Viet Nam condemns terrorist attacks against Iraqi civilians


(03/03/2004 -- 20:50GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 3 (VNA) - Viet Nam strongly condemned terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians in Iraq, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung.

He was answering a Vietnam News Agency correspondent's question on Viet Nam's reaction to a series of blasts in Iraq recently, causing heavy losses in lives and property, particularly the anti-Shiite attacks in Karbala and Baghdad.

Helping Agent Orange victims



The demand for helping Agent Orange victims is great, long and diversified. To help them overcome difficulties, illness and integrate into community, it is necessary to raise different sources from the society and choose the suitable way of assistance.

Visiting and presenting Agent Orange victims with gifts on the occasion of Tet has helped them ease their wound for a certain time. The Fund in Support of Agent Orange Victims, under the Vietnam Red Cross Society, has changed ways to help the victims since 2003.

Reform tops state agenda for agencies

Vietnam Investment Review

ADMINISTRATIVE reform will be accelerated this year to simplify procedures and increase the economy’s competitiveness.

Metro hopes to carry 50m people annually



HCM CITY — Two metro lines will be completed by 2007, in HCM City, municipal authorities have announced.

"The metro should help ease traffic jams, reduce accidents, and cut commuting time. Less exposure to noise, dust and fumes will also benefit riders accustomed to driving motorbikes," Le Thanh Hai, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee said.

Budget to Central Highlands cultural activities: VND 1.4 trillion


(03/02/2004 -- 17:30GMT+7)

Ha Noi, March 2 (VNA)- The Government has approved a budget of 1.4 trillion VND for "development of cultural and information activities in the Central Highlands up to 2010".

The money will cover the protection and promotion of the region's selected cultural customs and assets, removal of bad social habits and promotion of new lifestyles with new concepts of cultural and artistic values.

Bird flu outbreak ‘partially contained’


HA NOI — An official announced two-thirds of provinces affected by the bird flu are nearly clear of infections, noting they are "partially containing" the outbreak.

Bui Quang Anh, spokesman for the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control, said on Monday no new outbreaks had been detected for the past 10 to 25 days in 38 of the 57 provinces and cities hit by avian flu.

Anh said Long An, the first province struck by the virus, could be declared free of the bird flu as no infection had been recorded there in the past 30 days.

An American Veteran's Letter to Senator Brownback


SENATOR BROWNBACK:

War Veteran: Vietnam Is Moving In The Right Direction

Statement of Jaime Vazquez, Director of Veterans Affairs, Jersey City, N.J. To The Senate Sub-Committe on East Asia and Pacific Affairs

Washington, DC
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committe, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First, allow me to thank you for the opportunity of addressing you today on the very important issue of the relationships between the United States and the country of Vietnam.

Facts about religions in Vietnam


According to incomplete statistics, up to 19 million Vietnamese practice one religion or another, making up of about a quarter of the 80 million population. Among them, there are nearly 57 thousand in the clergy and over 10 thousand students. There are over 10 thousand religious groupings that are in control of nearly 23 thousand worshipping places throughout the country. Besides, there are over two thousand entities conducting charity operations.

1. Buddhism:

Nation takes action against bird flu



HA NOI — General Secretary Nong Duc Manh expressed concern about the avian influenza epidemic in Ha Noi last Friday.

Manh was briefed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo, who is also chairman of the National Steering Board for Bird Flu Control.

The Politburo of the Communist Party issued last Saturday a directive to Party Committees and organisations at all levels, which said stamping out bird flu was an urgent task.

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