Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Dec. 12 (VNA) -- Eighty percent of 124 respondents of a poll of business sentiment said that they planned to expand company operations in Viet Nam in the next three years because of the country's positive long-term outlook, a growing local market and political stability.

The poll was conducted by a forum of business leaders, international donors and government officials ahead of the annual Consultative Group Meeting held in Ha Noi on Dec. 10-11.

HA NOI (December 6) — The Vietnamese Government is working harder to further liberalise its economy to overcome problems private businesses have faced in getting their operations off the ground, a private business meeting was told on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Policy makers at the meeting pledged to work towards speedier reforms for a more competitive, broader-based private sector to cater to local and export markets.

Ha Noi, Dec. 5 (VNA) -- All anti-terrorism activities must conform to the United Nations Charter and international law and respect national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Phan Thuy Thanh.

She was replying to correspondents' questions about Viet Nam's reaction to Australian Prime Minister John Howard's recent warning that Australia could launch pre-emptive strikes in a foreign country to prevent a terrorist attack against Australia.

(VNA December 3, 2002)

HCM CITY — Overseas Vietnamese and their relatives in the country will now be able to borrow from the Asia Commercial Bank to buy houses, its general director Pham Van Thiet announced last Thursday.

However, those overseas Vietnamese (Viet kieu) who wish to borrow must have their income reviewed by a foreign organisation at their place of residence. If a relative wants to obtain a loan to buy a house, the Viet kieu must provide a guarantee besides agreeing to share in the repaying of the loan.