Ho Chi Minh Trail to become tourism destination

Ha Noi, Nov. 17 (VNA) -- Central Quang Tri province has allocated 53.13 billion VND (3.5 million USD) on a project to restore the Ho Chi Minh Trail for tourism, said Nguyen Thi Mai, Director of the provincial Trade-Tourism Service.

Landmine-clearance project in Quang Tri launches website

Quang Tri, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- Information on latest landmine-clearance operations in war-torn central Quang Tri province is available at newly-launched webside of http://www.vietnam-landmines.org.

The information, in English and Vietnamese languages, also covers charity activities on alleviating the plight of war victims in the province.

Committee of religious reform of Cao Dai executive council meets

Ben Tre, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- The Committee of Religious Reform of Cao Dai Executive Council met at the Ben Tre church in Mekong delta Ben Tre province on Nov. 17-18 with the participation of nearly 900 delegates nationwide.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the Committee's operation in the first term (1997-2002) and decide on a working plan for the Committee and elect a new Standing Board of the Cao Dai Executive Council for the second term (2002-07).

Foreign reports on film actor Don Duong refuted


Ha Noi, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- A senior government official has refuted as groundless western media reports saying that film actor Don Duong, who appeared in "We were soldiers" and "Green Dragon" Hollywood movies, was arrested, prosecuted or restricted from travelling.

"In fact, Don Duong has always been a free citizen to date," affirmed Nguyen Phuc Thanh, director of the Cinema Department of the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Overview of Viet Nam's Cooperative Economy


Cooperative economy is getting increasingly asserted with its indispensable role in Vietnam's socialist-oriented multi-sectoral economy. The 5th Party CC Plenum has set the goal to bring the collective economy, cooperative Economy included, out of its present feeble position within 10 coming years so as to conform to the process of national industrialization and modernization.
Linkage : Engine of Revival

Viet Nam attaches importance to economic integration

New York, Nov. 13 (VNA) -- Viet Nam attaches great importance to integrating into the world economy, first and foremost, to expand trade relationship with other countries, said Ms. Ninh Thi Binh, Viet Nam's representative to the UN Committee for Economic-Financial Affairs, in New York on Nov. 12.

She said at a debate on "International trade and development" that Viet Nam considered its early accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the first priority in this process.

On Viet Nam's preparations for its admission to the WTO, Binh said:

VN Commercial banks to cut foreign currency interest rates


Ha Noi, Nov. 13 (VNA) --Viet Nam's commercial banks are to slash dollar deposit interest rates shortly, a State Bank official said.

The move follows U.S. Federal Reserve's cut last week, State Bank Strategic Policy Department Director Le Xuan Nghia said, adding that the Fed's cut would impact the global economy with Viet Nam not escaping the brunt.

The rate reduction would directly affect domestic banks which have deposited approximately 5 billion USD in overseas banks, forcing them to adjust their own deposit rates.

Viet Nam wants peaceful solution to Iraq issue

Ha Noi, Nov. 11 (VNA) -- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh on Monday said that now as before Viet Nam wants the Iraq issue to be solved by peaceful means in line with the UN Charter and international laws.

"This must be based on the respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-use of force to interfere into Iraq's internal affairs," Thanh said.

PM Phan Van Khai's statement at ASEAN Summit


Ha Noi, Nov. 5 (VNA) -- Following is the extract from Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's speech at the eighth ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh.

"The regional and world situation has seen far-reaching and complex developments. I share the views that it is necessary to make through assessment of the situation with a view to working out measures to seize opportunities and respond to emerging challenges. Our Summit last year was convened right in the wake of the September 11th event. This year, our meeting takes place at an even more complex and unpredictable conjuncture.

1.1 million jobs created


Ha Noi, Nov. 4 (VNA) -- Viet Nam generated 1.1 million jobs in the first ten months of this year, achieving 78.5 percent of its yearly plan.

The figure included employment for over 280,000 in industrial production and construction, 250,000 in commercial services and 500,000 in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Ha Noi contributed 29,000 jobs to the figure, leading localities nationwide. It was followed by southern Vinh Long province with more than 12,000 jobs, Da Nang central city with 11,000 and central Phu Yen province, 10,000.

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