wiki globe

Archive for May 15th, 2010|Daily archive page

, , , , ,

International airport plan for Hai Phong

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:58 pm




International airport plan for Hai Phong


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:21 (GMT+7)

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked the Ministry of Transport to submit a proposal by the end of this year for construction of a new international airport in the northern city of Hai Phong’s Tien Lang District.


He issued the order during a working trip to the city to inspect progress on a project to improve the city’s port system.


The order deviates from earlier plans to upgrade Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong. However, the Viet Nam Civil Aviation Authority has determined that Cat Bi located too close to the city centre to allow for future urban development.


Therefore, the Government shifted planning towards building a new international airport while continue with plans to upgrade Cat Bi Airport.


To date, the Ministry of Transport has completed an initial feasibility assessment on the proposed Tien Lang International Airport, which would be located outside of the sea dyke of Tien Lang District, a site with large land area, low population density, and advantages in terms of terrain, climate conditions and convenient transport connections.


The airport, which would be designed to receive 60-80 million passengers per year, would also be able to accommodate overflow from Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi which could become overload in the future.


The proposed site would be an area of 9km by 6-7km, totalling 5,900ha. It would be about 20km from the city center and encompass parts of the communes of Vinh Quang, Tien Lang, Dong Hung and Tay Hung.


During his visit to Hai Phong, Hai also called at the Hai Phong Port Co. In a meeting with the company management, Hai also said that the demand for shipping was expected to increase sharply in the context of the economic recovery, making it necessary to quickly upgrade infrastructure.


Source: VietnamNet/Viet Nam News


Source: QDND

, , , , , ,

The humble rice ball keeps on rolling

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:58 pm




The humble rice ball keeps on rolling


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:21 (GMT+7)

A smattering of rice-based delicacies are put on the dinning tables of Vietnamese families everyday, but the simple, cheap and cheerful rice ball with toasted peanuts and sesame seeds continues to charm the locals


Rice ball or “com nam” is a simpler version of its cousin from Japan, onigiri, a type of rice ball wrapped in seaweed which often includes fillings made from salty or sour ingredients.


The making of Vietnamese rice balls is all in the hands.


A piece of white cloth is used to cup freshly boiled rice, which is then pressed to ensure the ball is soft inside and firm outside. The rice can also be made into triangular or oval shapes.


Rice balls are usually served with Vietnamese pork pemmican, Vietnamese steamed pork or beef cakes, but most agree that muoi vung – a mixture of salt, toasted peanuts and sesame seeds – is the version that truly brings out the taste of the white rice.


The traditional food has played an indispensable part of daily life for Vietnamese over the generations, often served as a packed lunch for farmers and food for travelers.


But as living standards have improved here, many Vietnamese shied away from the dish as more options have become available to diners.


Unfortunately, com nam was relegated back to the rural backbenchers for awhile. But all that began to change recently as urbanites rediscover the dish through the street vendors plying their trade on the cities’ broken pavements.


Every once in a while, overseas Vietnamese coming visiting the country seek a com nam vendor, paying less than VND1,000 (0.5 cent) for each ball accompanied with a small pack of muoi vung. The dish is a reminder of the simpler things in life and what was the backbone of the country – the taste of white rice.


Source: vietnews.vn


Source: QDND

, , , , , ,

US company highlights Vietnam’s potential housing market

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:57 pm




US company highlights Vietnam’s potential housing market


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

Vietnam’s housing industry has much potential to develop, RNCOS, a US ’s market consulting service company, has said.


In a new report released on May 13 on its official website, RNCOS underlined that Vietnam ’s housing industry is charaterised by massive housing shortage and offers ample scope for developments.


Vietnamese housing market is on the urbanisation process with an increase in the number of households, the reports said.


The report also noted that majority of Vietnamese people do not have their own permanent houses and more than 70 percent of the total residents households nationwide are living in temporary houses without proper housing facilities.


The company estimated that Vietnam will need nearly 20 million houses to meet the country’s increasing demand.


One of factors hindering the industry’s development is the country’s limited financial capacity, according to RNCOS’s experts.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

, , , ,

VNA journalists hold sixth congress

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:57 pm




VNA journalists hold sixth congress


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

The sixth congress of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) chapter of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association chapter took place in Hanoi on May 14, focusing on raising the role of a state news agency and building VNA into a strong national communications group.


In his report, VNA Vice General Director Ha Minh Hue, Chairman of the VNA chapter for the 2005-2010 term, highlighted that the chapter thoroughly grasped and played the role of a political, social and professional organisation in the past term.


As one of the country’s largest chapters and experiencing 65 years of developing along with the country, VNA has made great efforts to maintain its position as a strategic, reliable news agency of the Party, State and people, the VNA chapter chairman said.


VNA experienced difficult stages and challenges for development, VNA became a prestigious news agency in the region as well as the world, contributing to the common development of the country’s revolutionary press, he added.


He praised the news agency’s strength with a network of domestic bureaus in 63 provinces and cities nationwide and 26 overseas bureaus around the world.


He stressed VNA’s right step of establishing a VNA television channel, catching up with the modern press’s trend in the region and the world.


VNA General Director Tran Mai Huong said that in the new term (2010-2015), the VNA chapter needs to foster and improve awareness on politics, professional skills and social accounbility for its members in combination with the “studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s moral example” movement.


He emphasised the chapter executive board’s due attention to VNA major programmes, particularly improvement of news quality and competitiveness.


The agency’s tasks in the coming years require each journalist to unceasingly improve professional skills, meeting the tasks’ demand as well as maintaining its position as the strategic information centre of the Party and the main reliable resources of the society.


The congress elected a 19-member executive board with VNA Vice General Director Ngo Ha Thai as chairman for the 2010-2015 term.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

, , , , , , , , , ,

Picture of Uncle Ho with the nation engraved on bronze drum

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm




Picture of Uncle Ho with the nation engraved on bronze drum


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:19 (GMT+7)

The Thanh Hoa Antiques’ Association has molded a bronze drum, measuring 120cm in diameter and 100cm in height, to celebrate Uncle Ho’s 120th birthday, and the 1000th year of Thang Long-Hanoi.


The bronze drum mimics the patterns on the Ngoc Lu bronze drum.


Engraved on the drum’s trunk are images of Uncle Ho with the nation, including Uncle Ho’s father’s home town; the Nha Rong wharf where Uncle Ho left Vietnam to find ways to liberate the country; Uncle Ho’s announcement of the Declaration of Independence at the Ba Dinh Square; Uncle Ho’s conversation with the Pioneer Brigade at the Hung Kings’ Temple; the Victory of Dien Bien Phu; Uncle Ho’s compilation of his testament; and Saigon on the liberation day.


The bronze drum will be delivered to the Museum of Ho Chi Minh on May 17th.


Source: TP


Translated by Mai Huong


Source: QDND

, , , ,

NA Chairman receives French friend

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm




NA Chairman receives French friend


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong received Raymond Aubrac, former member of the French parliament and a close friend of President Ho Chi Minh, in Hanoi on May 14.


Raymond Aubrac, 96, expressed his pleasure to return and witness changes in Vietnam, particularly his attendance of the international seminar on Ho Chi Minh’s heritages on the occasion of 120 th birthday of the president.


Raymond Aubrac also expressed his admiration and sentiment to the President, saying that the great man led the Vietnamese people to defeat the French colonialists and the American imperialists while in the two countries, progressive people still supported him as well as his country. That was a unusual case in history, he said.


He highlighted Ho Chi Minh’s heritages, describing them as treasures of the Vietnamese people.


Chairman Trong agreed with assessment by Raymond Aubrac and foreign scientists, saying that President Ho Chi Minh’s valuable heritages are his thoughts, style and moral.


Chairman Trong recalled a series of deep memories on a companionship between Raymond Aubrac and President Ho Chi Minh.


Raymond Aubrac, a French hero during the struggle against German fascism, is on a visit to Vietnam to attend activities to mark 35 th anniversary of liberation of South Vietnam and 120 th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

, , , , , ,

Uncle Ho’s heritage on Party building discussed

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:55 pm




Uncle Ho’s heritage on Party building discussed


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

The Academy of Politics and Public Administration Zone III held a scientific workshop on President Ho Chi Minh’s heritage on Party building in the central city of Da Nang on May 14.


Addressing the event, which marked the 120 th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the academy’s director Nguyen Hong Son said, “Uncle Ho left us a huge legacy and an invaluable heritage, including the Ho Chi Minh Thoughts, the Ho Chi Minh Era and the Ho Chi Minh Moral Example”.


The most valuable amongst those is his heritage on theory of the national democratic revolution and the socialist revolution in Vietnam as well as building a strong and pure Party and a State of the people, by the people and for the people, he said.


Uncle Ho’s first recommendation in his testament is about the Party and the unity and oneness of mind within the Party; the wide practice of democracy and the regular and strict implementation of self-criticism and criticism. The Party must be kept really pure, worthy being a leader and faithful servant of the people.


President Ho Chi Minh also paid a special attention to building revolutionary morals for officials and Party members, Son added.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

, , ,

Sen Village Festival opens

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:55 pm




Sen Village Festival opens


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:21 (GMT+7)

The event is one of the State level activities to mark the 120th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birth.


The festival will officially open in the evening of May 15 in Nghe An – Uncle Ho’s birthplace. It will attract performers from Nghe An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Hoa, Tuyen Quang, Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Soc Trang which will join a Sen Village singing contest, perform in Vinh City and other districts in Nghe An and hold exchanges with students.


Around 1,000 artists, and students will attend a concert at the opening ceremony highlighting the major landmarks of Uncle Ho’s life and career, his great contribution to the national independence and his deep love for his homeland, as well as the Nghe An people’s love for Uncle Ho. Radio the Voice of Vietnam will broadcast the concert live on VOV1 at 8pm.


On the occasion, Nghe An province has also held a wide range of activities to mark Uncle Ho’s birthday, such as offering incense and flowers at President Ho Chi Minh’s memorial house, a meeting, a youth camp, the opening of an air route between Vinh and Hanoi and a film week on Uncle Ho.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

, , , , ,

Vietnam can lead on climate change

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 4:54 pm




Vietnam can lead on climate change


QĐND – Saturday, May 15, 2010, 21:21 (GMT+7)

Viet Nam’s experience in tackling the impacts of climate change could be a great gift to the rest of the world, American expert Jameson Campbell Henn said.


“Given that the country is on the frontline of the impacts, it can become a laboratory for effective adaptation methods,” the co-founder and media director of 350.org, a US-based organisation and website dedicated to raising people’s awareness and communicating measures to counter the change, said.


He was speaking at a press briefing in HCM City on Wednesday where he was on a week-long trip at the invitation of the US consulate to hold discussions with local experts, organisations, and universities on climate change and media efforts to raise awareness.


He took a field trip to Can Gio District’s mangrove forests and was impressed with the Women’s Union efforts to educate the community about environmental health and protecting the forests.


“Since women bear the brunt of climate change, it is fantastic to see the Women’s Union take the leadership and set climate change as a priority.


“That’s the experience Viet Nam can share with the world.”


The climate change was also “one of the greatest areas” for co-operation between the US and Viet Nam, especially in developing green energies and technologies, sharing resources within partnerships between governmental agencies and between universities, he said.


“The country is taking on the issue in a serious way and seizing opportunities to invest in new industries,” he said, noting that climate change was helping steer economies away from fossil fuels.


“Even university students asked me how they can be part of new industries.”


Raising awareness


“Raising awareness is so important to help people in the rural areas have information they need to adapt to the climate change.”


Given that farmers in remote areas did not have access to the internet and electricity to use radios or televisions, culture could be a great tool for educating them about climate change, he said. “We can use short plays or puppet shows to tell stories about what is happening.”


Besides, a link should be established between city and rural people to enable exchange of information and experiences.


“Students from the city can bring technical knowledge of climate change to farmers and learn from them how they protect their lives,” he said, noting that farmers saw with their eyes what was changing but did not know the scientific terminology for it.


He said the Climate Change Media Partnership was a great vehicle for journalists from around the world to bring local stories to global attention.


His organisation would mark Global Day on October 10, and Viet Nam would be one of the focuses of attention on “10-10-10,” he said.


“The event will be a lot different in Viet Nam because it is especially vulnerable.”


Bike rides to raise awareness, tree planting, cleaning up the coastline, and professor-student discussion sessions on the issues are among the activities planned by 350.org together with its local partners for Global Day in Viet Nam.


“We’re still coming up with exciting new ideas for the day,” he said, noting that the day, which would coincide with Ha Noi’s millennium anniversary, would be a chance to think of the next 1,000 years.


Beginning in the US with just a small group of people, 350.org now has staff and partner organisations from 180 countries.


In Viet Nam, it has been working with student volunteers to raise awareness of climate change and swap stories and photos about what was happening in the rest of the world, and has been seeking to build partnerships with more local organisations.


Source: VietNamNet/Viet Nam News


Source: QDND

, , , , , ,

Stock market warms up late last week

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2010 at 12:58 pm

The market warmed up in the last trading session of this week, however, the VN Index just saw a slight increase of 1.79 points as the prices of several blue chips, including Vietcombank (VCB).


The VN Index closed yesterday’s session at 520.72 points, advancing 0.34 percent after five straight days of declines.


However, trading activities seemed to ease off with only 45.2 million shares changing hands, 24.03 per cent lower than Thursday’s session, at a value of VND1.6 trillion (US$84.2 million).


Penny stocks such as Cuu Long Fish Joint Stock Company (ACL), Ba Ria Thermal Power Joint Stock Company (BTP), Dien Quang Joint Stock Company (DQC) increased after sharply decreasing during the week.


Meanwhile, the HNX-Index for the Hanoi market continued falling for another day, but only by an insignificant 0.26 per cent, leaving the index to reserve Thursday’s standings at 172.71 points.


Trading activities were a bit higher than Thursday with 44.4 million shares traded to generate a turnover of VND1.5 trillion ($78.9 million).


PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) continued an impressive show with 10.3 million shares changing hands in the day’s trades.


According to stock market companies, the state bank official rejected information about devaluation of VND, so it made the stock market regain footing despite NYSE and NASDAQ index lost 100 points.


World’s price of gold has set a new record, making the domestic gold prices increase sharply to VND28.2 million per tael (1.2 ounce), the highest level since December last year.


The world gold price was listed at US$1,237 per ounce on May 14.


According to a representative of Saigon Jewelry Holding Company (SJC), domestic gold price still is lower than world gold price VND300,000 per tael, not including tax.


Bloomberg’s economic experts forecasted that global gold price will continue increasing to $1,400 per ounce and hit $1,500 per ounce this year.


Contrary to gold price, the exchange rate US$ on the free market has decreased to VND19,020 – 19,080, an decrease of VND70 per US$ compare to previous day.

Source: SGGP