Traders at an online bond auction at the Hanoi Stock Exchange. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese shares have had a rough losing week and the next five trading sessions at least are likely to trade negatively, according to analysts and brokerage companies. The benchmark VN Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange and the HNX Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange respectively inched down 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent to close at 772.08 points and 100.86 points on August 11. The two stock indices have posted losses of 2.6 percent and 1.5 percent in four consecutive sessions. They also declined by 2.1 percent and 1 percent from the previous week’s closing levels. The decline has been attributed to investors affected by rising tensions between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and by false news about the arrest of a former bank executive on August … [Read more...]

Trading orders are made at Hanoi Stock Exchange (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese shares extended losses for a third straight session on August 10 but investor confidence showed signs of improvement after being brought down by false news and global tension. The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange went down slightly to close at 773.43 points, little changed from August 9’s closing level. The HNX Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange inched down 0.10 percent to end at 100.97 points. The two indices have lost total 2.5 percent and 1.4 percent after the last three sessions. More than 257.5 million shares were traded on both local exchanges, worth 3.87 trillion VND (171.9 million USD). The trading figures were down nearly 40 per cent in both volume and value compared to August 9’s numbers. The stock market performed … [Read more...]

An investor watches stocks move at Vietcombank Securities Company (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese shares tumbled on August 9 on both local markets as investors triggered large-scale sell-offs following rising tensions between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and false news about the arrest of a former banker. The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange plunged 2.26 percent to close at 773.66 points, extending its decline for a second session with total loss of 2.4 percent. The HNX Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange dropped 1.19 percent to end at 101.07 points. The northern market index inched down 0.1 percent on August 8. The stock market turned chaotic when investors triggered large-scale sell-offs in all sectors with nearly 428.5 million shares being traded on both local bourses, worth 6.3 trillion VND (280 million … [Read more...]

  The Philippines International Convention Centre is the venue for meetings of foreign ministers of ASEAN and partner countries. (Source: ASEAN) Hanoi, (VNA) – Foreign ministers of 10 ASEAN countries and three partners – Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) – have agreed to enhance financial cooperation to strengthen economic stability in the region. At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Manila, the Philippines, on August 7, Japanese FM Taro Kono affirmed that Tokyo is ready to work closely with ASEAN members, China and the RoK to enhance the capacity of forecasting economic crisis, both regional and international. He added that Japan will make efforts to fight increasing trade protectionism. The foreign ministers shared viewpoints on a free trade deal involving the 10 ASEAN members and the three partners along with Australia, … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Foreign ministers of ten ASEAN countries and three of its partners – Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) – have agreed to enhance financial cooperation in order to strengthen economic stability within the region. At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Manila, the Philippines, on August 7, Japanese FM Taro Kono affirmed that Tokyo is ready to work closely with the ASEAN members, China and the RoK to enhance the capacity of forecasting economic crisis, both regionally and internationally. He added that Japan will make further efforts to fight increasing trade protectionism. The foreign ministers shared their viewpoints on a free trade deal involving the ten ASEAN members and the three partners, along with Australia, New Zealand and India, in addition to discussing infrastructure and marine security in the region. The situation concerning the Korean Peninsula was high on the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Foreign ministers of ten ASEAN countries and three of its partners – Japan, China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) – have agreed to enhance financial cooperation in order to strengthen economic stability within the region. At the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Manila, the Philippines, on August 7, Japanese FM Taro Kono affirmed that Tokyo is ready to work closely with the ASEAN members, China and the RoK to enhance the capacity of forecasting economic crisis, both regionally and internationally. He added that Japan will make further efforts to fight increasing trade protectionism. The foreign ministers shared their viewpoints on a free trade deal involving the ten ASEAN members and the three partners, along with Australia, New Zealand and India, in addition to discussing infrastructure and marine security in the region. The situation concerning the Korean Peninsula was high on the … [Read more...]

North Korea said on Saturday it had conducted another successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that proved its ability to strike America's mainland, drawing a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump and a rebuke from China. However, later on Saturday Trump wrote on Twitter that he was "very disappointed" in China and that Beijing had done "nothing" for the United States in regards to North Korea, something he would not allow to continue. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the midnight launch of the missile on Friday night and said it was a "stern warning" for the United States that it would not be safe from destruction if it tries to attack, the North's official KCNA news agency said. North Korea's state television broadcast pictures of the launch, showing the missile lifting off in a fiery blast in darkness and Kim cheering with military aides. "The test-fire reconfirmed the reliability of the ICBM system, demonstrated … [Read more...]

Doan Thi Huong (blue) at the court in Sepang, Malaysia.(Source: AFP/VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia and Malaysian lawyers defending Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese suspect in the murder of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea citizen Kim Chol, were present at the High Court of Shah Alam City on July 28 to protect her legitimate rights and interests. After the trial concluded, the embassy’s representatives and lawyers discussed with Huong about following litigation procedures. In the time ahead, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue close coordination with domestic agencies involved, the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia and Malaysian lawyers to ensure Huong's legitimate rights and interests are protected. Doan Thi Huong, 28, is one of the two women suspects in the murder of the Democratic … [Read more...]

The Shah Alam High Court of Malaysia announced on July 28 that the trial of Vietnamese citizen Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, the suspects in the murder of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen Kim Chol, will last for 23 days, till the end of this November.  The announcement was made after the first trial of the Shah Alam High Court concluded.  Vietnamese citizen Doan Thi Huong is taken to court Judge Azmi Ariffin who chaired the trial said the next hearings will be from October 2-5, 9-10, 24-26, and November 6-9, 13-16, and 27-30, adding that defendants could enter their plea from the October 2 hearing.  As scheduled, the court will summon 30 witnesses and 10 specialists to the hearings.  On July 28, the two suspects wore bullet-proof coats and were taken to the court under tight protection of security forces.  Under the direction of Viet Nam's Foreign … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The Shah Alam High Court of Malaysia announced on July 28 that the trial of Vietnamese citizen Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, the suspects in the murder of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen Kim Chol, will last for 23 days, until the end of this November. The announcement was made after the first trial of the Shah Alam High Court was concluded. Judge Azmi Ariffin, who chaired the trial, said that the next hearings will be from October 2-5, 9-10, 24-26 and November 6-9, 13-16 and 27-30, adding that the defendants could enter their plea from the October 2 hearing. As scheduled, the court will summon 30 witnesses and 10 specialists to the hearings. On July 28, the two suspects wore bullet-proof jackets and were taken to the court under close protection of security forces. Under the direction of Viet Nam's Foreign Ministry, the embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia will continue working closely with the … [Read more...]

To avoid heated discussions of sensitive issues, the host Russia has selected three issues to put on the summit agenda, namely energy security, the control of contagious diseases and improvements in education quality. According to Russian Foreign Minister Segey Lavrov, the three issues had received support from the Group Eight as well as from the international community. A joint effort to deal with the three main issues is expected to have practical impact on the quality and living conditions of current and future generations. The meeting takes place at a time when the world has been witnessing numerous complicated changes, including massive bomb blasts in Iraq, escalated tension between Palestine and Israel, the Iranian nuclear issue and the recent missile test-fires by the Democratic People Republic of Korea. Therefore, these thorny issues will be brought up at the summit. And Russia will certainly have to drive the meeting in a way to dwell on existing differences. For example, … [Read more...]

Analysts say the latest developments on the Korean peninsular cast no doubt on the possibility of fulfilling the goal of denuclearising the peninsular in the future. Though few details of these developments were disclosed, shuttle diplomacy with the participation of US envoy Christopher Hill and IAEA official Olli Heinonen and the upcoming visit to Pyongyang by newly-appointed Foreign Minister of China Yang Jiechi has demonstrated the friendliest atmosphere between concerned parties since the nuclear standoff. Over the past five years, Christopher Hill has been the top US official to conduct negotiations in Pyongyang as a gesture of goodwill towards cooperation. And now Mr Heinonen’s visit marks the first return to Pyongyang by IAEA officials after they were expelled from the country in 2002 due to differences on the nuclear issue. The positive moves on the Korean peninsular show the great efforts and goodwill of concerned parties, particularly the US and the Democratic … [Read more...]

On October 16, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nong Duc Manh left Hanoi for an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Korean Workers’ Party and Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK. The visit is considered an important event in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. For Vietnam, the DPRK is a country rich in cultural identity and resilient in the struggle for national sovereignty and a peaceful and unified Korea. Situated in north-eastern Asia, the DPRK is not a large country (122,000 km2) with a population of nearly 24 million. The country is abundant in rare and precious minerals such as iron ore and coloured metals. Immediately after the day of establishment, the DPRK defined the economic development guidelines of independence and self-reliance. As a result, from 1960-1990, the DPRK obtained some significant achievements … [Read more...]

Her term, due to begin in February, will face the challenges of an economic downturn and tensions on the Korean peninsula. Park won the presidential election with the RoK economy at its lowest level in three years. Foreign investment, especially from the Eurozone, has plunged. The Central Bank of Korea recently lowered the economic growth rate to 2.4 percent from the previous estimation of three percent. The economy is expected to continue its downward trend next year as the real estate market falls and the unemployment rate among young people increases. The income gap between the rich and the poor has widened. The number of households living near the poverty line has increased 10 percent since 2006. Territorial disputes with Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s nuclear issues remain, particularly after Pyongyang just launched a satellite. Analysts say the two Koreas’ relations have deteriorated during the incumbent president Lee … [Read more...]

An 11-day joint military exercise between the US and the Republic of Korea, codenamed “Key resolve” and involving 13,000 soldiers as well as warplanes, and guided-missile destroyers was denounced by Pyongyang as a Seoul invasion backed by the US. The annual exercise is taking place simultaneously with another US-RoK joint military exercise, Foal Eagle, which began on March 1 and will last 2 months. UN spokesman Martin Nesirky says the armistice on the Korean peninsula doesn’t allow unilateral withdrawal. (Photo: UN) In retaliation, Pyongyang on March 11 unilaterally announced it was canceling the Armistice that was signed to end the Korean war in 1953. The Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers’ Party of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, confirmed that Pyongyang has readied its weapons for war and has cut off a Red Cross hotline with Seoul. During visits to border artillery units on March 11, leader Kim Jong-un threatened to … [Read more...]

Obama’s trip takes place when the Chinese-Japanese relations have been tensed; Japan and the Republic of Korea are on disputes over sea and islands sovereignty; and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has continuously test fired missiles in retaliation to the joint military drills between the US and the Republic of Korea. In addition, the Ukrainian crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and the Syrian civil war have distracted the US’ policy towards Asia. Confirming the US’s rebalancing to Asia-Pacific strategy Prior to the trip, Senior Director for Asian Affairs of the National Security Council Evan Medeiros confirmed the US full commitments to Asia-Pacific. He said it’s not for political purposes but the protection of the US’ economic and defense interests in this region. Obama has busy working schedules in 4 Asian countries, particularly in its two strategic partners of Japan and the RoK. Japan is the first stop of Obama’s tour. He is … [Read more...]

Speaking to reporters following the talks, Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they agreed to push ahead with negotiations toward a resolution of the wartime sex slaves issue. It has confirmed both countries’ effort to improve bilateral ties. In term of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( DPRK)'s nuclear and missile tests, Abe said it’s a common concern for the US, Japan, and South Korea and they will work closely to resolve the challenge. He committed to cooperating with President Park to boost bilateral ties. President Park in turn said the talks illustrated both sides’ willingness to resolve historical problems and created an opportunity for them. … [Read more...]

At the meeting with the WFDY Chairman, Tiago Viera, the First Secretary confirmed that Vietnam will do its best to fulfill its role as a member of WFDY and actively contribute to the success of the festival. The country will also undertake throughout preparations for the WFDY meeting in Hanoi in 2011. The WFDY Chairman praised Vietnam for the role it played in the youth movements in recent years and expressed his wish to visit Vietnam next year. The Vietnamese First Secretary also met with leaders of delegations from Cuba and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Speaking with the Vietnamese delegation, the First Secretary of the Cuban Youth Union, Liudmila Duenas, said that besides the activities of the 17th WFYS, her delegation will join the campaign demaniding the release of five Cuban soldiers currently kept in the US prisons. The leaders of both the DPRK and Vietnamese delegations said that the 17th WFYS will further promote the two countries’ traditional … [Read more...]

Tet is a time for family members to gather and despite living far away or being very busy people often return to their homeland during the holiday. Both the dead and the living come back to their home. Rural people often set up the branch of a tree with several bamboo leaves and red cotton to guide souls of dead return home. Some people cannot return home for Tet for various reasons but they still celebrate the holiday in their foreign countries. I think of my friends who are living abroad. Kim Ngan, owner of the Ngan Tinh restaurant in Sveril City in Germany, says she remembers Tet at home but she cannot return so she celebrates with some other Vietnamese people there. Although they have everything there they cannot have a truly full Tet so far away from home. Her feeling echoes that of most overseas Vietnamese. Tet abroad is very boring as it is only a normal day for foreigners. I do not know how Vietnamese people in Germany, the US and France celebrate Tet but I remember … [Read more...]

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung praised the responsibility of the working group and the advisor board over the past three years for joining hands to work towards administrative reforms which have gained some positive results. For the first time, a national database on the administrative process was established, making Vietnam one of the top ten countries in implementing the administrative reform. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to domestic and international experts, organisations, staff and especially the businesses and people that have paid attention to the issue and supported the Government. He said that administrative reform is a good policy, a breakthrough towards building a transparent, united, effective and efficient system to fight corruption and strengthen the capacity of the administration. It shows the country’s nature to serve the interests of the people and businesses through the course of development. Mr. Hung noted … [Read more...]