Female city slickers celebrate Women’s Day the fitness way

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:12

HCM CITY, March 6, 2003 — You could be excused for thinking that International Women’s Day is a chance for Viet Nam’s hard-working female population to take a well-deserved break, but at least 10,000 of them will be marking the event with a mass physical exercise demonstration in HCM City this Saturday.

Foreign photographer clicks into daily routines in Viet Nam

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:10


HA NOI - March 6, 2003

For Richard Vogel, a photo capturing the tranquillity of daily rural life is just as valuable as an action shot from the heart of the latest war zone.

A Ha Noi exhibition is currently showcasing the Associated Press’ photographer’s Viet Nam collection; a must for anyone with an interest in the country.

Hosted by the Press Club, the exhibition offers "a glimpse through a window into the world of the Vietnamese people", as Vogel puts it.

Trade Ministry clears way for level commercial playing field

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 17:05


HA NOI — March 6, 2003

The Ministry of Trade is honing a competition law which it describes as a "double-edged knife", designed to prevent both experienced foreign companies and privileged Vietnamese firms from using unfair practice to dominate the domestic market as the country opens up to regional trade.

The trade ministry discussed the drafting process and some of the difficulties involved at a seminar in Ha Noi a fortnight ago, where it also sought more expert recommendations on the law.

Viet Nam strives to combat drug and prostitution

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:59



Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - Viet Nam achieved remarkable results in drug and prostitution control last year with over 5,000 communes, wards and towns free from drug abuse and prostitution, up 13.8 percent from a year earlier.

2002's ten outstanding young people acclaimed

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:57



Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's Central Committee has selected 10 out of the 39 nominees as the most outstanding young stars of last year. These people, coming from cultural, academic, scientific and technological, business, security and defense, youth activity, sports and art fields, include:

RoK Trade Committee recognizes Viet Nam as market driven economy

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:55


Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - The Ministry of Trade (MoT) has welcomed the (Republic of) Korea Trade Committee's decision to recognise Viet Nam as a market driven economy.

Thanks to that decision which was made by the Korea Trade Committee (KTC) in relation to Viet Nam's export of gas lighters to the RoK, establishment of the production cost and the selling price of Vietnamese businesses' products will be considered case by case.

Businesses in the RoK recently filed a law suit against Vietnamese gas lighter producers, accusing the latter of price dumping.

Deputy PM on VN's renewal policy at Asia Society conference

Thu, 03/06/2003 - 16:52



Ha Noi, Mar. 6 (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan highlighted Viet Nam's renewal policy which, he said, is based on three buttresses: first, to develop a multi-sectoral economy; second, to utilise the mechanism of the market economy; and third, to integrate into regional and international economies.

Khoan was speaking at the current 13th Asian Corporate Conference in Ha Noi on Thursday.

He explained the first buttress, saying our phylosophy is that the resources of the whole society are the motive force for development.

Poor disabled, Agent Orange victims to get free health care

Tue, 03/04/2003 - 16:39

HCM CITY (March 4, 2003)—Agent Orange victims and disabled people with low incomes in HCM City’s rural district of Cu Chi now have access to free medical services thanks to the opening of the Humanitarian Clinic.

The non-profit medical practice, located in Ward 2 of Cu Chi District, aims to serve more than 300 people with disabilities resulting from the toxic chemical defoliant, Agent Orange, which was used during the American War, and 500 other low-income disabled in the area.

New farm fund to help reforms

Tue, 03/04/2003 - 16:37



HA NOI (March 4, 2003)— Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Le Huy Ngo has announced that a new agricultural restructuring fund has been established to maintain the momentum of the rural reforms of the past three years.

"We will try to build up the fund this year," Ngo told the mass media in Ha Noi last week.

He said that it would focus primarily on improving the irrigation network, plant and animal breeds and processing technology.

Seafood exporters have backs to wall

Tue, 03/04/2003 - 16:35

HCM CITY (March 4, 2003) — Viet Nam’s fisheries industry faces a serious challenge to meet its annual export target, according to Deputy Minister of Fisheries Nguyen Viet Thang.

The sector will have to deal with problems posed by changing markets and new technologies to achieve the target, which has been set at US$2.3 billion.

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