United Airlines Starts Ball Rolling

United hopes it can build its business by enticing tourists to Vietnam using its own staff and special promotions

By Tan Duc, Sai Gon Times Weekly, 12/4/2004

From December 11, United Airlines will add Vietnam to its network, becoming the first U.S. airline to fly here since 1975.

Busy Route Prompts Air Battle

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 11:23

The Vietnam-U.S. aviation transport agreement is taking off with increased travel and trade expected between the two countries. Competition on the route is becoming intense.

After more than five years of negotiations, the Vietnam-U.S. aviation transport agreement was signed in Washington in December last year. The agreement, effective since January, is not only a landmark for the transport sector, it will also has a strong impact on Vietnam's economy.

Vietnam to raise $2.1 billion via bonds in 2005

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 11:14

Vietnam plans to raise 33.25 trillion dong ($2.11 billion) through government bond issues in 2005, 44 percent more than this year, to cover a widening budget deficit, a finance ministry report said Monday.
The report forecast the budget deficit in 2005 would widen more than 10 percent to 12.8 trillion dong ($814 million) from an estimated gap of 11.6 trillion dong this year, due to a three-fold increase in state employees' salaries.

Of the total bond issue next year, 23.25 trillion dong would be used to service interests and to repay matured bonds.

Canada's Talisman to explore oil, gas off Vietnam

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 11:12

Canada's Talisman Energy Inc. said on Monday it had won the right to explore oil and gas in block 15-2/01 in the Cuu Long Basin, off Vietnam's southern coast.

Details of oil and gas reserves in the block were not immediately available.

Block 15-2/01 is adjacent to Vietnam's second biggest producing oil field, the Su Tu Den (Black Lion), which churns out around 85,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Talisman is the operator of oil fields in the PM-3 CAA block and Block 46-Cai Nuoc that produce Vietnam's Bunga Kekwa crude, with output averaging 60,000 bpd.

U.S. film maker sets sights on Vietnam tourism show

American filmmaking company Sweet Basil Production is seeking permission to produce a film series promoting the country’s tourism industry for U.S. and Canadian television stations.
The series will have 12 segments each lasting 60 minutes featuring Vietnam’s gastronomy arts, beautiful landscapes and cultural traits, according to Sweet Basil Production.

Famous Vietnamese chef Tomy Tang will also prepare and introduce Vietnam’s favorite delicacies on the series.

Telecoms ministry proposes independent arbitration agency

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 10:59

Vietnam’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) has recently proposed to the government the set up of an independent arbitration agency that would resolve trade disputes among telecoms service suppliers.
“Experiences from other countries show - and as suggested by the World Trade Organization – that it is necessary to establish an independent telecoms management unit in Vietnam," said Mai Liem Truc, deputy telecoms minister.

Vietnam shrimp prices rise after DOC tax drop

The prices of raw shrimp in Vietnam have risen following the recent U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) decision to reduce penalty tariffs on shrimp imports from Vietnam, said a Vietnamese seafood producers group.
Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the American market will likely increase again as a result of the tariff reduction, predicted Mr. Luc, and shrimp prices will possibly continue rising into early next year, he added.

Regarding the request to visit Vietnam of US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT BY MR. LE DZUNG, THE SPOKESMAN OF VIETNAM’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON 3rd DECEMBER 2004

DPA, AP: It has been claimed that US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has been denied visa to Vietnam? What's Vietnam's objection to her visit?

Answer:

Recently, the Office and the Committee of External Relations of the National Assembly of Vietnam have sent to the U.S side notifications concerning the request to visit Vietnam by US Representative Loretta Sanchez.

Donors pledge $3.4 billion in ODA for Vietnam in 2005

Thu, 12/02/2004 - 22:46

 
International donors on Thursday pledged to provide Vietnam with $US 3.4 billion in official development assistance, or ODA, in 2005 at the World Bank-chaired Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi.

About $US 2.14 billion was pledged by individual nations, with $100 million coming from international non-governmental organizations and another $1.2 billion from multilateral institutions like the World Bank.

Up to $170 million of the increased pledges for 2005 were to compensate for changes in foreign exchange rates.

Vietnam nods shrimp tax drop, still not satisfied

Vietnam acknowledged a U.S. decision to reduce anti-dumping duties on the country’s shrimp exports Dec. 1, but once again affirmed that Vietnamese companies did not dump shrimp to the American market.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) did carefully examine the clear and transparent documents given by Vietnamese shrimp exporters, said the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

But, the decision is only close to the actual reality, said VASEP in a statement in response to the Tuesday ruling.

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