More natural reserves protected




Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) -- The Government has given both the protection and establishment of nature reserves nationwide much attention.

The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry has carried out many projects on building nature reserves and national parks, namely Ba Vi in northern Ha Tay province, Bien Lac-Nui Ong in central Binh Thuan province, Lung Ngoc Hoang in southern Can Tho province, Cat Tien in southern Dong Nai province and Con Dao and Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Vietnam and Russia seek ways to settle currency exchange



Ha Noi, Feb. 18 (VNA) -- Officials from Viet Nam and Russia's central banks are discussing in Ha Noi ways to remove difficulties in foreign exchange management policy, exchange rates, international payment, and opening of L/C for deferred payment relating to import-export operations by the two countries businesses.

The Russian officials, headed by a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, are on a working visit to Viet Nam from Feb. 16-23, say sources from the International Relations Department of the State Bank of Viet Nam.

Kon Tum's socio-economic development




Ha Noi, Feb. 18 (VNA) -- Material and spiritual life in Central Highlands Kon Tum province has constantly been improved by the implementation of the Viet Nam Communist Party and Government's policy for socio-economic development in mountainous areas since 1991.

State assistance has helped Kon Tum province, where more than 50 percent of the population are minority people and the infrastructure is poor, overcome many difficulties to attain important achievements.

Vietnam and UNICEF work together to protect children




Ha Noi, Feb. 18 (VNA) -- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Carol Bellamy is in Ha Noi to take part in the Children's Forum and the National Conference on Children. The English-language daily Viet Nam News took the opportunity to discuss important issues concerning children's welfare with her.

Question: What do you think have been Viet Nam's major achievements in improving children's lives over the past decade?

Int'l organizations help Vietnam in education and health care


Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) --
* Canadians Help Build Kindergartens in Six Red River Delta Communes

Nine kindergartens have been inaugurated in six poor communes of northern Ha Nam and Nam Dinh provinces thanks to the Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA,'s help.

CIDA through the Plan for Nam Ha has granted almost USD 1 million to build 27 multi-storey kindergartens in the six communes between 1999 and 2002.

Near 7% of GDP for development




Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) -- Viet Nam will spend VND 32,860 billion, about USD 2,27 billion, or 6.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, for development, while trying to keep budget overspending to less than five percent of GDP this year, says Finance Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung.

"Social investment must reach 30 percent of GDP, including 6.6 percent of GDP for development to ensure a GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent as set by the National Assembly," Hung says in an interview with Ha Noi Moi, New Ha Noi, newspaper today, Feb. 19.

More state budget money for education program




* Education and Training Service Receives VND 15,549 Billion from State Budget

The State Budget allocation for education and training services in 2001 will total VND 15,549 billion (USD 1.07 billion), says the Education and Training Ministry.

Of the allocation, VND 2,300 billion is for infrastructure; VND 415 billion for pre-school and general education, VND 75 billion for higher education and VND 90 billion for vocational training. The most, VND 12,649 billion, will go to localities and ministries and central agencies.

More state budget money for population program


Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) --
* State Provides VND 435 Billion for Population Activities

The polupation programme will receive VND 435 billion (USD 30 million) from this year's State Budget.

The figure was announced at the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, NCPFP, conference in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province to launch the 2001-2010 population strategy; announce the 2001 plan and review the campaign for extending reproductive health and family planning services to remote areas.

Vietnam military delegation arrive in Vientiane



Feb. 15 (VNA) -- A senior Viet Nam People's Army delegation led by Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra arrived in Vientiane this afternoon, Feb. 15, for an official friendship visit to Laos.

The delegation was received by member of the Political Bureau of the People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chummaly Saynhason.

Gas pipeline contract for lot 06.1 signed



Ha Noi, Feb. 14 (VNA) -- A contract for the installation of a gas pipeline from Lot 06.1 at the Lan Tay-Lan Do field of the Nam Con Son basin to the mainland has been signed between the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam), its foreign partners - BP Exploration of the UK, Statoil of Norway, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. of India - and BP Pipelines Vietnam B.V. and Statoil Vietnam A.S.

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