WHO briefs deputy PM on bird flu plan

T4, 01/28/2004 - 10:44


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

T6, 01/02/2004 - 10:11

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.

Vietnam Airlines' 10-year operation reviewed

T6, 01/02/2004 - 09:55


(01/02/2004 -- 20:56GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Jan. 2 (VNA) - The national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, marked its 10th anniversary in Ha Noi on Friday afternoon.

Cha ca la vong, specialty of Ha Noi

T6, 01/02/2004 - 09:53


(01/01/2004 -- 08:05GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Jan. 1 (VNA)-Foreign and local cognoscenti coming to Ha Noi seem to hit the Cha Ca La Vong restaurant on Cha Ca street in Ha Noi, which was recently placed on an MSNBC.com list of 10 places to see before you die.

New Year welcomed nationwide

T6, 01/02/2004 - 09:44


Many cultural activities were held in localities across the country to welcome the New Year 2004 and celebrate the socio-economic achievements in 2003.

Thousands of Hanoians took to the streets bedecked with coloured lights and flowers in the evening and flocked to major cultural and sports centres such as the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Lenin Park, I Ghandi public garden, Ba Kieu Temple and Van Dien town.

Garment exporters should pay more attention to non-quota markets

T3, 12/16/2003 - 17:39


(12/16/2003 -- 22:21GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Dec. 16 (VNA) - "Garment businesses should not stick to the US market only but many non-quota markets such as Japan, Canada and the Middle East," said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan.

He was speaking at a conference entitled "Challenges and Solutions to the Garment Sector Beyond 2004" held by the Ministry of Trade (MOT) in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

Viet Nam sets itself to double agricultural output over next five

T3, 12/16/2003 - 17:37


(12/16/2003 -- 16:51GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Dec. 16 (VNA)- Viet Nam plans to launch an initiative to increase the agricultural output value to 31 million VND per ha in the next five years. The current yield is only 17 million VND.

Each ha of agricultural land, therefore, will yield almost 20 million VND on average.

The drive will thus improve rural farmers' incomes, said the Agricultural Economics Institute.

Car makers cheer 2003, brace for 2004

T3, 12/16/2003 - 17:13



by Phi Hung

Viet Nam’s 11 foreign-backed auto makers achieved a record 66 per cent sales growth in the first 11 months of the year, as customers rushed to snap up cars ahead of next year’s tax hikes.

The companies, also known as the Viet Nam Auto Makers Association (VAMA), reported nearly 35,000 sales in the January-November period.

But many dealers said they are now out of stock, creating a fever in one of the smallest car markets in the region.

Swiss firms eye catfish market

T3, 12/16/2003 - 17:12


AN GIANG — Several large Swiss businesses that visited Viet Nam recently said they wanted to set up deals to buy Vietnamese catfish.

Six Swiss firms - Eurogroup, Co-op, Sippo, Binca, Seafood and Marioult - expressed interest in establishing trade ties and praised the farmers for their technological methods.

The An Giang Fisheries Import and Export Joint Stock Company (Agifish) in the Cuu Long River Delta provided the Swiss group with information on tra and ba sa fish and other aquatic products raised in the province.

Viet Nam signs UN convention against corruption

T6, 12/12/2003 - 17:07


(12/12/2003 -- 19:57GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Dec. 12 (VNA) - Viet Nam has joined the United Nations (UN) convention against corruption.

Chief State Inspector Quach Le Thanh, head of a Vietnamese government delegation, signed the pact at a ceremony held from Dec. 9-11 in Merida, Mexico. The signing showed the Vietnamese Party and State's determination to fight corruption and their readiness to establish international cooperation.

Viet Nam was among 95 nations to sign the treaty.

Các trang