Germans Win Doubles, Bjorkman Takes Singles at ATP Vietnam Open

Germans Lars Burgsmuller and Philipp Kohlschreiber, and Swede Jonas Bjorkman won the doubles and singles titles respectively at the inaugural ATP Vietnam Open in Ho Chi Minh City Sunday.

The Germans defeated Australian Ashley Fisher and Swede Robert Lindstedt 5-6, 6-4 and 6-2 in doubles action, while Bjorkman outpowered Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-3 and 7-6 to take the singles crown.

Vietnamese Are Spending More

Statistics show consumer spending is on an upward trend in Vietnam, a favorable signal for foreign investment into the country.

Increased spending is one of the major factors drawing investors to Vietnam, with the large population and high growth also contributing to the country’s appeal. Vietnam has a population of more than 83.1 million for 2005, increasing by 1.35% year on year.

UNHCR Accompanies Montagnard Refugees Home to Vietnam

By Deborah Backus

http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&id=433427614  

PHNOM PENH, September 23 (UNHCR) – An unprecedented monitoring visit by the UN refugee agency to Vietnam's Central Highlands in the company of a group of returning Montagnards found all the returnees appeared glad to be back home and reunited with their families, UNHCR officials said.

American Singer with Message of Peace, Mutual Respect and Ethical Accountability

Viet Nam News, September 22, 2005

American folk singer and anti-war activist Peter Yarrow, of the group Peter, Paul and Mary, has recently carried his message of peace, mutual respect and personal, ethical accountability to Vietnam through performances for war victims organized by the Fund for Reconciliation and Development.

Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in New York Nguyen Anh Tuan spoke with Yarrow and John McAuliff, executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, about their concerns for Vietnamese war victims.

US Singer: We Owe Agent Orange Child Victims an Apology

Ha Noi - Septermber 19, 2005 (VNA) - US folk singer Peter Yarrow, who is in Vietnam to raise funds for Viet Nam's Agent Orange (AO) victims, said he felt he and his friends have the responsibility to make apologies to child AO victims for their sufferings.

Vietnam Sees Human Development Gains

Vietnam has displayed great gains in human development, but not all is a bed of roses, according to a major United Nations (UN) report.

luat_giaoduc_055.jpgVietnam has established a strong balance between its economic growth and human development, the 2005 UN Human Development Report says.

Vietnam Gives Visa Exemptions to Foreigners at Resort Island

Vietnam will lift visa requirements for foreign visitors to the southern resort island of Phu Quoc, which the government wants to develop into a leading ecological tourist site, media and officials said Tuesday.

Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese will no longer require visas if they spend less than 15 days on the island, known for its white sandy beaches, Tuoi Tre newspaper said. The new rule is to take effect Oct. 1, it said.

VASEP Supports Hurricane Victims

Viet Nam News, September 6, 2005

HA NOI — The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) is calling for its business members and Vietnamese fishermen to give material and spiritual support to Hurricane Katrina victims.

Red Cross Vietnam Calls on Nation to Aid Victims of Katrina

Viet Nam News, September 10, 2005

HA NOI — Dr Nguyen Van Thuong, Chairman of Vietnam’s Red Cross Society (VNRC), called for all VNRC members and people nationwide to raise money and collect goods to donate to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in the United States of America.

At the launching ceremony, Dr Thuong handed over a check worth US$ 20,000 to a representative of the US Ambassador yesterday in Ha Noi.

Nation’s Human Development Index Shows Sustained Growth

Viet Nam News, September 13, 2005

HA NOI — Vietnam has continued to improve its place on the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index, HDI.

This year’s index shows that sustained economic growth has propelled Vietnam’s human development ranking to 108 out of the 177 countries listed.It was at 112 in 2004.

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