Financial Times: Vietnam More Than a Tourism Alternative

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 14:49

After the tsunamis wreaked havoc on beach resorts in the region, Vietnam’s Victoria Phan Thiet resort received urgent calls from European tour operators looking for alternative destinations.

Gilles Poggi, general manager of the Victoria, who had lost a close former colleague when the giant waves hit Thailand, was taken aback. "Everyone was shocked at this terrible tragedy," he said. "But the show must go on. These were travel industry professionals. People had their trips cancelled and had to be offered an alternative."

Tommy Tang: "Pho

Tue, 03/08/2005 - 14:41

Renowned US personality and Chef Tommy Tang came to Vietnam to shoot part of his hit TV series Let’s Get Cooking with Tommy Tang. Thanh Nien interviewed him to get his side of the story.

Hi! You must be exhausted after a long journey.

Exhausted? Never! (laugh) Since I came to Vietnam, I did not have one day off. I hope that I can relax in Ho Chi Minh City.

What did you do during your trip to the North Vietnam?

Tourism Industry Targets 3.2 Million Foreign Visitors in 2005

Mon, 03/07/2005 - 10:33

In 2005, national tourism industry sets the target of receiving 3.2 million foreign tourists and 15 million domestic tourists and with the revenue of VND 30 trillion. To this end, tourism industry has get prepared for all tourist activities on the basis of the past achievements.

Dollar-Friendly Destinations: Vietnam

Thu, 03/03/2005 - 15:30

BusinessWeek, FEBRUARY 28, 2005

Repatriation of US Servicemen’s Remains

A repatriation ceremony of remains of US servicemen who died during the war in Vietnam was held at Da Nang International Airport, Vietnam on the afternoon of March 3rd, 2005. Attending the ceremony were representatives from the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) and representatives from the US Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the US Embassy in Hanoi.

US university lends helping hand to Mekong Delta

Can Tho University joined hands with the Michigan State University from the US to carry out the first phase of an education reform and poverty reduction project which began in October 2001.

The unique Vietnamese-US cooperation in the Mekong Delta region has reaped good results and therefore will be continued until 2008.

Seven schools in Can Tho City and nearby Hau Giang Province have benefited from the project.

Specifically, local students have accessed new teaching methods and become more aware of environmental protection.

Vietnamese fugitive arrested in US, awaits extradition

A Vietnamese national suspected of embezzling VND90 billion has been arrested in the US and will be extradited to Vietnam, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security stated Mar. 2.
US Interpol informed Vietnam of the arrest of Nguyen Khac Son, 48 and former director of the HCMC branch of Hanoi-based Printing Import-Export Company (Prinmatexim) in late February.

American police forces captured Son on an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol Vietnam after Son left Vietnam in June 2004.

Vietnam’s exports expected to rise 15% this year

Sun, 02/27/2005 - 17:01

Vietnam's exports in the first three months of the year will reach an estimated US$6.9 billion, up 15 per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Trade.

Foreign-invested companies earned the most, with export sales totaling US$3.52 billion while locally-owned enterprises gained US$3.38 billion in export sales.

According to the ministry, the country can certainly achieve its targeted export revenue of US$31.5 billion for this year.

Robust growth

Exports to US hit $5 billion mark

WASHINGTON (VNA - 26-02-2005) — Viet Nam’s exports to the US fetched more than US$5.16 billion last year, a 15.4 per cent increase over 2003. Imports, however, fell to $1.12 billion, a decrease of 13.1 per cent, according to the Viet Nam Commerce Department in the US.

Major exports included textiles and garments - 54.5 per cent, seafood and footwear - 9.1 per cent, agro-forestry and foodstuff - 6.8 per cent, furniture - 7 per cent, and oil and gas - 4.7 per cent.

FEB 2005 UPDATE ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND

Fri, 02/04/2005 - 15:41

I. Religious freedom in Viet Nam in 2004

1. General policy: On June 18th, 2004, at the 19th session of the 11th National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly adopted the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, which came into effect on Nov. 15, 2004. The Ordinance and its implementing instructions have been circulated. A Decree providing explanation and instructions for the implementation of Ordinance has been drafted and is now in the process of seeking approval from the Prime Minister.

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