Ethnic Cultural village to open in Central Highlands resort

April 28, 2006


Lam Dong (VNA) - A cultural village of Central Highlands ethnic minority groups will open in Da Lat, Central Highlands Lam Dong province, on April 30.
The cultural village, covering 2 ha, will include an area for "gong" performances, and traditional long houses where demonstrations of brocade weaving, exhibitions and performance of traditional musical instrument will be held.
The village aims to preserve the cultures of local ethnic minority groups and attract more visitors to the Central Highlands.-Enditem

Fighting corruption, an urgent task: President

April 28, 2006

President Tran Duc Luong, underlined April 27th that there is a need to solve the systematic mistakes in the Party's personnel work to fight corruption which became an urgent task, more effective.

According to Nhan Dan:

“"It is not only to strictly punish those who are corrupted and those who give a shield to corrupt acts, but also to draw lessons in order to thwart the menace from the root," President Luong emphasised during his meeting with voters in the northern port city of Hai Phong.”

“He referred to the necessity to re-examine mechanisms, policies and implementation so as to strengthen the fight against corruption, which, in his words, is a challenge threatening the country's stability.”

“President Luong also noted at the meeting recent labour strikes in industrial zones, saying the Labour Code would be revised in the coming time to ensure protection of the rights and benefits of Vietnamese labourers, especially their salaries and insurance policies.”

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International tourists to Vietnam likely up 20% in April

April 28, 2006

The number is remarkable with its estimated 320,000 international tourists in April. That means an increase with 20% with a year-on-year rise.

According to VietNamNet;

“The figure will bring the total number of foreign holidaymakers to Vietnam to 1.3 million in the first four months of this year, most of whom were from the Republic of Korea, Japan, France and Thailand.”

“Additionally, the demand for in- and out-bound tours of both local and foreign tourists during the upcoming national reunification anniversary (April 30) and May Day holidays has risen sharply.”

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Vietnam seeks Vatican ties, vows to punish religious persecution

April 24, 2006

Vietnam's top official on religion said Monday that they called for a "road map" to diplomatic ties with the Vatican; they also said that they will punish any officials who persecute people for their religious belief.

According to Deutsche Presse-Agentur:

“Vietnam, which requires all religion be regulated by the state, has been lobbying to be removed from the United States' list of Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom, which also includes such countries as North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China. Vietnam has an estimated 6 million Catholics but has no diplomatic ties with the Vatican. However, Ngo Yen Thi [head of the government Committee on Religion] said the Roman Catholic governing body has sent several missions in past years - including the unprecedented visit of a top Vatican official last December to ordain 57 new Catholic priests.”

“Hanoi last year granted permission for prominent Buddhist exile Thich Nhat Hanh - one of the most famed Buddhist teachers after the Dalai Lam - to return to Vietnam for the first time in 40 years to conduct four months of teaching around the country.”

“However, smaller sects like the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) and various Protestant Christian groups still complain that church members are harassed by local authorities.”

“Earlier this year, a group of Protestants in northern Ha Giang province wrote to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai complaining that police broke into a home-based prayer service, seized their prayer books and beat them.”