Five-day Working Week from October

Nhan Dan Aug 29--The Government has decided to carry out a five-day working week, starting from October 2 with two days off.

If a holiday coincides with Saturday or Sunday, administrative employees will have the following day off.

Beneficiaries are cadres, civil servants and people working in the administrative offices and socio-political organisations of the State.

If any departments of education and health sectors face difficulties, a six-day working week system will be still implemented until the first day of the year 2000.

Malaysia's construction of some projects on the En Ca area belonging to the Truong Sa archipelago

Nhandan Aug. 26 --Vietnam has sufficient historical and legal evidences to prove its indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, reiterated a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Hanoi on August 25.

The spokesperson affirmed Vietnam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes while answering a Vietnam News Agency correspondent's question on Vietnam's viewpoint on Malaysia's construction of some projects on the En Ca area belonging to the Truong Sa archipelago.

US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City

VNA Ha Noi, Aug. 16 -- The US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City opened the American official consulate at No. 4, Le Duan str., today, Aug. 16.

The opening ceremony was attended by US Ambassador to Viet Nam Pete Peterson, and US Assistant Secretary of State Mary Ryan, and US Senator Charles T. Hagel, US Consul General Charles Ray and other foreign Consuls General in Ho Chi Minh City.

US Senator arrives amid

VNA Hanoi Aug. 15

The foreign ministry spokesperson on Korean issues

"Peace and stability on the Korean peninsular directly relates to peace and stability in Asia and the Pacific. Viet Nam supports all efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and co-operation, thus contributing to ensuring peace and long-term stability in the region. Viet Nam supports the Korean people

Vietnam wants to boost co-operation with APEC members

Nhan Dan 8/9- Hanoi -Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam granted an interview to Nhan Dan before his departure for the 11th APEC Ministerial Meeting and the Seventh APEC Summit to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, on September 9-10 and September 12-13, respectively.

Nhan Dan: Vietnam has joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum for nearly a year now, can you elaborate Vietnam

US House of Representatives Supports President Clinton's Decision on Jackson Vanik Waiver Extension

The US House of Representatives on August 3rd voted 297 to 130 to endorse President Clinton's decision to extend the waiver of Jackson-Vanik amendment for Vietnam. Compared to the 1998 vote (260 to 163) this time there were 37 more congressmen supporting the President.

We welcome that outcome which can be viewed as a steppingstone in the path of improved relations between the United States and Vietnam. Meanwhile, it is a necessary step toward the full normalization of trade relations with the signing and the approval of the Bilateral Trade Agreement.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam received US Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth

The first exchange of views on political and foreign policy between Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department, was held on July 29 in Hanoi. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Dinh Bin and the US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth. US Ambassador to Vietnam Pete Peterson also joined the exchange.

32ND ASEAN Ministerial Meeting is successful

Ha Noi, July 28 (VNA) -- The 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-32) and the 6th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF-6) held recently in Singapore were successful in an intensified atmosphere and frank and cooperative spirit, said the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh.

The spokesperson affirmed fine results of AMM-32 while answering Viet Nam-based Kyodo correspondent's question about the Vietnamese Government's assessment on AMM-32 and ARF-6 in Ha Noi today, July 28.

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