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Archive for November 26th, 2010|Daily archive page

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Vietnam tops travel polls

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:52 pm




Vietnam tops travel polls


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:41 (GMT+7)

Vietnam has emerged as one of the top destinations for travellers from Thailand , Australia , Japan , and Singapore , a recent survey compiled by Visa and the Pacific Asia Travel Association found.


The survey polled 6,714 respondents in 13 countries and territories and found that among travellers most likely to visit Vietnam in the next two years, 17 percent are from Thailand , 16 percent are from Australia , and 11 percent are from Japan and Singapore.


Most of the potential tourists listed natural scenery, new places, and affordability as their main motivation for visiting Vietnam .


They plan to budget more than 1,200 USD for their next vacation and pay more for good food and opportunities to experience a new culture.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Vietnam secures first ASIAD gold medal

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:51 pm




Vietnam secures first ASIAD gold medal


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

Vietnam’s thirst for gold at the 16th Asian Games was quenched on November 25 as martial artist Le Bich Phuong defeated Japanese world champion Kobayashi Miki 4-3 in the 55kg division of the women’s karate competition.


Miki took the lead first, then Bich Phuong gained a 1-1 draw in the tense final at the Guangdong gymnasium. With an excellent blow, Phuong later scored three points to make it 4-1.


The world champion was determined to gain more points during the remaining time but scored only an additional two points.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Eurocham sees investment climate improvement

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:51 pm




Eurocham sees investment climate improvement


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:41 (GMT+7)

Eurocham has acknowledged Vietnam ’s progress in improving its trade and investment environment, particularly in intellectual property and administrative reform, in year-end months.


The statement was made by Alain Cany, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham) while launching the “White Book of Trade/Investment Issues and Recommendations” in Hanoi on Nov. 25.


The White Book, the third edition, will serve as a reference for the Vietnamese Government to address limitations in Vietnam ’s competitiveness such as the quality of labour force, infrastructure, energy supply, encouragement of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and regulatory and administrative reform, said the Eurocham chairman.


As in prior editions, the White Book 2011 aims to summarise some of the key issues affecting the business operations of over 700 European business members in Vietnam . The companies are involved in pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, automobile, tourism and banking sectors.


The White Book 2011 includes additional views on the important areas of PPP and nutritional foods, which drew special attention from EU businesses.


The book will serve as useful information for European companies to better understand Vietnam ’s economic development and legal and investment environment, said Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Minister-Councillor for Trade and Economics at the European Commission delegation.


The edition will also help the Vietnamese Government to clearly understand investors’ interests and aspirations, he added.


It will also support future negotiations on free trade between Vietnam and EU, he said.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Green production and trade to increase incomes for the rural poor

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:51 pm




Green production and trade to increase incomes for the rural poor


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

About 4,800 poor farming households in Vietnam’s northern provinces of Thanh Hoa, Hoa Binh, Nghe An, and Phu Tho will receive aid worth more than US$4.1 million from the Spain’s fund for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Vietnamese Government to increase incomes and employment opportunities.


The information was given at a press briefing to introduce the “Green Production and Trade to Increase Income and Employment Opportunities for the Rural Poor” programme on November 25.


The programme is aimed at increasing the sustainable incomes of raw materials growers and processors, and rural crafts and furniture producing households and enterprises, as well as improving policies and regulatory frameworks at the provincial and national levels for the pro-poor promotion of handicrafts and furniture production.


Scheduled to be implemented over the next three years (2010-2012), the programme is expected to contribute to the completion of the MDGs, the reduction of poverty, the implementation of gender equality, and the sustainable environmental development.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Aid for thousands in four poor provinces

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:51 pm




Aid for thousands in four poor provinces


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

Nearly 5,000 poor households in four provinces will be given a helping hand to increase income and job opportunities during the next two years.


This is one of the main targets of a joint programme on green production and trade in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Hoa Binh and Phu Tho provinces.


The 4.1 million USD scheme has been organised by the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and five United Nations organisations.


More than 40 percent of the beneficiaries have a monthly income of less than 200,000 VND (10 USD).


“The four provinces were selected due to the high incidence of poverty, especially among ethnic minorities, the concentration of raw materials and local production of craft,” said Do Kim Lang, deputy director of the department.


The programme will focus on boosting five crafts based on bamboo ware, producing and weaving silk, sea grass, lacquer ware and handmade paper.


“We want to help poor growers, collectors and producers to improve their products and link them to more profitable markets,” said Lang.


Under the programme, raw bamboo and rattan material will be managed, exploited and developed in a sustainable way.


“Green here means that we will ensure environmental protection when exploiting raw materials, and ensure safe working condition for farmers,” said Lang.


A total of 400ha of bamboo belonging to 150 households have been zoned in Chau Thang district in central Nghe An province.


More than 460ha of rattan have also been planted in the four provinces. Local farmers have received training on planting, harvesting and processing.


More than 500 people in the four provinces have already received basic training in making bamboo products. And more than 740 others have received advanced training to enable them to make complicated and fine art bamboo products. They have been provided with splitting machines and storage facilities.


The export value of bamboo and rattan products in the targeted provinces is expected to rise significantly if there is a well developed understanding of markets, marketing and design.


Service providers will also help run advanced training in business development and invite foreign designers to develop new product ranges for bamboo and rattan.


Handicraft enterprises will be invited on study tours in Vietnam , China and the Philippines . They will also be involved in domestic and international trade fairs.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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NA deputies passes resolution on completion of Dung Quat Oil Refinery

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:50 pm




NA deputies passes resolution on completion of Dung Quat Oil Refinery


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

The NA deputies passed a resolution on completion of Dung Quat oil refinery at the 8th session of the 12th National Assembly which closed in Hanoi on November 26. 


The resolution states that the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Factory Project No 1 has been basically completed and is producing initial results.


The resolution asks the government to continue with a package of measures aimed at ensuring raw materials for the factory to operate steadily in the long-run, and improving the project’s socio-economic efficiency as well as its impact on the key economic zone in the central region.


It also asks relevant agencies to ensure absolute security and safety for the factory under the legal regulations and pay due attention to training hi-tech human resources for the oil refinery industry as well as stabilizing the people’s production activities in the surrounding areas. More importantly, it is necessary to implement the audit of the whole project under the legal regulations.


The same day, NA deputies approved another resolution on the results of supervising the implementation of administrative reform in areas related to citizens and businesses under an overall programme on state administrative reform in the 2001-2010 period.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Cua Viet storm shelter under construction

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:50 pm




Cua Viet storm shelter under construction


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

The Quang Tri provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 25 began construction of Cua Viet storm shelter for ships and boats in Trieu Phong district with a total investment of over VND104 billion.


The construction is divided into two parts, a southern subdivision covering 34ha and a northern subdivision covering 6ha.   


Both areas will be installed with safety facilities such as independent anchor posts, drainage and drift signal systems, and embankments.


The project, being carried out by PetroVietnam Construction Joint Stock Company No 1, Thanh An Construction Joint Stock Company and Trang Sinh Company Limited, will be put into operation in 2012.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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17mln USD to be spent on education for minority groups

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:50 pm




17mln USD to be spent on education for minority groups


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:40 (GMT+7)

The Prime Minister has approved a 341 billion VND (17 million USD) project to improve educational facilities and training standards for students from nine minority groups with low populations from 2010-15.


The investment would help students to work their way out of poverty while preserving their own traditional identity, said Mong Ky Slay, head of the Ethnic Minority Education Department under the Ministry of Education and Training.


A ministry report showed that the nine groups live in poor disadvantaged areas, where literacy levels are between just 30-40 percent and only 15 percent of the people can speak the national language. Most children from the groups drop out of school after second or third grade and few make it to high school or higher education.


The project will focus on upgrading infrastructure and equipping schools with more teaching materials.


It will also pay for training to give teachers a better understanding of the minority groups they teach.


Each poor pre-school student will be entitled to 30 percent of the government minimum salary per month, which currently stands at 730,000 VND (37.5 USD).


Pupils enrolled in primary schools will receive assistance of 40-60 percent, students in secondary boarding schools will receive 60 percent while students at boarding high schools will receive 100 percent of the minimum salary.


All the students will be encouraged to follow further education and high school graduates wishing to attend colleges, universities or vocational schools will be given priority depending on their abilities and desires.


Van Trong Luu, deputy head of Kon Tum province’s Minority Group Education Management Division said that students from the Brau and Bo Mam ethnic groups have been given care and support under Government and provincial policies including scholarships and meals.


However, those students are included in a socio-economic development programme for remote disadvantaged areas whereas this project is the first of its kind aimed at minority groups with low populations.


The project will support the O Du, Pu Peo, Si La, Ro Nam, Cong, B’rau, Bo Y, Mang and Co Lao groups from the provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, central Nghe An and the Central Highland province of Kon Tum; each has a population of 300-2,000 people.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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12th NA concludes its eighth session in Hanoi

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 1:49 pm




12th NA concludes its eighth session in Hanoi


QĐND – Friday, November 26, 2010, 20:44 (GMT+7)

After a full month of intensive work with a democratic spirit of renewal and a high sense of responsibility, the 12th National Assembly (NA) closed its eighth session in Hanoi on November 26.  


At this session, NA members reviewed the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the State budget for 2010, worked out a new plan for socio-economic development and the State budget for next year, carried out law making and supervisory programmes, and made decisions on important national issues.


In his closing speech, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said the NA agreed that this year, the entire Party, people and soldiers spared no efforts to overcome every difficulty and challenge in order to fulfill the targets of socio-economic development. Most of the set targets have been reached and the national economy has recovered from recession and posted a relatively high growth rate. The State budget’s revenues have increased while social welfare continue to see improvements.


However, NA deputies admitted some weaknesses and limitations such as unsustainable growth, slow economic restructuring, poor competitiveness, high trade deficit, high budget overspending and public debts, and low investment efficiency.


In addition, inflation controls have proved ineffective. The price of essential goods is not yet under control and the gold market and the foreign exchange rates still face instabilities.


Regarding the 2011 plan for socio-economic development, NA deputies underlined the need to stabilise the economy, control inflation along with renewing the growth model and restructuring the economy, attain a higher economic growth rate than 2010, and increase the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the national economy.


It is essential to ensure social welfare, improve people’s living standards, maintain political stability, national defense and security, and increase the efficiency of foreign affairs- related work and international integration.


The NA approved 9 draft laws and one resolution, including the Environmental Protection Tax Law, the Consumer Rights Protection Law, the Minerals Law (revised), Amendments and Supplements to some Articles in the Securities Law, the Insurance Business Law, the Law on the Election of NA and People’s Council members and a resolution on tax policy for agricultural land use.


They also held debates on 9 other draft laws, including the Independent Auditing Law, the Capital Law, the Complaints & Denunciations Law, the Measurement Law, the Anti- Human Trafficking Law, the Archives Law, the Cooperative Law (revised), and Amendments and Supplements to some Articles of the Civil Procedure Code.


The NA questioned four ministers with the participation of two deputy ministers and six other ministers who also explained related issues. The Prime Minister also directly answered queries raised by NA deputies and clarified a number of major issues relating to the government’s management and guidance.


The NA’s question and answer sessions focused on key issues of great concern to NA members and voters such as price fluctuations, the trade deficit, management and operational efficiency of groups and State corporations (the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group known as Vinashin is for example),  power supplies and safety, and the efficiency of a bauxite project in the central highlands.


Q&A sections continued to be improved, obtain practical results and were conducted in a frank, open, and constructive manner. Many NA members admitted their sectors’ weaknesses and limitations and clarified their individual responsibility.


In conclusion, NA Chairman Trong said the eighth session discussed many important issues with heart-felt opinions from NA deputies and thorough preparations of the NA and relevant agencies.


Before the closing ceremony, the NA voted for the approval of a resolution on the Dung Quat refinery project. By a 90.26 percent vote, the NA adopted a resolution on the implementation of administrative procedures relating to citizens and businesses under an overall administrative reform programme in the 2001-2010 period.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Vietnam to face serious drought

In Uncategorized on November 26, 2010 at 11:23 am

Vietnam is forecast to face quite a few serious drought times in 2011, especially during the dry season from December, 2010 to April, the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Centre has warned.

File photo shows a drought paddy field in the Mekong Delta


Water level in the Red River may take the record low of just 0.1 metre in 2010, said the centre.


Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat on November 25 instructed related departments to take precautions against droughts as well as ensure enough water for spring-winter crop in three areas, including northern, southeast and Mekong Delta regions.


According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the rain season was over in the three areas, however, rainfall just reached from 62% – 85% in this year.


The ministry asked locals nationwide to not release water to catch fishes. Mekong Delta provinces need to build dam to prevent sea water intrusion, said the ministry.

Source: SGGP