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IELTS network extended in Vietnam

In Politics-Society on March 23, 2010 at 4:17 pm




IELTS network extended in Vietnam


QĐND – Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 20:55 (GMT+7)

Hanoi University and the Australia’s IDP Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to grant the IELTS certification to the University on March 20.


The extension of this certifiaction, coded as VN104, will create favourable conditions for students to take the test. In addition, IDP has empowered the Hanoi University to organise IELTS training courses at the Australian Centre for Education and Training.


Source: Thanh Nien


Translated by Hoang Anh


Source: QDND

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NA Chairman receives senior Chinese legislator

In Politics-Society on March 23, 2010 at 4:17 pm




NA Chairman receives senior Chinese legislator


QĐND – Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 20:55 (GMT+7)

The legislative bodies of Vietnam and China should maintain regular exchanges of visits to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation, says National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.  


The agreement was shared at a meeting in Hanoi on March 23 between Chairman Trong and Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who is visiting Vietnam.


Mr Trong welcomed Ms Yan’s visit as it is taking place at a time when the two countries are carrying out various activities to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.


He noted that the strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China has developed strongly in all areas under the motto of “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and future-oriented vision”, and in the spirit of “Good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners.”


Mr Trong spoke highly of China’s tremendous achievements in implementing its reform and open-door policy and said its development experience is valuable to Vietnam.


The Vietnam National Assembly is making every effort to increase its operational efficiency in legislation, supervision and decision-making in order to successfully build a law-governed socialist State and promote democracy, said Mr Trong.


Ms Yan affirmed that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Vietnam, which were founded by late presidents Mao Zedong of China and Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam. 


As the two countries have many things in common and are both carrying out the open-door policy, they can learn from each other’s development experience, she said.


She echoed Mr Trong saying the two legislative bodies should increase regular exchanges of visits and cooperation, especially in legislation and supervision.


The same day, Ms Yan laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and visited several historical and cultural relics in Hanoi.   


Source: VOV


 


Source: QDND

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Website for handicapped Vietnamese launched

In Politics-Society on March 23, 2010 at 4:16 pm




Website for handicapped Vietnamese launched


QĐND – Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 20:55 (GMT+7)

The Association for the Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans (ASVHO) has officially launched their website at http://www.asvho.org.vn on March 23.


Addressing the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Dam Huu Dac spoke highly of efforts by the association and the Belgian Embassy’s financial assistance have in the building of the website.


The website plays an important role for Vietnamese who are handicapped or orphans, affirmed Dac, adding that it will be a forum for them to share information and life experiences as well as to learn about their legitimate rights and interests, helping them integrate into the society.


The website includes 13 main sections, covering information about the ASVHO, its organisation and operation, policies and laws relating to the handicapped and orphans, and tips for taking care of the disabled.


Nguyen Dinh Lieu, ASVHO Chairman, said that the website will be continually improved to better serve those in need.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Strict punishment urged for pedestrian traffic violations.

In Politics-Society on March 22, 2010 at 4:07 pm




Strict punishment urged for pedestrian traffic violations.


QĐND – Monday, March 22, 2010, 20:38 (GMT+7)

The Ministry of Transport has recommended to the Prime Minister that fines for pedestrians violating traffic laws in Hanoi and HCM City should be raised as a measure to reduce traffic jams and accidents.


The proposal is part of the draft decree on road traffic fines, which proposes fines at about 50 percent higher than currently regulated in Decree 146/2007/ND-CP.


For example, pedestrians who ignore traffic lights, road signs and police direction would have to pay fines of 60,000-80,000 VND (3-4 USD). Those not using pedestrian crossings would be fined 80,000-100,000 VND (4-6 USD).


“Pedestrians still have a poor awareness of traffic rules. In many cases, pedestrians have caused fatal accidents,” said Than Van Thanh, chief of the Secretariat of the National Committee of Road Safety’s Office.


“Normally, police punish pedestrians only when they are responsible for causing accident,” said Nguyen Van Me, head of Traffic Police Team No6 under the Hanoi Traffic Police Division. He said that his team had not punished any pedestrian last year.


Many pedestrians argued that they had to walk on roads because the pavements were occupied by parked vehicles or business; and they did not across the stress at pedestrian crossings or footbridges because there were too few of them and not ideally placed.


Huyen Trang, a 20 year-old Hanoi University student, said that she usually saw people climb over barriers to cross from Nga Tu So Market to the other side instead of using the footbridge.


“I’m sometimes startled by people suddenly running out in front of Nga Tu So overpass. It’s too dangerous,” said Trang.


According to HCM City’ Road Safety Committee, last year, 59 traffic accidents, accounting for 5.25 percent of the total number of cases in the city, were caused by pedestrians, killing 42 people and injuring 17.


Under the draft, fines or motorbikes, cars, coaches violating traffic law also set to increase.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Party conference prepares for national congress

In Politics-Society on March 22, 2010 at 4:06 pm




Party conference prepares for national congress


QĐND – Monday, March 22, 2010, 20:39 (GMT+7)

The Party Central Committee opened its 12th conference in Hanoi on March 22 to discuss and approve draft documents to be presented at the upcoming National Party Congress slated for January 2011.


The documents include the (revised) 1991 programme on national construction in the transition period toward socialism, a 10-year strategy for socio-economic development through 2020, a political report from the 10th Party Central Committee, and a report on the implementation of Party Rules and proposed amendments.


During the week-long event, senior Party members will also look at personnel plans for the upcoming Party Central Committee and decide on the number of delegates to the Party Congress.


At the opening ceremony, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh highlighted the importance of the conference, saying it will set a new course for the Vietnamese revolution in the long run, as well as during each specific stage.


He said the documents have been supplemented and amended by the compiling board, which collected opinions from former Party and State leaders, key provincial and municipal officials, experienced State managers in various areas and leading scientists. Most leaders have reached a consensus on viewpoints, and several opinions should be discussed at the conference to come to conclusions.


Mr Manh said the political report, which was put on the agenda for discussion at the 11th Party conference, will include orientations and tasks for socio-economic development over the next five years, as well as Party building work. The report will help concretise the revised 1991 programme and a national five-year plan for socio-economic development through 2015.


The conference will review the implementation of the resolutions adopted at the 10th National Party Congress, the 2001-2010 strategy for socio-economic development, and the 1991 programme.


Another important task for the upcoming Party Congress is to elect a new Party Central Committee, which will lead the entire Party, the army and people to successfully carry out the Doi Moi (Renewal) and international integration process. 


General Secretary Manh asked delegates to discuss a plan drafted by the Sub-Committee on Personnel in terms of candidate criteria, numbers, structure, age, nominations, selection and voting.


New Party Central Committee members must be competent theoretically and practically, have political conscience, moral qualities and a healthy lifestyle, and win trust from the Party and people, said Mr Manh.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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6th HCM City Books Festival ended

In Politics-Society on March 22, 2010 at 4:06 pm




6th HCM City Books Festival ended


QĐND – Monday, March 22, 2010, 21:38 (GMT+7)

PANO – 4 million books have been sold at the 6th Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City Book Festival, with a turnover of over VND 20 billion.


The HCM City Book Festival with the subject “ Books, knowledge, integration and development” ended on the evening of 21st  March.


During the festival, the organising board mobilised 10,000 books worth VND 300 million from 20 publishers to offer officers and soldiers garrisoned in border stations, islands and in DK1 maritime observation posts.


The offering aimed to improve the cultural and spiritual life for officers, soldiers of border and island units.


The book festival lasted for a week with various attractive activities, such as seminars, press conferences, books introduction, art and music performances to honor workers in publishing and printing, as well as reading culture.


Translated by Phuong Linh – Thu Nguyen


Source: QDND

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Google Maps asked to correct mistake

In Politics-Society on March 21, 2010 at 7:28 am




Google Maps asked to correct mistake


QĐND – Saturday, March 20, 2010, 20:53 (GMT+7)

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga has asked Google Maps to correct its description of the land demarcation line between Vietnam and China.


Google Maps presents an incorrect boundary line between Vietnam and China, and Vietnam requests that Google correct the mistake according to the official map of Vietnam, Ms Nga said in response to reporters’ questions on March 20.


Vietnam and China signed a protocol on border demarcation and landmark planting, an agreement on land border management regulations and an agreement on border gates and regulations on land border gate management in November 2009.


With the signing of these documents, Ms Nga said, the border between Vietnam and China has been positioned clearly on the map.


Both sides are to ratify the documents according to the law of their respective countries to bring them to life, she said.


The new documents will be deposited at the United Nations and supplied to global mapping and publishing organisations, alongside the 1999 Vietnam-China border demarcation treaty and relevant documents still in effect.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Government moves to keep prices stable

In Politics-Society on March 21, 2010 at 7:28 am




Government moves to keep prices stable


QĐND – Saturday, March 20, 2010, 20:53 (GMT+7)

The Government has placed great importance on inspecting and monitoring the market while ensuring sufficient stocks of commodities for consumption to manage prices in a stable manner.


Finance Minister Vu Van Ninh made the statement at the 29th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee in Hanoi on March 19.


He said the consumer price index (CPI) increase of 3.35 percent in the past two months was reasonable and in line with expectation.


He affirmed that the adjusted 6.8 percent rise in electricity prices this year would push the CPI up by 0.16 percent and increase production costs for some sectors by between 0.09 percent and 2.28 percent.


Minister Ninh noted that the adjustment in the price of coal for electricity generation will impact only the price of electricity, not that of other commodities, as in the remaining months of this year, electricity and coal prices will not be adjusted further.


He cited reports from localities saying in the meantime, commodity prices are inching down with that of foodstuffs decreasing more than that of grains.


Regarding the issue of budget deficit, he said last year due to an economic decline, the Government launched stimulus packages to promote production, which, however, resulted in a slight increase in budget overspending.


This year, the Government has set out to reduce overspending by keeping expenditures in check, he said.


“At present, the national debt balance remains at a safe level with no bad debts, ensuring financial security,” Minister Ninh emphasised.


VOVNews/VNA


Source: QDND

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Int’l Francophone Day marked in Hanoi

In Politics-Society on March 21, 2010 at 7:27 am




Int’l Francophone Day marked in Hanoi


QĐND – Saturday, March 20, 2010, 20:53 (GMT+7)

A ceremony was held at Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 19 to mark International Francophone Day (March 20).


Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem expressed his pleasure at the constant development of the International Francophone Organisation (OIF) over the past 40 years with its steadily rising membership, now totalling 70 countries.


He also praised the OIF’s activities in politics, economics, culture and education, and its increasing role in addressing global issues concerning peace, security, sustainable development and cultural diversity.


Vietnam always attaches great importance to relations with the OIF and has made active contributions to the development of the organisation, said Mr Ninh.


He stressed that with its Renewal achievements over the past 20 years, Vietnam is ready to share experiences in national development with other member countries, especially in the fields of its strengths like food security.


Patrice Burel, Director of the Regional Bureau of Asia Pacific (BRAP) in Hanoi, under the OIF, praised close cooperation between the organisation and Vietnam, one of its first members, and affirmed that the OIF will continue to support the teaching of the French language in Vietnam.


On this occasion, Phan Thanh Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City National University was presented with an insignia for his contributions to French teaching by the community of Embassies and delegation of Francophone countries and the OIF in Hanoi.


Source: VOVNews/VNA


Source: QDND

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A website on Thang Long-Hanoi activated

In Politics-Society on March 19, 2010 at 4:43 pm




A website on Thang Long-Hanoi activated


QĐND – Friday, March 19, 2010, 20:39 (GMT+7)

PANO – The Hanoi People’s Committee and the Vietnam News Agency on March 18th officially put the website www.hanoi.vietnamplus.vn with four versions of Vietnamese, English, Spanish and French into operation.


The website aims to introduce updated information on 1,000 years of Thang Long-Hanoi and other beautiful landscapes throughout Vietnam to international and domestic audiences.


In addition, numerous activities relating to the economy and socio-culture will also be posted on this website.


Hundreds of items of news and articles in four languages have been included to date.


Notably, precious photos of ancient Hanoi and daily routines of Hanoians since as far back as the 19th century are available for viewers.


Translated by Mai Huong


Source: QDND