Writing contest boosts fantasy genre for kids

– A writing competition sponsored by the Danish Embassy is seeking to raise the profile of the fantasy genre in children’s literature.

“Fantasy is an important genre in children’s literature around the world, but it is still a new and unexplored style of writing in Vietnam,” said Le Phuong Lien, head of the Vietnam Writers Association’s children’s literature section and a member of the jury board for the writing competition called A Magical Day.

Fantasy writing, said Lien, “is distinct from fairy tales, animal stories, myths or science fiction and stimulates the imagination, creativity and curiosity of children”.

In contrast to last year’s competition – which crossed multiple genres under the theme of Childhood Friendship – this year’s competition focuses specifically on promoting the fantasy genre. Fifteen writers and illustrators will compete in the final round of the competition, including such well-known names as Tran Hoai Duong, Que Huong, Thu Tran, and Nguyen Thi Bich Nga.

“The competition is a practical activity, and we hope to stimulate the interest of Vietnamese writers and illustrators in developing more fantasy writing and picture books for Vietnamese children,” said Nguyen Thi Dat, head of the organising committee and a member of the jury board.

The competing works were developed in a workshop, entitled A Mysterious Story in Life, held last month by the Kim Dong Publishing Co. Another workshop is scheduled in early December, followed by an awards ceremony to announce and honour the winners.

The winning stories will then be brought directly to children by the “Fairytales Story Express” which will make stops in Can Tho, An Giang and Ho Chi Minh City .

The writing competition is a part of the Children’s Literature Project, one of six components in a cultural development cooperation programme funded by the Danish government.

The Children’s Literature Project is sponsored by Kim Dong and the Danish Writers Association and in coordination with the Hanoi Writers Association and the Danish Embassy.

The project was initiated in 2006 to support the development of children’s literature in Vietnam , promote the use of children’s books as educational tools in schools and within families.-

Vietnam lagging behind in IPR registration

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is lagging behind other regional countries in the number of internationally-registered inventions and trademarks, according to an official from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST).

MST Deputy Minister Nguyen Quan made this statement whilst speaking at an international seminar on intellectual property management held in the southern province of Binh Duong on Nov. 24.

During 2008, Vietnamese authorities received and processed 32,000 applications for the registration of trademarks and more than 2,000 applications for the patenting of new inventions, representing an annual increase of 15-20 percent over the previous year, Quan said.

However, the country has just 2,000 internationally-registered inventions and trademarks, much less than other regional countries, he said, adding that even the few Vietnamese trademarks and inventions that have been officially registered have failed to take advantage of this to protect their intellectual property rights, both domestically and internationally.

According to Quan, the implementation of intellectual property rights in the country faces numerous obstacles, including unsystematic legal documentation, weak financial mechanisms and human resources, as well as a massive market for fake products.

The seminar, co-organised by the MST and the Vietnam-Switzerland Project on intellectual property, attracted representatives from 50 provinces and cities nationwide.-

Vietnam, India expand scope of strategic partnership

– Indian President Pratibha Patil will make a State-level visit to Vietnam from Nov. 24-28 at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet.

This will be the first visit to Vietnam by Pratibha Patil and the second by an Indian President since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972.

The visit is aimed at boosting the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation, as well as expanding the strategic partnership relationship in politics, economy, trade, investment, science and technology and culture.

A number of regional and global issues of mutual concern will be discussed during the visit, as well as measures to strengthen the coordination between the two countries at multilateral forums.

Vietnam-India relations have experienced several important steps in their development, particularly since the two countries established strategic partnership relations in July 2007. The two countries’ prime ministers met on the sidelines of the 7 th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) in Beijing , China , in October 2008.

Economic cooperation over the years has experienced a number of significant developments. In 1982, the two countries established a Joint Commission on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, an important mechanism for the two sides to boost cooperation in numerous fields.

Trade turnover between Vietnam and India has increased markedly; from 72 million USD in 1995 to over 1 billion USD in 2006 and 1.53 billion USD in 2007. During the first seven months of 2008 this figure has reached 1.7 billion USD.

Vietnam exports to India coal, pepper, electronic components, rubber, cinnamon, machinery, steel, fiber, footwear; and imports from the latter animal feed, mobile phones, medicines, plastics, steel and other metals, raw materials for pharmaceutical production and garment and textile industry, pesticides and chemical products to India.

As of October 2008, India has 30 valid investment projects in Vietnam , with total implemented capital of 578 million USD, ranking 27th out of 76 investors in the country.

In addition, cooperation in agriculture, culture, education, science and technology, national defence and security has recently been expanded.

The two countries also cooperated closely at various regional and international forums.

India supported Vietnam in its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

Vietnam has always supported India in its efforts to increase cooperation with ASEAN members, in its participation in East Asia cooperative matters and in its bid to become a permanent member of the expanded UN security council.-

Vietnam pledges efforts to ensure global food security

– Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other APEC members in ensuring food security through technical assistance and sharing of agricultural production experiences and techniques.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet delivered the message at the first APEC Leaders’ Retreat, which opened in the Peruvian capital of Lima on Nov. 22 (local time).

The meeting, chaired by Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez, focused on the global financial crisis, the fluctuation of food and goods prices, and the Doha round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade talks.

President Triet called on major economies of the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to open their markets, restore confidence, combat all forms of subsidy, accelerate the Doha Round of WTO talks, and continue giving priority to dealing with challenges related to poverty, diseases and the environment.

The Vietnamese State leader applauded efforts of the APEC member economies and international financial institutions to take prompt and strong measures to prevent the collapse of the financial market and reduce impacts posed by the world financial crisis.

To shoulder the burden to developing economies in implementing the Millennium Development Goals, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea proposed developed APEC economies to continue providing official development assistance (ODA) for developing economies. The initiative was appreciated and is to be recognised in the leader’ declaration on the global economy.

At the meeting, APEC leaders adopted the Lima declaration on the global economy, affirming their resolve to further speed up financial reform in member economies, reform the international financial system, combat subsidy moves and push for the singing of a WTO agreement on tax reduction in December 2008.

The declaration also emphasised the APEC’s commitments to increase regional economic integration and continue with efforts to tackle issues of hunger and poverty, epidemics, terrorism, climate change and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Following the session, the APEC leaders held a direct dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), which comprises of executives from leading companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders asserted that the APEC has made concerted efforts to deal with the global financial crisis and further promote economic integration in a bid to create a more open and favourable environment for businesses.

Participating firms praised the determination and concrete commitments of the APEC and international organisations, and put forth a number of measures to accelerate financial and monetary reforms and strengthen the global financial structure.

Amid the fluctuation of food and goods prices this year, the APEC leaders raised their support for the ABAC’s proposal to consolidate the APEC Food System (AFS) and acclaimed the plan of action on food security approved earlier by the ministers.

The action plan specified measures to resolve matters related to unstable food prices, biotechnology research and development, food aid, the creation of a transparent market for agricultural products, and social security.

Earlier on the day, State President Nguyen Minh Triet held talks with representatives of the US Business Alliance at APEC, which was set up in 1993 to handle the US business circle’s operations in the region’s biggest economic organisation.

The Vietnamese State leader spoke highly of the US businesses circle’s big interest in Vietnam ’s investment and business environment and expressed his delight at new developments in the Vietnam-US cooperation in recent years.

He affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes US businesses to the country.

“High-ranking visits by the two countries’ leaders have helped boost the bilateral comprehensive cooperation. Thus, I believe and hope that more US businesses will invest in Vietnam , which will benefit both of us,” stressed President Triet.

Representatives of 22 US giant companies praised the rapid development in the bilateral relationship, saying that it creates confidence and favourable conditions for the two countries’ business circles.

The US businesses said they consider Vietnam a dynamic economy in APEC with a transparent investment environment and that the country of 86 million people is a potential destination for them to implement and expand their investment projects.

The same day, President Triet met with his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe Velez.

The two leaders agreed that Vietnamese and Colombian ministries and localities should increase their visits to share experiences and seek cooperation and investment opportunities.

They said that the two countries need to reach agreements and treaties on investment protection and double taxation avoidance.

In the field of coffee export, the two countries’ authorised agencies should boost cooperation in order to help stabilise the world coffee prices and protect the benefits of both consumers and producers, the leaders agreed.

President Triet affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to developing ties with Latin American countries, including Colombia . He stressed that the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 16 th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, would offer a chance for both countries’ leaders to discuss measures to bring bilateral cooperation in economic-trade and investment to the same level as the political relationship.

The Vietnamese President took the occasion to thank Colombia ’s support for Vietnam ’s bids to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and win a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

For his part, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez said he admired Vietnam ’s socio-economic development achievements over the past few years and expressed Colombia ’s wish to develop an active relation with the Southeast Asian country.

He also suggested that Vietnam support his country’s aspiration for joining APEC.

On the occasion, President Triet invited his Colombian counterpart to visit Vietnam and President Alvaro accepted his invitation.-

Cambodian social activists come to learn experiences

– A Deputy President of Cambodia ’s largest social organisation has told the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) leader, Vu Trong Kim, of his interest in the VFF experiences in promoting national unity and broadening international cooperation.

Min Khin, who doubles as Secretary General of the National Council of the Kampuchean United Front for National Construction and Defence (KUFNCD), was welcomed by his VFF counterpart Kim at their meeting in Hanoi on November 23 with great praises for bilateral relations. Kim said relations between the two organisations considerably contributed to the relationship between the two countries.

Khin, in return, said he was keen in learning from VFF experiences in campaigning for positive public response to VFF-launched movements such as “Days for the Poor”, promoting international exchanges and expanding external relations.

Host and guest reached a consensus that unity was the main goal that the two organizations are working for. They agreed to a number of measures to promote bilateral relations, focusing on regular meetings of social activists from either side of the border to improve mutual understanding and facilitate friendship, thus turning the borderline into economic exchange areas.-

Vietnam supports trade and investment liberalisation

State President Nguyen Minh Triet has affirmed Vietnam’s determination to implement goals of open door and liberalisation of trade and investment.

Addressing the second APEC Leaders Retreat in Lima , Peru , on Nov. 23, President Triet stressed that in the present global economic context, APEC should further intensify regional integration in order to deal with the crisis.

He said the regional economic integration, in any scope, should be “open” and rest on APEC’s foundation, which supports the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Bogor goals of open and free trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

He also suggested that in the process, developing economies should be given special and differential treatment, and engagement suitable to their own concrete social and economic conditions.

The State President affirmed Vietnam ’s deep concern about the issues of climate change and natural disasters, and suggested APEC to adopt solutions to enhance cooperation in these fields.

Besides the issue of regional economic integration, APEC leaders at the second retreat also discussed issues of social responsibilities of businesses, climate change and human security.

They appreciated the results of the implementation of the Hanoi Declaration of the 14th APEC Meeting hosted by Vietnam, and affirmed that the Bogor goals continue to be basis for APEC’s trade and investment liberilisation.

The 16th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, gathering 21 leaders from member economies, concluded on Nov. 23 afternoon (local time), having approved a declaration on “A New Commitment to the Asia-Pacific Development”.

The APEC leaders’ declaration once again affirmed their strong determination to boost economic cooperation, financial reform, trade and investment facilitation, and to build a safe and sustainable developing Asia-Pacific region.

On Nov. 23 (local time), President Triet and his entourage left Lima , concluding his visits to Venezuela on Nov. 19-20 and Peru for attendance at the 16th APEC Meeting on Nov. 22-23.-

Communist and workers’ parties meet in Sao Paulo

– The 10 th meeting of communist and workers’ parties took place from Nov. 21-23 in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo with the participation of 65 delegations from 54 countries across the world.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Ta Minh Chau, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s External Affairs Commission, attended the event.

The meeting focused its discussions on new phenomena in the international framework, worsening national, social, environmental and interimperialist contradictions and problems, the struggle for peace, democracy, sovereignty, progress and socialism, and unity of actions of communist and workers’ parties.

Participants appreciated the achievements of the socialist countries, including Vietnam and Cuba , as well as strong developments of the leftist movement in Latin America over recent years.

The meeting adopted the Sao Paulo Declaration, a Resolution in support of Latin American and Caribbean peoples, and a number of other documents expressing the solidarity with communists, progressive forces and peoples in their struggle against poverty and injustice, oppression and exploitation of the capitalism, and asserting that socialism is the choice and path for the absolute and real independence of nations towards a new society without oppression and exploitation.

During the event, the Vietnamese delegation had separate meetings and exchanges with international counterparts.

In the meeting with the Vietnamese guests, Brazilian Communist Party’s President Renato Rabelo said his party always attaches importance to strengthening the friendship and cooperation with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and will contribute to boosting the ties between the two countries.-

Outgoing Chinese ambassador awarded friendship order

– The outgoing Chinese Ambassador, Hu Qianwen, has received a Friendship Order conferred by the State of Vietnam.

The order was presented to Ambassador Hu in recognition of his positive contributions to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China .

On behalf of the State of Vietnam, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ho Xuan Son handed over the award to the ambassador at a ceremony held in Hanoi on Nov. 24.-

Vietnamese, Moroccan PMs hold talks

– Vietnam attaches importance to developing friendship and cooperation with African countries, including Morocco , said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during talks with visiting Moroccan PM Abbas El Fassi in Hanoi on Nov. 24.

PM Dung welcomed the first visit by a Moroccan PM since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

He informed his guest of Vietnam ’s recent remarkable achievements in its renewal cause, affirming the nation’s consistent external policy of willingness to become a friend and a reliable partner of countries in the international community, for peace, independence and development.

The Moroccan PM affirmed that Morocco attaches importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam .
The two leaders discussed how to make full use of the two countries’ potentials and expand bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, investment, cultural and tourism sectors.

They also praised the results of the first meeting of the Vietnam-Morocco Joint Committee held in March this year, and the signing of the agreement on double taxation avoidance between the two nations, which, they said, would provide a favourable legal framework for boosting bilateral trade cooperation.

The two PMs also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

They expressed their hope that the two countries will enhance information exchange, collaborate at international forums, such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, actively contribute to joint efforts for peace, stability, cooperation for development, for equal international relations and mutual benefits on the basis of respect for national sovereignty and independence and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.-

Vietnam, Laos work to boost financial cooperation

Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam and Laos have agreed to beef up cooperation in a number of areas, focusing primarily on taxation, treasury and human resource development, and the training of financial management personnel.

This consensus was reached at the 5 th regular meeting of the Vietnam-Laos steering committee for financial cooperation, which took place in Vientiane from Nov. 22-23.

Vietnamese Deputy Finance Minister Nguyen Cong Nghiep and his Lao counterpart, Viengthong Siphandon, co-chaired the session.

The two sides reviewed the results of recent cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao financial sectors and reported on progress made in the implementation of agreements signed at the previous meeting.

Siphandon spoke highly of Vietnam ’s assistance to the Lao financial sector, particularly in personnel training and experience sharing.

He also appreciated the Vietnamese Government’s funding of the construction of Dongkhamlane Finance College , saying that the school will be invaluable in the training of graduates and post-graduates for the Lao financial sector.-