France increases efforts to promote teaching of French in Vietnam

Wed, 05/23/2001 - 00:19



Ha Noi, May 21 (VNA) -- The French Government will grant French Francs 13 million to support the teaching of French as a second language in Vietnamese secondary schools for the next three years.

To this effect, French Ambassador to Viet Nam, Serge Degallaix, and Vietnamese Education and Training Minister Nguyen Minh Hien signed an agreement in Ha Noi May 21.

Bumper harvest but price drop

Wed, 05/23/2001 - 00:16



Ha Noi, May 22 (VNA) -- Favourable weather has so far indicated the likelihood of a bumper winter-spring harvest and a record fish catch, but a sharp drop in prices has dampered farmers' hope for an increase in income.

This year, almost 3 million ha of winter-spring rice will be harvested across the country, an increase of more than 10,000 ha over the corresponding period last year. Yields are higher than the previous crops. Increases in yields and output are also expected for maize and other food crops.

Government maps out path toward free trade

Wed, 05/23/2001 - 00:14



Ha Noi, May 22 (VNA) -- The Ministry of Trade (MoT) has issued for the first time a long-term decision setting out its trade policies for 2001-05, making it easier for both enterprises and State agencies to formulate their inmport and export strategies.

Trade Minister Vu Khoan has said that the decision is a positive step that will help domestic firms prepare for the process of regional and international integration.

He said the decision will also reduce excessive bureaucracy and increase transparency in allocating quotas.

Gov't supports software human resources development

Mon, 05/21/2001 - 00:51



Ha Noi, May 21 (VNA) -- The Government has agreed in principle to the use of India's loan of 230 million rupees (about USD 5 million) to build two human resources training centres for the software industry in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

A decision to this effect has been signed by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam.

The two centres will be built by the Ha Noi University of Technologies and the Ho Chi Minh City Science, Technology and Environment Service under the management of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

National Assembly Standing Committee meets

Mon, 05/21/2001 - 00:46



Ha Noi, May 19 (VNA) -- The National Assembly Standing Committee met in Ha Noi from May 14-19. It was presided over by Chairman Nong Duc Manh and Deputy Chairman Mai Thuc Lan.

The Standing Committee reviewed the preparations for the coming ninth session of the tenth National Assembly, due to open in Ha Noi on May 22. It also discussed a supplementary report on the implementation of socio-economic tasks and the state budget for last year as well as the deployment of socio-economic tasks and the state budget for this year.

Vietnam reafirms sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa

Thu, 05/17/2001 - 16:37


VIET NAM REAFFIRMS SOVEREIGNTY OVER HOANG SA AND TRUONG SA


Ha Noi, May 17 (VNA) -- Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh on Thursday, May 17, described as violating Viet Nam's sovereignty any move made by other countries towards its archipelagos of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly).

Nguyen Van Ly arrested on charge of law breaking

Thu, 05/17/2001 - 16:33



Ha Noi, May 17 (VNA) -- Legal enforcement forces in central Thua Thien-Hue province arrested Nguyen Van Ly on May 17 on charge of violating article 269 of the Penal Code for defying house arrest order.

Nguyen Van Ly was arrested at his house in Truyen Nam hamlet, Phu An commune, Phu Vang district.

Vietnam, Mexico sign agreement scientific and tech. cooperation

Wed, 05/16/2001 - 19:55



Ha Noi, May 16 (VNA) -- Viet Nam and Mexico have signed a framework agreement on bilateral scientific and technological cooperation for the next five years.

Under the agreement, the first ever so far between the two countries, both countries will exchange delegations of scientists; organize conferences, seminars, and training courses; and coordinate in conducting research works. The two will also cooperate in medical and biological research, environmental protection, natural resource management, agricultural biotechnology, and afforestation.

Conference on mobilisation work in highlands provinces

Wed, 05/16/2001 - 19:52


Ha Noi, May 16 (VNA) -- A conference on mobilising the masses in central highlands provinces was held in the city of Buon Ma Thuot in Dac Lac province on May 15 and 16.

ASEAN Deputy Foreign Ministers meet in Hanoi

Wed, 05/16/2001 - 19:47



Ha Noi, May 16 (VNA) -- Deputy foreign ministers from ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Ha Noi on May 15 and 16 to discuss preparations for the upcoming regional conferences.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung chaired the meeting.

Discussions focused on the 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM 34), the eighth ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF 8), and the Post Ministerial Conference with ASEAN dialogue partners (PMC), scheduled to be held in Ha Noi in July.

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