Saturday, October 27, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
PM escapes punishment despite censure
Vietnam PM escapes punishment despite censure
Vietnam's prime minister escaped disciplinary action from communist party chiefs on Monday despite anger over a string of financial scandals and an economic malaise that have marred his leadership.
Nguyen Tan Dung, 62, while not mentioned directly, was seen as the target of a statement from a meeting of the Communist Party's 175-member Central Committee, in what amounted to one of the most stinging rebukes publicly issued by the secretive state in recent times.
The 14-member politburo -- the party's key decision-making body -- "seriously criticised themselves and honestly admitted their mistakes", said communist party leader Nguyen Phu Trong in a speech broadcast by state media.
He said the central committee had decided not to impose disciplinary measures "for the whole politburo and a member of the politburo".
It had instead urged the group to "fix the mistakes, so that hostile forces could not distort the situation".
Rising public dissatisfaction -- expressed through increasingly spirited online discussion -- has put Dung under growing pressure amid slowing economic growth, resurgent inflation, rampant corruption and banking turmoil.
The prime minister, a former central bank governor whose second five-year term was approved by the by communist-controlled parliament in July 2011, is said to have become the country's most powerful prime minister ever.
Seen as a moderniser when first appointed, Dung used his power to aggressively push for rapid economic growth, relying on state-owned giants to drive the economy.
But in recent months economic growth has slowed sharply, inflation has picked up again, foreign direct investment has plunged and fears about toxic debt in the fragile banking system have mounted.
The near collapse of scandal-tainted shipping behemoth Vinashin in 2010 put the spotlight on the financial troubles of state-owned giants. The arrest in August of a disgraced multi-millionaire banker seen as an ally of Dung shook investor confidence in the country and triggered a run on deposits.
One party official, who asked not to be named, expressed dissatisfaction that the committee had not gone further in rebuking senior figures over corruption.
"As in the past, the leaders of the Vietnam Communist Party want to wash themselves only to the shoulders, but not to the hair," he said, adding that the people would be "once again largely disappointed" by the party leadership.
Authorities have sought to crack down on bloggers with a series of harsh jail sentences as the scandals stoked more and more Internet discussion. But online political blogs remain a hugely popular news source in the heavily censored country.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Air Astana opens direct flights to HCMC
Air Astana opens direct flights to HCMC
Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national airline, has signed a lucrative commercial tie-up with Vietnam to open direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City by December 2012.
Vietnamese press delegation visits Air Astana’s airline pilot training center. According to Peter Foster, President of Air Astana, the carrier sees great economic potential in the Asia Pacific region.
International Air Transport Association IATA has predicted that Vietnam will become the third fastest growing cargo and passenger transport market in the world by 2014, after China and Brazil. In addition, Vietnam has already become a favorite tourist destination for international visitors.
Air Astana will operate two flights per week from Kazakhstan's Almaty airport to Ho Chi Minh City, with a transit stop-over at Bangkok in Thailand.
The carrier flies to some 60 destinations throughout the world and was awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax World Airline.
Vietnam has now become a popular destination for international visitors, particularly for Russian tourists and travelers to neighboring countries. Previously, most Russian visitors travelled to Vietnam to avoid the freezing winter in their homeland, but now many Russians visit the coastal tourist sites of Phan Thiet, Nha Trang and Da Nang even during the summer months. This was one of the reasons that prompted Air Astana to open direct flights to Vietnam.
Air Astana President said that travelers are attracted to Vietnam’s wild and beautiful beaches, delicious food and past tragic history of struggle for freedom, independence and national construction.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
Air Astana, Kazakhstan's national airline, has signed a lucrative commercial tie-up with Vietnam to open direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City by December 2012.
Vietnamese press delegation visits Air Astana’s airline pilot training center. According to Peter Foster, President of Air Astana, the carrier sees great economic potential in the Asia Pacific region.
International Air Transport Association IATA has predicted that Vietnam will become the third fastest growing cargo and passenger transport market in the world by 2014, after China and Brazil. In addition, Vietnam has already become a favorite tourist destination for international visitors.
Air Astana will operate two flights per week from Kazakhstan's Almaty airport to Ho Chi Minh City, with a transit stop-over at Bangkok in Thailand.
The carrier flies to some 60 destinations throughout the world and was awarded the prestigious 4-Star rating by Skytrax World Airline.
Vietnam has now become a popular destination for international visitors, particularly for Russian tourists and travelers to neighboring countries. Previously, most Russian visitors travelled to Vietnam to avoid the freezing winter in their homeland, but now many Russians visit the coastal tourist sites of Phan Thiet, Nha Trang and Da Nang even during the summer months. This was one of the reasons that prompted Air Astana to open direct flights to Vietnam.
Air Astana President said that travelers are attracted to Vietnam’s wild and beautiful beaches, delicious food and past tragic history of struggle for freedom, independence and national construction.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
Jetstar Pacific offers cheaper domestic flights
Jetstar Pacific to offer cheaper fares on domestic flights
Jetstar Pacific, the first low-cost air service provider in Vietnam, announced on September 27 that the airline will offer cheaper fares on many domestic routes.
For instance, the fare for the Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang route will be VND395,000 (US$19); and HCMC-Hanoi and HCMC-Hai Phong will be VND695,000($46).
The cheaper tickets will be available from April 2-15, 2013 and May 7-16, 2013 at all agent and ticket distributors in the country.
Jetstar Pacific offers the cheapest flight tickets in the world, according to a survey by Spanish e-commerce travel company eDreams.
Jetstar has also unveiled a stylish new uniform to be worn by crew on board all Jetstar flights in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore and Japan.
The new uniform is designed to reflect Jetstar’s growing Pan-Asian network and to support the brand’s next phase of growth.
Jayne Hrdlicka, Jetstar Group CEO said the new uniform was designed in consultation with team members from across the Jetstar Group.
“The result is a uniform that embraces Jetstar’s presence in the Asia Pacific region and will become synonymous with Jetstar whether you are flying from Sapporo or Singapore, Honolulu or Ho Chi Minh City, Cairns or Christchurch,” said Jetstar Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka.
The redesigned uniform includes a twist to the iconic female orange jacket, with the tailored buttoned front now featuring an Asian inspired collar. Female employees will wear the orange jacket with either black tailored pants or an A-line skirt. Male and female employees will wear a black top with an orange trim detail.
Made from a high tech fabric the new uniforms are modern, stylish and comfortable for the active daily duties of cabin crew and airport staff.
Jetstar will fly to 60 destinations across 16 countries and operate upto 3000 flights per week.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
Jetstar Pacific, the first low-cost air service provider in Vietnam, announced on September 27 that the airline will offer cheaper fares on many domestic routes.
For instance, the fare for the Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang route will be VND395,000 (US$19); and HCMC-Hanoi and HCMC-Hai Phong will be VND695,000($46).
The cheaper tickets will be available from April 2-15, 2013 and May 7-16, 2013 at all agent and ticket distributors in the country.
Jetstar Pacific offers the cheapest flight tickets in the world, according to a survey by Spanish e-commerce travel company eDreams.
Jetstar has also unveiled a stylish new uniform to be worn by crew on board all Jetstar flights in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore and Japan.
The new uniform is designed to reflect Jetstar’s growing Pan-Asian network and to support the brand’s next phase of growth.
Jayne Hrdlicka, Jetstar Group CEO said the new uniform was designed in consultation with team members from across the Jetstar Group.
“The result is a uniform that embraces Jetstar’s presence in the Asia Pacific region and will become synonymous with Jetstar whether you are flying from Sapporo or Singapore, Honolulu or Ho Chi Minh City, Cairns or Christchurch,” said Jetstar Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka.
The redesigned uniform includes a twist to the iconic female orange jacket, with the tailored buttoned front now featuring an Asian inspired collar. Female employees will wear the orange jacket with either black tailored pants or an A-line skirt. Male and female employees will wear a black top with an orange trim detail.
Made from a high tech fabric the new uniforms are modern, stylish and comfortable for the active daily duties of cabin crew and airport staff.
Jetstar will fly to 60 destinations across 16 countries and operate upto 3000 flights per week.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
Suspension of 10k & 20k notes next year
Vietnam to suspend two denomination currency notes next year
On September 28, the State Bank of Vietnam announced suspending circulation of VND10,000 and VND20,000 denomination paper currency, as per the Prime Minister’s directive, effective from January 1, 2013.
The above two denomination notes have been suspended because they have been made from cotton, and from January 1, 2013 both the bill denominations will no longer be valid in Vietnam.
From January 1, 2013, any individual or organization with the two above denomination notes will be permitted to exchange them for polymer made bills with equivalent value at branches of the State Bank of Vietnam and at credit organizations, foreign banks and local State Treasury offices.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
On September 28, the State Bank of Vietnam announced suspending circulation of VND10,000 and VND20,000 denomination paper currency, as per the Prime Minister’s directive, effective from January 1, 2013.
The above two denomination notes have been suspended because they have been made from cotton, and from January 1, 2013 both the bill denominations will no longer be valid in Vietnam.
From January 1, 2013, any individual or organization with the two above denomination notes will be permitted to exchange them for polymer made bills with equivalent value at branches of the State Bank of Vietnam and at credit organizations, foreign banks and local State Treasury offices.
~News courtesy of SGGP~
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