Foreigners come to Vietnam for healthcare services


The number of overseas Vietnamese and foreigners using healthcare services at Vietnamese clinics is increasing.

Healthcare cost in Vietnam is now cheaper than some ASEAN countries.
Good equipment, quick operations, reasonable prices are the reasons attracting foreigners to Vietnamese clinics, according to Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the HCM City-based Medic Centre, which attracts many foreigners.

Dac Lac disorder planned abroad: province chairman



DAC LAC — Dac Lac authorities have told US diplomats the leader of the group the Vietnamese Government blames for the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) disturbance had planned the event carefully.

"On April 9, one day before the out-break of the disturbances, the US-based Montagnard Fund, with Ksor Kok at the helm, reported that 150,000 local residents would take part in the demonstration," the chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, Nguyen Van Lang, told Noah Zaring from the US Embassy in Ha Noi, and Marc Forino, from the US Consulate General in HCM City.

Vietnam waging war on corruption



VietNamNet – Vietnam has shown progress in fighting corruption, especially the use of international methodology and consultancy to detect and effectively tackle manifestations of corruption, said World Bank’s Lead Economist in Vietnam Martin Rama.

Vietnam should pursue administrative reform, said WB. The comment was delivered at the press conference announcing the WB’s East Asia Update report in Hanoi on April 20.

Ex-Saigon regime's vice president pledges reconciliation



Almost thirty years after he left the country at the end of a bitter war, an ex-vice president of the old Saigon regime returned home as an overseas Vietnamese and has pledged to act for national reconciliation.

"It's time to put the past behind us, forget the hatred, look towards the future and try for Vietnam to earn a place in the world, ex-general Nguyen Cao Ky said at an interview with the Voice of America on Sunday.

Beauty of Central Highlands undisturbed



LAM DONG — A four-day trip to the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) this week seemed to please Spanish tour leader Aznar Fernandes Fernando who, when asked for his opinion of the trip, said: "very good, very enjoyable."

Aznar took a group of fellow Spaniards to the remote province of Gia Lai from April 15 to 18, an area where some Western news organisations had reported "unrest" and "suppression of ethnic minority people" a week earlier.

But Aznar, 45, described the area as "dramatically peaceful and highly secure."

‘All aspects of life’ remain normal in Central Highlands


Ha noi — Viet Nam has rejected allegations of "persecution of Montagnard Protestants" and public disorder in the Central Highlands stating "all aspects" of life there remained normal.

Answering correspondents, foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung slammed Human Rights Watch and Montagnard Foundation for their "ill-willed fabrication and exaggeration" about the situation in the area.

"This is not the first time [they are making such allegations] and we therefore categorically reject this...," he said.

Govt pledges funds for Dac Lac development


HA NOI — The Government has promised speedy funding for key irrigation projects planned by Dac Lac Province this year.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who visited the Central Highlands province earlier this week to look over its economic plans for the year, even said the Government would use funds earmarked for 2005 in case of a cash crunch.

Meanwhile, he wanted the province’s authorities to supply sufficient seedlings and other materials to farmers, especially in areas hit by prolonged drought.

Vietnam looks to WTO help for accession



HA NOI — Viet Nam expects the World Trade Organisation to assist in training human resources and tender advice during its negotiations with partners for accession to the trade body, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan has said.

He was speaking at a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday to welcome visiting WTO deputy director general, Rufus Yerxa.

Ha Noi to eliminate obstacles to production, business operations


HA NOI — Ha Noi officials have urged businesses to develop their operations to help make the city more prosperous.

Politburo member and Ha Noi Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said local authorities would facilitate them by continuing to complete policies on land clearance, loans and markets.

Trong made the comments at a recent meeting with business representatives held to discuss ways to remove obstacles to production and business operations. Some 200 business reps attended, representing more than 20,000 businesses in the city.

Party Central Committee calls for transparent appointments


HA NOI — Democracy and transparency are crucial in selecting, appointing and promoting Party cadres, a member of the Politburo’s Party Central Committee has said.

"Only by doing so could the ruling party build up a strong, qualified and trusted contingent," Tran Dinh Hoan said at a national conference in Ha Noi last week held to review Party organisation work over the past two years.

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