Vietnam remains safe destination to every visitor

Radio Voice of Vietnam, February 9, 2004


"We confirm that Vietnam remains a safe destination to every visitor and we encourage travel agents to continue arranging tours to Vietnam," said Pham Tu, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Tu said that although some groups of foreign travellers have cancelled their Vietnam tours, others are starting to book new tours. The number of tourist arrivals to Vietnam reportedly increased 17 percent year-on-year in January.

State banks outline plans to go public



HCM CITY— State-owned commercial banks are preparing for equitisation as Viet Nam continues its move into the world economy.

According to Tran Bac Ha, the general director of the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) his equitisation plan will be completed this year.

Vietnam's determination to fight terrorism restated


Vietnam is determined to uncompromisingly combat terrorism, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang at an Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Terrorism held in Bali, Indonesia, from February 3-5.

Mr Bang, who was head of a Vietnamese delegation to the conference, highlighted Vietnam's great efforts in co-operating with international organisations and other countries in the fight.

Central Committee sets goals for next two years


February 5, 2004 - VN News

HA NOI — Seven objectives have been set by the Viet Nam Communist Party Central Committee following its mid-term review of resolutions carried at the Ninth Congress three years ago.

The targets – ranging from striving for economic growth of more than 8 per cent during the next two years to strengthening national defence and security – were announced in Ha Noi last Tuesday.

Bird flu high on Gov't meeting's agenda


(02/04/2004 -- 21:47GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Feb. 4 (VNA) - Bird flu was at the top of the agenda at the monthly Government meeting on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai assigned 28 Government officials to supervise the fight against the bird flu in 64 provinces and cities.

The PM placed his three deputies in charge of the supervision in the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Ha Tay and Ha Nam, as well as in Ha Noi and Hai Phong cities.

Insurance industry will wipe out unfair practices


Vietnam News, Wednesday January 28, 2004


HANOI -- Vietnam will stamp out unfair practices to ensure a level playing field for all insurance companies, a Government deputy minister has promised.

Deputy Minister of Finance Le Thi Bang Tam assured that insurance companies all have an equal right to exploit the market provided they offered good service.

In the event, Tam said, her ministry would crack down on insurers and others found taking recourse to these unhealthy practices to influence the market.

WTO ramifications

Consolidating confidence of the international community



In 2003, Vietnam was one of the countries that reached the high economic growth rate. Regarding economic international integration, Vietnam continued to actively participate in the regional integration process and was preparing to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this first issue of the year, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan granted an interview to Vietnam Pictorial, reviewing achievements and shortcomings of the Vietnamese economy in the last year.

Fund seeks to boost links with Viet kieu



HA NOI — A 10-month old fund was playing an active role attracting Viet kieu (overseas Vietnamese) back to Viet Nam, but the fund’s director noted many Viet kieu are discouraged by difficulties buying houses here.

The Community Support Fund, established last April by the foreign ministry with initial funding of VND7 billion (US$448,000), targets overseas Vietnamese living around the world, said fund’s director Nguyen Van Trung.

WHO briefs deputy PM on bird flu plan


HA NOI — The regional director of the World Health Organisation Shigeru Omi met Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Ha Noi on Tuesday to discuss Viet Nam’s response to the bird flu and regional co-ordination issues.

Omi said the outbreak was wide-spread across Asia and "highly aggressive". The WHO feared the H5N1 virus could mutate into a contagious, lethal disease that could spread among humans.

Foreign investors prick ears to Vietnam bourse

Vietnam Economic Times, Friday, January 02, 2004 22:00:55

The hive of activity among foreign investors on the HCM City securities trading floor has contributed to the recovery of the VN-Index, confirmed Vu Bang, Deputy Chairman of the State Securities Commission on December 26 in HCM City.

The number of foreign investors opening accounts for stock transaction in 2003 increased 36% compared to 2002, mostly through the Saigon Securities Company (SSI). They also now account for 27% of all trade value on the bourse.

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