Financial Times: Vietnam More Than a Tourism Alternative

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 14:49

After the tsunamis wreaked havoc on beach resorts in the region, Vietnam’s Victoria Phan Thiet resort received urgent calls from European tour operators looking for alternative destinations.

Gilles Poggi, general manager of the Victoria, who had lost a close former colleague when the giant waves hit Thailand, was taken aback. "Everyone was shocked at this terrible tragedy," he said. "But the show must go on. These were travel industry professionals. People had their trips cancelled and had to be offered an alternative."

Tommy Tang: "Pho

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 14:41

Renowned US personality and Chef Tommy Tang came to Vietnam to shoot part of his hit TV series Let’s Get Cooking with Tommy Tang. Thanh Nien interviewed him to get his side of the story.

Hi! You must be exhausted after a long journey.

Exhausted? Never! (laugh) Since I came to Vietnam, I did not have one day off. I hope that I can relax in Ho Chi Minh City.

What did you do during your trip to the North Vietnam?

Tourism Industry Targets 3.2 Million Foreign Visitors in 2005

Mon, 03/07/2005 - 10:33

In 2005, national tourism industry sets the target of receiving 3.2 million foreign tourists and 15 million domestic tourists and with the revenue of VND 30 trillion. To this end, tourism industry has get prepared for all tourist activities on the basis of the past achievements.

Dollar-Friendly Destinations: Vietnam

Thu, 03/03/2005 - 15:30

BusinessWeek, FEBRUARY 28, 2005

Internatioinal Support for Agent Orange Victims Grows

Wed, 03/02/2005 - 11:56

Radio Voice of Vietnam, March 1, 2005

*** No decision has been made at the first hearing of the lawsuit filed by the Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO) victims against 37 US chemical companies which produced and supplied toxic chemicals for US troops to spray in Vietnam during the war between 1961 and 1971.

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.

Pages