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Archive for July 16th, 2010|Daily archive page

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Tourists may trek to craft villages

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:48 pm




Tourists may trek to craft villages


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

In recent years, a lot of traditional craft villages have been gradually falling into oblivion because their products cannot be sold. Bringing tourists is one possible solution.


An Giang province has 29 famous craft villages, some more than 100 years old.


Phu My forging village is 110 years old and Cho Thu woodwork village has existed since the 18th century. Besides, there are craft villages specializing in making Cham brocade.


In 2007, An Giang Tourism Department started a trial tour program that became successful. To date, five tours have been built to bring tourists to 12 craft villages. This has helped craft villages advertise and sell their products.


Bui Thi Dung from An Giang Industry and Trade Department reported that this is a new solution to preserve and develop craft villages.


In Dong Thap province, there are 44 traditional craft villages, including Lai Vung nem (spring roll) village and Sa Dec flower village, that attract hundreds of thousands tourists every year. Nguyen Thi Nga, General Director of the Dong Thap Tourism Company, revealed that they transport 1000 tourists to Sa Dec flower village every month. They are also considering new tours to bring more tourists to other villages in the province as well.


Bui Thi Hong Ha, Deputy Director of the An Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called the initial achievements encouraging, but added that the potential of these craft villages has not been fully exploited. In An Giang, for example, there are many original craft villages, but just that have arranged tours.


“Most craft villages have poor infrastructure and small production scale, so, it is very difficult to build up tourism,” Ha noted.


“Especially, residents do not know anything about tourism and marketing,” Ha added. Tan Chau silk is famous and many tourists want to buy it, but the products are not sold at restaurants or hotels.


Vu Kim Anh, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, also admitted that the many travel firms in HCM City cannot build tours to bring travelers to famous craft villages like Go Vap flower village.


To develop craft village tourism, Nguyen Van My, Director of Lua Viet Travel Firm, observed that professional investment is necessary. “In other countries, craft villages are managed by tourism watchdog agencies. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, it is very difficult to develop craft villages in a professional way due to the overlapping management,” My complained.


Source: Tien phong


Source: QDND

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The summer glory of sunrise in central Vietnam

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:48 pm




The summer glory of sunrise in central Vietnam


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:22 (GMT+7)

The central region of Vietnam offers more than just pristine beaches, calm sea and fresh seafood in the summertime, as the glory sunrise around this time is one of the additional tips for vacationers.


Undoubtedly, the clear sky in the season of summer constitutes the picturesque scene of while or yellow-sand beaches dotted with naturally-carved beautiful rocks and boulders and several cloudlets drifting above when the sun first appears in the east in the morning.


In summer, the sun begins to emerge on the eastern horizon of central Vietnam as early as around 5:30 a.m., casting its first yellow red beams over the azure sky and then glittering calm surface of the ocean.           


Life is awakened to the sound of waves rippling and sparkling at the shore, birds singing in a long distance away, and mothers and children shouting their excitement when they see the boats of their fathers and brothers approaching the shore.


The higher the red-like globe shines out of the clear sky, the nearer the offshore boats and small bamboo boats come ashore with loads of fish, squid and other eatable creatures that fishermen net at night or in the wee small hours of the morning. 


Whenever you go on holiday in Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Thua Thien-Hue and other coastal provinces in central Vietnam, a leisure walk on the beach in the early morning after contemplation of the sunrise scene is of great enjoyment and relaxation.


A swim in the calm sea refreshes the mind after a night of sound sleep and strengthen the body, inspiring vacationers to travel all day in the scorching sunlight and heat to sites of interest in central Vietnam in the summertime.


So, do not miss getting up early to enjoy to the fullest the scenes of sunrise, fishermen on the sea and beach, swimming, sightseeing and all the other offers of central Vietnam for vacationers from dawn to dusk in the summer.


Source: VNN


Source: QDND

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Tourists may trek to craft villages

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:48 pm




Tourists may trek to craft villages


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:22 (GMT+7)

In recent years, a lot of traditional craft villages have been gradually falling into oblivion because their products cannot be sold. Bringing tourists is one possible solution.


An Giang province has 29 famous craft villages, some more than 100 years old.


Phu My forging village is 110 years old and Cho Thu woodwork village has existed since the 18th century. Besides, there are craft villages specializing in making Cham brocade.


In 2007, An Giang Tourism Department started a trial tour program that became successful. To date, five tours have been built to bring tourists to 12 craft villages. This has helped craft villages advertise and sell their products.


Bui Thi Dung from An Giang Industry and Trade Department reported that this is a new solution to preserve and develop craft villages.


In Dong Thap province, there are 44 traditional craft villages, including Lai Vung nem (spring roll) village and Sa Dec flower village, that attract hundreds of thousands tourists every year. Nguyen Thi Nga, General Director of the Dong Thap Tourism Company, revealed that they transport 1000 tourists to Sa Dec flower village every month. They are also considering new tours to bring more tourists to other villages in the province as well.


Bui Thi Hong Ha, Deputy Director of the An Giang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, called the initial achievements encouraging, but added that the potential of these craft villages has not been fully exploited. In An Giang, for example, there are many original craft villages, but just that have arranged tours.


“Most craft villages have poor infrastructure and small production scale, so, it is very difficult to build up tourism,” Ha noted.


“Especially, residents do not know anything about tourism and marketing,” Ha added. Tan Chau silk is famous and many tourists want to buy it, but the products are not sold at restaurants or hotels.


Vu Kim Anh, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, also admitted that the many travel firms in HCM City cannot build tours to bring travelers to famous craft villages like Go Vap flower village.


To develop craft village tourism, Nguyen Van My, Director of Lua Viet Travel Firm, observed that professional investment is necessary. “In other countries, craft villages are managed by tourism watchdog agencies. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, it is very difficult to develop craft villages in a professional way due to the overlapping management,” My complained.


Source: VNN


Source: QDND

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Vietnam’s longest avenue to be named Thang Long

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:47 pm




Vietnam’s longest avenue to be named Thang Long


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:19 (GMT+7)


Hanoi People’s Council on July 14 agreed that the 28km Lang–Hoa Lac road would be named “Thang Long Avenue”.


Thang Long Avenue is 140m wide, with six lanes, running from Pham Hung-Khuat Duy Tien crossroad through Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Quoc Oai and Thach That district to National Highway 1A. This is the longest road in Vietnam.

Previously, the Hanoi People’s Committee proposed naming the street “1000 Years” Avenue. Some disagreed, saying that both “1000 Years” and also the term “avenue” are not appropriate.


The former director of Hanoi Architecture University, Tran Trong Hanh, argued that “avenue” must be a road with houses along both sides, which was not true in this case. He maintained that this is actually a provincial road, linking Hanoi’s centre to Hoa Lac urban area.


Many other delegates claimed that “1000 Years” is not suitable because Hanoi’s streets and roads are all named after places or famous people.


The council also approved new names for Hanoi’s streets and roads. Accordingly, Ha Dong District will have Van La, Van Phu, Lua and Cau Am streets; Cau Giay District with Duy Tan, Do Quang, Vu Pham Ham streets; Hoang Mai district with Dinh Cong Ha, Linh Dam, Nguyen Canh Di, Nguyen Cong Thai, Hong Quang and Nghiem Xuan Yem streets.


Long Bien district will have new streets of Nguyen Van Huong, Ke Tanh, Hoang Nhu Tiep, Ai Mo, Huynh Tan Phat, Ngoc Tri and Gia Thuy; Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai and Thanh Tri districts to have Nguyen Xien road; Son Tay town with Phu Ha and Trung Son Tram roads and Cong O and Tien Huan streets; Dong Anh district with Dao Cam Moc, Nguyen Thuc, Le Huu Tuu and Nguyen Khe roads.


The council also ratified the names of Thanh Tri and Vinh Tuy Bridges, Hoa Binh Park and Hanoi Museum.


Source: VNN


Source: QDND

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Toyota to build third plant in Brazil

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:47 pm

TOKYO, July 16, 2010 (AFP) – Toyota will build a new 600-million-dollar auto plant in Brazil that is set to initially churn out 70,000 vehicles a year and employ 1,500 workers, the world’s biggest car maker said Friday.


The factory in Sorocaba, 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Sao Paulo, will be the Japanese auto giant’s third in the South American country, where it opened its first overseas plant in 1962.


Construction will start in September on land the company bought two years ago and production of a newly developed compact car, both for the domestic market and export, is set to begin in the second half of 2012.


Toyota do Brasil Ltda. already produces auto parts at its Sao Bernardo plant with 1,200 workers and the Corolla model at its 2,000-staff Indaiatuba plant, which are both also located in Sao Paulo state.


The company said in a statement that it “intends to expand local production in line with market growth in Brazil and other emerging markets”.

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Source: SGGP

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US attitude towards Agent Orange more positive

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:47 pm




US attitude towards Agent Orange more positive


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:20 (GMT+7)

Tran Xuan Thu, General Secretary of Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), said US attitude towards solving the AO/dioxin dilemma in Vietnam has become more positive.


Tran Xuan Thu, who is also VAVA Vice President, said at an interview with VNA on the threshold of the third hearing on Agent Orange to be held by the US House of Representatives on July 15.


The hearing session aims to consider steps to be taken to meet demand from Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims and those exposed to the toxic chemical sprayed by US troops during the war in Vietnam.


Thu told VNA that the campaign in support of Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims that has been running in all the four available channels has contributed to a shift in the US attitude towards the problem, not only in words but also in action.


The campaign, involving the Vietnamese and US governments, Vietnam-US Dialogue Group on AO/dioxin, the VAVA and progressive world forces, has helped bring about modest changes to the attitude of not only the US public but also politicians, he said.


First of all, the US side, for example, including politicians, has acknowledged and talked about AO victims more openly and no longer considers them as simply the disabled. Secondly, the US side has offered technological and financial solutions to detoxify a hotbed of dioxin in the central city of Danang.


Most recently in June, the Vietnam-US negotiation team has worked out a plan of action with a budget of some US$300 million for 10 years to prioritize healthcare for AO victims and clean up the environment.


Representing three million victims in Vietnam, VAVA expressed thanks to the negotiation team for their tireless efforts in contributing to solid solutions to this legacy in Vietnam, said the AO watchdog leader.


Thanks were expressed not only for humanitarian reasons but also in an effort to boost relations between the two countries, Thu added.


“The $300 million plan is worthy of respect at a point when Vietnam is poor and victims’ need is huge,” he said.


However, he emphasized the scheme is far from meeting what is needed for the problem in relation to human beings and the environment.


“Vietnamese AO victims are looking for the deployment of the program as soon as possible,” Thu emphasized.


Charles Bailey, Director of the Ford Foundation Special Initiative on Agent Orange/dioxin, and Susan Berresford, former Ford Foundation President, both confirmed that it was quite possible to solve the AO impact on humans and the environment in Vietnam.


However, they acknowledged the need for significant financial resources. They asked the US government to play a key role in meeting this financial demand and work with other donors to help the Vietnamese government and people address the problem.


Tom Harkin, who chairs the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, shared sympathy with AO victims on their sufferings and losses during his visit to Vietnam in early July. He also emphasized that the US should consider solving the AO problem in Vietnam because of the issue of moral responsibility of those who had caused the problem.


The AO issue was not only the pain of Vietnam but also of many families in the US , said the US senator.


Hearing sessions held by the US House of Representatives and the International People’s Tribunal of Conscience as well as the consistent support raised by progressive world forces have contributed considerably to AO victims’ struggle for justice.


Eni F. H. Faleomaveaga, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, who summoned the upcoming hearing, also launched and chaired the previous two sessions in May, 2008 and June, 2009.


Unlike the previous two sessions, the upcoming hearing will include VAVA representatives and the victims themselves. They are medical doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, VAVA Vice President, and Tran Thi Hoan, a second generation victim, who lost two legs and one hand. The 23-year-old girl is a student of the Ho Chi Minh City Foreign Language and Information Technology University.


Thu concluded the interview by expressing wishes on behalf of three million Vietnamese AO victims that the hearing with the first-ever presence of Vietnamese AO victims would promote a US sense of responsibility towards the problem and push the US to take another step forwards in finding a solution to the problem.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Daimler and Foton of China unveil heavy truck partnership

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:47 pm

FRANKFURT, July 16, 2010 (AFP) – German automotive group Daimler and Foton Motor of China signed a deal on Friday to produce heavy trucks jointly in China, a first for Daimler which is the global leader in truck manufacturing.


The two companies were joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to China in announcing a 50:50 joint venture first floated two years ago.


Trucks under Foton’s Auman brand will be produced using Daimler technology in diesel engines and exhaust systems, allowing the vehicles to meet strict European standards, a statement said, without giving financial details.


Earlier this week, German governmental sources had indicated the partners would invest about 800 million euros (one billion dollars) in the deal.


Foton is a subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC).


“The joint venture with Foton Motor represents another key milestone in implementing our China strategy. It further strengthens our position to address all segments of the market,” Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche said in a statement.


The head of Daimler’s truck operations, Andreas Renschler, added that the deal would provide a springboard to the Chinese and international markets.


BAIC chairman Xu Heyi said: “We are very pleased to have Daimler Trucks, the world’s largest truck manufacturer, as our strategic partner for BAIC’s Foton Motor subsidiary.”


Daimler’s truck division includes the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star and Fuso brands, and sold 259,000 vehicles in 2009 for core earnings of one billion euros (1.29 billion dollars).

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Source: SGGP

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Skyscraper boom adds to HCM City traffic problem

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm




Skyscraper boom adds to HCM City traffic problem


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:22 (GMT+7)

The mushrooming of high-rise buildings in HCM City’s central districts is causing severe traffic problems, experts warn.


In the last five years 63 housing complexes were developed in the city centre. Since 2007, around 85 office buildings, hotels, and shopping malls with a total area of nearly 1.1 million square metres have been licensed.


Around 40 high-rises were built in the city just this year, half of them in District 1, 3, 4, 5 and 11.


Many shopping malls like Diamond Plaza, Parkson, Kumho Asiana Plaza, and Vincom are in close proximity to each other in the city centre, which causes roads in the area to get clogged, especially during rush hour.


Most high-rise buildings, which also house places of recreation, have come up on streets that were already congested – like Cao Thang, Vo Van Tan, Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Streets, all of which are in District 1 or 3 or both.


Many streets leading to the downtown area, such as Cong Hoa, Truong Chinh, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Vo Thi Sau, Dien Bien Phu, and Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Streets are extremely congested during rush hour.


The Department of Transport says it is necessary to assess the impact of high-rise buildings on traffic in an area since the city’s roads are still poor and need upgrading.
Traffic infrastructure needs to keep pace with the construction of high-rise downtown buildings, it says.


Dr Khuat Viet Hung, deputy chief of the Institute of Transport Management and Planning, said it is vital to develop public transport before building high-rise buildings in the central districts to ease traffic.


Dr Nguyen Xuan Vinh, a lecturer at Ton Duc Thang University, said the best way to ease traffic congestion in the city centre is by minimising construction of high-rise buildings in the area and on streets leading there.


HCM City, which has nearly eight million residents, is one of the most densely populated cities in the country.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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US hopes for quick end to Thai state of emergency

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm

BANGKOK, July 16, 2010 (AFP) – A senior US envoy expressed hope Friday that a state of emergency imposed in parts of Thailand since April in response to violent street protests would be lifted “as soon as possible”.


But William Burns, the State Department’s number three, stressed that Thailand was able to find its own way out of the political crisis, reiterating US calls for a democratic and peaceful solution.


“Clearly the US hopes that the state of emergency … can be lifted as soon as possible,” Burns told reporters after discussions with Thai officials.


He said Americans had been “deeply saddened” by the violence and deaths suffered during the two months of opposition demonstrations in Bangkok that ended with a bloody army crackdown in May.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaiva (R) shakes hand with William Burns at Government House in Bangkok on July 16, 2010. AFP

Ninety people, mostly civilians, were killed and nearly 1,900 were injured in violence sparked by the anti-government “Red Shirt” rally.


The emergency powers — enabling authorities to detain suspects without charge for up to 30 days and shut down anti-government media — were extended last week for three more months in Bangkok and 18 other provinces.


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has set out a five-point reconciliation plan, which the US Congress has said should form the basis of efforts by all parties in Thailand to resolve their differences.


The next stop on Burns’ regional tour will be Phnom Penh on Saturday for events marking the 60th anniversary of relations between Cambodia and the United States.


He is then set to head to Indonesia, with which President Barack Obama has been seeking stronger ties, and will round off his trip on Monday and Tuesday in the Philippines, another close US ally, for talks with the new administration of President Benigno Aquino.

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Source: SGGP

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US House holds hearing on Agent Orange in Vietnam

In Uncategorized on July 16, 2010 at 4:46 pm




US House holds hearing on Agent Orange in Vietnam


QĐND – Friday, July 16, 2010, 21:22 (GMT+7)

The Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Agent Orange (AO) in Vietnam, in Washington on July 15.


“It’s a good hearing,” said Eni Faleomavaega, Chairman of the subcommittee.


In an interview with Vietnam News Agency’s reporter in the US, Congressman Faleomavaega added that the testimonies and answers given by Matthew Palmer, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and John Wilson, Director of the Office of Technical Support under US Agency for International Development’s Bureaus for Asia and the Middle East, helped US congressmen be better educated and better informed of the US-Vietnam cooperation in addressing the problems relating to AO victims in Vietnam, so that US law makers could have more information in considering more funding for relating programmes.


Faleomavaega, who called and presided over the first US Congress hearing on Agent Orange in Vietnam in May 2008 and the second in June 2009, described the testimony by Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin (VAVA), as scientifically great, and that by Tran Thi Hoan, a Vietnamese AO victim as informative about the lives of Vietnamese AO victims as well as their call to international communities. He said the two Vietnamese witnesses helped the people in the US in general and US congressmen in particular get more interest into consequences of AO/dioxin.


In his testimony before the Subcommittee, Matthew Palmer said over the last several years, the United States has worked with Vietnam to ensure that its AO activities align with Vietnamese health and environmental objectives. “This cooperation has brought us closer than ever to the permanent elimination of dioxin at Danang Airport due to AO and has allowed us to provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable populations,” he said.


The Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary added: “AO has long been a sensitive topic in US-Vietnam relations, and we have had some past challenges reaching agreement on how and where to cooperate, but we are now transforming dialogue into tangible improvements in the environment and health of the people of Vietnam.”


He reaffirmed that: “The United States Government has demonstrated a firm commitment on working to find a resolution to this lingering concern and to ensuring the continued improvement of US-Vietnam relations.”


A memorandum sent by the US Congressional Research Service to the sponsor Subcommittee wrote: “The Vietnamese government has sought US Agent Orange-related assistance since the two nations reestablished diplomatic recognition 15 years ago. Initially, the U.S. Government denied any legal liability to provide assistance, and questioned Vietnam’s assertions about the extent of environmental and health problems associated with AO/dioxin.”


According to the congressional agency, the US stance on the issue created some tensions in bilateral relations, though not enough to prevent greatly expanded diplomatic, economic and military relations.


Taking the floor of the hearing, John Wilson said that despite economic growth, Vietnam still faces significant environmental and development challenges, including dioxin contamination “hotspots” at various locations around the country. He added: “While we celebrate the progress that we have made over the past 15 years, we also recognise that the US can do more, including with respect to dioxin remediation, which will have a significant benefit to our bilateral relations.”


The official from the US Agency for International Development called the Congress for continuous commitment to dioxin remediation in Vietnam and called on the US to “be a leader on this issue and make a significant impact on the lives of many Vietnamese.”


The VAVA Vice Chairwoman Ngoc Phuong called on US congressmen to continue the work begun by the US veterans groups and other American NGOs to decisively heal the wounds of war for Vietnam’s more than 3 million AO/dioxin victims by providing resources for comprehensive medical services, regular care, rehabilitation and educational services and facilities; as well as with funding to remediate those areas in Vietnam that continue to contain high level of dioxin to stop as soon as possible exposure for people living around those “hot spots”; and requiring those chemical companies which manufactured AO to recognise responsibility and assist the victims.


She stressed that: “Timely and effective actions taken by the US Congress to help victims of AO/dioxin in Vietnam are the final steps in healing the wounds of war as our two peoples and nations continue to build a relationship of friendship and peace.”


Phuong, who has twice attended US Congress hearing on AO/dioxin in Vietnam, told Vietnam News Agency’s reporter that the invitation of a VAVA representative and a Vietnamese AO victim to attend the third hearing reflected some changes in the US side’s attitude on the link between AO and the health of people in Vietnam.


Being Vietnam’s first AO victim invited to US Congress hearing, the 23-year-old Hoan expressed the hope that US chemical manufacturers which made the AO and the US government who sprayed and dumped the toxic substance in Vietnam should do the right thing to help victims of terrible consequences of AO. She stressed, “It is a matter of justice and humanity”.


She called on the US people and their representatives to reach out hands in friendship and understanding to help make dreams of having a family, getting a job and having a peaceful life by young AO victims in Vietnam come true.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND