Huge sums poured into houses for stable-income earners

Hanoi (VNA) – Approximately 49 trillion VND (3 billion USD) will be invested in building 184,000 low-price apartments for people with stable incomes in urban areas over the 2009-2015 period.

According to a project submitted by the Ministry of Construction to the Government on September 29, the apartments will meet demand for accommodation by 30 percent of households who face housing difficulties in urban areas.

Of the total investment, 25.6 trillion VND will be sourced from the State budget and the remainder will be mobilised from economic sectors.

According to the ministry’s proposal, the provincial People’s Committees will decide who will be allowed to buy or rent low-price apartments.In addition, prospective house purchasers must meet minimum monthly income levels in accordance with the regulations.

To encourage economic sectors to participate in the construction of the social housing fund, the Ministry of Construction has also proposed extending land, tax and investment credit incentives to projects in this field.

The ministry’s survey reveals that the country now has almost 2 million civil servants, with two thirds of them able to afford to buy houses, whilst those who don’t own houses are mainly young people.

The average housing area for civil servants is only 7-7.5 sq.m in Hanoi and 12 sq.m in Ho Chi Minh City . More than 30 percent of households possess a housing area under 36 sq.m.

Around 15-20 percent of households in all economic sectors in urban areas are facing real difficulties in obtaining quality, spacious accommodation, according to the survey.-

Seminar seeks to increase community involvement in HIV prevention

Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar was held in Hanoi on September 30 to discuss improving the role played by social organisations in drafting anti-HIV/AIDS plans as part of the Global Fund.

The ninth round of the community-based plan will focus on raising public awareness of HIV/AIDS, administering methadone in drug detoxification and using antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS carriers to help improve their health and extend their lives.

So far, the Global Fund’s project has been implemented in 20 cities and provinces nationwide, having helped to increase the levels of care, consultation and treatment of those living with HIV/ AIDS at medical, education and social labour centres across the country.

The project has also helped to strengthen co-ordination between such centres, medical establishments and the community in fighting the HIV/ AIDS epidemic in implementing the national strategy for HIV/ AIDS prevention and control until 2010.-

VN-China committee resolves border issues

The 30th chair-level meeting of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee for Land Border Demarcation and Landmark Planting took place in Beijing from Sept. 9-28.

The two sides worked together to come to unanimous agreement on all outstanding matters relating to the work of border demarcation and landmark planting.

They also agreed to send joint teams to conduct field trips and manage the works as well as to cooperate on any related matters to ensure that the task is completed on schedule, as agreed by the leaders of the two countries.

The 31st chair-level meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held in Vietnam next month.-

Vietnam congratulates China on spacewalk

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sent a message of congratulations to his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao after the successful launching of the spacecraft Shenzhou-7.

The event also marked the first time that Chinese astronauts aboard China’s third manned mission have carried out a successful space walk.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem marked the occasion by sending a congratulatory message to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi.-

Vietnamese firms help Cuban hurricane victims

Rice and commodities worth 120,000 USD were donated to the Cuban Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 29 to help Cuban victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The relief, donated by Thai Binh Trade and Investment Joint Stock Company, the Hoang Yen Construction Company and the Giang Viet Company, will be channeled to residents of five Cuban provinces, namely Pinar Del Riop, Isla De La Guventud, Las Tunas, Holguin and Guatanamo, which were most affected by the two consecutive storms.

The Cuban Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City , Ilianna Heznandez expressed her gratitude for the Vietnamese aid, which comes at a time when Vietnam is facing great losses due to storm damage and associated flooding.

She added that the two storms wreaked havoc in 12 of 14 cities and provinces of Cuba, destroying almost 450,000 houses and making over 200,000 people homeless. Losses are estimated at up to 5 billion USD.

Earlier, the Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee also donated a total of 100,000 USD to Cuban victims of the two storms.

On the same day, the Commission for Mass Mobilisation of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee launched a campaign to raise funds to provide aid for the Cuban victims.

Addressing the ceremony, head of the commission Ha Thi Khiet said despite the fact that many localities in the country are facing difficulties caused by storms and floods, helping the Cuban people is necessary in order to further develop solidarity between the two parties, States and people.

During the ceremony, the commission staff each donated at least one-day salary in contributions to help the Cuban storm victims.-

Vietnam, China to further cross-border cooperation

Four Vietnamese northern border provinces have signed minutes of their joint working groups’ first meeting with a neighbouring Chinese province, pledging to increase cross-border cooperation.

The joint working groups from the Vietnamese border provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien and the Chinese province of Yunnan held their first meeting in Sa Pa resort, Lao Cai, on Sept. 26-29 with a view to bolstering the stability and development of the two countries.

The minutes detailed the two sides’ discussions regarding the re-opening of border gates, and their continuing cooperation in various areas, including the economy, trade and border management.

The two sides have agreed to convene the second session in Yunnan province, China, in 2009.-

NA Chairman on land management in Hanoi

Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong held a meeting with voters from Hanoi’s Ba Dinh and Cau Giay districts on Sept. 29 as part of his preparations for the fourth session of the 12th NA.

Regarding many voters’ concern about the land management and use, the NA Chairman said that during the process of industrialisation and modernisation, it is necessary for certain areas of land to be restructured in order to meet targets relating to industrial development.

He also stressed that any transfer of land must be made in accordance with the city’s planning and laws and harmonise the interests of the State, investors and farmers whose land is requisitioned.

The plans and construction of a public library and green parks at 42 Nha Chung Str. and 178 Nguyen Luong Bang Str. were acclaimed by the voters who agreed that the plans reflect the State’s consistent policy that land is public property.

Many voters also raised their concerns about the execution of the law. According to them, a number of laws have been promulgated and come into effect but not become common knowledge amongst the people due to ineffective publicity.

The NA Chairman took note of the voters’ constructive suggestions regarding the Party and State’s management work, thus contributing to national construction and development.

He also provided answers to voters’ queries about other issues relating to religion, anti-corruption measures, educational development and investment.-

Congratulations on China’s National Day

Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong have extended congratulations to their Chinese counterparts on China’s 59th National Day (Oct. 1).

In their messages sent to Chinese Party General Secretary and State President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Wu Banguo, and Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao, the Vietnamese top leaders praised the achievements recorded by the Chinese people over the past years.

They expressed their delights at the fine development of the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States.

They affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, Government and people consistently treasure and unceasingly foster the traditional relations with the Chinese people and would do their utmost to strengthen the mutual understanding and trust, reinforce the strategic and comprehensive partnership between the two countries for the development of each country and for peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem also sent greetings to his counterpart Yang Jiechi on the occasion.-

State leader meets newly-accredited ambassadors

– State President Nguyen Minh Triet received the newly-accredited Mongolian, Canadian and Australian ambassadors in Hanoi on September 30, after they presented credentials to him earlier the same day.

President Triet told the Mongolian Ambassador Palam Sundev that during his official visit to Mongolia next month, leaders of the two countries would discuss measures to raise traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a stage of higher and more comprehensive development.

The friendship that exists between the two countries will never change, the state leader also said.

Ambassador Sundev said that progress has been observed in economic and trade cooperation between Mongolia and Vietnam and that Vietnam has the potential to expand its investment activities in Mongolia .

Receiving the Canadian Ambassador Deanna Horton, the state president said that he wants Canada to further relations with Vietnam in the areas of economy, trade, education and justice.

He appreciated Canada ’s official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam , saying that Canadian-funded projects have benefited and improved the living conditions for many poor people living in rural areas in the Southeast Asian country.

Ambassador Horton affirmed that the Canadian Government attaches great importance to increasing relations with Vietnam and that Canada is expecting the visit of the Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan next month on the occasion of the Francophone summit in Quebec .

She added that Canada gives priority to development cooperation in its relations with Vietnam , focusing on judicial reform, public administration and poverty reduction.

President Triet cited different historical conditions, culture and developmental levels between Vietnam and Canada as factors underlying the differences between the two countries in addressing democracy and human rights issues. He proposed that Vietnam and Canada increase exchange and dialogue in order to enhance mutual understanding and not to allow the differences between the nations to affect bilateral ties.

The Canadian ambassador shared this view, affirming the Canadian Government’s wish to further existing levels of exchange and dialogue with Vietnam .

In his meeting with the Australian Ambassador Allaster Edward Cox, President Triet said that Australia ’s ODA has made contributions to poverty reduction and infrastructure development in Vietnam .

He proposed that the Australian Government finance the construction of the Cao Lanh Bridge in the Mekong delta province of Dong Thap .

The Australian ambassador described Vietnam as a country with huge economic potential in Southeast Asia and said that Australian businesses have faith in Vietnam ’s developmental potential.

He also said he believes that the official visit to Australia by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in mid-October will help boost economic and trade relations between the two countries.

According to the Australian ambassador, the Vietnamese community in Australia has made marked contributions to Australia ’s economic development and cultural diversity.-

Vietnam marks Germany’s Reunification Day

– The Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association (VGFA) held a meeting in Hanoi on September 30 in celebration of the 18 th anniversary of Germany ’s Reunification Day (Oct. 3, 1990-2008).

Speaking at the event, attended by the German Ambassador to Vietnam Rolf Schulze, the VGFA President Hoang Van said Vietnam and Germany have enjoyed a good bilateral relationship during 2008, with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Germany in March and a visit to Vietnam by the German Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier in February.

In addition to visits by high-ranking politicians, the two countries have worked together to cultivate trade, cultural and educational relations. Germany now ranks 19 th among 81 countries and territories investing in Vietnam and 5 th among 25 EU countries. Two-way trade between the two countries exceeded 3 billion USD last year.

Earlier this month, Vietnam and Germany opened a joint university in Ho Chi Minh City , which is considered a symbol of the practical education and training partnership between the two countries.

Germany is now home to approximately 100,000 Vietnamese people.-