Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HA NOI — The State Securities Commission announced yesterday that it will soon open the Viet Nam Securities Depository (VSD) as part of the Government’s efforts to boost the country’s ailing stock market by facilitating transactions for investors, particularly those from abroad.

By using the depository services, overseas Vietnamese and foreign investors can place orders and purchase stocks, according to the State Securities Commission (SSC).

A Vietnamese student recently outdid 20,000 contestants from around the world to snatch the first Algorithm prize at Microsoft’s annual Imagine Cup 2005 final in Yokohama, Japan.

Twenty-two-year-old Nguyen Phuong Ngoc from northern Hai Phong city claimed the prestigious prize of the nine-category competition for students from across the globe.

Currently enrolled at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Ngoc was twice mistaken for being a Singaporean representative during the contest, he said.

Ha Noi (VNA) August 2 - Viet Nam exported 25 categories of garments and textiles with quota management to the US worth more than 926 million USD in the first seven months of this year.

Of this export value, 18 products having automatic visas contributed around 500 million USD.

The 338/339 category was the biggest hard currency earner with 379 million USD, followed by the 347/348 category at 247 million USD.

The seven-month export value reached around 1.3 billion USD including the value of non-quota items.

Ho Chi Minh City, 29 July: According to Catholic priest Vu Quang Trung of Jesus Christ from the Hien Linh Monastery, the Government Ordinance on Religions and Belief and its guidance decree have helped usher in a new chapter for spiritual activities of religious people. The promulgation of the mandate clearly reflects the state respect for people's religious and belief freedom, and their spiritual needs and activities, the priest added.