Vietnamese News Agency back issues from August 2008:
Cambodia-Japan trade agreement comes into effect.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - An investment agreement between Cambodia and Japan which will offer Japanese investors preferential treatment and ease their entry into Cambodia has come into force. The agreement symbolises the first step of strengthening economic relations between Japan ...
Kuwaiti Prime Minister to visit Laos.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will pay an official visit to Laos from August 5-6, the Vientiane Times reported on August 1. The two-day visit is at the invitation of Lao ...
Malaysia, Brunei to play more sport together.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- Malaysia and Brunei have agreed to further enhance cooperation in sports activities, especially those involving young people, Malaysia's Bernama news agency reported. The agreement was reached in a closed-door meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister ...
Malaysia, Indonesia agree to create regional TV.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Kuala Lumpur, August 1 (VNA) -- Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to create a regional television broadcast to carry news items from Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and Indonesia's TVRI, local media reported. Additionally, the programme would broadcast Asian regional news, ...
Thailand to sell 2.1 million tonnes of rice.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Bangkok, August 1 (VNA) -- The Thai government has agreed to sell 2.1 million tonnes of rice in its stocks on a government-to-government basis, local media reported. Several African and Asian countries have expressed interest in buying Thai rice in quantity, with prices yet ...
Int'l monitors speak highly of Cambodia's election.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Phnom Penh, August 1 (VNA) -- The US-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) has praised the organisation of the July 27 general election in Cambodia, local media reported on July 31. NDI saw that Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) has performed its task with a high ...
Thailand to conduct rescue training in Myanmar.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - A Thai-based technical institute will conduct disaster-related emergency rescue training courses for Myanmar engineers, aimed at dealing with natural disasters. The Asian Institute of Technology of Thailand will give the two-year training to members of ...
China opens high-speed railway ahead of Olympics.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Beijing, August 1 (VNA) - Two official ceremonies were held in Beijing and Olympic co-host city Tianjin on August 1, marking the opening of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, one week before the Games begin. The two opening ceremonies were staged at the new Beijing South ...
Japanese government resigns for reshuffle.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Tokyo, August 1 (VNA) -- The Japanese government on August 1 resigned, paving the way for a reshuffle by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. PM Fukuda convened the cabinet for a brief meeting at which all of the cabinet's ministers handed ...
HCM City seeks funds for hi-tech, green projects.
Aug 01, 2008 ... HCM City, August 1 (VNA) -- Ho Chi Minh City is seeking investment in hi-tech, environmentally friendly projects to meet development demand in the next two years, according to the city's Planning and Investment Department. Hardware, software development and production of ...
Cataract disease on increase in Vietnam.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- An additional 170,000 Vietnamese have been diagnosed with cataract-related eye diseases each year, according to a report delivered at a national conference on blindness prevention in Hanoi on August 1. The Central Eye Hospital 's recent survey shows that ...
People's Council of expanded Hanoi opens first session.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- The People's Council of the expanded Hanoi opened its first session on August 1 -- the first day the capital city's administrative boundary officially expanded to encompass Ha Tay province and parts of neighbouring Vinh Phuc and Hoa Binh provinces. ...
French Senator: Vietnam-France cooperation to be more practical.
Aug 01, 2008 ... HCM City, August 1 (VNA) -- Vietnam-France cooperation should become more practical to bring happiness for their ordinary citizens, French Senate President Christian Poncelet has said. After witnessing a young patient undergo heart surgery at the Ho Chi Minh City Heart Hospital, ...
Vietnam supports extension of UNAMID's mandate.
Aug 01, 2008 ... New York, August 1 (VNA) -- Vietnamese Representative to t he UN Security Council, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, said on July 31 that by voting in favour of the council's Resolution 1828, Vietnam once again showed its support for early full deployment of the UN-African Union peacekeeping force ...
Vietnam, Singapore diversify rapport over 35 years.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- The friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore over the past 35 years have been expanded to and diversified in various fields of politics, economics, trade, investment and culture. The remark was made by President of the Vietnam Union of ...
Seven journalists have press cards revoked.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- The Ministry of Information and Communications has revoked seven journalists' press cards for their alleged violation of professional operations, including two for corruption. A decision, signed on August 1 by Deputy Minister of Information and ...
Vietnam hands over paedophile to FBI.
Aug 01, 2008 ... HCM City, August 1 (VNA) -- The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Agency handed over a Vietnamese-American paedophile to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 1. Dang Van Viet, 44, who lived in US' Waldorf Maryland was wanted by ...
Vietnamese monthly spending doubles.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- Vietnamese have this year each been spending an average of 886,000 VND a month, doubling last year's monthly average, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said. While attributing the surge in spending to high inflation, the GSO also pointed to a growing ...
Information and Education Sector's Traditional Day marked.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- State President Nguyen Minh Triet has praised the information and education sector for encouraging the people to be proactive in the social life. President Triet made the statement at the 78 th anniversary of the Information and Education Sector's ...
Mekong water potential untapped.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Mekong Delta, August 1 (VNA) -- The country is wasting resources by not taking full advantage of the transportation potential of the Mekong River system, experts have said. Demand for goods from the delta region in HCM City and its neighbouring provinces has kept increasing ...
HCM City targets 55 percent of workers trained.
Aug 01, 2008 ... HCM City, August 1 (VNA) -- The rate of workers receiving vocational training must reach 50 percent in the whole country and 55 percent in Ho Chi Minh City by 2010, said Chairwoman of the HCM City People's Council Pham Phuong Thao. To fulfill the city's target, Chairwoman Thao ...
2,128 billion VND raised for the poor.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- The fund for the poor has since its establishment raised more than 2.128 trillion VND and upgraded 778,000 solidarity houses, said the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee's Presidium. At the Presidium's 12 th meeting held in Hanoi from July ...
First Vietnamese workers sent to Finland under labour contract.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - More than 100 Vietnamese workers arrived in Finland on July 30 under a labour agreement between Finland 's Riitan Herkku Company and Vinamex of Vietnam. They are the first Vietnamese workers officially sent to Finland under short-term labour contracts. ...
Vietnam -- Italy's key economic strategy.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Roma, August 1 (VNA) -- Vietnam is on a list that Italy attaches importance to economic development, both Italy's Foreign Minister and head of the largest employers' association have stressed. Together with other countries like Israel, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Japan ...
French agency helps Lao Cai develop infrastructure.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- The French Development Agency (AFD) will provide 800,000 EUR in non-refundable aid and 22 million EUR in loans to help northern mountainous Lao Cai province develop rural infrastructure. The two agreements were signed between representatives of Vietnam ...
Vietcombank enjoys bumper harvest of titles.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - Asiamoney magazine has awarded the Joint-Stock Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) with the title "the best cash manager of 2008 in Vietnam ". The magazine says the award is in recognition of the bank's creative solutions in cash management, ...
Saigontourist signs recruitment deal with Costa Crociere S.p.A.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - Saigontourist has signed a contract with Costa Crociere S.p.A of Italy to recruit Vietnamese labour to work aboard five-star cabin cruisers on Europe-America and Asia-Pacific routes. Under the deal, at least 200 workers will be recruited for the rest of ...
Dong Nai province strict with polluting IZs.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Dong Nai, August 1 (VNA) -- The managing board of industrial zones (IZs) in southern Dong Nai province has announced that IZs lacking waste water treatment systems would not be licensed for operation from January 1, 2009. According to the vice chairman of the provincial People's ...
Over 100 Thai businesses to display products in Vietnam.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- More than 100 Thai businesses will participate in an exposition of Thailand 's products, scheduled to be held in Hanoi from August 7-10. The businesses will showcase their machineries, industrial and electric products, foods, cosmetics and ...
Vietnamese, Mexican shoe industries seek closer ties.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Mexico City, August 1 (VNA) -- Leather shoe producers and exporters from Vietnam and Mexico gathered at a seminar in Mexico City on July 31 to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation. Participants, including representatives from 14 Vietnamese businesses and 20 local ...
Vietnam to import fertiliser till 2020.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- Vietnam will have to import more than 500,000 tonnes of fertilisers of various kinds annually from now to 2010 and may only stop the import by 2020, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has said. Addressing a seminar ...
Vietnamese athletes leave for Beijing Olympics.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) - The Vietnamese team to the Beijing Olympics was seen off by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Hanoi on August 1. The 53-member team, including 21 athletes, is headed by Hoang Vinh Giang, Deputy President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Olympics ...
King Quang Trung's merit highlighted at festival.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- A grand memorial service was dedicated to Vietnam 's National Hero Nguyen Hue in the central province of Binh Dinh on August 1, as part of the ongoing Tay Son - Binh Dinh Festival. Nguyen Hue later known as King Quang Trung, together with his two ...
State leader receives FIFA president.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 1 (VNA) -- State President Nguyen Minh Triet spoke highly of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA)'s projects and programmes to help develop Vietnam 's football. Receiving FIFA President Joseph Blatter in Hanoi on August 1, the Vietnamese ...
Int'l festival for Vietnamese traditional martial arts opens.
Aug 01, 2008 ... Binh Dinh, August 1 (VNA) -- More than 1,000 foreign and local martial artists gathered in Quy Nhon city, central Binh Dinh province on July 31 for the 2 nd international festival for Vietnamese traditional martial arts. The four-day event, which is part of the Tay Son-Binh Dinh ...
Thai Cabinet reshuffle list announced.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Bangkok, August 2 (VNA) - Thailand's reshuffled cabinet list was announced on August 2 evening after King Bhumibol Adulyadej give his royal endorsement to the lineup, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said earlier that the shake-up was ...
Asian Science Camp to be held in Bali.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Jakarta, August 2 (VNA) - The Asian Science Camp (ASC) 2008 is to be organised in the Indonesian resort island of Bali from August 3 to 9, 2008, and attended by five Nobel Laureates, Antara news agency reported. The Nobel Laureates to be participating in the ASC 2008 are Prof. ...
New Japan cabinet launched, PM aims new start.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Tokyo, August 2 (VNA) - The reshuffled Cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was formally launched on August 2 following an attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace. In his statement issued to the people of Japan , PM Fukuda pledged to make the utmost efforts in tackling ...
IOC donates 4 mil. USD to China's quake-hit areas.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Beijing, August 2 (VNA) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge handed over a 4-million-USD cheque on August 2 to China's quake-hit Sichuan province. In the meantime, the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and the Chinese Olympic ...
Foreign art troupes perform at Binh Dinh festival.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Binh Dinh, August 2 (VNA) -- A performance of two art troupes from the Republic of Korea and Laos was held in the central province of Binh Dinh on August 2, as part of the ongoing Tay Son - Binh Dinh Festival. Twenty artists from the Chong Dong art troupe performed at ...
Month of HIV/AIDS control gets official name.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has decided the name for the annual month of dissemination on HIV/AIDS control as "National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Control", which is organised from November 10-December 10. Deputy PM Trong, who is also Chairman ...
Communications aid bio-diversity preservation.
Aug 02, 2008 ... HCM City , August 2 (VNA) -- More than 100 representatives from southern preservation zones and national parks discussed the role of communication and education programmes in preserving bio-diversity in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2. Hoang Nghia Son, Director of the Institute of ...
Both bourses down in last week.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- Both bourses completed the last week of the month showing falls in many shares. The VN-Index closed on August 1 at 447.11, a drop of 0.94 percent. Of the 160 listed shares in Ho Chi Minh City , there were 63 gainers, eight remained unchanged and 89 were ...
AJC preps for IPO of nearly 4 million shares on HSTC.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- Agribank Gold, Silver and Gemstone Trading JSC (AJC) will make an initial public offering (IPO) of nearly 3.8 million shares at the initial price of 10,200 VND per share on the Hanoi Securities Trading Centre on ...
Hotels are pricier, despite more rooms.
Aug 02, 2008 ... HCM City, August 2 (VNA) -- Accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton Vietnam 's latest survey results on Vietnam 's hotels show increases in average room rates and number of rooms. The Hotel Survey 2008, which covers 37 three -- to five-star hotels and resorts with more ...
Businesses to get registration certificates within five days.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- It will take businesses a maximum of just five days to receive business registration certificates, according to a new inter-ministry circular released on July 29. Under the circular, issued by the ministries of Finance, Planning and Investment, and ...
Overseas remittances rise sharply this year.
Aug 02, 2008 ... HCM City, August 2 (VNA) -- The amount of overseas remittances from overseas Vietnamese has grown dramatically this year, according to a banking authority. Nguyen Ngoc Lam, deputy director of the State Bank of Vietnam 's Foreign Exchange Management Department, said overseas ...
Expanded Hanoi eyes high GDP growth.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- The expanded Hanoi will strive for a GDP growth rate of 11.5-12 percent in addition to an average per capita income of 1,500 USD in the remaining five months of the year. It will also target a rise of 18-19 percent in social investment, an export growth ...
State funds flood control in mountainous provinces.
Aug 02, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 2 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to pour 60 billion VND from the State budget to help northern mountainous provinces of Bac Kan , Ha Giang and Lao Cai prevent storms and floods. Bac Kan province will be provided with 20 billion VND to overcome ...
Laos sets to earn 1 bln USD from exports by 2010.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Vientiane, August 3 (VNA) -- Laos has set a target to earn around 1 billion USD from exports by 2010, said the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce. To reach the target, the Lao government is stepping up efforts to attract foreign investment and encourage investors to focus on ...
Malaysia plans to build its fourth cyber city.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Kuala Lumpur, August 3 (VNA) -- Malaysia has a plan to develop Kota Samarahan into the country's fourth cyber city in order to draw investments from companies having multimedia super corridor (MSC) status, local media reported. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus ...
Indonesian factory worker dies of bird flu.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 3 (VNA) - An Indonesian factory worker died of bird flu, bringing the death toll in the country worst hit by the H5N1 virus to 112, a top health official was quoted as saying on August 3. The 19-year-old worker, died last week in a hospital just west ...
Cambodia, Thailand in standoff over 2nd temple.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Phnom Penh, August 3 (VNA) - Cambodia said on August 3 that Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along on their border in an escalation of an ongoing standoff between the neighbours last month. About 70 Thai soldiers on July 31 occupied the 13th century Ta Moan Thom ...
Student crowned Miss Tourism Vietnam.
Aug 03, 2008 ... HCM City, August 3 (VNA) -- Phan Thi Ngoc Diem, a student from central Khanh Hoa province, was crowned Miss Tourism Vietnam 2008 on the evening of August 2. Ngoc Diem, who is now studying at the Ho Chi Minh City Foreign Trade University , surpassed 35 rivals at the final round ...
Vietnam on top list of apparel retail destinations.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 3 (VNA) -- On the apparel retail front, Vietnam is on top of the list of the most lucrative retail destinations, the place India was five years ago, the Economic Times (India) reported. "Ready to take off, Vietnam could challenge India's dominant position," the ...
First "Vietnamese Workers' Day" held in RoK.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Seoul, August 3 (VNA) - Almost 1,000 Vietnamese guest workers from over 4,000 businesses in the Republic of Korea flocked to capital Seoul on August 3 for a get-together hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Shinhan Bank. Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs ...
July automobile imports drop sharply.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 3 (VNA) -- Vietnam imported 3,000 completely-built automobiles in July, down 23 percent from the previous month mainly due to the higher import tariffs imposed on the products, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) reported. July is the third month in a row to ...
Hanoi trade fair to highlight Thai products.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 3 (VNA) -- As many as 100 businesses from Thailand and their sale agents in Vietnam will showcase products at an annual trade fair slated for Hanoi from August 7-10. More than 150 booths will feature a wide range of goods from machinery, industrial, electric and ...
Foreign consultants offer ideas on Hanoi's future urban scene.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi (VNA ) -- The Government elite sat down on August 3 to hear three foreign consultants present their ideas for a development plan for the expanded Hanoi . Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung chaired the meeting, which saw the presence of Deputy PMs Nguyen Sinh Hung, Pham Gia ...
Gov't tough in inflation control.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 3 (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has warned of tough measures, including the revocation of business licenses or lawsuits, against any speculations of commodities or attempt to cash in on the petrol price hike to illegally increase product prices. In an ...
"Vietnam: Past and Present" workshop in Thailand.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Bangkok, August 3 (VNA) -- Achievements brought about by the renovation process (Doi Moi) in Vietnam and the country's policy for foreign investors were highlighted at a workshop in Thailand's capital city of Bangkok on August 3. Speaking at the "Vietnam: Past and Present" ...
Southern province builds safe water system for ethnic minorities.
Aug 03, 2008 ... Binh Thuan, August 3 (VNA) -- Southern Binh Thuan province has earmarked 3 billion VND (around 182,000 USD) allocated from the State budget to help its Tanh Linh district develop safe water supply system for mountainous and ethnic minority areas. Tanh Linh district will install ...
Iran, Vietnam celebrate diplomatic anniversary.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Tehran , August 4 (VNA) -- A meeting was held in Tehran , Iran , on August 4 to mark the day 35 years ago when Iran and Vietnam set up their diplomatic ties. The event was co-hosted by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' friendship coordination centre, the Iran-Vietnam ...
Political course for Lao lecturers opens.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 4 (VNA) -- A political course for Lao provincial political and administrative lecturers opened at the Ho Chi Minh National Politics and Administration Academy in Hanoi on August 4. Speaking at the inauguration, deputy director of the national academy, Dr Nguyen ...
General Giap welcomes Swiss assistance in education.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Hanoi, August 4 (VNA) -- Vietnam wishes to receive continued assistance from Switzerland, especially in education and technology, General Vo Nguyen Giap said while receiving Swiss President Pascal Couchepin at his house in Hanoi on August 4. General Giap said he wants young ...