Two suspects arrested for deadly fire in Ho Chi Minh city

Fri, 11/01/2002 - 10:22


Ho Chi Minh City, Nov. 1 (VNA) -- Two welding workers have been arrested for causing the biggest ever blaze at the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, according to investigators in charge of the fire investigation.

The arrested welders are Phan Viet Thanh, 24, and Nguyen Phu Tin, 19, who conceded that they, together with Giang Quoc Trung, another welder (who has disappeared since the out-break of the fire) had caused the inferno, that killed at least 61 people, including four foreigners, and injured more than 100 others.

Visit marks new step forward in Vietnam-France relations

Fri, 11/01/2002 - 10:20


Ha Noi, Nov. 1 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong's visit to France has brought the Viet Nam-France relationship to a new plane and marked a new step in the development of bilateral relations, said Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien.

Areas that have particularly benefited include credit, finance, science and technology and journalism, he said.

Nien, who was accompanying the President on his Oct. 28-31 visit, granted an interview to Viet Nam News Agency on the results of the visit.

Viet Nam welcomes 2.18 million tourists in ten months

Fri, 11/01/2002 - 09:53

Ha Noi, Nov. 1 (VNA) -- As many as 2.18 million foreign tourists arrived in Viet Nam in the first ten months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 11.3 percent.

During the reviewed period, the tourism sector also provided service to around 10 million local people, reports the Viet Nam Tourism Administration (VTA).

The VTA has also completed the plan to spuce up the Tuyen lake in the central highlands province of Lam Dong and Tan Lap floating village in the southern province of Long An with the aim of making them attractive tourist sites.

Viet Nam's ten-month industrial production up 14.3%

Tue, 10/29/2002 - 12:14

Ha Noi, Oct. 29 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's industrial production was valued at 214.4 trillion VND (14.6 billion USD) in the first ten months of 2002, a 14.3 percent year-on-year rise, according to the General Statistics Office.
Of this figure, the State-owned sector rose 11.6 percent and the non-state sector, 19 percent, while the foreign investment sector increased by 14.4 percent.

US company to invest in Viet Nam's IT sector

Tue, 10/29/2002 - 12:12

Ha Noi, Oct. 29 (VNA) -- The U.S. International Data Group (IDG) plans to invest between 50 and 100 million USD in Viet Nam's information technology sector, in the next 10 years IDG President Patrick McGovern announced on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the first PC World review issue published in Viet Nam.

Catholic congress urges believers to develop production

Tue, 10/29/2002 - 12:10

Nam Dinh, Oct. 29 (VNA) -- The Catholic Church of Red River delta Nam Dinh province has urged followers to enhance production and business movements and build a good life, spiritually and materially.

The call was made at a congress held by the Nam Dinh provincial Committee for Solidarity of Catholics on Oct. 29

Viet Nam expects to attract more tourists

Tue, 10/29/2002 - 12:08

Ha Noi, Oct. 29 (VNA) -- The State Steering Committee on Tourism has reviewed the operations of the industry in the first ten months, discussed measures to fulfil its tasks of the remaining months as well as the 2003 plan.

France, Viet Nam's partner in development

Tue, 10/29/2002 - 12:07

Paris, Oct. 29 (VNA) -- France is Viet Nam's leading partner in development, trade exchange, investment, health care, education, personnel training and tourism, said President Tran Duc Luong.

Luong, arrived in Paris on Monday for a four-day official visit to France, held talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris on Tuesday.
The two presidents informed each other of the situation in their respective countries, exchanged views on the future of the Viet Nam-France relationship and international and regional issues of common concern.

Vietnamese leaders' visits strengthen foreign relations

Mon, 10/28/2002 - 11:45

Ha Noi, Oct. 28 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong's visit to France, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to Cuba, both of which start today, reflect the Vietnamese Government's pursuit of diversification in international relations.

The national daily Nhan Dan (People) in an editorial today called the first ever visit by a Head of State of Viet Nam to France since the two countries established diplomatic relations as a milestone, marking a turning point in both depth and width in the Viet Nam-France relationship.

U.S pastor gives positive look at Viet Nam's religious freedom

Mon, 10/28/2002 - 11:41

Ha Noi, Oct. 28 (VNA) -- Thomas Stobin, an American pastor, has made positive remarks on Viet Nam's religious situation after he returned from a visit to Viet Nam.

The Viet Nam Protestant Church's (VPC) religious freedom is ensured and it is allowed to preach in the church, Thomas told the Voice of America Radio in an interview on the religious situation in Viet Nam.

He said since 1975 the VPC has strongly developed among the highlanders in the Central Highlands as well as the Kinh majority in lowland areas.

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