Make way

Olympic torch to make way to HCM City, not Hoang Sa (22-03-2008) HCM City — The Olympic torch will still make its way through HCM City, a procession organising board member of the city confirmed. The statement came after information on the Internet stated China would also send the Olympic torch through Viet Nam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. "The organising board has expressed its deep concern to China about the information on the Internet," HCM City vice mayor and head of the city Olympic torch procession organising board Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said. Ha said the board was officially informed through the two countries’ diplomatic contacts that China had no plans for a torch procession on Hoang Sa archipelago. She said Viet Nam supported the organisation of the Beijing Olympics and had been actively preparing to take part in the event, adding that the Olympic torch procession via HCM City was a big event leading up to the games. She said the Beijing Olympics, … [Read more...] about Olympic torch to make way to HCM City, not Hoang Sa

Cars will be banned from selected roads in downtown HCM City to ensure relocation of Nhà Bè – Tao Đàn underground cable systems that cross Bến Nghé Canal. — Photo motthegioi.vn HCM CITY — Cars will be banned from selected roads in downtown HCM City to ensure relocation of Nhà Bè – Tao Đàn underground cable systems that cross Bến Nghé Canal. Instead of entering Khánh Hội Street in District 4 at a section extending from Vân Đồn Wharf to Hoàng Diệu Street, cars are required to travel from Vân Đồn Wharf to a side road near Ông Lãnh Bridge, then to Hoàng Diệu Street and Khánh Hội Street. From now until August 19, motorbikes are prohibited from entering one of the motorbike lanes on Võ Văn Kiệt Street in District 1. All vehicles are banned from entering Nguyễn Trung Trực Street in District 1 at a section extending from Lưu Văn Lang to Lê Lợi streets. The alternative routes extend from Nguyễn Trung Trực, Lý Tự Trọng and Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa to Lê Lợi streets, and from Lê Lợi, … [Read more...] about Cars banned from roads to make way for underground cable work

Make social insurance transparent, MPs insist (09-11-2005) HA NOI — The revenue raised and expenses incurred by the State’s social insurance fund must be explicit and available to its shareholders, deputies insisted in the National Assembly yesterday. The millions of workers, who were shareholders in the social insurance fund, had the right to control the way in which their money was used and how much profit they got, at least with the help of their labour unions, said Deputy Nguyen Dinh Xuan, southern Tay Ninh Province. Most deputies, who were discussing a draft Social Insurance Law, asked that they be provided with adequate information about the fund’s operations before agreeing to raise contributions to it by 2 per cent a year. The information should include both the contributions now made and the method by which they are made. Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Minister Nguyen Thi Hang said the increase was necessary because Viet Nam’s population was … [Read more...] about Make social insurance transparent, MPs insist

New ways to work can make HCMC a more livable city The Saigon Times Daily A panoramic photo of HCMC’s central business district - PHOTO: COURTESY OF RMIT UNIVERSITY VIETNAM HCMC – “Anywhere working” could be the key to improving the livability of HCMC, which is predicted to become the second fastest growing city economy in Asia within the next three years, new research has found. The “An Investigation into Anywhere Working as a System for Accelerating the Transition of HCMC into a More Liveable City” research investigated the impact of the city’s traffic congestion, air pollution and limited infrastructure on living conditions linked to its booming economy. Dr Reza Akbari, RMIT Vietnam lecturer and lead author of the research, said the research was inspired by the rapid speed at which the city was growing, which will inevitably cause a lot of challenges through an increase in traffic congestion and pollution. “We looked into methods or practices to be able to … [Read more...] about New ways to work can make HCMC a more livable city

Cambodian King makes landmark visit to Ha Noi (16-03-2006) Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. HA NOI — Cambodia’s King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Baromneath Norodom Sihamoni will arrive in Ha Noi today for a three-day official visit - his first to Viet Nam. The King is scheduled to hold talks with President Tran Duc Luong and meet with Viet Nam Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Bilateral ties Viet Nam and Cambodia established diplomatic links on June 24, 1967. The motto for their bilateral relationship: "Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and durable stability" was struck during a visit to Cambodia by then General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in June 1999. The two countries have signed the Historical Waters Agreement; the Treaty Setting the Principle for Resolution of Border Issues; the Border Statutes Agreement and the Treaty for the Delimitation of State Borders as … [Read more...] about Cambodian King makes landmark visit to Ha Noi

Private sector makes input in APEC’s talks on policy (30-05-2006) HCM CITY — Business leaders from APEC member countries and territories presented their views on the benefits, challenges and opportunities that regional trade agreements (RTAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) bring about during the fourth SOM Policy Dialogue in HCM City on Sunday. Ralph Carter, managing director of FedEx Express and alternate member of APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), said, "Most business, if offered a choice, would prefer to liberalise trade through the multilateral or WTO approach." He said the WTO’s most significant benefits are the lowering of barriers and establishing uniform rules across the globe. However, Carter said, the WTO process is becoming much more difficult. "The low hanging fruit has been picked – now the difficult issues are being negotiated like agriculture." According to Nguyen Thanh Chau, deputy head of Viet Nam APEC 2006 Secretariat, business … [Read more...] about Private sector makes input in APEC’s talks on policy

HCMC seeks new ways to support startups, exporters By Ngo Kiem HCMC Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong (C) speaks at the meeting with the local media on April 2. The local government will focus on major regional investors as they are able to create “big waves,” creating a competitive environment to help the city grow – PHOTO: NGO KIEM HCMC – The HCMC government is looking for ways to encourage innovation among newly established enterprises and to support traders in exporting their goods and expanding their markets to improve local competitiveness, noted the city’s chairman, Nguyen Thanh Phong, at a meeting with the press on the local socioeconomic performance in the first quarter of this year, on April 2. The city recorded a gross regional domestic product growth rate of 7.64% to reach roughly VND324.5 trillion (US$13.9 billion) in the three-month period. Besides this, the local State budget rose by 7.18% from a year earlier to more than VND98.3 trillion (US$4.2 billion) … [Read more...] about HCMC seeks new ways to support startups, exporters

Slovakian president makes official visit Ivan Gasparovic, President of Slovakia, arrives in Viet Nam today. — File Photo (16-10-2006) HA NOI — Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic will begin his three-day official visit to Viet Nam today at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet. This is the first visit to Viet Nam by a head of state of Slovakia since the country was formed from the former Czechoslovakia. Talks between the two presidents will begin shortly after a ceremony to welcome Gasparovic and his delegation. Gasparovic is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong today. Gasparovic will travel to HCM City before leaving Viet Nam on Wednesday. Two-way trade between Viet Nam and Slovakia last year stood at US$13.7 million of which Viet Nam exported $11.7 million, mostly through EU market channels. — VNS … [Read more...] about Slovakian president makes official visit

FVH offers excursion to Ba Duong Noi kite making village The Saigon Times Daily A poster shows people watching large-size kites. Friends of Vietnam Heritage will organize an excursion to Ba Duong Noi kite making village on April 4 - PHOTO: COURTESY OF FVH HCMC - Non-profit educational group Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) will operate a short trip to Ba Duong Noi, a 1,000-year-old kite making village in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi City on Sunday, April 7. The craft village dates back to the 10th century during the Dinh dynasty. Generations have kept the tradition of kite making alive and Ba Duong Noi Village is now one of the major kite making centers in Vietnam. At the village, visitors will see numerous kites in various shapes like the crescent moon or boats. Some kites carry wooden flutes that create interesting melodies while flying in the sky. “The elderly say once upon a time when heaven and earth were close, heaven’s fairies often came down to attend … [Read more...] about FVH offers excursion to Ba Duong Noi kite making village

Viet Nam ready to make APEC a success: Deputy PM (09-11-2006) HA NOI — Organising APEC 2006 successfully is top priority for Viet Nam and all preparations for the event have been complete, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency yesterday. Rehearsals on protocol functions, and arrangements for security, traffic safety, media and art performances had been carefully laid out and co-ordinated, with measures in place for revising errors and ensuring the security of delegates. "Viet Nam is ready to welcome delegates and distinguished guests for the APEC 2006 Economic Leaders’ Week," he stressed. "The 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will discuss two major issues: (i) boosting trade and investment and (ii) factors ensuring dynamism, growth and sustainable development among the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members so as to strengthen co-ordination in action; consolidate multilateral trade system; promote trade, … [Read more...] about Viet Nam ready to make APEC a success: Deputy PM