Car makers cheer 2003, brace for 2004

Tue, 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

Tue, 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

Fri, 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.

Viet Nam to take trade restriction measures to defend itself

Thu, 12/11/2003 - 17:55

(12/11/2003 -- 17:49GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Dec. 11 (VNA)- Viet Nam reserves the right to increase import taxes, impose quotas, duties and other trade restriction measures "in order to defend itself", according to a recent Government decree.

Under the decree that provides guide lines to a state ordinance, seven measures will be taken for trade protection.

Unilever has a taste of success in Vietnam

Tue, 12/02/2003 - 11:02


By Amy Kazmin
FT.com site; Dec 02, 2003



As a young girl, Dang Thi Hoa, a 60-year-old native of the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, heard stories of how her grandmother used to sail to nearby Cambodia to sell a popular sauce that islanders, including her family, made from fermented anchovies.

Garment exports earn 3.37 billion USD

Mon, 12/01/2003 - 17:36

(12/01/2003 -- 22:44GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Nov. 1 (VNA) - So far this year, Viet Nam has exported 3.37 billion USD worth of textiles and garments, a 38.3 percent increase over the same period last year.


According to the Ministry of Trade, the export value would have been higher if there had been no problems with exports to the US. The mismatch between the number of US-bound exports that were granted export licenses by the Vietnamese side and those registered by the US customs led to a temporarly halt in the granting of visas to some Vietnamese products.

Number of foreign tourists increases 11.5 percent in November

Mon, 12/01/2003 - 17:34


(12/01/2003 -- 22:39GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Dec. 1 (VNA) - Viet Nam welcomed 248, 700 foreign visitors in November, a year-on-year increase of 11.5 percent.

In total, the country received more than 2.1 million foreigners in the past 11 months. It is expected to welcome more than 2.3 million foreigners, mainly from China, the US, Taiwan, the UK and the Republic of Korea.

We are confident of Sangha development, says chief monk

Wed, 11/19/2003 - 17:26

(11/19/2003 -- 18:12GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Nov. 19 (VNA) - "Given our past achievements, we hope that Viet Nam's Buddhism will expand and contribute more to the nation with every passing day," said the Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Editor of the Buddhist newspaper Giac Ngo (Enlightment).

The monk wrote an article for his newspaper on the occasion of 22nd founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha. It follows below:

VN must confront ‘brain drain’ before it enters global economy

Wed, 11/19/2003 - 16:25



"Many countries in the region like China and the Republic of Korea have always relied on their overseas communities to develop their domestic science and technology industries. But our country seems to have missed this precious opportunity" - Dr Dang Ngoc Dinh, Union of Scientific and Technical Associations

HA NOI — Many of Viet Nam’s best and brightest are departing for higher-paid jobs in other countries, sparking concern that a brain drain could impede economic progress.

Vietnamese musicians get serious about their royalties

Wed, 11/19/2003 - 16:22



HCM CITY — In what must be sweet music to their ears, the body acting for musicians in Viet Nam is now permitted to chase up royalties owed to composers.

An agreement this week between the Viet Nam Recording Association and the Viet Nam Copyright Centre (VCC) allows the centre, which represents many composers, to enforce their royalty payments.

Under the agreement, composers will receive royalty fees from concert organisers and CD producers who use their material.

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