Customs law was passed



Ha Noi, June 23 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's National Assembly, passed the country's first official customs law after two days of intense debate on Saturday, June 23.

The Customs Law is one of the six draft laws that also include the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Land Law; the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting; the Law on Cultural Heritage; the Law on Road Traffic; and the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Criminal Proceedings Code, due to be adopted at this month-long session since May 22.

Medical funds for poor people to be set up



Ha Noi, June 21 (VNA) -- The Health Ministry has initiated the establishment of funds at both central and local levels to cover medical examinations and treatment charges for the poor across the country.

The initiative was brought up for debate at a conference held in Ha Noi on June 20, under the guidance of Health Minister Prof. Do Nguyen Phuong. He worked together with senior officials from the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Finance and relevant services of many cities and provinces.

FM Spokeswoman on Vietnam-Vatican ties



Ha Noi, June 21 (VNA) -- Mutual respect and understanding between Viet Nam and the Vatican has gradually deepened, and progress has been recorded in the relationship since the early 1990s, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh said.

Ms. Thanh's statement was made in reply to a question raised by a Reuters correspondent at a regular press conference in Ha Noi today, June 21.

PM Phan Van Khai praises contribution of Protestants



Ha Noi, June 19 (VNA)-- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has praised Vietnamese Protestants' contributions to the national construction and defence.

The Government leader expressed his satisfaction while receiving a delegation of the (Southern) Viet Nam Protestant Church led by its Head Father Pham Xuan Thieu, in Ha Noi on June 19.

Education and health care coordinate in expanded immunisation



Ha Noi, June 20 (VNA) -- Pre-school and primary school children will be granted free-of-charge immunisation services during the 2001-2005 period.

The Education and Training Ministry and the Public Health Ministry discussed at a conference in Ha Noi on June 19 measures to coordinate in implementing the expanded vaccination programme for such children.

Vietnam donors' consultative group meets in Hoi An


Ha Noi, June 19 (VNA) -- An agreement on promoting partnership relations in natural calamity control in Viet Nam's central region was signed at a two-day meeting of the consultative group of donors to Viet Nam held in Hoi An, central coastal Quang Nam province, on June 18 and 19.

Signatories were representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Dutch Embassy, the Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Investment as well as the provincial authorities.

Vietnam wins first prize at int'l environmental film festival



Ha Noi, June 19 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's documentary film "Vi Cuoc Song Binh Yen" (For a Peaceful Life) directed by Vu Le My won first prize for the best short-length film at the 3rd International Environmental Film Festival - FICA III - held in Goias city, Brazil, from June 13-17.

The film, about bomb and mine clearance after the war in Viet Nam, was highly touted by the general public and critics alike.

It was one of more than 350 films submitted to the festival by film-makers from 15 countries around the world.--VNA


Vatican delegation visits Vietnam


Ha Noi, June 19 (VNA) -- A Vatican delegation led by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, paid a working visit to Viet Nam from June 11-16.

PM Phan Van Khai addresses National Assembly



Ha Noi, June 18 (VNA) -- PM Phan Van Khai delivered a speech at the National Assembly this afternoon, June 18, on a number of socio-economic issues of concern to NA deputies and voters.

Int'l organizations hepl Vietnam in action program for children



Ha Noi, June 18 (VNA) -- Foreign aid for the National Action Programme for Children has been crucial to the success of the programme over the past 10 years.

Foreign governments as well as international and non-governmental organizations have provided the Vietnamese children with around USD 400 million over the last 10 years.

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