by Thu Vân “Your pens are the sharp weapons in the cause of telling the truth…” Thus began a letter that President Ho Chi Minh wrote to intellectuals and journalists in the southern part of the country on May 25, 1947. He also said in the same letter that “journalists should act like brave soldiers in the revolution to gain back unity and independence for the country.” One cannot imagine loftier ideals for this profession. Today, the lofty ideals may remain, but there are times I feel these are gathering dust in the shelves of our memory as the profession goes through one existential crisis after another. More than seven decades after President Hồ Chí Minh wrote the famous letter, it is fair to say journalism has gone through many changes, all over the world. Today, the profession is wedded, one could even say welded, to technology and business, and this creates a host of challenges in terms of the profession succeeding in the market place, in capturing the readers’ or … [Read more...] about Some good news, some bad news, some hopeful news
Business news
PM urges even faster reforms to produce business ‘breakthrough’
PM urges even faster reforms to produce business ‘breakthrough’ (29-01-2005) HA NOI — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai called upon his cabinet to make an all-out effort to advance administrative reforms this year and improve the present lukewarm relationship between administrators and businesses and citizens. A breakthrough is needed, he said. Addressing the new year’s first cabinet meeting yesterday, Khai emphasised four important tasks facing his Government this year, including hastening administrative reforms; combating corruption; inspecting and auditing State works; and mitigating waste. While he hailed the achievements of recent reforms, the Prime Minister admitted that progress remained sluggish and unconvincing. This year, he said, must be a turning point for reforms, the year in which bureaucratic annoyances are once and for all removed. The primary focuses of the Government’s administrative reform plan through 2010 are the reform of procedures, the … [Read more...] about PM urges even faster reforms to produce business ‘breakthrough’
Cuba news agency visits, shares the scoop with VNA
Cuba news agency visits, shares the scoop with VNA (22-04-2005) VNA leaders meet with a delegation from the Cuban National News Agency. — VNA/VNS Photo HA NOI — A delegation from the Cuban National News Agency, AIN, has begun a working visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) general director Le Quoc Trung. The delegation, led by AIN General Director Esteban Gil Ramirez, met yesterday with VNA deputy General Director Nguyen Duy Cuong at VNA headquarters in Ha Noi. The delegation reviewed the process of implementing the two agencies’ cooperation agreement. They affirmed the effectiveness of their cooperation and expressed their hopes to maintain and develop the cooperation in the future, in the interests of the Parties, States and people of the two countries. Also yesterday, the delegation met with Hong Vinh, Party Central Committee member and deputy director of the committee’s Culture and Ideology Commission. — VNS … [Read more...] about Cuba news agency visits, shares the scoop with VNA
Viet Nam an enormous potential market, PM reminds US business
Viet Nam an enormous potential market, PM reminds US business (25-06-2005) Prime Minister Phan Van Khai speaks at US business forum in New York. — VNA/VNS Photo The Thuan NEW YORK — Viet Nam should not be viewed through the lenses of the past, but as a friendly partner of American businesses at present and in the future, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said at a business forum in New York on Thursday. The forum was jointly organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the US Chamber of Commerce. The country’s relationship with the US is reflected in the joint declaration, which affirmed developing friendly relations as constructive partners, and long-term, stable and multifaceted co-operation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, made by Prime Minister Khai and President Bush. Viet Nam wanted American entrepreneurs, who have helped America prosper, to be the driving force for creating a long-term, active … [Read more...] about Viet Nam an enormous potential market, PM reminds US business
News agencies promised country’s support
News agencies promised country’s support (04-10-2005) Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem (in the centre) and members of the Organisation of Asia – Pacific News Agencies (OANA) at the 27th Executive Board Meeting and 21st Editorial and Technical Experts Group Meeting in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Tung Lam HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem yesterday reiterated the Vietnamese Government’s support to strengthen the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), and asked the grouping to meet the region’s increasing demand for accurate and timely information. Speaking at OANA’s 27th Executive Board Meeting (EBM), which ended in Ha Noi yesterday, Khiem lauded the efforts of the organisation. "I would like to express the sincere gratitude of the Vietnamese Government and its people to news agencies and reporters of the Asia-Pacific region, who have encouraged the Vietnamese people’s struggle in the past as well as in their current renovation and … [Read more...] about News agencies promised country’s support
VN, Cuba news agencies develop strong relations
VN, Cuba news agencies develop strong relations (16-11-2005) Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan met with Prensa Latina President Francisco Gonzalez Garcia yesterday in Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Tung Lam HA NOI — The relationships between the two Communist Parties, States and peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba have been developing smoothly, and the two countries have become close comrades, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan. He met yesterday with a delegation from Cuba’s Prensa Latina news agency, led by its president, Francisco Gonzalez Garcia, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam from November 9-16. On behalf of the Viet Nam Communist Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Government of Viet Nam, Khoan thanked Cuba’s Communist Party, Government and people for their solidarity and for their aid to Viet Nam during the years of struggle to liberate the South. Khoan said that the cooperative relations between the Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) and Prensa … [Read more...] about VN, Cuba news agencies develop strong relations