FM Spokeswoman rebut letter of the US CI Religious Freedom


On April 9, 2001, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh answers question from DPA: Please comment on the recent letter by Elliot Abrams, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom to Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill recommending that the United States withhold its support for IMF and WB loans to the government of Vietnam on "religious grounds".

Answer:

FM Spokeswoman on religious activities in Vietnam

Tue, 04/17/2001 - 00:41



On April 13,2001, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh answers question from AFP: What is Vietnam's reaction to accusations by Vietnam Commission on Human Rights in Geneva that "Vietnam is systematically legalizing religious repression"?

Answer:

Freedom to adhere to or not to adhere to a religion or religious belief of all Vietnamese citizens is clearly stipulated in Vietnamese laws and ensured in practice.

Vietnam's trade sector sees comprehensive development

Sun, 04/15/2001 - 15:37



Ha Noi, Apr. 15 (VNA) -- Viet Nam posted an average annual import-export turnover of USD 22.5 billion in the 1996-2000 period as compared to USD 7.5 billion in the 1991-1995 period.

The export proportion increased from 26.4 percent of the country's GDP in 1995 to 37.6 percent in 2000.

With per capita import-export turnover share of USD 180 a year, Viet Nam has escaped from the list of countries having underdeveloped trade.

President George Bush extends condolences on Vietnamese victims



Ha Noi, April 14 (VNA) -- US President George W. Bush has extended his condolences to President Tran Duc Luong on the death of Vietnamese crew and officials in a helicopter that crashed in central Quang Binh province last weekend.

In his April 12 letter to President Luong, the US President expressed thanks to Viet Nam and high appreciation of Viet Nam's cooperation in searching American servicemen reported missing in action (MIA).

US Congressman Philip Crane visits Vietnam



Ha Noi, April 14 (VNA) -- US congressman Philip Crane paid a visit to Viet Nam from Apr. 10-14.

Philip Crane, who is Vice-Chairman of the US House of Representatives Committee for Finance and Taxation and Chairman of Commerce Sub-Committee, was received by Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, Trade Minister Vu Khoan and National Assembly's External Relations Committee Chairman Do Van Tai.

Socio-economic achievements after 15 years of Doi moi

Fri, 04/13/2001 - 01:25



Ha Noi, April 13 (VNA) -- Fifteen years of carrying out national renovation has taken the country out of crisis and inflation and brought about significant achievements.

Dr. Tran Kim Dong of the General Statistics Office said that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000 was 2.5 times as much as that of 1985 with an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent in 1986-2000, 3.9 percent in 1986-1990 and almost 7.6 percent in the past decade.

Almost all key economic sectors obtained outstanding achievements in the past 15 years.

Vietnam-US EXPO 2001 to open in Ho Chi Minh City



Ha Noi, April 11 (VNA) -- A Viet Nam-America Economic Exchange and Trade Exhibition-Fair, Viet Nam-America EXPO 2001, will be held at the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City from July 2-8, the Viet Nam Exhibition and Fair Centre (VEFAC) announced at a press briefing today, April 11, in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Viet Nam-America EXPO 2001 - the first to be held in Viet Nam - will draw about 200 Vietnamese and U.S. enterprises.

Vietnam has 45 overseas investment ventures

Fri, 04/13/2001 - 01:07



Ha Noi, April 11 (VNA) -- Viet Nam now has 45 valid investment ventures in 13 countries and territories, according to the Planning and Investment Ministry.

To the 45 projects, Vietnamese partners contributed USD 11.7 million, about 40 percent of the combined registered capital.

Most of the investment projects engage in food processing, construction, commerce and services.

Vietnam's Defence Attache Office in Australia opens

Fri, 04/13/2001 - 01:05



April 11 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's Defence Attache Office in Australia officially opened in Canberra on April 10 in the presence of military and diplomatic corps from Australia, China, Japan and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief of the Australian Defence Force Admiral Chris Barrie described the event as a milestone in the development of Australia-Viet Nam relations, particularly cooperation in national defence.

Vietnam exports 100 million tonne of crude oil

Fri, 04/13/2001 - 01:03



Ha Noi, April 11 (VNA) -- Viet Nam exported the 100 millionth tonne of crude oil on April 1, 2001.

The country pumped the 1st tonne of crude from its continental shelf in 1986 and began exporting crude oil in April 1987.

Viet Nam's export crude oil was only 5.08 million tonnes in the 1986-1990 period. The figure rose six folds to 30 million tonnes in the 1990-1995, and reached the peak of 60.5 million tonnes in the 1995-2000 period.

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