USD 89 million to safeguard culture of Central Highlands

Thu, 03/11/2004 - 17:53


The rich culture of the 40 ethnic minority groups living in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) will be preserved through a new Government programme.

"The mystery and beauty of the region is a consistent attraction for numerous tourists. Visitors to Tay Nguyen are captivated by the traditional songs, dances, costumes and colourful festivals," said Pham Quang Nghi, minister of Culture and Information.

War shell explosion kills one child, wound two other children

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 11:17

(03/03/2004 -- 22:04GMT+7)

Kon Tum, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Explosion of a shell left over from the war killed a child and seriously injured two others on Tuesday in Play Kan District Town in the Central Highland Province of Kon Tum.

After school, some children from a local primary school were passing a cassava farm when they discovered an old shell. One of them, A Toan, picked it up to play with, thus causing it to explore. Toan died instantly while his two schoolmate companions are now in critical condition.

Economic community should play key role in ASEAN growth, says PM

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 11:15


(03/03/2004 -- 22:38GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Economic community should play a key role, while other two "pillars" i.e. security-political and cultural cooperation should also develop for a strong ASEAN community by 2020, suggested Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on Wednesday.

The Government leader of Viet Nam made the comment while meeting ASEAN foreign ministers on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat.

Viet Nam condemns terrorist attacks against Iraqi civilians

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 10:44


(03/03/2004 -- 20:50GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Viet Nam strongly condemned terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians in Iraq, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung.

He was answering a Vietnam News Agency correspondent's question on Viet Nam's reaction to a series of blasts in Iraq recently, causing heavy losses in lives and property, particularly the anti-Shiite attacks in Karbala and Baghdad.

Helping Agent Orange victims

Wed, 03/03/2004 - 10:32



The demand for helping Agent Orange victims is great, long and diversified. To help them overcome difficulties, illness and integrate into community, it is necessary to raise different sources from the society and choose the suitable way of assistance.

Visiting and presenting Agent Orange victims with gifts on the occasion of Tet has helped them ease their wound for a certain time. The Fund in Support of Agent Orange Victims, under the Vietnam Red Cross Society, has changed ways to help the victims since 2003.

Reform tops state agenda for agencies

Tue, 03/02/2004 - 10:41

Vietnam Investment Review

ADMINISTRATIVE reform will be accelerated this year to simplify procedures and increase the economy’s competitiveness.

Metro hopes to carry 50m people annually

Tue, 03/02/2004 - 10:32



HCM CITY — Two metro lines will be completed by 2007, in HCM City, municipal authorities have announced.

"The metro should help ease traffic jams, reduce accidents, and cut commuting time. Less exposure to noise, dust and fumes will also benefit riders accustomed to driving motorbikes," Le Thanh Hai, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee said.

Budget to Central Highlands cultural activities: VND 1.4 trillion

Tue, 03/02/2004 - 10:29


(03/02/2004 -- 17:30GMT+7)

Ha Noi, March 2 (VNA)- The Government has approved a budget of 1.4 trillion VND for "development of cultural and information activities in the Central Highlands up to 2010".

The money will cover the protection and promotion of the region's selected cultural customs and assets, removal of bad social habits and promotion of new lifestyles with new concepts of cultural and artistic values.

Bird flu outbreak ‘partially contained’

Tue, 03/02/2004 - 10:27


HA NOI — An official announced two-thirds of provinces affected by the bird flu are nearly clear of infections, noting they are "partially containing" the outbreak.

Bui Quang Anh, spokesman for the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control, said on Monday no new outbreaks had been detected for the past 10 to 25 days in 38 of the 57 provinces and cities hit by avian flu.

Anh said Long An, the first province struck by the virus, could be declared free of the bird flu as no infection had been recorded there in the past 30 days.

An American Veteran's Letter to Senator Brownback

Wed, 02/25/2004 - 18:16


SENATOR BROWNBACK:

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