Promised Land Again

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 17:57

By Lan Anh, Sai Gon Times Weekly, March 15, 2003

Vietnam's economic development potential was the main topic at the 13th Asian Corporate Conference held in Hanoi last week. Vietnam has golden opportunities to continue the positive growth rate trend, and attract more foreign investors, said speakers at the conference.

Despite being a regional economic forum, the 13th Asian Corporate Conference centered on Vietnam. Some speakers even said that this was a historic conference, reviving foreign investors' interest in Vietnam. With an audience of 800 who are

Govt seeks foreign help to develop health system

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 17:43

HA NOI (March 19, 2003) — Viet Nam has appealed to international donors to help develop the nation’s medical system, Health Ministry official Pham Quoc Bao has said.

The official was speaking on Monday at the ceremony for the first batch of graduates from the Masters of Science in health economics that was taught by the Ha Noi National Economics University and Germany’s Heidelberg University.

The US$500,000 training programme forms only part of a $3.4 million World Bank National Health Support Project, funded by the Swedish Government.

VN takes action to contain pneumonia

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 17:39


HA NOI (March 19, 2003)— Viet Nam’s epidemic task force is working with schools, hotels, airports and other public places across the country to prevent the further spread of the killer pneumonia that has sparked a warning from the World Health Organisation.

According to the Ha Noi Health Preventative Centre, its quarantine force is working with the Northern Airports Authority to deal with potential carriers of the deadly disease that has killed at least nine people across Asia and Canada and infected about 150 others.

Foreign trade bank offers international credit cards

Wed, 03/19/2003 - 17:36


The Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) has announced that it started launching international credit cards, named Vietcombank - American Express, on Tuesday.

This is the first time the credit cards, which can be used for payment all over the world, have been issued in Vietnam dong in the country under a sole contract signed between the bank and the US's American Express.

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.

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