Spokeswoman on Human rights in Vietnam



Ha Noi, April 14 -- "The adoption of a resolution on human rights in Vietnam by the External Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives is a gross interference in Vietnam's internal affairs which deliberately distorts reality and goes against the process of improving relations between the two countries." Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh was answering a foreign correspondent's question on the matter on April 13. Her statement is as following:

Additional 65 foreign-invested projects licensed in first quarter

Ha Noi, April 7 (VNA) -- An additional 65 foreign-invested projects were licensed in the first quarter of this year with a combined investment capital of USD 148 million.

Ho Chi Minh City topped the list with 21 projects valued at USD 51 million. Binh Duong province, next to Ho Chi Minh City, had 24 projects licensed worth only USD 16.5 million; and Ha Noi had four projects valued at USD 4.4 million.

Vietnam putting aside the past, looking foward the future

Hanoi, Mar. 13 (VNA) -- "We advocate putting aside the past and looking toward the future for joint development cooperation in our relations with the United States as well as with other countries that once were hostile to Vietnam," the spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry said in Hanoi on Mar. 13.

Phan Thuy Thanh was answering a foreign correspondents' question on Vietnam's reaction to US Defense Secretary William Cohen's statement in Hong Kong on Mar. 12 that he would make no apologies for the war in Vietnam during his visit to the country.

US Defense Secretary's visit to Vietnam

Hanoi, Mar. 13 (VNA) -- Defense Secretary of the United States William Cohen arrived in Hanoi this morning, March 13, beginning a three-day official visit to Vietnam which extends from March 13-15. He was accompanied by other senior officers and US Ambassador to Vietnam Douglas Peterson.

He was welcomed at the Defence Ministry's Guest House by Vietnamese Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra, Deputy Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Huy Hieu, and other senior officers. Right after the welcoming ceremony, Pham Van Tra and William Cohen held talks.

Vietnam Pushes Trade Deal with US

National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam held separate talks with members of a visiting delegation from the US House of Representatives on February 23, saying that Vietnam always wanted to speed up negotiations for a trade agreement with the US.

Mr Manh told Bill Archer, chairman of the House

FM Spokeswoman on US Senator John McCain's use of "ill-will words"

Ha Noi, Feb. 21 The FM spokesperson, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh was answering foreign correspondents' question on Viet Nam's comment on recent statements by US Senator John McCain, slandering that Viet Nam beat and tortured US prisoners as well as his usage of "ill-will" words when referring to the Vietnamese people in particular and the Asian people in general. Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh said:

The Dragon New Year celebration of Embassy of Vietnam in Washington

The Vietnamese Embassy in the US on Feb. 9 held a get-together to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year Festival (Tet), which fell on Feb. 5 this year.

Vietnam Celebrates Anniversary of International Recognition

The Vietnam Fatherland Front, the government and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations jointly held a meeting in Hanoi on January 17 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People

Chairman Nong Duc Manh meets US Representative

National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh received in Hanoi on January 14 a visiting delegation of members of the US House of Representatives led by Edward Royce, Vice Chairman of the Sub-committee for Asia-Pacific of the US House of Representatives' Committee for Foreign Affairs.

Socio-Economic Achievements of 1999

1999 saw significant socio-economic achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people. The achievements are as follows:

1. The gross domestic production grew by 5%.

2. The agricultural production increased by 5.5%

3. Rice-equivalent food output reached 33.8 million tonnes.

4. The industrial production grew by 10.3%.

5. The export turnover grew by 22%.

6. More investments were concentrated in agriculture, and in the rural and remote areas.

7. The number of poor households was reduced.

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