War Veteran: Vietnam Is Moving In The Right Direction

Wed, 02/18/2004 - 18:32

Statement of Jaime Vazquez, Director of Veterans Affairs, Jersey City, N.J. To The Senate Sub-Committe on East Asia and Pacific Affairs

Washington, DC
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committe, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First, allow me to thank you for the opportunity of addressing you today on the very important issue of the relationships between the United States and the country of Vietnam.

Facts about religions in Vietnam

Wed, 02/11/2004 - 16:18


According to incomplete statistics, up to 19 million Vietnamese practice one religion or another, making up of about a quarter of the 80 million population. Among them, there are nearly 57 thousand in the clergy and over 10 thousand students. There are over 10 thousand religious groupings that are in control of nearly 23 thousand worshipping places throughout the country. Besides, there are over two thousand entities conducting charity operations.

1. Buddhism:

Nation takes action against bird flu

Tue, 02/10/2004 - 11:48



HA NOI — General Secretary Nong Duc Manh expressed concern about the avian influenza epidemic in Ha Noi last Friday.

Manh was briefed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo, who is also chairman of the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control.

The Politburo of the Communist Party issued last Saturday a directive to Party Committees and organisations at all levels, which said stamping out bird flu was an urgent task.

Vietnam remains safe destination to every visitor

Tue, 02/10/2004 - 11:44

Radio Voice of Vietnam, February 9, 2004


"We confirm that Vietnam remains a safe destination to every visitor and we encourage travel agents to continue arranging tours to Vietnam," said Pham Tu, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Tu said that although some groups of foreign travellers have cancelled their Vietnam tours, others are starting to book new tours. The number of tourist arrivals to Vietnam reportedly increased 17 percent year-on-year in January.

State banks outline plans to go public

Fri, 02/06/2004 - 16:47



HCM CITY— State-owned commercial banks are preparing for equitisation as Viet Nam continues its move into the world economy.

According to Tran Bac Ha, the general director of the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) his equitisation plan will be completed this year.

Vietnam's determination to fight terrorism restated

Fri, 02/06/2004 - 16:45


Vietnam is determined to uncompromisingly combat terrorism, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang at an Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Terrorism held in Bali, Indonesia, from February 3-5.

Mr Bang, who was head of a Vietnamese delegation to the conference, highlighted Vietnam's great efforts in co-operating with international organisations and other countries in the fight.

Central Committee sets goals for next two years

Fri, 02/06/2004 - 11:48


February 5, 2004 - VN News

HA NOI — Seven objectives have been set by the Viet Nam Communist Party Central Committee following its mid-term review of resolutions carried at the Ninth Congress three years ago.

The targets – ranging from striving for economic growth of more than 8 per cent during the next two years to strengthening national defence and security – were announced in Ha Noi last Tuesday.

Bird flu high on Gov't meeting's agenda

Wed, 02/04/2004 - 18:43


(02/04/2004 -- 21:47GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Feb. 4 (VNA) - Bird flu was at the top of the agenda at the monthly Government meeting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai assigned 28 Government officials to supervise the fight against the bird flu in 64 provinces and cities.

The PM placed his three deputies in charge of the supervision in the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Tay and Ha Nam, as well as in Ha Noi and Hai Phong cities.

Insurance industry will wipe out unfair practices

Wed, 01/28/2004 - 17:15


Vietnam News, Wednesday January 28, 2004


HANOI -- Vietnam will stamp out unfair practices to ensure a level playing field for all insurance companies, a Government deputy minister has promised.

Deputy Minister of Finance Le Thi Bang Tam assured that insurance companies all have an equal right to exploit the market provided they offered good service.

In the event, Tam said, her ministry would crack down on insurers and others found taking recourse to these unhealthy practices to influence the market.

WTO ramifications

Consolidating confidence of the international community

Wed, 01/28/2004 - 11:03



In 2003, Vietnam was one of the countries that reached the high economic growth rate. Regarding economic international integration, Vietnam continued to actively participate in the regional integration process and was preparing to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this first issue of the year, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan granted an interview to Vietnam Pictorial, reviewing achievements and shortcomings of the Vietnamese economy in the last year.

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