Vietnam’s exports expected to rise 15% this year

Sun, 02/27/2005 - 17:01

Vietnam's exports in the first three months of the year will reach an estimated US$6.9 billion, up 15 per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Trade.

Foreign-invested companies earned the most, with export sales totaling US$3.52 billion while locally-owned enterprises gained US$3.38 billion in export sales.

According to the ministry, the country can certainly achieve its targeted export revenue of US$31.5 billion for this year.

Robust growth

Govt congratulates Ha Noi Archbishop on appointment

Sun, 02/27/2005 - 16:57

HA NOI (22-02-2005) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has greeted the new Archbishop of Ha Noi, Bishop Ngo Quang Kiet.

Speaking yesterday to correspondents about the Vatican’s appointment, the ministry spokesman Le Dung said, "we would like to congratulate Bishop Ngo Quang Kiet on being appointed Archbishop of Ha Noi."

"This promotion was made in line with an agreement between the Vietnamese Government and the Vatican," he said replying to a question if the appointment had received the Government’s nod. — VNS

Expatriate Buddhist cleric welcomed warmly at home

Sun, 02/27/2005 - 16:56

Thua Thien-Hue(25-02-2005)  — Monk Thich Nhat Hanh from Lang Mai pagoda in France concluded his week-long visit to his nativeland in the central coastal province of Thua Thien-Hue yesterday.

Monk Hanh and his party, consisting of foreign monks and nuns associated with his Lang Mai Pagoda, were welcomed at the airport upon arrival by a crowd of followers and clerics from the provincial Buddhist Sangha. They were then received by President of the provincial Sangha’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Duc Phuong at Tu Dam Pagoda.

Construction begins on Vietnam Buddhist Institute headquarters

Sun, 02/27/2005 - 16:35

Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) began construction of the new headquarters for the country’s third Buddhist institute in the district of Soc Son in Hanoi on Feb. 27.

The Hanoi-based Buddhist Institute is an important project, as it is the symbol of the country’s Buddhism in the future, said Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, vice president of the VBS Executive Council.

The institute was founded in 1981 with its former headquarters at the Quan Su Pagoda in the central Hanoi.

FEB 2005 UPDATE ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND

Fri, 02/04/2005 - 15:41

I. Religious freedom in Viet Nam in 2004

1. General policy: On June 18th, 2004, at the 19th session of the 11th National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly adopted the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, which came into effect on Nov. 15, 2004. The Ordinance and its implementing instructions have been circulated. A Decree providing explanation and instructions for the implementation of Ordinance has been drafted and is now in the process of seeking approval from the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister hosts Tet gathering for Viet Kieus

Sun, 01/30/2005 - 19:04

Vietnamese living abroad are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese community, the prime minister once again affirmed at Sunday’s get-together involving expatriates to celebrate the upcoming traditional Lunar New Year.

“Overseas Vietnamese (locally known as Viet Kieus) are Vietnam’s flesh and blood,” Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said in the year-end party at Reunification Hall with the participation of 600 expatriate Vietnamese, including vice president of the former Saigon regime Nguyen Cao Ky.

Amnesty recipients to receive job assistance: PM

Wed, 01/19/2005 - 18:00

Vietnam’s prime minister has recently asked local authorities to provide vocational training and jobs for amnesty beneficiaries in 2004 and 2005 in order to help them easily integrate back into society.
PM Phan Van Khai sent a note to provincial and municipal People's Committee leaders calling upon them to cooperate with the Fatherland Front and socio-economic organizations to lend a helping hand to amnesty recipients by providing loans and jobs.

Vietnam grants amnesty to over 8,000 inmates before Tet

Wed, 01/19/2005 - 17:59

Vietnam will soon grant amnesty to more than 8,200 qualified inmates so that they can enjoy the coming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The amnesty beneficiaries are scheduled for release Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2005, according to the Department of Prison Management. This year’s Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 9.

As well, new criteria for inmates to qualify for amnesty have been added to encourage inmates to repair their damages, the department informed.

Agent Orange victim receives IT award

Mon, 01/10/2005 - 23:09

An Agent Orange victim recently received an honorary award at the “Vietnamese Intellectuals 2004” national IT contest.

Nguyen Chien Thang, author of the software “Positive Solutions for Network Security,” was granted the Nghi Luc (Perseverance) Award as a respectful acknowledgment of the Vietnamese IT community for the marvelous efforts of a young man who struggled valiantly to overcome his unfortunate destiny.

Swedish professor looks for truth about Vietnamese ethnic group

Mon, 01/10/2005 - 23:08

A Swedish professor has dedicated his time to researching the ethnic minority Katu group in Vietnam in a desire to help the world gain a truthful and sufficient understanding of the ethnic group.
Kaj Arhem is a renowned ethnographer and anthropology professor at the Goteborg University in Sweden. Some years ago, Mr. Arhem was motivated to study the Katu group after reading the book “Les Chasseurs de Sang” about the ethnic minority group at a U.S. library.

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