Law reform boosts social progress

Fri, 01/26/2001 - 14:51




Ha Noi, Jan. 26 (VNA) -- Cutting its poverty rate by more than half during the past 15 years can be attributed to Viet Nam's reform of social policy, says Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Minister Nguyen Thi Hang.

Hang says that in addition to increased spending for social development - 25 percent of last year's budget - the Government has devised policies that encourage individuals to make money in complience with the law, while encouraging all society and the international community to become involved in dealing with social problems.

Vietnam plans measures to encourage foreign investment

Fri, 01/26/2001 - 14:48



Ha Noi, Jan. 26 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is devising uniform solutions to both attract more foreign investment and make it more efficient.

For example, State management agencies will issue guidelines for implementing the Foreign Investment Law in the first four months of this year.

They will follow this by submitting a formula for the trial equitization of foreign-invested enterprises, FIEs, to the Government in the second quarter to help them participate in the securities and capital markets.

Cinnamon areas expand to meet export demands

Fri, 01/26/2001 - 14:46



Ha Noi, Jan. 26 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is to expand its cinnamon areas from 16,000 ha to 50,000 ha in an effort to earn USD 15 million from cinnamon-bark exports by the year 2005, says the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.

Between 3,000-5,000 ha of the planned cinnamon areas will be exploited each year to ensure raw material for both export and essential oil production, it says.

Vinamilk- successful dairy company

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:52




Ha Noi, Jan. 25 (VNA) -- The Viet Nam Dairy Products Co. (Vinamilk) has almost defeated multinational rivals.

Between five and seven years ago, milk was a luxury product. However, with the appearance of Vinamilk with its 100 categories of products milk and dairy produce have become familiar to all families.

Environment protection is accelerating

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:49

VIET NAM SEEKS NEW FUELS


Ha Noi, Jan. 25 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is seeking to limit the use of fossil fuels and develop replacements so as to reduce environmental pollution, says Deputy Science, Technology and Environment Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen.

He says the ministry has helped the government issue policies aimed at accelerating environmental protection, including those that encourage the development of new and cleaner fuel sources.

Gas to pump from off southern shore of Vietnam

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:48




Ha Noi, Jan. 25 (VNA) - Gas is soon to be pumped from the shared Viet Nam-Malaysia gas field off sourthern Viet Nam by PetroVietnam and Malaysia's Oil and Gas Co.

The gas will be used to fuel electricity generation in the Mekong delta provinces of Tra Vinh and Can Tho and is part of PetroVietnam's plans to exploit the country's potential to produce an estimated yearly 2,200 billion cu.m. of the fuel.

Other projects planned by PetroVietnam for the effective use of gas for both industry and daily life include:

Plan for rural public healthcare development

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:46


Jan. 25 (VNA)-- Viet Nam plans to invest some USD 98.7 million to boost the development of its rural public healthcare system by 2006. The investment will be focused on building 212 medical clinics; 13 preventive medical centres, 13 hospitals and 99 general clinics in 13 provinces, as well as medical-worker training.

The Asian Development Bank has pledged USD 68.3 million in soft loans and the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, has granted USD 1 million for the programme.

Water puppeteers keep tradition alive

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:42



Ha Noi, Jan. 24 (VNA) -- Early in 2000, a French photographer organized a black-and-white photo exhibition in Ha Noi. In the midst of monthly cultural events, the exhibition stood out in its impressiveness. This isn't surprising considering its organizer spent four months in the water to photograph water puppetry performances and to determine the attraction of the Vietnamese Teu.

Perhaps that is why images of Teu are found so appealling to the French artist.

My Son - national treasure

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:41





Jan. 24 (VNA) -- The Cham ruins at My Son have survived nearly 2000 years, the ravages of war and a harsh tropical climate. But last December UNESCOEs Heritage Committee moved to safeguard their future by bestowing a world heritage listing on the site and the nearby ancient town of Hoi An.

Vietnam's ambitious education programme

Thu, 01/25/2001 - 22:39




Ha Noi, Jan. 24 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is working to have between 85 and 95 percent of all children complete primary school depending on the conditions of their region by 2010; 80 percent of children aged between 12 and 18 graduate from junior secondary school and the remainder receive different forms of junior secondary education the same year.

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