005

Part 3 - June 29, 2005

Vietnamese Student Wins Top Microsoft’s Algorithm Prize

A Vietnamese student recently outdid 20,000 contestants from around the world to snatch the first Algorithm prize at Microsoft’s annual Imagine Cup 2005 final in Yokohama, Japan.

Twenty-two-year-old Nguyen Phuong Ngoc from northern Hai Phong city claimed the prestigious prize of the nine-category competition for students from across the globe.

Currently enrolled at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Ngoc was twice mistaken for being a Singaporean representative during the contest, he said.

Vietnam Attends Pacific Army Chiefs Conference

A Vietnamese military delegation is attending the fourth Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (PACC IV) held in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 1-4.

During the conference themed "Impacts of Transformation on the Asia-Pacific Security Environment", participants have taken part in bilateral and multilateral discussions.

They have also exchanged views on the scope of transformation as well as its impacts on security of the Asia-Pacific region.

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