An exhibition of Vietnamese art, with more than 100 objects never before seen in the U.S., will premiere at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston Sept. 13. It will remain on view through Jan. 3.
The show, called "Arts of Ancient Viet Nam: From River Plain to Open Sea," includes major loans from Vietnam's leading museums, including objects from the first millennium B.C. through the 17th century that have never before left the country.
The museum describes the show as the first "exhibition in the U.S. to address the historical, geographic, and cultural contexts of pre-colonial Vietnamese art in depth."
The show looks at Vietnam's history as a crossroads for travel and trade in Southeast Asia and beyond. Artifacts include ritual bronzes, fine gold jewelry, terra cotta burial wares, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, and ornaments made of gold, lapis lazuli and crystal.
The exhibit was co-organized by The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and Asia Society in New York, which worked with nine museums in Vietnam and the Ministry of Culture. The show will travel to New York next year and be on view at Asia Society Feb. 2-May 2, 2010.
google7a530f09a650304b.html
Monday, August 31, 2009
Harley-Davidson roars into India -
NEW DELHI -- Twenty-five Harley-Davidsons rumbled through the heart of the rain-drenched Indian capital Sunday, aggressively announcing the arrival of the legendary U.S. company in one of the world's largest motorcycle markets.
The American motorcycle's long-awaited journey to India was enabled by what has come to be called the "mango-motorcycle swap" in 2007 trade negotiations, when the United States decided to allow Indian mangoes to be imported in return for the export of Harley-Davidsons.
As the engines settled into idle, onlookers milled around the black-jacketed bikers and their machines.
"There is now a confluence of factors in India that is favorable for us," said Matthew Levatich, president of Harley-Davidson's main motorcycle division. "The rise of middle-class consumption, increased government investment in new highways and the recent economic boom have ushered in a perfect time for the market for leisure motorcycle riding."
Harley-Davidson is now looking for Indian dealers so it can roll out its first bikes in the first half of 2010. The Milwaukee-based company does not plan to manufacture or assemble any of the motorcycle parts in India, instead importing the bikes, accessories and riding gear from the United States. Levatich said that if the brand considers manufacturing outside the United States at a later stage, it would be only to meet local demand and not to sell the bikes back into the United States.
Levatich said Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales are doing better in the non-U.S. market, even though the domestic market still accounts for about 70 percent of global retail sales.
India is the second-largest motorcycle market in the world, dominated by small, inexpensive utility bikes that cost roughly $1,200 and are used by those who cannot afford to buy a car. A new Indian car called the Nano was launched this year at a price of $2,500, aiming to convert millions of users of two-wheeled vehicles to first-generation car buyers.
The Harley, however, will target affluent Indians. The company will sell about 12 models in India at a starting price of about $14,000, twice the American starting price.
The American motorcycle's long-awaited journey to India was enabled by what has come to be called the "mango-motorcycle swap" in 2007 trade negotiations, when the United States decided to allow Indian mangoes to be imported in return for the export of Harley-Davidsons.
As the engines settled into idle, onlookers milled around the black-jacketed bikers and their machines.
"There is now a confluence of factors in India that is favorable for us," said Matthew Levatich, president of Harley-Davidson's main motorcycle division. "The rise of middle-class consumption, increased government investment in new highways and the recent economic boom have ushered in a perfect time for the market for leisure motorcycle riding."
Harley-Davidson is now looking for Indian dealers so it can roll out its first bikes in the first half of 2010. The Milwaukee-based company does not plan to manufacture or assemble any of the motorcycle parts in India, instead importing the bikes, accessories and riding gear from the United States. Levatich said that if the brand considers manufacturing outside the United States at a later stage, it would be only to meet local demand and not to sell the bikes back into the United States.
Levatich said Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales are doing better in the non-U.S. market, even though the domestic market still accounts for about 70 percent of global retail sales.
India is the second-largest motorcycle market in the world, dominated by small, inexpensive utility bikes that cost roughly $1,200 and are used by those who cannot afford to buy a car. A new Indian car called the Nano was launched this year at a price of $2,500, aiming to convert millions of users of two-wheeled vehicles to first-generation car buyers.
The Harley, however, will target affluent Indians. The company will sell about 12 models in India at a starting price of about $14,000, twice the American starting price.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Canada imposes duties on Vietnam Shoes
Anti-dumping duties will be imposed on Vietnamese shoes by Canada after accusations of unfair market practices by local exporters have been found with merit.
Foreign visitors inquire about Vietnamese shoe products at a footwear exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City
The Canada Border Services Agency made its final determination to apply provisional duties on waterproof footwear in nearly finished form, constructed wholly or in part of rubber from Vietnam and China.
Vietnamese shoe exporters who do not comply relevant regulations will be hit with the 32.4 percent anti-dumping tax on prices while non-sampled exporters will pay duties of 12.8 percent, according to the agency.
The agency said exporters found in compliance with Canadian regulations, like Vinh Long Footwear, Pou Yuen Vietnam, Fulgent Sun Footwear and Stateway Vietnam will pay duties of 15.8, 7.3, 3.4 and 0 percent respectively.
It said the duties would apply until September 25 when the Canadian International Trade Tribunal would make an order or finding on its inquiry into the question of harm suffered by the domestic industry.
Similar products imported from China will also face duties ranging from 0 to 43.8 percent, said the agency.
Meanwhile, duties on shoes originating in Vietnam and China were lowered.
In March, the agency made its preliminary determination to impose taxes of 5.2 and 49 percent and 21.7 to 52.3 percent respectively on Vietnamese and Chinese products.
The findings followed a complaint filed by the Shoe Manufactures’ Association of Canada of Baie-d’Urefe, Québec.
Vietnam exported US$93 million worth of footwear to Canada last year.
VietNamNet/TN
Foreign visitors inquire about Vietnamese shoe products at a footwear exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City
The Canada Border Services Agency made its final determination to apply provisional duties on waterproof footwear in nearly finished form, constructed wholly or in part of rubber from Vietnam and China.
Vietnamese shoe exporters who do not comply relevant regulations will be hit with the 32.4 percent anti-dumping tax on prices while non-sampled exporters will pay duties of 12.8 percent, according to the agency.
The agency said exporters found in compliance with Canadian regulations, like Vinh Long Footwear, Pou Yuen Vietnam, Fulgent Sun Footwear and Stateway Vietnam will pay duties of 15.8, 7.3, 3.4 and 0 percent respectively.
It said the duties would apply until September 25 when the Canadian International Trade Tribunal would make an order or finding on its inquiry into the question of harm suffered by the domestic industry.
Similar products imported from China will also face duties ranging from 0 to 43.8 percent, said the agency.
Meanwhile, duties on shoes originating in Vietnam and China were lowered.
In March, the agency made its preliminary determination to impose taxes of 5.2 and 49 percent and 21.7 to 52.3 percent respectively on Vietnamese and Chinese products.
The findings followed a complaint filed by the Shoe Manufactures’ Association of Canada of Baie-d’Urefe, Québec.
Vietnam exported US$93 million worth of footwear to Canada last year.
VietNamNet/TN
Housing Price in Hanoi so steep, few can afford
Housing prices are so steep in suburban Hanoi that few people will ever be able to buy a place of their own.
A worker at her rent house in Hanoi.
The average income in the national capital is between VND10 million and VND15 million, while the cheapest dwelling of 50 square meters costs VND300 million, according to the Hanoi Socioeconomic Research and Development Institute.
“That means a person would have to work for 25 to 30 years, and spend nothing in that time, to save up for a house,” the institute’s head, Nguyen Dinh Duong, said at a conference held by the Hanoi Construction Association on Friday.
“So a huge number of urban residents will never buy a home.”
The alternative, renting, is nearly as big a problem.
There are now 55 industrial zones in Hanoi, but almost none supply accommodation for their workers, Do Quoc Tuan, deputy director of Hanoi Construction Department, told the audience.
According to his department, only 30 percent of state workers have been provided with housing, and the college and university dormitories can barely accommodate 20 percent of the city’s 800,000 tertiary students.
Hanoi will need investment of VND43.5 trillion to build enough housing for 60 percent of the students, 50 percent of the workers and five percent of low-income earners in the built-up area by 2015, Tuan said.
His superior, Do Xuan Anh, said the task ahead was beset by “difficulties with policies to develop home funds and ensure investors get their money back.”
“Housing development efforts are yet to meet the demand of young laborers and young married couples,” he said.
In Hanoi so far this year, construction of 800 houses for low-income earners has begun in Long Bien District, and plans have been made to build housing for college students on nearly six hectares of land in two new satellite towns in Thanh Tri and Tu Liem districts.
Duong said housing could be made more affordable by reducing the average area to 30 square meters or less and using inexpensive building materials.
Nguyen Trong Ninh, deputy head of the Housing and Real Estate Management Department of the Ministry of Construction, suggested the government either invest directly to build housing for rent to low-income earners, or supply property developers with land to do the same.
Duong gave the idea his support and suggested the housing problem might be eased if low-income earners accepted the idea of renting and gave up all thought of ever owning a place of their own.
VietNamNet/TN
A worker at her rent house in Hanoi.
The average income in the national capital is between VND10 million and VND15 million, while the cheapest dwelling of 50 square meters costs VND300 million, according to the Hanoi Socioeconomic Research and Development Institute.
“That means a person would have to work for 25 to 30 years, and spend nothing in that time, to save up for a house,” the institute’s head, Nguyen Dinh Duong, said at a conference held by the Hanoi Construction Association on Friday.
“So a huge number of urban residents will never buy a home.”
The alternative, renting, is nearly as big a problem.
There are now 55 industrial zones in Hanoi, but almost none supply accommodation for their workers, Do Quoc Tuan, deputy director of Hanoi Construction Department, told the audience.
According to his department, only 30 percent of state workers have been provided with housing, and the college and university dormitories can barely accommodate 20 percent of the city’s 800,000 tertiary students.
Hanoi will need investment of VND43.5 trillion to build enough housing for 60 percent of the students, 50 percent of the workers and five percent of low-income earners in the built-up area by 2015, Tuan said.
His superior, Do Xuan Anh, said the task ahead was beset by “difficulties with policies to develop home funds and ensure investors get their money back.”
“Housing development efforts are yet to meet the demand of young laborers and young married couples,” he said.
In Hanoi so far this year, construction of 800 houses for low-income earners has begun in Long Bien District, and plans have been made to build housing for college students on nearly six hectares of land in two new satellite towns in Thanh Tri and Tu Liem districts.
Duong said housing could be made more affordable by reducing the average area to 30 square meters or less and using inexpensive building materials.
Nguyen Trong Ninh, deputy head of the Housing and Real Estate Management Department of the Ministry of Construction, suggested the government either invest directly to build housing for rent to low-income earners, or supply property developers with land to do the same.
Duong gave the idea his support and suggested the housing problem might be eased if low-income earners accepted the idea of renting and gave up all thought of ever owning a place of their own.
VietNamNet/TN
Bus driver hands out mask in fear of outbreak
A bus operator based in Tuy Hoa city in Phu Yen province has made it compulsory for all staff and passengers travelling to and from HCM City to wear face masks against swine flu and distributes them free of cost.
Cuc Tu, which runs the largest fleet between HCM City and the capital of central Phu Yen province, distributes the activated carbon masks to passengers as soon as they get on board.
Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, the fleet owner, explained: "If we hand out the masks at ticket booths, chances are that people will just drop them."
The masks cost her VND30 million (US$1,700) a month, she said, but fares remain unchanged and the company would continue to bear the cost until the epidemic was wiped out.
"We’re in a peak season now, with students returning to the city for the new school year, increasing the risk of infection," she said, noting that her fleet of 30 buses transport around 1,000 people a day.
"Passengers stay packed in a narrow air-conditioned space. So the risk is high."
The masks were made mandatory soon after the first swine-flu death was reported in Nha Trang City earlier this month, she said.
Her husband, Ho Tu, who also manages the business, said any staff member would have a day’s salary cut if found not wearing the mask while working.
So far, the province had reported no cases of infection.
But Tu said he was very concerned since if just one infection is found in a coach, the whole fleet would be prevented from operating and the staff would be quarantined.
"So we should not regret the money spent on masks, because it can save passengers from infection and our credibility from being damaged.
"If other transporters follow us, I think it’s good for all."
Nguyen Truong Ton, 52, who was travelling with his wife and young daughter, said he got used to wearing masks since he traveled to the city three times a month on business.
"At first, it’s very uncomfortable," he admitted.
Huynh Van Trung, a driver for Cuc Tu, said many people in Phu Yen were too afraid to go to the city because of the outbreak of A/H1N1 flu and the company had to find ways to reassure them.
"I don’t know who’s infected and who’s not, so I think I should wear it for safety," Vuong Thi Mien, 51, who did not once take off her mask during the trip to HCM City, said.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Cuc Tu, which runs the largest fleet between HCM City and the capital of central Phu Yen province, distributes the activated carbon masks to passengers as soon as they get on board.
Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, the fleet owner, explained: "If we hand out the masks at ticket booths, chances are that people will just drop them."
The masks cost her VND30 million (US$1,700) a month, she said, but fares remain unchanged and the company would continue to bear the cost until the epidemic was wiped out.
"We’re in a peak season now, with students returning to the city for the new school year, increasing the risk of infection," she said, noting that her fleet of 30 buses transport around 1,000 people a day.
"Passengers stay packed in a narrow air-conditioned space. So the risk is high."
The masks were made mandatory soon after the first swine-flu death was reported in Nha Trang City earlier this month, she said.
Her husband, Ho Tu, who also manages the business, said any staff member would have a day’s salary cut if found not wearing the mask while working.
So far, the province had reported no cases of infection.
But Tu said he was very concerned since if just one infection is found in a coach, the whole fleet would be prevented from operating and the staff would be quarantined.
"So we should not regret the money spent on masks, because it can save passengers from infection and our credibility from being damaged.
"If other transporters follow us, I think it’s good for all."
Nguyen Truong Ton, 52, who was travelling with his wife and young daughter, said he got used to wearing masks since he traveled to the city three times a month on business.
"At first, it’s very uncomfortable," he admitted.
Huynh Van Trung, a driver for Cuc Tu, said many people in Phu Yen were too afraid to go to the city because of the outbreak of A/H1N1 flu and the company had to find ways to reassure them.
"I don’t know who’s infected and who’s not, so I think I should wear it for safety," Vuong Thi Mien, 51, who did not once take off her mask during the trip to HCM City, said.
VietNamNet/Viet Nam News
Friday, August 28, 2009
5 Secrets for Avoiding Sky-High Phone Bills on the Road
When it comes to "gotcha" fees, the cellular phone industry makes travel companies look like rank amateurs.
Take what happened to P. Morgan Brown when his wife decided to take a spur-of-the-moment vacation to Indonesia. Her Verizon bill came to a staggering $8,000. Text-messages home cost an astounding $2.50 each and the meter was running at an eye-popping $1.75 a minute for phone calls.
"We almost missed a mortgage payment when the auto-withdrawal for the first bill came through and wiped out our checking account," says Brown, who works for an Internet company in Aliso Viejo, Calif. "What a waste of money."
Stories like his are becoming more common, according to cellular industry experts -- despite some governments' best efforts to contain these exorbitant fees. "The main reason is that people are using their phones more for data than voice calls," says Azita Arvani, a wireless industry consultant based in Los Angeles. With a conventional call, users can gauge the cost per minute and adjust their talk time. But gauging data use isn't as straightforward. An e-mail, Web site or video can gobble up a lot more bandwidth than you'd think.
The European Union limited roaming charges two years ago. And this month, a new set of regulations go into effect that cap text-message costs to €.11, limit data rates to a reasonable €1 per megabyte, and boost requirements for billing transparency. No comparable laws have been proposed in the United States, where the guiding philosophy behind this almost total lack of regulation is that market forces alone will stop wireless carriers from overbilling their customers.
Here's one way those market forces work: Brown dropped Verizon at his first opportunity and signed up with AT&T. He doesn't auto-pay his cell phone bills anymore and rents a cell phone when he's abroad. "My American cell phone is now for strict emergencies," he adds.
There's probably only one way wireless companies could make more from their roaming fees, and that's if they printed money in their basement. A recent Harris Interactive survey found international roaming fees cost U.S. businesses an average of $693 per trip per traveler. In Europe, the typical wireless company generates between 3% and 10% of their revenue -- an annual total of €5 billion a year -- through roaming fees, according to the GSM Association.
Why? Because they can, says Ken Grunski, President of San Diego, Calif.-based wireless company Telestial. "When you roam, you are using your phone on another company's network, not the network of your own wireless company," he says. "These other companies generally charge high wholesale charges to your company for using their network."
In other words, it doesn't actually cost $2 a minute to use another wireless company -- not to that carrier, not even to yours. It's almost pure profit.
But what can you do?
I asked myself that very question after landing in Vancouver recently. I had fired up my AT&T iPhone, called home to tell everyone I'd landed safely. I had checked out the roaming rates on the ATT.com site before leaving, and they seemed pretty reasonable. I assumed they would apply to me. Wrong. After checking a few e-mail messages, a friend warned that AT&T would charge me a bundle if I didn't have a calling plan that included Canada.
Once I checked into my hotel -- which offered free wireless service, thank goodness -- I did a little research and found scores of AT&T customers who had paid thousands of dollars in unexpected roaming fees. I could feel the color draining from my face. I contacted AT&T immediately, told a representative I was turning off my cell phone, and said I was deeply concerned about my next phone bill.
Don't let this happen to you. Here are a few strategies you can use to make sure you aren't hammered by these ridiculous fees:
1. Buy Another Phone
If you're going to be away for a while, maybe you need a native cell phone. Bruce Molsky, a musician based in Washington, buys a network-unlocked phone when he travels overseas. "The total charges are usually less than a quarter of what AT&T would have charged," he says. "Plus I have the luxury of making and receiving calls in the country I'm in for normal rates."
2. Get a Plan
If you're attached to your cell phone -- and let's face it, if your life is on your phone, you probably are -- or if it's just a short trip, then you might consider keeping your phone but switching to an overseas calling plan. "You should be able to switch to that plan on a temporary basis which would give you favorable rates abroad," says Mark Asnes, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the cellular company Wireless Zone. Typically, the rates are between 99 cents and $1.99 per minute. (Still not cheap, but about half what you'd pay if you were plan-less.)
3. Go VoIP
Voice over IP -- using a PC or other Internet-connected device to make phone calls -- is a popular alternative to making cell phone calls overseas. Michael Brein, a psychologist based in Honolulu, uses a VoIP service called Skype to make inexpensive phone when he's in Europe. "So long as you have wireless access, then calling from your laptop to phone numbers using Skype-out can be as little as two cents a minute," he says. He's also downloaded a Skype app for his iPhone, which allows him to make VoIP calls when he's near a high-speed wireless network.
4. Swap Cards
You might be able to have it both ways -- that is, keep your phone and get a lower rate than the one offered by your wireless carrier. Andy Abramson, who edits a telephony blog (http://andyabramson.blogs.com) swaps out the SIM cards on his phone when he travels. A SIM card, shorthand for a Subscriber Identity Module, effectively lets you change your phone number to a local one when you're traveling. "I buy local SIMs in country or a travel SIM from SIM4Travel or MaxRoam," he says. "Both offer competitive rates."
5. Leave Your Phone at Home
It's the only way to be absolutely sure. The moment you power up your phone, you're in danger of passively checking e-mails or voice mails and incurring unconscionable roaming charges. So the best way of avoiding overseas roaming charges is to not bring your handset at all.
Which isn't to say you can't fight these fees. Steven Frischling, a New York travel consultant, returned from a recent trip to Detroit to find a $500 international phone bill. "I was unaware that my T-Mobile BlackBerry was repeatedly hitting the GSM towers across the river in Canada," he recalls. But after supplying T-Mobile with sufficient documentation that he was in Michigan, the wireless carrier corrected his bill.
My run-in with AT&T had a happy ending, too. After a month or two of polite correspondence with a customer service representative, the charges were promptly removed "as a courtesy."
Take what happened to P. Morgan Brown when his wife decided to take a spur-of-the-moment vacation to Indonesia. Her Verizon bill came to a staggering $8,000. Text-messages home cost an astounding $2.50 each and the meter was running at an eye-popping $1.75 a minute for phone calls.
"We almost missed a mortgage payment when the auto-withdrawal for the first bill came through and wiped out our checking account," says Brown, who works for an Internet company in Aliso Viejo, Calif. "What a waste of money."
Stories like his are becoming more common, according to cellular industry experts -- despite some governments' best efforts to contain these exorbitant fees. "The main reason is that people are using their phones more for data than voice calls," says Azita Arvani, a wireless industry consultant based in Los Angeles. With a conventional call, users can gauge the cost per minute and adjust their talk time. But gauging data use isn't as straightforward. An e-mail, Web site or video can gobble up a lot more bandwidth than you'd think.
The European Union limited roaming charges two years ago. And this month, a new set of regulations go into effect that cap text-message costs to €.11, limit data rates to a reasonable €1 per megabyte, and boost requirements for billing transparency. No comparable laws have been proposed in the United States, where the guiding philosophy behind this almost total lack of regulation is that market forces alone will stop wireless carriers from overbilling their customers.
Here's one way those market forces work: Brown dropped Verizon at his first opportunity and signed up with AT&T. He doesn't auto-pay his cell phone bills anymore and rents a cell phone when he's abroad. "My American cell phone is now for strict emergencies," he adds.
There's probably only one way wireless companies could make more from their roaming fees, and that's if they printed money in their basement. A recent Harris Interactive survey found international roaming fees cost U.S. businesses an average of $693 per trip per traveler. In Europe, the typical wireless company generates between 3% and 10% of their revenue -- an annual total of €5 billion a year -- through roaming fees, according to the GSM Association.
Why? Because they can, says Ken Grunski, President of San Diego, Calif.-based wireless company Telestial. "When you roam, you are using your phone on another company's network, not the network of your own wireless company," he says. "These other companies generally charge high wholesale charges to your company for using their network."
In other words, it doesn't actually cost $2 a minute to use another wireless company -- not to that carrier, not even to yours. It's almost pure profit.
But what can you do?
I asked myself that very question after landing in Vancouver recently. I had fired up my AT&T iPhone, called home to tell everyone I'd landed safely. I had checked out the roaming rates on the ATT.com site before leaving, and they seemed pretty reasonable. I assumed they would apply to me. Wrong. After checking a few e-mail messages, a friend warned that AT&T would charge me a bundle if I didn't have a calling plan that included Canada.
Once I checked into my hotel -- which offered free wireless service, thank goodness -- I did a little research and found scores of AT&T customers who had paid thousands of dollars in unexpected roaming fees. I could feel the color draining from my face. I contacted AT&T immediately, told a representative I was turning off my cell phone, and said I was deeply concerned about my next phone bill.
Don't let this happen to you. Here are a few strategies you can use to make sure you aren't hammered by these ridiculous fees:
1. Buy Another Phone
If you're going to be away for a while, maybe you need a native cell phone. Bruce Molsky, a musician based in Washington, buys a network-unlocked phone when he travels overseas. "The total charges are usually less than a quarter of what AT&T would have charged," he says. "Plus I have the luxury of making and receiving calls in the country I'm in for normal rates."
2. Get a Plan
If you're attached to your cell phone -- and let's face it, if your life is on your phone, you probably are -- or if it's just a short trip, then you might consider keeping your phone but switching to an overseas calling plan. "You should be able to switch to that plan on a temporary basis which would give you favorable rates abroad," says Mark Asnes, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the cellular company Wireless Zone. Typically, the rates are between 99 cents and $1.99 per minute. (Still not cheap, but about half what you'd pay if you were plan-less.)
3. Go VoIP
Voice over IP -- using a PC or other Internet-connected device to make phone calls -- is a popular alternative to making cell phone calls overseas. Michael Brein, a psychologist based in Honolulu, uses a VoIP service called Skype to make inexpensive phone when he's in Europe. "So long as you have wireless access, then calling from your laptop to phone numbers using Skype-out can be as little as two cents a minute," he says. He's also downloaded a Skype app for his iPhone, which allows him to make VoIP calls when he's near a high-speed wireless network.
4. Swap Cards
You might be able to have it both ways -- that is, keep your phone and get a lower rate than the one offered by your wireless carrier. Andy Abramson, who edits a telephony blog (http://andyabramson.blogs.com) swaps out the SIM cards on his phone when he travels. A SIM card, shorthand for a Subscriber Identity Module, effectively lets you change your phone number to a local one when you're traveling. "I buy local SIMs in country or a travel SIM from SIM4Travel or MaxRoam," he says. "Both offer competitive rates."
5. Leave Your Phone at Home
It's the only way to be absolutely sure. The moment you power up your phone, you're in danger of passively checking e-mails or voice mails and incurring unconscionable roaming charges. So the best way of avoiding overseas roaming charges is to not bring your handset at all.
Which isn't to say you can't fight these fees. Steven Frischling, a New York travel consultant, returned from a recent trip to Detroit to find a $500 international phone bill. "I was unaware that my T-Mobile BlackBerry was repeatedly hitting the GSM towers across the river in Canada," he recalls. But after supplying T-Mobile with sufficient documentation that he was in Michigan, the wireless carrier corrected his bill.
My run-in with AT&T had a happy ending, too. After a month or two of polite correspondence with a customer service representative, the charges were promptly removed "as a courtesy."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Baltimore ad agency markets Miller High Life in Vietnam
Brewer SABMiller is marketing Miller High Life to Vietnam with the help of a Baltimore agency, Trahan Burden & Charles. The theme of the ad campaign is “It’s American time, it’s Miller time.”
According to research, Vietnamese people believe that “an American brand means quality.”
While the memories of the American military and the Vietnam War are still present in the older Vietnamese generation, the median age of Vietnam is 25 and therefore has no memory of the war. “There’s almost no negative [opinion of] America. They’ve moved on,” stated SABMiller marketing president Sally Brophy.
The main attraction of the ad campaign is a television commercial showing Americans enjoying themselves out on the town. Most of the footage was filmed in Baltimore.
According to research, Vietnamese people believe that “an American brand means quality.”
While the memories of the American military and the Vietnam War are still present in the older Vietnamese generation, the median age of Vietnam is 25 and therefore has no memory of the war. “There’s almost no negative [opinion of] America. They’ve moved on,” stated SABMiller marketing president Sally Brophy.
The main attraction of the ad campaign is a television commercial showing Americans enjoying themselves out on the town. Most of the footage was filmed in Baltimore.
Mexico offering unheard-of deals-27 August, 2009
Plagued by swine flu and a reputation for drug violence, Mexico is fighting back with luxury properties offering unheard-of deals and even moderately priced hotels offering prices that practically scream “bargain.”
“Stick a pin on the map, and you can pay as little as half what you would have a year ago,” says The San Francisco Chronicle.
Deeper discounts are not uncommon in prime time winter and spring but they are now extending into the fall and even through the end of the year.
Some high level resorts are offering to match published rates at any other five-star hotel in Mexico or the Caribbean for a limited time.
Just a few examples:
Esencia, one of the Riviera Maya's most sumptuous properties (typically $459 a night and up), is offering three nights for the price of two through Dec. 20 plus spa, restaurant and other resort credits, equal to the daily room rate, through Oct. 15.
In Mazatlán, Pueblo Bonito's 35 percent "stimulus package" discount puts a family of four in a junior suite in the Golden Zone for $107 a night through December.
Also in Mazatlan, visitors can also get four nights for the price of two (from $70) at the Melville Suites, a restored 19th century former nuns' school in the heart of the old city through Oct. 31.
In Los Cabos, more than 30 hotels offer free nights, resort credits up to $350 per day, free room upgrades and meals, spa discounts and free golf; peruse the packages.
The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort has an “Unlimited Golf Package that includes chauffeur service and other perks such as buffets and cocktails. The package begins at $298 a night for travel now through Oct. 4.
“Stick a pin on the map, and you can pay as little as half what you would have a year ago,” says The San Francisco Chronicle.
Deeper discounts are not uncommon in prime time winter and spring but they are now extending into the fall and even through the end of the year.
Some high level resorts are offering to match published rates at any other five-star hotel in Mexico or the Caribbean for a limited time.
Just a few examples:
Esencia, one of the Riviera Maya's most sumptuous properties (typically $459 a night and up), is offering three nights for the price of two through Dec. 20 plus spa, restaurant and other resort credits, equal to the daily room rate, through Oct. 15.
In Mazatlán, Pueblo Bonito's 35 percent "stimulus package" discount puts a family of four in a junior suite in the Golden Zone for $107 a night through December.
Also in Mazatlan, visitors can also get four nights for the price of two (from $70) at the Melville Suites, a restored 19th century former nuns' school in the heart of the old city through Oct. 31.
In Los Cabos, more than 30 hotels offer free nights, resort credits up to $350 per day, free room upgrades and meals, spa discounts and free golf; peruse the packages.
The Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort has an “Unlimited Golf Package that includes chauffeur service and other perks such as buffets and cocktails. The package begins at $298 a night for travel now through Oct. 4.
Want the world's best wages?
Employees in Zurich and Geneva have the highest net wages in the world, a study by banking group UBS shows, while those in Mumbai take home the lowest.
The Swiss cities were also ranked among the top five most expensive in the world in the bank's 2009 "Price and Earnings" international study.
"With its extremely high gross wages and comparatively low tax rates, Switzerland is a very employee-friendly country," the Swiss bank said in a statement.
"No other cities allow workers to take home more income at the end of the month than Zurich and Geneva."
The study, published every three years, compares the income and purchasing power of employees in 73 cities across the globe, highlighting wide discrepancies in wages between different regions, and even within the same country.
The biggest gaps were found in Asia, the study said, with Tokyo ranking as one of the world's five costliest cities while the capitals of developing countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and India were all at the bottom of the price range.
Oslo was this year's most expensive city, based on a standardised basket of 122 goods and services, followed by Zurich, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and New York.
When rents are factored in, however, New York rises to the top spot, the study said.
This year, the bank said currency fluctuations caused by the global economic crisis affected the rankings of several cities, most notably London, which was the second most expensive city in 2006, but which fell nearly 20 places following the pound's drop earlier this year.
The analysis involved more than 30,000 data points, collected by several independent observers in each city, in March and April, the bank said. All amounts were converted into a single currency before being compared.
The Swiss cities were also ranked among the top five most expensive in the world in the bank's 2009 "Price and Earnings" international study.
"With its extremely high gross wages and comparatively low tax rates, Switzerland is a very employee-friendly country," the Swiss bank said in a statement.
"No other cities allow workers to take home more income at the end of the month than Zurich and Geneva."
The study, published every three years, compares the income and purchasing power of employees in 73 cities across the globe, highlighting wide discrepancies in wages between different regions, and even within the same country.
The biggest gaps were found in Asia, the study said, with Tokyo ranking as one of the world's five costliest cities while the capitals of developing countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines and India were all at the bottom of the price range.
Oslo was this year's most expensive city, based on a standardised basket of 122 goods and services, followed by Zurich, Copenhagen, Geneva, Tokyo and New York.
When rents are factored in, however, New York rises to the top spot, the study said.
This year, the bank said currency fluctuations caused by the global economic crisis affected the rankings of several cities, most notably London, which was the second most expensive city in 2006, but which fell nearly 20 places following the pound's drop earlier this year.
The analysis involved more than 30,000 data points, collected by several independent observers in each city, in March and April, the bank said. All amounts were converted into a single currency before being compared.
Sin city of the Middle East 2009
Lebanon has seen it all: a bloody 1975-1990 civil war, military occupation, high-profile assassinations, and unending political instability. But today, Beirut is earning a reputation as the sin city of the Middle East.
“From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls,” the city is attracting all types, says the Sydney Morning Herald.
A record one million-plus tourists visited Lebanon last month alone, according to the tourism ministry, which is expecting more than two million tourists by the end of 2009, a figure roughly equivalent to half the country's population.
“Clubbers don't bat an eye in popping $1000 for a bottle of champagne to guarantee attention at a trendy nightspot, where less is more as far as women's wear is concerned, and fireworks displays regularly light up the skies,” says the newspaper.
Prices for a bottle of champagne at some clubs run from $200 (USD$243) to a staggering $15,000 (USD$18,250), but regulars at places like Palais Crystal -- modelled after the famed Palais Club in Cannes – told the newspaper it is worth it.
“From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls,” the city is attracting all types, says the Sydney Morning Herald.
A record one million-plus tourists visited Lebanon last month alone, according to the tourism ministry, which is expecting more than two million tourists by the end of 2009, a figure roughly equivalent to half the country's population.
“Clubbers don't bat an eye in popping $1000 for a bottle of champagne to guarantee attention at a trendy nightspot, where less is more as far as women's wear is concerned, and fireworks displays regularly light up the skies,” says the newspaper.
Prices for a bottle of champagne at some clubs run from $200 (USD$243) to a staggering $15,000 (USD$18,250), but regulars at places like Palais Crystal -- modelled after the famed Palais Club in Cannes – told the newspaper it is worth it.
Sin city of the Middle East-27 August, 2009
Lebanon has seen it all: a bloody 1975-1990 civil war, military occupation, high-profile assassinations, and unending political instability. But today, Beirut is earning a reputation as the sin city of the Middle East.
“From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls,” the city is attracting all types, says the Sydney Morning Herald.
A record one million-plus tourists visited Lebanon last month alone, according to the tourism ministry, which is expecting more than two million tourists by the end of 2009, a figure roughly equivalent to half the country's population.
“Clubbers don't bat an eye in popping $1000 for a bottle of champagne to guarantee attention at a trendy nightspot, where less is more as far as women's wear is concerned, and fireworks displays regularly light up the skies,” says the newspaper.
Prices for a bottle of champagne at some clubs run from $200 (USD$243) to a staggering $15,000 (USD$18,250), but regulars at places like Palais Crystal -- modelled after the famed Palais Club in Cannes – told the newspaper it is worth it.
“From nudist beach parties and wild bashes hosted by the likes of Paris Hilton, to gay clubs, gambling and showgirls,” the city is attracting all types, says the Sydney Morning Herald.
A record one million-plus tourists visited Lebanon last month alone, according to the tourism ministry, which is expecting more than two million tourists by the end of 2009, a figure roughly equivalent to half the country's population.
“Clubbers don't bat an eye in popping $1000 for a bottle of champagne to guarantee attention at a trendy nightspot, where less is more as far as women's wear is concerned, and fireworks displays regularly light up the skies,” says the newspaper.
Prices for a bottle of champagne at some clubs run from $200 (USD$243) to a staggering $15,000 (USD$18,250), but regulars at places like Palais Crystal -- modelled after the famed Palais Club in Cannes – told the newspaper it is worth it.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Dubai hotel rates bouncing off the bottom-27 August, 2009
DUBAI - Dubai hotels experienced a substantial improvement in performance in July following sharp declines in revenues in the first half of the year.
Hotels in the emirate saw a 24 percent fall in revenue per available room (REVPAR) to US$107.09 last month compared with $141.03 in the same month last year, according to data from STR Global.
This represented a major improvement compared with the 33.9 percent decline seen in the previous month.
“The Middle East finally showed some signs of improvement, with Dubai making significant gains,” said James Chappell, the managing director of STR Global.
Occupancy levels for Dubai hotels increased last month compared with June, but were down from last year. Occupancy was 65.1 per cent last month compared with 71.7 per cent in July of last year.
.
For the Middle East as a whole, there was a 16.3 per cent drop in REVPAR to $103.17 last month from $123.27 in July last year.
Occupancy levels were down to 61.1 per cent from 68.1 per cent.
Beirut experienced the largest increase in the region, with REVPAR up 74 per cent last month to $256.15.
Hotels in the emirate saw a 24 percent fall in revenue per available room (REVPAR) to US$107.09 last month compared with $141.03 in the same month last year, according to data from STR Global.
This represented a major improvement compared with the 33.9 percent decline seen in the previous month.
“The Middle East finally showed some signs of improvement, with Dubai making significant gains,” said James Chappell, the managing director of STR Global.
Occupancy levels for Dubai hotels increased last month compared with June, but were down from last year. Occupancy was 65.1 per cent last month compared with 71.7 per cent in July of last year.
.
For the Middle East as a whole, there was a 16.3 per cent drop in REVPAR to $103.17 last month from $123.27 in July last year.
Occupancy levels were down to 61.1 per cent from 68.1 per cent.
Beirut experienced the largest increase in the region, with REVPAR up 74 per cent last month to $256.15.
U.S., Japanese governments investigate origins of museum bones - Inside Bay Area
A collection of human bones stored at UC Berkeley that could be those of Japanese soldiers who committed suicide on Saipan during the American invasion of 1944 is being investigated by U.S. and Japanese authorities, a university official said Wednesday.
The school is "engaged in careful and complicated discussions" to see if there is some way to get better information on the remains, the official said.
That information could solve legal questions over the bones and raise repatriation issues.The bones were donated 35 years ago to the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology by a U.S. Navy physician.
Dr. Max Childress, who was a lieutenant commander in the Navy on Saipan, collected the bones in 1945. He has since died.Issues surrounding the bones and whether their collection violated the Geneva Conventions on war mysteriously sprang to life about a year ago when someone sent letters to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Japanese government and the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo that commemorates Japanese war dead.The letters told of the existence of the remains and offered to give them back, UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof said."That was an unauthorized communication from a current or former employee of the museum to the shrine and other government agencies," he said.The school then received letters from the shrine saying "at this shrine, we pray to the spirits of the war dead. We therefore have no human The bones, including two skulls, four jaw bones, four ribs, one partial skull and others, were collected in hospitals on the island and other parts of Saipan, Mogulof said. Testing of DNA samples from descendants of those who were on Saipan during the American invasion is one way the university could find more information about them, but the official did not know if that is part of the discussions between the two governments.If the bones eventually are determined to be of those who were in the Japanese military, the university will have a better idea whether it has been in violation of any aspect of the Geneva Conventions, which establishes rules for the treatment of prisoners of war, the sick wounded or dead.Until now, lawyers for the school have said it is impossible to say whether the school has been in violation of the law because it is unknown if the bones are of military personnel or not. Mogulof said that since the bones have so little documentation with them, the school cannot be certain they are indeed those of Japanese soldiers who committed suicide there during the American invasion.
"In normal circumstances, what is written on the catalog card is substantiated by source documents, but we don't have those source documents," Mogulof said. "All we know is that they appear to be of East Asian origin."A U.S. Navy spokesman said there is too little information on the bones at the moment to make a determination of their origin."From our inquiries with Cal, we can't confirm that they are from Saipan or if they are Japanese military personnel," U.S. Navy Lt. Commander John Daniels said.Daniels said the Navy looked into the matter because the bones were donated by a Navy officer. Childress also lived in Vietnam and Indonesia following World War II.A spokesman at the Japanese Embassy in Washington said the Japanese government was aware of the situation, but it has not made any official response.
Documentation provided by UC Berkeley show that the bones were picked up by a museum staffer from Childress in San Francisco with the description stating that they were "1 box of assorted skulls and post-cranial bone, the unmarked specimens were collected on Saipan in 1945. The marked bones are from various hospitals Dr. Childress worked in." A letter from a staff member to Childress in 1974 said, "Thank you so much for your donation of the skeletal specimens you obtained on Saipan. The skulls will be very useful in the Physical Anthropology laboratory as teaching specimens."UC Berkeley stopped taking donations of bones 20 years ago, although the bones are still important in teaching, Mogulof said.
Bones at the museum are nothing new. It houses the remains of about 11,000 individuals, Mogulof said, from prehistoric California, Peru, Egypt and other areas.<"The answer to why we accepted the (Saipan) bones can be provided only by people who are dead or no longer work here," he said. "We can't simply box them up and send them some place absent knowledge of somebody or some entity that wants them, is ready to accept them and has a legitimate claim to repatriate them without the substantiating information required to return them and the circumstances as to why they died.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project: Mekong Build 2009 -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l
Home >> Get Involved >> Carter Project >> 2009 Mekong Build
Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project: Mekong Build 2009
Apply to volunteer
Applications are available for Carter Work Project build sites in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Apply today!
OverviewThe need for affordable housing in the Mekong region is immense. Some of the poorest people in Asia live along the countries touching The Mekong River. Nearly one-third of the population lives in poverty—many on less than one dollar per day.
From November 15–20, 2009, The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will unite volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in the Mekong region. During the weeklong build, volunteers will build with an estimated 300 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China's Sichuan Province.
Says President Carter, "Together during the week, we will help hundreds of families into decent housing and bring attention to an area where many people live in deplorable poverty."
The project is also the beginning of a five-year Habitat for Humanity initiative to work with 50,000 families in the five countries.
Featured News
Habitat prepares for the Carter Work Project by hosting a test build in Thailand. Read the full story.
Featured Photos and Videos
A Photo Tour of Southeast AsiaThis photo slideshow is a preview of the region, its people, ancient cultures and the work of Habitat for Humanity.
Build Sites
Thailand
Vietnam
China
Cambodia
Laos
Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project: Mekong Build 2009
Apply to volunteer
Applications are available for Carter Work Project build sites in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Apply today!
OverviewThe need for affordable housing in the Mekong region is immense. Some of the poorest people in Asia live along the countries touching The Mekong River. Nearly one-third of the population lives in poverty—many on less than one dollar per day.
From November 15–20, 2009, The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will unite volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in the Mekong region. During the weeklong build, volunteers will build with an estimated 300 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China's Sichuan Province.
Says President Carter, "Together during the week, we will help hundreds of families into decent housing and bring attention to an area where many people live in deplorable poverty."
The project is also the beginning of a five-year Habitat for Humanity initiative to work with 50,000 families in the five countries.
Featured News
Habitat prepares for the Carter Work Project by hosting a test build in Thailand. Read the full story.
Featured Photos and Videos
A Photo Tour of Southeast AsiaThis photo slideshow is a preview of the region, its people, ancient cultures and the work of Habitat for Humanity.
Build Sites
Thailand
Vietnam
China
Cambodia
Laos
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cruise line cuts single supplements-19 August, 2009
Costa Cruises is reducing its single supplement by up to 50% for bookings taken after December 1.
The single supplement comes down to as low as 30% as part of the initiative by the Italian cruise company to encourage more solo travellers.
The seven-night cruise-only price from Dubai in March 2010 for a single person with the trimmed supplement starts at £700.70 in a double inside cabin on new ship Costa Luminosa travelling to Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
The company’s managing director Marco Costa said: “Cruising is the perfect holiday for those travelling alone because there is always something to do, particularly aboard Costa ships.
“We have excellent entertainment, fantastic dining experiences and a wide choice of shore excursions, perfect whether you want to enjoy some alone-time or meet like-minded people.”
The single supplement comes down to as low as 30% as part of the initiative by the Italian cruise company to encourage more solo travellers.
The seven-night cruise-only price from Dubai in March 2010 for a single person with the trimmed supplement starts at £700.70 in a double inside cabin on new ship Costa Luminosa travelling to Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
The company’s managing director Marco Costa said: “Cruising is the perfect holiday for those travelling alone because there is always something to do, particularly aboard Costa ships.
“We have excellent entertainment, fantastic dining experiences and a wide choice of shore excursions, perfect whether you want to enjoy some alone-time or meet like-minded people.”
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Healthiest hotels for guests and conventioneers-19 August, 2009
Healthiest hotels for guests and conventioneers
Where are you most likely to find healthy meetings? Health Magazine has a top ten list which includes:
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has stress-relief options that include a hand massage specifically for those who overuse BlackBerrys.
• Westin Hotels & Resorts’ guests work out in privacy in a number of rooms that include a treadmill or spinning cycle.
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts offers wellness facilities that go beyond fitness with exercises such as paddle boarding, kayak tours and outrigger canoeing. Some of the brand hotels offer organic fruits and cheeses instead of chocolate.
• Hilton Hotels Corporation has an “Eat Right” menu that features high-energy, high-fiber, low-fat offerings.
• Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has a “StayRight Hyatt” program that has a selection of workout routines catering to fitness-conscious guests.
• The Ritz-Carlton has hypoallergenic bedding, signature spas and 100 percent smoke-free properties as well as healthy features such as snowshoe hikes at colder properties. There are also various outdoor activities that include organized beach walks and tennis tournaments.
• Loews Hotels have great gym facilities and maps are available for jogging or walking.
• Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants offer nontoxic cleaning products and on-demand yoga and Pilates workouts in some rooms. Planners can take advantage of out-of-the-box approaches such as starting off the day with group yoga sessions.
• Cambria Suites offer gyms with state-of-the-art Precor equipment and a light fare bistro menu that avoids fried foods.
• The Peninsula Hotels was “inspiring spas,” and food and drink includes organic teas and coffees. A Guest Nutrition Advisor is also available.
by David Wilkening
Where are you most likely to find healthy meetings? Health Magazine has a top ten list which includes:
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has stress-relief options that include a hand massage specifically for those who overuse BlackBerrys.
• Westin Hotels & Resorts’ guests work out in privacy in a number of rooms that include a treadmill or spinning cycle.
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts offers wellness facilities that go beyond fitness with exercises such as paddle boarding, kayak tours and outrigger canoeing. Some of the brand hotels offer organic fruits and cheeses instead of chocolate.
• Hilton Hotels Corporation has an “Eat Right” menu that features high-energy, high-fiber, low-fat offerings.
• Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has a “StayRight Hyatt” program that has a selection of workout routines catering to fitness-conscious guests.
• The Ritz-Carlton has hypoallergenic bedding, signature spas and 100 percent smoke-free properties as well as healthy features such as snowshoe hikes at colder properties. There are also various outdoor activities that include organized beach walks and tennis tournaments.
• Loews Hotels have great gym facilities and maps are available for jogging or walking.
• Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants offer nontoxic cleaning products and on-demand yoga and Pilates workouts in some rooms. Planners can take advantage of out-of-the-box approaches such as starting off the day with group yoga sessions.
• Cambria Suites offer gyms with state-of-the-art Precor equipment and a light fare bistro menu that avoids fried foods.
• The Peninsula Hotels was “inspiring spas,” and food and drink includes organic teas and coffees. A Guest Nutrition Advisor is also available.
by David Wilkening
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Viet Kieu allowed to purchase Real Estate in Vietnam
Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) will be allowed to purchase real estate in their own names from September 1, 2009. However, experts doubt the new policy will cause any immediate changes in the real estate market.
Ownership transfer transactions will increase
Two months ago, Luong’s relative in Germany asked her to help buy another apartment on Hoang Hoa Tham street in Hanoi.
According to Luong, the relative decided to invest money in real estate in Vietnam after he heard that apartment prices in Hanoi keep rising. Luong has purchased five apartments so far this year as ‘authorised’ by her Viet Kieu relatives.
Luong said that when the new policy on allowing Viet Kieu to purchase houses in Vietnam takes effect on September 1, she will transfer ownership to the real owners of the apartments.
Nguyen Van Tam, Director of GTC Real Estate, part of the TSQ Finance Group owned by a Viet Kieu in Poland, also thinks that when the new policy becomes effective, there will be more transfers of ownership than purchases.
In fact, Viet Kieu have been purchasing houses, apartments and time-shares in Vietnam for a long time as investments. They are well-represented in the most attractive real estate market segments.
The 13 hectare, $59 million ‘Viet Kieu Chau Au (European) Village’ is a 100 percent Viet Kieu-financed project east of Hanoi City, kicked off in 2007. Another high grade apartment project, TSQ’s ‘Euro Land,’ capitalized at $70 million, is expected to cover an area of 8,200 square metre in the Mo Lao new urban area west of central Hanoi.
According to Tam, 35 to 40 percent of the buyers in Viet Kieu Chau Au village are Viet Kieu. Tam claimed that it is not clear if the Viet Kieu buy the houses and apartments for their own use or for speculation. However, he believes that many of them intend to live in the units because they have been keeping a close watch over the implementation of the project and adjusting the plans to their individual preference.
It is estimated that 60-70 percent of buyers now will be buying the apartments from original buyers instead of purchasing directly from the investor. The apartments are offered at $1,000 per square metre, up from $900-920 per square metre. Villas are now on offer at 55 million dong (about $3000) per square metre.
The director of a real estate brokerage said that speculators well understand the new policy and they have put down deposits on a lot of apartments and villas at the projects which they think will be attractive to Viet Kieu. However, they have been discouraged by the lower-than-expected influx of investment money from overseas Vietnamese buyers.
Lam, a real estate broker, said that the market has been quiet over the last month with very few successful transactions.
The market will not see big changes soon
Commenting about the outlook for Viet Kieu buyers, Tam said that more sales will be made, but big changes won’t be evident when the new policy takes effect. In this market, so far characterized by ‘underground transactions,’ investors will spend some time watching to see how the new policy is implemented and defining the market tendency.
Tam has sold units in Viet Kieu Chau Au Village. He doubts that Viet Kieu house purchases will affect the real estate market in short term. Not all Viet Kieu can afford real estate products in Vietnam. Some experts believe that the prices have been pushed up high by speculators.
Tam said that Viet Kieu always think more carefully than Vietnamese people before they decide to purchase houses or apartments. At first, they will want to see how the revised law is implemented, and be confident that the market will develop in a stable way.
According to the Ministry of Construction, only 140 Viet Kieu have officially purchased houses in Vietnam since 2001, when certain categories of overseas Vietnamese were permitted to purchase houses in a trial basis. However, the revised law drops virtually all restrictions on such transactions. That’s why experts believe that in long term, the real estate market for Viet Kieu will see strong growth.
In 2008, the members of the Vietnamese diaspora sent $8 billion in remittances to their relatives in Vietnam, an increase of 19 percent over 2007. Much of this money is invested in small businesses and projects.
It is estimated that some 3,000 businesses which have capital contribution by Viet Kieu and 60 percent of such projects have been going profitably. The figures show the great potentials of the market and make people believe that Viet Kieu investors will put money into many more investment projects.
VietNamNet/TBKTVN
Ownership transfer transactions will increase
Two months ago, Luong’s relative in Germany asked her to help buy another apartment on Hoang Hoa Tham street in Hanoi.
According to Luong, the relative decided to invest money in real estate in Vietnam after he heard that apartment prices in Hanoi keep rising. Luong has purchased five apartments so far this year as ‘authorised’ by her Viet Kieu relatives.
Luong said that when the new policy on allowing Viet Kieu to purchase houses in Vietnam takes effect on September 1, she will transfer ownership to the real owners of the apartments.
Nguyen Van Tam, Director of GTC Real Estate, part of the TSQ Finance Group owned by a Viet Kieu in Poland, also thinks that when the new policy becomes effective, there will be more transfers of ownership than purchases.
In fact, Viet Kieu have been purchasing houses, apartments and time-shares in Vietnam for a long time as investments. They are well-represented in the most attractive real estate market segments.
The 13 hectare, $59 million ‘Viet Kieu Chau Au (European) Village’ is a 100 percent Viet Kieu-financed project east of Hanoi City, kicked off in 2007. Another high grade apartment project, TSQ’s ‘Euro Land,’ capitalized at $70 million, is expected to cover an area of 8,200 square metre in the Mo Lao new urban area west of central Hanoi.
According to Tam, 35 to 40 percent of the buyers in Viet Kieu Chau Au village are Viet Kieu. Tam claimed that it is not clear if the Viet Kieu buy the houses and apartments for their own use or for speculation. However, he believes that many of them intend to live in the units because they have been keeping a close watch over the implementation of the project and adjusting the plans to their individual preference.
It is estimated that 60-70 percent of buyers now will be buying the apartments from original buyers instead of purchasing directly from the investor. The apartments are offered at $1,000 per square metre, up from $900-920 per square metre. Villas are now on offer at 55 million dong (about $3000) per square metre.
The director of a real estate brokerage said that speculators well understand the new policy and they have put down deposits on a lot of apartments and villas at the projects which they think will be attractive to Viet Kieu. However, they have been discouraged by the lower-than-expected influx of investment money from overseas Vietnamese buyers.
Lam, a real estate broker, said that the market has been quiet over the last month with very few successful transactions.
The market will not see big changes soon
Commenting about the outlook for Viet Kieu buyers, Tam said that more sales will be made, but big changes won’t be evident when the new policy takes effect. In this market, so far characterized by ‘underground transactions,’ investors will spend some time watching to see how the new policy is implemented and defining the market tendency.
Tam has sold units in Viet Kieu Chau Au Village. He doubts that Viet Kieu house purchases will affect the real estate market in short term. Not all Viet Kieu can afford real estate products in Vietnam. Some experts believe that the prices have been pushed up high by speculators.
Tam said that Viet Kieu always think more carefully than Vietnamese people before they decide to purchase houses or apartments. At first, they will want to see how the revised law is implemented, and be confident that the market will develop in a stable way.
According to the Ministry of Construction, only 140 Viet Kieu have officially purchased houses in Vietnam since 2001, when certain categories of overseas Vietnamese were permitted to purchase houses in a trial basis. However, the revised law drops virtually all restrictions on such transactions. That’s why experts believe that in long term, the real estate market for Viet Kieu will see strong growth.
In 2008, the members of the Vietnamese diaspora sent $8 billion in remittances to their relatives in Vietnam, an increase of 19 percent over 2007. Much of this money is invested in small businesses and projects.
It is estimated that some 3,000 businesses which have capital contribution by Viet Kieu and 60 percent of such projects have been going profitably. The figures show the great potentials of the market and make people believe that Viet Kieu investors will put money into many more investment projects.
VietNamNet/TBKTVN
Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan detained at airport |
Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan said he was humiliated after he was detained for questioning at an American airport, but later downplayed the incident as an "unfortunate procedure."Khan, one of the Indian film industry's biggest stars, was questioned for more than an hour Friday at New Jersey's Newark International Airport. He said he was detained because his picture showed up on a security alert list, but immigration officials said the actor was never "formally held" and that the questioning was part of a routine process, the Associated Press reports.Khan is currently promoting a film titled My Name is Khan — about racial profiling of Muslims after 9/11.Watch videos of Shahrukh Khan"It was absolutely uncalled for, I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month... just a couple of weeks ago," he told The Times of India. "They said I have a common name which is causing the delay... checked my bags... I felt angry and humiliated."The examination took 66 minutes — which officials said would've taken less time had Khan's luggage not been lost — and Khan said he was released after placing a call to the Indian Consulate.Khan sought to downplay the incident on Saturday. He told reporters at the South Asian Carnival in Rosemont, Ill., that he did not want an apology."I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he said.He did not mention the episode to the festival's crowd. Khan attended the event to celebrate India's Independence Day. -- Joyce Eng
Choose your dinner, daily: Vietnam resort conquers menu fatigue
HANOI (Reuters Life!) - Hotel menus can quickly go stale, so aluxury resort in Vietnam has come up with a unique solution: ask the guests what they want to eat, every day.
After consulting patrons, the main restaurant at the recently opened Princess D'Annam Resort on Ke Ga Bay on Vietnam's southern coast comes up with a new menu card every day based on that day's fresh produce.
The restaurant, headed by Chef La Thuan An, specializes in French and Vietnamese food, and each evening's menu includes choices from either cuisine.
One recent menu included pan fried prawns marinated with lemongrass and seafood risotto as the Eastern option and roasted lamb tenderloin as the Western option.
"There is no default menu," Jean-Philippe Beghin, general manager of the 57-villa resort, said in a statement.
"In the same way that performance artists feed off their audience, we've charged our chef and food and beverage manager with acquiring new information about that day's group of guests and using that information to develop that evening's menu."
Guests can also accompany An on his shopping trips to the local fishing village to choose their dinner.
"It happens all the time," said Thierry Mounon, food and beverage manager.
"When people are on holiday, they want their gastronomic experience to be much more than selecting items from a one-size-fits-all list. Many want an interactive dining experience."
The hotel is located some 150 km (93 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City.
Tourism is a small but growing part of the Vietnamese economy, although the global economic slowdown and H1N1 flu outbreak have eaten into the number of visitors traveling to the Southeast Asian country this year.
The country is targeting 4.5 million visitors this year, but state media have said it may only see just over 3 million.
(Writing by Miral Fahmy, editing by John Ruwitch)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
After consulting patrons, the main restaurant at the recently opened Princess D'Annam Resort on Ke Ga Bay on Vietnam's southern coast comes up with a new menu card every day based on that day's fresh produce.
The restaurant, headed by Chef La Thuan An, specializes in French and Vietnamese food, and each evening's menu includes choices from either cuisine.
One recent menu included pan fried prawns marinated with lemongrass and seafood risotto as the Eastern option and roasted lamb tenderloin as the Western option.
"There is no default menu," Jean-Philippe Beghin, general manager of the 57-villa resort, said in a statement.
"In the same way that performance artists feed off their audience, we've charged our chef and food and beverage manager with acquiring new information about that day's group of guests and using that information to develop that evening's menu."
Guests can also accompany An on his shopping trips to the local fishing village to choose their dinner.
"It happens all the time," said Thierry Mounon, food and beverage manager.
"When people are on holiday, they want their gastronomic experience to be much more than selecting items from a one-size-fits-all list. Many want an interactive dining experience."
The hotel is located some 150 km (93 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City.
Tourism is a small but growing part of the Vietnamese economy, although the global economic slowdown and H1N1 flu outbreak have eaten into the number of visitors traveling to the Southeast Asian country this year.
The country is targeting 4.5 million visitors this year, but state media have said it may only see just over 3 million.
(Writing by Miral Fahmy, editing by John Ruwitch)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thai elephant takes 1st steps with artificial leg
Motola, an elephant who lost a foot and part of her leg when she stepped on a land mine 10 years ago, happily if tentatively stepped out Sunday after being fitted with an artificial limb.
In her first stroll with the permanent prosthesis, the 48-year-old female walked out of her enclosure for about 10 minutes, grabbed some dust with her trunk and jubilantly sprayed it in the air.
"It has gone very well — she has walked around twice," said Soraida Salwala, secretary general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant, a private group. "She has not put her whole weight on it yet but she's OK."
Motola was injured in 1999 while working at a logging camp near the Myanmar border, a region peppered with land mines after a half-century of insurgency. Her mangled left front foot was subsequently amputated.
Motola had been wearing a temporary device for three years to strengthen her leg muscles and tendons and to prepare her for the permanent prosthesis. Soraida said Motola has otherwise been in fine health and that her once bony frame now weighs more than 3 tons.
Motola's initial operation used enough anesthetic to floor 70 people — a record noted in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records.
The artificial leg was made by the Prostheses Foundation, which also makes artificial limbs for human amputees.
Soraida's group established the Elephant Hospital in northern Thailand, where Motola was being treated, in 1993. The world's first such facility, the hospital has treated thousands of elephants for ailments ranging from eye infections to gunshot wounds.
Mine injuries are only one of many problems facing the domesticated giant, whose numbers have dropped from 13,400 in 1950 to today's estimated 2,500. The number of wild elephants has also dropped dramatically.
Traditionally the truck, taxi and logging worker of Thailand, the elephant's role has been eroded due to modernization. One saving grace has been tourism, which employs many elephants for trekking and other activities.
In her first stroll with the permanent prosthesis, the 48-year-old female walked out of her enclosure for about 10 minutes, grabbed some dust with her trunk and jubilantly sprayed it in the air.
"It has gone very well — she has walked around twice," said Soraida Salwala, secretary general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant, a private group. "She has not put her whole weight on it yet but she's OK."
Motola was injured in 1999 while working at a logging camp near the Myanmar border, a region peppered with land mines after a half-century of insurgency. Her mangled left front foot was subsequently amputated.
Motola had been wearing a temporary device for three years to strengthen her leg muscles and tendons and to prepare her for the permanent prosthesis. Soraida said Motola has otherwise been in fine health and that her once bony frame now weighs more than 3 tons.
Motola's initial operation used enough anesthetic to floor 70 people — a record noted in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records.
The artificial leg was made by the Prostheses Foundation, which also makes artificial limbs for human amputees.
Soraida's group established the Elephant Hospital in northern Thailand, where Motola was being treated, in 1993. The world's first such facility, the hospital has treated thousands of elephants for ailments ranging from eye infections to gunshot wounds.
Mine injuries are only one of many problems facing the domesticated giant, whose numbers have dropped from 13,400 in 1950 to today's estimated 2,500. The number of wild elephants has also dropped dramatically.
Traditionally the truck, taxi and logging worker of Thailand, the elephant's role has been eroded due to modernization. One saving grace has been tourism, which employs many elephants for trekking and other activities.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pho Tay, street beggars of Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital and the second-largest city in Vietnam so it is the home to beggars from all corners of the country. However, many of them are disguised beggars, who are an annoyance for tourists.
A beggar at a pagoda in Hanoi.
The number of beggars is rising quickly and they mainly gather at tourist sites such as the streets which offer services for foreign tourists, pagodas and temples.
More beggars “work” on streets which are called “Pho Tay” (streets of foreigners) in Hanoi, namely Trang Tien, Dinh Tien Hoang, Hai Ba Trung and Ly Thuong Kiet.
Apart from real beggars, who suffer from difficult circumstances, such as the elderly, orphans and the disabled, many healthy and ordinary people disguise themselves to ask for money from others.
Nguyen Thi Lan, who runs a pho restaurant on Hai Ba Trung street, complained: “Dozens of beggars visit my restaurant each day to ask for money from my customers. My customers have complained to me about this situation but I cannot cast beggars out. They look pitiable!”
Lan said once a disguised beggar who couldn’t get money from a customer cut his finger with a knife and threatened to drip his blood into the customer’s pho bowl. Loan had to give him some money. Since then, this beggar has come to her restaurant everyday.
On Trang Tien street, which attracts many foreign visitors, dozens of beggars “practice their job” with various “skills” and tricks. It is very common to see tens of kids surrounding foreign visitors there.
On the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, foreign tourists are always pestered by beggars of all kinds.
A French tourist named Pitt, commented: “Hoan Kiem Lake is very beautiful. Hanoi is also wonderful but I’m dissatisfied because there are so many beggars. We are bothered everywhere. They are so impolite!”
Reporters of VnMedia online newspaper witnessed a blind old man and a little girl wandering on the pavement of Ly Thuong Kiet street, playing guitar and asking for money from walkers and customers at sidewalk cafes. Most people felt sorry for the man and his niece and gave him some money.
The reporters followed the blind man and they saw the “grandfather” and “niece” enjoying pho at a restaurant, also on Ly Thuong Kiet street. The man was no longer blind and tired.
Pagodas, temples and historical relics are also favourite places for beggars. On the 1st or the 15th day of lunar months or during festivals, pagodas and temples are full of beggars of all ages, all kinds. They follow and entreat visitors for money.
Mai Huong Lan, a visitor at Tram Gian pagoda in Hanoi, said: “I’m sad to see the pagoda’s retrogression and I’m annoyed by beggars. There are so many beggars. I feel sorry for them but I cannot give money to all of them!”
The local authorities have implemented many campaigns to deal with beggars but the situation has not improved.
In 2000, the city carried out a project at a cost of hundreds of million dong to gather beggars to send them home. However, after a few months at home, they returned to the city to work as beggars.
To welcome the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary, the Hanoi authorities are focusing on a plan to gather beggars to send them home under a Hanoi People’s Committee decision dated July 26.
VietNamNet/VnMedia
A beggar at a pagoda in Hanoi.
The number of beggars is rising quickly and they mainly gather at tourist sites such as the streets which offer services for foreign tourists, pagodas and temples.
More beggars “work” on streets which are called “Pho Tay” (streets of foreigners) in Hanoi, namely Trang Tien, Dinh Tien Hoang, Hai Ba Trung and Ly Thuong Kiet.
Apart from real beggars, who suffer from difficult circumstances, such as the elderly, orphans and the disabled, many healthy and ordinary people disguise themselves to ask for money from others.
Nguyen Thi Lan, who runs a pho restaurant on Hai Ba Trung street, complained: “Dozens of beggars visit my restaurant each day to ask for money from my customers. My customers have complained to me about this situation but I cannot cast beggars out. They look pitiable!”
Lan said once a disguised beggar who couldn’t get money from a customer cut his finger with a knife and threatened to drip his blood into the customer’s pho bowl. Loan had to give him some money. Since then, this beggar has come to her restaurant everyday.
On Trang Tien street, which attracts many foreign visitors, dozens of beggars “practice their job” with various “skills” and tricks. It is very common to see tens of kids surrounding foreign visitors there.
On the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, foreign tourists are always pestered by beggars of all kinds.
A French tourist named Pitt, commented: “Hoan Kiem Lake is very beautiful. Hanoi is also wonderful but I’m dissatisfied because there are so many beggars. We are bothered everywhere. They are so impolite!”
Reporters of VnMedia online newspaper witnessed a blind old man and a little girl wandering on the pavement of Ly Thuong Kiet street, playing guitar and asking for money from walkers and customers at sidewalk cafes. Most people felt sorry for the man and his niece and gave him some money.
The reporters followed the blind man and they saw the “grandfather” and “niece” enjoying pho at a restaurant, also on Ly Thuong Kiet street. The man was no longer blind and tired.
Pagodas, temples and historical relics are also favourite places for beggars. On the 1st or the 15th day of lunar months or during festivals, pagodas and temples are full of beggars of all ages, all kinds. They follow and entreat visitors for money.
Mai Huong Lan, a visitor at Tram Gian pagoda in Hanoi, said: “I’m sad to see the pagoda’s retrogression and I’m annoyed by beggars. There are so many beggars. I feel sorry for them but I cannot give money to all of them!”
The local authorities have implemented many campaigns to deal with beggars but the situation has not improved.
In 2000, the city carried out a project at a cost of hundreds of million dong to gather beggars to send them home. However, after a few months at home, they returned to the city to work as beggars.
To welcome the 1000th Thang Long – Hanoi anniversary, the Hanoi authorities are focusing on a plan to gather beggars to send them home under a Hanoi People’s Committee decision dated July 26.
VietNamNet/VnMedia
Bangladesh forms new police unit for protection of tourists
"Bangladesh has formed a new police unit to ensure more protection for local and foreign tourists and tourism spots in the South Asian country, a senior spokesman of Bangladesh Police said on Sunday.
'We've formed the new unit -- Tourist Police -- to ensure foolproof security of all local and foreign tourists in the country,' Assistant Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Md Nazrul Islam told Xinhua on Sunday.
He said the newly formed Tourist Police unit, which started its journey on Sunday from the country's southeastern Cox's Bazar Sea Beach, some 391 km away of capital city Dhaka, will expand its network to other tourist spots.
Side by side ensuring security, Islam said the police unit has also been assigned for conducting rescue operations.
Another main task for this particular unit is to look after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots, he said, adding 'We hope that the foundation of the unit will help restore more confidence among local and foreign tourists regarding safety and security.'
According to statistics of the country's National Tourism Authority (NTA), a total of 349,837 foreign tourists visited Bangladesh in 2008, about 21 percent higher than that in 2007.
Despite the rise in number of tourists' visits, the incomes from the tourism sector in 2008 came down to 4. 60 billion taka (about 65.7 million U.S. dollars) in 2008 from 5.27 billion taka (about 75.3 million U.S. dollars) in 2007, the NTA figure showed.
The lack of adequate security and poor infrastructure were largely blamed for lower tourist arrivals in the country's many remote tourism spots, which officials said virtually prompted the authorities to create the new unit."
'We've formed the new unit -- Tourist Police -- to ensure foolproof security of all local and foreign tourists in the country,' Assistant Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Md Nazrul Islam told Xinhua on Sunday.
He said the newly formed Tourist Police unit, which started its journey on Sunday from the country's southeastern Cox's Bazar Sea Beach, some 391 km away of capital city Dhaka, will expand its network to other tourist spots.
Side by side ensuring security, Islam said the police unit has also been assigned for conducting rescue operations.
Another main task for this particular unit is to look after the nature and wildlife in the tourist spots, he said, adding 'We hope that the foundation of the unit will help restore more confidence among local and foreign tourists regarding safety and security.'
According to statistics of the country's National Tourism Authority (NTA), a total of 349,837 foreign tourists visited Bangladesh in 2008, about 21 percent higher than that in 2007.
Despite the rise in number of tourists' visits, the incomes from the tourism sector in 2008 came down to 4. 60 billion taka (about 65.7 million U.S. dollars) in 2008 from 5.27 billion taka (about 75.3 million U.S. dollars) in 2007, the NTA figure showed.
The lack of adequate security and poor infrastructure were largely blamed for lower tourist arrivals in the country's many remote tourism spots, which officials said virtually prompted the authorities to create the new unit."
mekong river-Hydro Power works
"A quiet consultation between the US and the four Mekong River ‘downstream countries’(Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam) last month has attracted considerable attention. Here Doanh Nhan Saigon Cuoi Tuan (Saigon Businessmen’s Weekend) analyzes the unusual event.
The Cai Rang floating market on the Mekong River (Can Tho city).
For two reasons, the meeting organized on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in late July was special.
One, it was the first dialogue between the ‘downstream countries’ and the US, reportedly at
the initiative of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The five countries met to discuss cooperation on common concerns, including environment, climate change, healthcare, education and infrastructure development.
Two, the meeting was connected to recent events: China is building many dams in the upper Mekong River basin, including the 292m Xiaowan Dam. The Chinese construction program has caused scientists to worry about harmful impacts on the lower reaches of the Mekong River.
According to Yale Global online magazine (US), 18 dams have been built, are being built or are planned along the river’s 4350 kilometer length.
Professor Pham Hong Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Great Dams and Water Resources Development Association, said that the big hydro-power works on the major stream are being implemented at different phases. The construction of big dams has finished. The remaining projects have their designs completed. The water volume impounded by these hydro-power reservoirs will total around 55 billion cubic meters. The total power-generating capacity of the plants will reach 24 GW.
Throughout history, the world has witnessed many confli"
The Cai Rang floating market on the Mekong River (Can Tho city).
For two reasons, the meeting organized on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in late July was special.
One, it was the first dialogue between the ‘downstream countries’ and the US, reportedly at
the initiative of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The five countries met to discuss cooperation on common concerns, including environment, climate change, healthcare, education and infrastructure development.
Two, the meeting was connected to recent events: China is building many dams in the upper Mekong River basin, including the 292m Xiaowan Dam. The Chinese construction program has caused scientists to worry about harmful impacts on the lower reaches of the Mekong River.
According to Yale Global online magazine (US), 18 dams have been built, are being built or are planned along the river’s 4350 kilometer length.
Professor Pham Hong Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Great Dams and Water Resources Development Association, said that the big hydro-power works on the major stream are being implemented at different phases. The construction of big dams has finished. The remaining projects have their designs completed. The water volume impounded by these hydro-power reservoirs will total around 55 billion cubic meters. The total power-generating capacity of the plants will reach 24 GW.
Throughout history, the world has witnessed many confli"
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thai elephant hurt by mine gets artificial leg
LAMPANG, Thailand — An elephant who stepped on a land mine 10 years ago was fitted Saturday for a permanent artificial leg.
Motola became a symbol of the plight of today's elephants, and her injury sparked international sympathy and donations.
Experts in Thailand were making a cast of the 48-year-old pachyderm's injured left front leg for a plastic prosthetic limb, which will be attached later Saturday.
"I do hope she will accept the new leg. It would be wonderful to see Motola and Baby Mosha walking together side-by-side," said Soraida Salwala, secretary general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant, a non-governmental group.
Mosha, also a land mine victim, became the world's first elephant with an artificial leg, attached in 2007. Soraida said Mosha, now a 3-year-old, is faring well and has outgrown three of her prosthetic devices.
Both elephants have been cared for at the Elephant Hospital, set up by Soraida's group in 1993. The world's first such facility, the hospital has treated thousands of elephants for ailments ranging from eye infection to gunshot wounds.
Motola was injured in 1999 while working at a logging camp along the Myanmar-Thailand border, a region peppered with land mines after half a century of insurgency. Her mangled foot was amputated, and she hobbled on three feet until fitted with a temporary, canvas shoe-like device two years later.
Motola's initial operation used enough anesthetic to floor 70 people — a record noted in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records.
"It has been 10 years now, but in all these long years Motola enjoyed a happy life, walking out of her shelter for a sun bath," Soraida said.
Soraida said Motola has otherwise been in fine health, with her once bony frame now weighing more than 3 tons.
The artificial leg has been constructed by the Prostheses Foundation, which also makes cheap but effective artificial limbs for human amputees.
A number of elephants have had land mine injuries. But that is only one of many problems facing the domesticated giant, whose numbers have dropped from 13,400 in 1950 to today's estimated 2,500. The number of wild elephants has also dropped dramatically.
Traditionally the truck, taxi and logging worker of Thailand, the elephant has lost most of its jobs to modernization. One saving grace has been the tourism industry, which employs large numbers for elephant trekking and other activities.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All
Motola became a symbol of the plight of today's elephants, and her injury sparked international sympathy and donations.
Experts in Thailand were making a cast of the 48-year-old pachyderm's injured left front leg for a plastic prosthetic limb, which will be attached later Saturday.
"I do hope she will accept the new leg. It would be wonderful to see Motola and Baby Mosha walking together side-by-side," said Soraida Salwala, secretary general of the Friends of the Asian Elephant, a non-governmental group.
Mosha, also a land mine victim, became the world's first elephant with an artificial leg, attached in 2007. Soraida said Mosha, now a 3-year-old, is faring well and has outgrown three of her prosthetic devices.
Both elephants have been cared for at the Elephant Hospital, set up by Soraida's group in 1993. The world's first such facility, the hospital has treated thousands of elephants for ailments ranging from eye infection to gunshot wounds.
Motola was injured in 1999 while working at a logging camp along the Myanmar-Thailand border, a region peppered with land mines after half a century of insurgency. Her mangled foot was amputated, and she hobbled on three feet until fitted with a temporary, canvas shoe-like device two years later.
Motola's initial operation used enough anesthetic to floor 70 people — a record noted in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records.
"It has been 10 years now, but in all these long years Motola enjoyed a happy life, walking out of her shelter for a sun bath," Soraida said.
Soraida said Motola has otherwise been in fine health, with her once bony frame now weighing more than 3 tons.
The artificial leg has been constructed by the Prostheses Foundation, which also makes cheap but effective artificial limbs for human amputees.
A number of elephants have had land mine injuries. But that is only one of many problems facing the domesticated giant, whose numbers have dropped from 13,400 in 1950 to today's estimated 2,500. The number of wild elephants has also dropped dramatically.
Traditionally the truck, taxi and logging worker of Thailand, the elephant has lost most of its jobs to modernization. One saving grace has been the tourism industry, which employs large numbers for elephant trekking and other activities.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hong Kong movie star to visit Cambodia - People's Daily Online
A famous Hong Kong movie star, Jackie Chan, will visit Cambodia and give a lecture in the university here later this year, the official news agency AKP reported on Friday. If the schedule will not be changed, Chan will arrive in Cambodia on November 10 and will stay here for three days, according to AKP. While he is in Cambodia, Chan will give lecture to students at the University of Cambodia the experiences and humanity work that he has achieved and engaged with, and after that he will be awarded with an honorable doctoral degree in humanity, Kao Kim Hourn, president of the University of Cambodia, said earlier. Meanwhile, Chan will also receive an education award from the University of Cambodia for his humanity's work and activities, Kao added. According to the plan, Chan will also pay courtesy calls on Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, and meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Jackie Chan made his first visit to Cambodia in 2004 under the sponsors of the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations AIDS Program. Chan is a keen philanthropist and UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador who has worked tirelessly to champion charitable works and causes. Source:Xinhua
Cambodia committed to democracy, human rights with rule of law: official - People's Daily Online
Cambodia committed to democracy, human rights with rule of law: official
Investment in Cambodian tourism reaches $354 mln in half year Cambodia, Vietnam to strengthen bilateral co-op between ruling parties Cambodia to set up first National Arbitration Center Cambodia to register 12th century temple as World Heritage Site Cambodia records 24 flu A/H1N1 cases
Cambodia is more than ever committed to human rights promotion and protection approach with its organic laws, said a government statement released on Tuesday by the Foreign Ministry's spokesman. The statement was made after Ouch Borith, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Friday exchanged views on the issues of human rights with European Union's delegation led by the British Ambassador Andrew Mace, who is representing Sweden in their presidency of the EU. During the meeting, Ouch Borith underlined that "Cambodia is more than ever committed to human rights promotion and protection approach with its organic laws." At the same time, Ouch Borith stressed that Cambodia's democracy is based on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "While individual rights, freedom of expression and a culture of debates are taking deeper roots in Cambodia, we must recognize that the exercise of these rights and freedoms in any democratic society must be within the rule of law," he said EU's meeting with the government follows a Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruling on Aug. 4 that found opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Mu Sochua guilty of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and ordered her to pay about 4,100 U.S. dollars in fines and compensation. The EU expressed "concern over a number of instances in which criminal charges of defamation and disinformation have been used against representatives of civil society, the media and the political opposition," according to the report of the Cambodia Daily. "Laws and regulations concerning defamation and disinformation exist worldwide, particularly in developed countries, to protect and guarantee the right to dignity of everyone," Ouch Borith said. "The verdicts by the Cambodian Court on the recent defamation and disinformation cases are in compliance with the existing laws in relation to these offences," he added. Admitting "the country still faces many challenges," Ouch Borith reassured the delegation of the EU that "Cambodia is firmly committed to ensuring that the country embraces the principles of democracy and human rights with the rule of law."
Cambodia committed to democracy, human rights with rule of law: official - People's Daily Online
Investment in Cambodian tourism reaches $354 mln in half year Cambodia, Vietnam to strengthen bilateral co-op between ruling parties Cambodia to set up first National Arbitration Center Cambodia to register 12th century temple as World Heritage Site Cambodia records 24 flu A/H1N1 cases
Cambodia is more than ever committed to human rights promotion and protection approach with its organic laws, said a government statement released on Tuesday by the Foreign Ministry's spokesman. The statement was made after Ouch Borith, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Friday exchanged views on the issues of human rights with European Union's delegation led by the British Ambassador Andrew Mace, who is representing Sweden in their presidency of the EU. During the meeting, Ouch Borith underlined that "Cambodia is more than ever committed to human rights promotion and protection approach with its organic laws." At the same time, Ouch Borith stressed that Cambodia's democracy is based on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "While individual rights, freedom of expression and a culture of debates are taking deeper roots in Cambodia, we must recognize that the exercise of these rights and freedoms in any democratic society must be within the rule of law," he said EU's meeting with the government follows a Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruling on Aug. 4 that found opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Mu Sochua guilty of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and ordered her to pay about 4,100 U.S. dollars in fines and compensation. The EU expressed "concern over a number of instances in which criminal charges of defamation and disinformation have been used against representatives of civil society, the media and the political opposition," according to the report of the Cambodia Daily. "Laws and regulations concerning defamation and disinformation exist worldwide, particularly in developed countries, to protect and guarantee the right to dignity of everyone," Ouch Borith said. "The verdicts by the Cambodian Court on the recent defamation and disinformation cases are in compliance with the existing laws in relation to these offences," he added. Admitting "the country still faces many challenges," Ouch Borith reassured the delegation of the EU that "Cambodia is firmly committed to ensuring that the country embraces the principles of democracy and human rights with the rule of law."
Cambodia committed to democracy, human rights with rule of law: official - People's Daily Online
Thursday, August 13, 2009
No sex in Dubai, officials rule-13 August, 2009
A movie sequel of the hit American TV series, ”Sex and the City,” will not be filmed in Dubai after city officials there examined the script, according to local newspapers.
Dubai Studio City, which aims to attract world audio visual media production, said the request was declined on the recommendation of government authorities, The National newspaper reported.
This is not the first time this has happened in Dubai. The first “Sex” movie was banned from being shown in local cinemas.
Explicit sex scenes are always cut from movies shown in Dubai cinemas, despite being rated for adults, while Arabic subtitles tone down the sexual language. DVDs are also censored, and access to Internet sex sites is blocked, according to various reports.
Dubai has a majority foreign population, like most of the United Arab Emirates, where foreigners from various religions represent over 80 percent of inhabitants.
But the emirate that grew to become a regional center for tourism and business vies to show its commitment to Islamic traditions which are strongly revered by its native population.
What’s next? Who knows?
“Leave it to Beaver?”
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
IPOs: India 6th most active nation: Rediff Business News, Latest India business news, India Economy news, World Business, Finance news, Latest business headlines, business videos and business articles.
A clutch of IPOs, including Asia's third biggest by state-run NHPC, has propelled India to the sixth position in the list of most active nations in the global space of initial public offerings this year.
Though there has been a drastic fall, both in terms of IPO volume and value so far this year compared to last year, experts say the lull in the primary market is finally over and the markets are showing some signs of recovery.
"The IPO activity in India has reached $707.1 million through five deals in 2009 so far this year, down 85 per cent from $4.9 billion via 36 deals in the comparable period last year," global deal tracking firm Dealogic said in a report.
The report further said the recent lull in the market is finally over and the current bullishness in the primary market, has jacked up India to the 'sixth most active nation in terms of global IPO activity so far this year, accounting for around 3 per cent of global IPO volume.'
Dealogic further said NHPC's IPO would be the largest in India since Reliance [ Get Quote ] Power's $2.6 billion deal in January 2008, and the third largest IPO in Asia (ex Japan [ Images ]) region so far this year.
This year five companies, including NHPC have hit the primary market but it was the IPO by Mahindra Holidays that enthused the corporate world to raise funds from the capital market.
more info>>>>IPOs: India 6th most active nation: Rediff Business News, Latest India business news, India Economy news, World Business, Finance news, Latest business headlines, business videos and business articles.
Though there has been a drastic fall, both in terms of IPO volume and value so far this year compared to last year, experts say the lull in the primary market is finally over and the markets are showing some signs of recovery.
"The IPO activity in India has reached $707.1 million through five deals in 2009 so far this year, down 85 per cent from $4.9 billion via 36 deals in the comparable period last year," global deal tracking firm Dealogic said in a report.
The report further said the recent lull in the market is finally over and the current bullishness in the primary market, has jacked up India to the 'sixth most active nation in terms of global IPO activity so far this year, accounting for around 3 per cent of global IPO volume.'
Dealogic further said NHPC's IPO would be the largest in India since Reliance [ Get Quote ] Power's $2.6 billion deal in January 2008, and the third largest IPO in Asia (ex Japan [ Images ]) region so far this year.
This year five companies, including NHPC have hit the primary market but it was the IPO by Mahindra Holidays that enthused the corporate world to raise funds from the capital market.
more info>>>>IPOs: India 6th most active nation: Rediff Business News, Latest India business news, India Economy news, World Business, Finance news, Latest business headlines, business videos and business articles.
Travel rebound expected next year-11 August, 2009
Travel rebound expected next year
The recent and often quoted bad news: business travel will be down 15 percent this year. But the latest good news is that it will recover next year, according to HIS Global Insight.
They predicted a 1.2 percent annual growth rate in the five years through 2013 in a study with the National Business Travel Association sponsored by Egencia.
At the same time, there were signs that the overall travel market may be on the mend.News of Cathay Pacific flying back into the black raised hopes, albeit the return to profit was made on the back of fuel-hedging gains which offset declines in passenger and cargo demand.
"There is still no sign of early recovery," said Cathay Pacific Chairman Christopher Pratt. "The best we can say at the moment is the worst may now be over."
Also beating expectations is online travel agency Orbitz WorldWide, which posted a second-quarter profit, helped by increased booking transactions and cost-cutting that offset declines in demand.
Chief Executive Barney Harford also believes the worst declines in demand are in the past. He said:
"What we're seeing is stabilization in terms of demand. We're seeing stabilization in terms of average daily rates on hotels. But I don't think we're seeing any major signs of any kind of uptick."
As for the business sector, Ken McGill, NBTA research consultant and lead analyst on the IHG Global Insight report, said:
"As we come out of the recession late this year and into 2010, we will not achieve the growth rates that we saw in 2006 and 2007 period. The recovery, in an economic sense and a business travel sense, is tepid. The global recovery is going to take time."
Nearly every industry or sector is expected to show decreased levels of business travel spending in 2009 versus last year, "reflecting the global recession," according to an NBTA statement.
NBTA and IHS Global Insight expect most sectors by next year to start rebuilding business travel spending levels, at an average growth rate of 4.2 percent over 2009.
"Over the next five years, sectors that directly benefit from both infrastructure development (utilities, government and communications) and economic stimulus packages (education, construction and real estate) will experience the most significant growth in business travel spend," the researchers reported.
And the future of business travel? On the increase everywhere for many solid reasons, the report found.
"When you look at the multinational corporation and the globalization, I foresee many people's travel increasing because when you are dealing with people from another country, you've got communication issues and personality issues," said incoming NBTA president Craig Banikowski. He added:
"So you are going to have to accomplish a lot more with a face to face meeting initially, and then perhaps be supported by technology on the back end."
The recent and often quoted bad news: business travel will be down 15 percent this year. But the latest good news is that it will recover next year, according to HIS Global Insight.
They predicted a 1.2 percent annual growth rate in the five years through 2013 in a study with the National Business Travel Association sponsored by Egencia.
At the same time, there were signs that the overall travel market may be on the mend.News of Cathay Pacific flying back into the black raised hopes, albeit the return to profit was made on the back of fuel-hedging gains which offset declines in passenger and cargo demand.
"There is still no sign of early recovery," said Cathay Pacific Chairman Christopher Pratt. "The best we can say at the moment is the worst may now be over."
Also beating expectations is online travel agency Orbitz WorldWide, which posted a second-quarter profit, helped by increased booking transactions and cost-cutting that offset declines in demand.
Chief Executive Barney Harford also believes the worst declines in demand are in the past. He said:
"What we're seeing is stabilization in terms of demand. We're seeing stabilization in terms of average daily rates on hotels. But I don't think we're seeing any major signs of any kind of uptick."
As for the business sector, Ken McGill, NBTA research consultant and lead analyst on the IHG Global Insight report, said:
"As we come out of the recession late this year and into 2010, we will not achieve the growth rates that we saw in 2006 and 2007 period. The recovery, in an economic sense and a business travel sense, is tepid. The global recovery is going to take time."
Nearly every industry or sector is expected to show decreased levels of business travel spending in 2009 versus last year, "reflecting the global recession," according to an NBTA statement.
NBTA and IHS Global Insight expect most sectors by next year to start rebuilding business travel spending levels, at an average growth rate of 4.2 percent over 2009.
"Over the next five years, sectors that directly benefit from both infrastructure development (utilities, government and communications) and economic stimulus packages (education, construction and real estate) will experience the most significant growth in business travel spend," the researchers reported.
And the future of business travel? On the increase everywhere for many solid reasons, the report found.
"When you look at the multinational corporation and the globalization, I foresee many people's travel increasing because when you are dealing with people from another country, you've got communication issues and personality issues," said incoming NBTA president Craig Banikowski. He added:
"So you are going to have to accomplish a lot more with a face to face meeting initially, and then perhaps be supported by technology on the back end."
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
21% Say Vietnam Still An Enemy of U.S., 21% Say Ally
Eds Note:-->> Seldom do I comment on my articles here. But, forgive me as this survey just gets under my skin. Of course I don't agree with the 25% Republicans and 19% Democrats who still see Vietnam as an enemy. Enemy of what? We made up this war through lies and even the late Robert McNamara (like Rumsfeld/Iraq) admitted we were Wrong to invade Vietnam. He went to his grave this year along with 58,000 Americans and 100,000 or more Vietnamese who died because of American war against North Vietnam. When will we learn that War solves nothing? I made my point and I'm planning a Trip (my 3rd) for this year 2009 and early 2010 to Vietnam. Come meet the wonderful people of Vietnam, explore their culture with me. If you fall into the 25% that think Vietnam is an enemy, I challenge you to move away from your daily routine and JOIN ME. You can contact me here or ckuhn55@msn.com
For most Baby Boomers, the Vietnam 
Twenty-five percent (25%) of Republicans see Vietnam as an enemy, a view shared by just 19% of both Democrats and voters not affiliated with either political party.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 21% say Vietnam is a U.S. ally, while the identical number (21%) say the Southeast Asian nation is an enemy. For nearly half of Americans (47%), however, Vietnam falls somewhere in between an ally and an enemy, and 12% are not sure.
Interestingly, Americans over the age of 50, those most likely to have been directly impacted by the war, are far less inclined to characterize Vietnam as an enemy and are more prone to view them as somewhere in between.
Those ages 18 to 29 are most likely (25%) to say Vietnam is an ally, while adults ages 30 to 39 are most likely (29%) to see the country as an enemy.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.
Rasmussen Reports periodically surveys Americans for their thoughts on U.S. relations with other key nations, including neighbors Canada and Mexico and others overseas. We will be releasing additional findings from those surveys this coming week.
Given the Communist nation’s efforts to embrace capitalism in recent years, it’s perhaps no surprise that 24% of investors describe the former enemy nation as an ally of the United States, compared to 17% of non-investors.
Twenty-nine percent (29%) of government employees say Vietnam is now an ally, but only 17% of those who work in the private sector agree.
It’s been years, however, since U.S. relations with Vietnam were front-page news which helps explain why in many demographic categories the number who are not sure is in double digits and also why so many think America’s one-time foe is neither ally nor enemy.
In a survey two years ago, 47% of U.S. voters said America’s biggest mistake in Vietnam was getting involved in the first place. Forty-two percent (42%) said the mistake was using the wrong strategy to accomplish the nation’s goals.
To show how times have changed, Secretary of State Hillary
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Selling hair to HAIR buyer, Vietnam
The H’Mong girl took the scarf from off her head and sat down on the grass on the river bank. Her hair hung to her waist. The hair buyer started her job coldly. Around ten minutes later, she completed her job.
There are three couples who induce young girls to sell their hair at Trang Kim market in Quan Ba district, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang. The price depends on length. The most expensive hair is 600,000 dong.
Hair deals are often completed very quickly because the sellers are in need of money to go shopping. Several hundred thousand dong is a big amount of money for them.
Dan Tri grasped a hair “affair” at the Trang Kim market.
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| Women surround a couple of hair buyers. |
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| A H’Mong girl hangs her hair for the man to “evaluate”. |
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| They negotiate the price. |
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| The buyer measures the weight of the hair… |
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| … and also the length. |
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| The buyer offers 200,000 for the hair if it is cut at the shoulder. |
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| The hair is cut. |
 |
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| A middle-aged woman also sells her hair. |
 |
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| The remaining hair. |
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| This little amount of money can support a family for one month. |
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| H’Mong people rarely take off their scarves in front of strangers, but… |
VietNamNet/Dan Tri
VietNamNet Bridge
Friday, August 7, 2009
Golf course in Soc Son district
More than 1.25 sq.m of housing, agricultural, specialised and cemetery land in Soc Son district will be reclaimed for building a golf course under a decision of the Hanoi administration.
Expanded Hanoi has 18 golf course projects
NA deputies decry use of golf courses to build villas
Deputy proposes raising taxes on estate developments ‘disguised’ as golf courses
Golf course chemicals may pollute water
According to newly-updated data, Soc Son international golf course will have the total area of 187.7 hectares, including 86 ha of agricultural land and 45 ha of hills. Of the 86 ha of agricultural land, there are 30 ha of rice fields.
The project investor is the Hanoi Sports and Entertainment Service Investment JS Company. This firm was licenced to invest in this golf course project on July 30, 2008, nine days after the Ministry of Planning and Investment sent a report on golf courses in Vietnam to the Prime Minister.
The “primary” part of this project is an 18-hole golf course, but it also includes a system of clubs, sub-works and villas, at a total cost of $27.1 million.
The investor has submitted a detailed plan to the Hanoi authorities for approval and combined with Soc Son district’s administration to perform site clearance.
Meanwhile, Soc Son district already has an 18-hole, 110.9ha golf course in Minh Tri commune, which was put into use in 2006.
Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc told the National Assembly on June 12 that Hanoi and Binh Thuan province have the most golf courses of among localities in the country, with 19 projects each. However, only nine projects in Hanoi meet established standards, he said. Phuc asked National Assembly deputies to keep an eye on the implementation of these projects by local authorities.
Several days later, Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao told correspondents that the city had only four golf courses, namely Dong Mo Soc Son, Van Tri and Dong Quan.
PV
Expanded Hanoi has 18 golf course projects
NA deputies decry use of golf courses to build villas
Deputy proposes raising taxes on estate developments ‘disguised’ as golf courses
Golf course chemicals may pollute water
According to newly-updated data, Soc Son international golf course will have the total area of 187.7 hectares, including 86 ha of agricultural land and 45 ha of hills. Of the 86 ha of agricultural land, there are 30 ha of rice fields.
The project investor is the Hanoi Sports and Entertainment Service Investment JS Company. This firm was licenced to invest in this golf course project on July 30, 2008, nine days after the Ministry of Planning and Investment sent a report on golf courses in Vietnam to the Prime Minister.
The “primary” part of this project is an 18-hole golf course, but it also includes a system of clubs, sub-works and villas, at a total cost of $27.1 million.
The investor has submitted a detailed plan to the Hanoi authorities for approval and combined with Soc Son district’s administration to perform site clearance.
Meanwhile, Soc Son district already has an 18-hole, 110.9ha golf course in Minh Tri commune, which was put into use in 2006.
Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc told the National Assembly on June 12 that Hanoi and Binh Thuan province have the most golf courses of among localities in the country, with 19 projects each. However, only nine projects in Hanoi meet established standards, he said. Phuc asked National Assembly deputies to keep an eye on the implementation of these projects by local authorities.
Several days later, Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao told correspondents that the city had only four golf courses, namely Dong Mo Soc Son, Van Tri and Dong Quan.
PV
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Film Choi Voi at 66 th Venice Film Fest
HA NOI — The film Choi Voi (Lonely) will compete in the 66th Venice Film Festival in early September, the first Vietnamese film to compete in the world’s oldest film festival.
Choi Voi, directed by Bui Thac Chuyen and starring Vietnamese-French actress Pham Linh Dan, along with Hai Yen, Ngo Thanh Van, and Johnny Nguyen, will take part in the Orizzonti, a festival programme of world premiere films giving an overview of new trends in cinema.
Two prizes, the Orizzonti Award and Orizzonti DOC Award, will be presented in this section of the festival.
Produced by Feature Film Studio 1, Choi Voi tells the story of newlyweds Hai and Duyen (Hai Yen), the complex feelings between Duyen and her close girlfriend Cam (Pham Linh Dan), and the carnal passion between Duyen and Tho, a sexually attractive man.
Dan began her acting career at age 18, playing the adopted child of Catherine Deneuve in the film Indochine. She has also appeared in The Gamblers, Jamilla, and The Beat That My Heart Skipped and won the Cesar Award from the Academy of French Arts and Movies in 2006.
Hai Yen is best-known for her role opposite Michael Caine in the Phillip Noyce film The Quiet American and she won Viet Nam’s Golden Kite Award for best actress in 2006 for the film Pao’s Story.
Choi Voi was produced in part with a grant of US$211,000 from Fonds Sud Cinema of France and the Hubert Bals Fund of the Netherlands. It will screen premiere domestically later this year and take part in film festivals in Toronto, Vancouver and London.
Choi Voi was written by Phan Dang Di, whose short film When I am 20 competed last year in the short film section of the Venice festival. — VNS
Choi Voi, directed by Bui Thac Chuyen and starring Vietnamese-French actress Pham Linh Dan, along with Hai Yen, Ngo Thanh Van, and Johnny Nguyen, will take part in the Orizzonti, a festival programme of world premiere films giving an overview of new trends in cinema.
Two prizes, the Orizzonti Award and Orizzonti DOC Award, will be presented in this section of the festival.
Produced by Feature Film Studio 1, Choi Voi tells the story of newlyweds Hai and Duyen (Hai Yen), the complex feelings between Duyen and her close girlfriend Cam (Pham Linh Dan), and the carnal passion between Duyen and Tho, a sexually attractive man.
Dan began her acting career at age 18, playing the adopted child of Catherine Deneuve in the film Indochine. She has also appeared in The Gamblers, Jamilla, and The Beat That My Heart Skipped and won the Cesar Award from the Academy of French Arts and Movies in 2006.
Hai Yen is best-known for her role opposite Michael Caine in the Phillip Noyce film The Quiet American and she won Viet Nam’s Golden Kite Award for best actress in 2006 for the film Pao’s Story.
Choi Voi was produced in part with a grant of US$211,000 from Fonds Sud Cinema of France and the Hubert Bals Fund of the Netherlands. It will screen premiere domestically later this year and take part in film festivals in Toronto, Vancouver and London.
Choi Voi was written by Phan Dang Di, whose short film When I am 20 competed last year in the short film section of the Venice festival. — VNS
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Bumpy ride, but Cathay flies back into the black-06 August, 2009
HONG KONG - Cathay Pacific has edged to profit in the first half of 2009 as fuel-hedging gains made up for a 27 percent drop in revenue.
Chairman Christopher Pratt said the decline in demand had bottomed out, but warned of further difficulties ahead, with fuel prices remaining a concern.
''The global aviation industry, hit hard by soaring fuel prices in 2008, is now having to confront one of the most severe demand downturns in living memory,'' he said.
The airline reported a net profit of HK$812 million for January to June, compared with a loss of HK$760 million a year earlier.
Turnover fell to HK$30.9 billion.
Cathay's fuel-hedging contracts in the first six months yielded mark-to-market gains of HK$2.1 billion, compared with a loss of HK$7.6 billion for full-year 2008, the company said.
Earlier this week,Cathay chief executive Tony Tyler said, "I have not seen the airline industry in such bad shape in the 30 years that I have been in the business. Frankly, I doubt that it's ever been this bad.
"As an airline, we are suffering a toxic combination of a collapse in our front end and cargo revenues, skinny yields at the back of the plane, volatile fuel prices and an international financial crisis that shows no sign of ending."
Chairman Christopher Pratt said the decline in demand had bottomed out, but warned of further difficulties ahead, with fuel prices remaining a concern.
''The global aviation industry, hit hard by soaring fuel prices in 2008, is now having to confront one of the most severe demand downturns in living memory,'' he said.
The airline reported a net profit of HK$812 million for January to June, compared with a loss of HK$760 million a year earlier.
Turnover fell to HK$30.9 billion.
Cathay's fuel-hedging contracts in the first six months yielded mark-to-market gains of HK$2.1 billion, compared with a loss of HK$7.6 billion for full-year 2008, the company said.
Earlier this week,Cathay chief executive Tony Tyler said, "I have not seen the airline industry in such bad shape in the 30 years that I have been in the business. Frankly, I doubt that it's ever been this bad.
"As an airline, we are suffering a toxic combination of a collapse in our front end and cargo revenues, skinny yields at the back of the plane, volatile fuel prices and an international financial crisis that shows no sign of ending."
Pilot killed in Thai plane crash
The pilot of a Thai plane has been killed and seven passengers injured as it skidded off the runway while landing on the tourist island of Koh Samui.
The Bangkok Airways flight, carrying 72 people, hit an old and unmanned control tower amid reports of heavy rain.
The plane had taken off from the southern Thai town of Krabi, another popular tourist destination.
Officials said the injured included the co-pilot, two Britons, an Italian and a Swiss national.
The four tourists all suffered broken legs, while the co-pilot also had leg injuries, said the managing director of Bangkok Airways, Puttipong Prasartthong-Osoth.
Map of plane's route
He said the other foreign passengers included nationals of Spain, France and Germany.
Several were treated for minor bruises or shock - including two other Britons - and were resting at local hotels before being transferred to Bangkok, officials said.
Bad weather
The plane hit an old control tower
Enlarge Image
"Sadly we have learnt that the pilot of the aircraft has died," said Kannikar Kemavuthanon, the director general of the Department of Civil Aviation.
Ms Kanikka said the Bangkok Airways Flight PG266 was an ATR-72 twin-turboprop with 68 passengers, two pilots and two crew members on board.
"The weather was very bad during landing with heavy rain and wind," she said.
The plane hit a building that had once been used as an air traffic control tower, but is now part of a fire-fighting station, a local police official said.
"The heavy damage was at the front of the plane where the pilot was. It looks like he suffered from the impact," police Maj Col Sayan Sartsri told AP news agency.
A resident of the island who saw the crash told the BBC that the nose of the plane smashed into the old control tower and the left wing hit the roof of a utility building.
"The nose… looks like [it was] opened by a can opener," said Charly Notter.
The crash happened at around 1415 local time (0715 GMT).
The resort island of Koh Samui lies some 300 miles (480km) south of Bangkok.
The airport runway was closed after the accident and at least one Thai Airways flight was cancelled.
Map of plane route
The Bangkok Airways flight, carrying 72 people, hit an old and unmanned control tower amid reports of heavy rain.
The plane had taken off from the southern Thai town of Krabi, another popular tourist destination.
Officials said the injured included the co-pilot, two Britons, an Italian and a Swiss national.
The four tourists all suffered broken legs, while the co-pilot also had leg injuries, said the managing director of Bangkok Airways, Puttipong Prasartthong-Osoth.
Map of plane's route
He said the other foreign passengers included nationals of Spain, France and Germany.
Several were treated for minor bruises or shock - including two other Britons - and were resting at local hotels before being transferred to Bangkok, officials said.
Bad weather
The plane hit an old control tower
Enlarge Image
"Sadly we have learnt that the pilot of the aircraft has died," said Kannikar Kemavuthanon, the director general of the Department of Civil Aviation.
Ms Kanikka said the Bangkok Airways Flight PG266 was an ATR-72 twin-turboprop with 68 passengers, two pilots and two crew members on board.
"The weather was very bad during landing with heavy rain and wind," she said.
The plane hit a building that had once been used as an air traffic control tower, but is now part of a fire-fighting station, a local police official said.
"The heavy damage was at the front of the plane where the pilot was. It looks like he suffered from the impact," police Maj Col Sayan Sartsri told AP news agency.
A resident of the island who saw the crash told the BBC that the nose of the plane smashed into the old control tower and the left wing hit the roof of a utility building.
"The nose… looks like [it was] opened by a can opener," said Charly Notter.
The crash happened at around 1415 local time (0715 GMT).
The resort island of Koh Samui lies some 300 miles (480km) south of Bangkok.
The airport runway was closed after the accident and at least one Thai Airways flight was cancelled.
Map of plane route
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Divorced? There’s a cruise for you-04 August, 2009
Divorced? There’s a cruise for you
It had to happen: in a market where there’s a cruise for everyone, divorced people now have their very own -- the first ever.
National Cruise retailer Cruise.com announced a series of cruises dedicated to the “divorced and single again” market.
"These cruise groups were designed for divorced individuals to meet, party and perhaps even connect with others who have shared similar relationship experiences," said Anthony Hamawy, President of Cruise.com.
Special activities planned include private parties, games, prizes, and more.
The divorcee cruises are currently scheduled for three sailings this year including Oct. 16 on the Norwegian Sky for three nights to the Bahamas from Miami, Nov. 16 aboard the Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the seas for five days to Mexico from San Diego, and Dec. 18 aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas for three day Bahamas from Miami.
Prices start at $199 per person.
It had to happen: in a market where there’s a cruise for everyone, divorced people now have their very own -- the first ever.
National Cruise retailer Cruise.com announced a series of cruises dedicated to the “divorced and single again” market.
"These cruise groups were designed for divorced individuals to meet, party and perhaps even connect with others who have shared similar relationship experiences," said Anthony Hamawy, President of Cruise.com.
Special activities planned include private parties, games, prizes, and more.
The divorcee cruises are currently scheduled for three sailings this year including Oct. 16 on the Norwegian Sky for three nights to the Bahamas from Miami, Nov. 16 aboard the Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the seas for five days to Mexico from San Diego, and Dec. 18 aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas for three day Bahamas from Miami.
Prices start at $199 per person.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Vietnam to remain attractive to retail investment until 2012
HANOI, Aug 3, 2009 (Asia In Focus via COMTEX) -- Vietnam would remain an attractive destination for retail investment until 2012, said a US market research company, citing the country's strong GDP growth, regulatory structure changes favouring foreign investors and increasing consumer demand for modern retail concepts. According to US-based market research consulting services company RNCOS, rapid growth in Vietnam's retail market in the recent past has made the country an attractive destination for multinational retailers.
* Vietnam Retail Analysis (2008-2012), a research report from RNCOS, also said that the retail sector market in Vietnam was much smaller compared to other developing economies in Asia, but had shown strong fundamentals, with the value of retail sales having expanded rapidly to nearly US$39 billion in 2008, from around US$23.7 billion in 2005.
* The RNCOS predicted that Vietnam's retail industry would surpass US$85 billion in revenue by 2012 and modern retail channels are expected to play a crucial role in the future growth of the industry, improving their position in the market.
* Vietnam Retail Analysis (2008-2012), a research report from RNCOS, also said that the retail sector market in Vietnam was much smaller compared to other developing economies in Asia, but had shown strong fundamentals, with the value of retail sales having expanded rapidly to nearly US$39 billion in 2008, from around US$23.7 billion in 2005.
* The RNCOS predicted that Vietnam's retail industry would surpass US$85 billion in revenue by 2012 and modern retail channels are expected to play a crucial role in the future growth of the industry, improving their position in the market.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Doctors accused of illegally profiting off cancer treatment
Doctors at a Hanoi hospital have been accused of cashing in by forcing cancer patients to use expensive equipment rather than the facilities their insurance policies allow them to use for free.
In 2000, K Hospital, or the National Cancer Institute, bought radiation equipment for US$1.4 million and has spent around $60,000 a year since then on its maintenance.
The public hospital now offers treatment for an average of 150 cancer patients per day and state insurance holders don't have to pay to use the equipment.
But as demand grew in 2006, the hospital cooperated with the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC to invest in more radiation equipment. All patients have to pay to use the joint venture's equipment, even holders of state insurance policies.
Recently, several patients reported that the hospital has claimed that the free equipment was broken, thus sending the sick to use the facilities they must pay for out of their own pocket.
The situation has drawn the ire of one of the doctors at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous. He said he suspected it was a scheme in which medical workers were colluding to make commissions off the pay-only equipment.
"Why has the hospital equipment been broken down continuously when it has also been under maintenance for billions of dong a year?" he asked.
A patient from Nam Dinh Province undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the hospital, said she used to use the hospital's normal equipment for free. But she now complained of the high fees she had to pay for the joint venture's equipment.
Several other patients have made similar complaints.
Breakdowns
The hospital radiation equipment began to break down regularly once the Cancer Medical Equipment company's facilities were installed. The normal equipment broke down 127 times in 2007, according to hospital records.
A hospital technician said the machines had errors regularly and that repairs often took up to a week.
However, a breakdown in 2008 reportedly forced it out of operation for several months before resuming early this year.
In 2009, the device broke down several times, and the number of
Kbeing treated with it reduced from 150 patients to 80 patients a day. State insurance holders who have no choice other than to use the venture's equipment are now charged around VND13 million ($760) per treatment.
Kickbacks
Ministry of Health inspectors recently inspected the hospital after several complaints from patients.
The ministry said there was no evidence of doctors forcing patients to use the expensive equipment.
However, Thanh Nien reporters found doctors had received money from the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC and couldn't explain why.
According to the agreement between both sides, the hospital and the company split the fees from the equipment 30-70, respectively.
However, Thanh Nien obtained documents showing the company had in turn paid doctors 10 percent from its 70 percent as a kickback. The documents even noted the 10 percent as commission for assigning patients to use the Cancer Medical Equipment devices.
In April this year, the company collected more than VND774 million in fees from the devices and had to pay the hospital doctors VND77 million. The doctors' commission was VND82 million in total in May alone.
Le Duc Thang, director of the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC, said the company's accountant had mistakenly noted the money as "commission for assigning patients."
He said it was actually overtime pay for the doctors.
But the documents had noted payment for extra-hours in a section separate from the commission records.
Thang again blamed the accountant when asked by Thanh Nien to explain the two different payments.
The paper's investigation also found the commissions had been paid since 2006 when the equipment began operating. Many shareholders of the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC have also asked questions about this payment.
In a notice to its shareholders, the company said that after consulting with the hospital it had decided that the doctors fees would be reduced to VND50,000 per each patient treated with the device from September in 2007.
However, the fees then increased to 10 percent again in 2008.
Thanh also said payment for extra-hours had been transferred directly to doctors' bank accounts.
He also said the company was currently paying the doctors VND22,000 per patient for "overtime."
However, Thanh Nien found some doctors had collected up to VND15 million a month for overtime.
Dr. Dang The Can, K Hospital's vice director, said Wednesday the hospital was not aware of any payment for doctors' overtime, but said that [the overtime payment] was "a big amount."
He also admitted that some doctors had contributed their own funds to invest in the venture's equipment.
In 2000, K Hospital, or the National Cancer Institute, bought radiation equipment for US$1.4 million and has spent around $60,000 a year since then on its maintenance.
The public hospital now offers treatment for an average of 150 cancer patients per day and state insurance holders don't have to pay to use the equipment.
But as demand grew in 2006, the hospital cooperated with the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC to invest in more radiation equipment. All patients have to pay to use the joint venture's equipment, even holders of state insurance policies.
Recently, several patients reported that the hospital has claimed that the free equipment was broken, thus sending the sick to use the facilities they must pay for out of their own pocket.
The situation has drawn the ire of one of the doctors at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous. He said he suspected it was a scheme in which medical workers were colluding to make commissions off the pay-only equipment.
"Why has the hospital equipment been broken down continuously when it has also been under maintenance for billions of dong a year?" he asked.
A patient from Nam Dinh Province undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the hospital, said she used to use the hospital's normal equipment for free. But she now complained of the high fees she had to pay for the joint venture's equipment.
Several other patients have made similar complaints.
Breakdowns
The hospital radiation equipment began to break down regularly once the Cancer Medical Equipment company's facilities were installed. The normal equipment broke down 127 times in 2007, according to hospital records.
A hospital technician said the machines had errors regularly and that repairs often took up to a week.
However, a breakdown in 2008 reportedly forced it out of operation for several months before resuming early this year.
In 2009, the device broke down several times, and the number of
Kbeing treated with it reduced from 150 patients to 80 patients a day. State insurance holders who have no choice other than to use the venture's equipment are now charged around VND13 million ($760) per treatment.
Kickbacks
Ministry of Health inspectors recently inspected the hospital after several complaints from patients.
The ministry said there was no evidence of doctors forcing patients to use the expensive equipment.
However, Thanh Nien reporters found doctors had received money from the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC and couldn't explain why.
According to the agreement between both sides, the hospital and the company split the fees from the equipment 30-70, respectively.
However, Thanh Nien obtained documents showing the company had in turn paid doctors 10 percent from its 70 percent as a kickback. The documents even noted the 10 percent as commission for assigning patients to use the Cancer Medical Equipment devices.
In April this year, the company collected more than VND774 million in fees from the devices and had to pay the hospital doctors VND77 million. The doctors' commission was VND82 million in total in May alone.
Le Duc Thang, director of the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC, said the company's accountant had mistakenly noted the money as "commission for assigning patients."
He said it was actually overtime pay for the doctors.
But the documents had noted payment for extra-hours in a section separate from the commission records.
Thang again blamed the accountant when asked by Thanh Nien to explain the two different payments.
The paper's investigation also found the commissions had been paid since 2006 when the equipment began operating. Many shareholders of the Cancer Medical Equipment JSC have also asked questions about this payment.
In a notice to its shareholders, the company said that after consulting with the hospital it had decided that the doctors fees would be reduced to VND50,000 per each patient treated with the device from September in 2007.
However, the fees then increased to 10 percent again in 2008.
Thanh also said payment for extra-hours had been transferred directly to doctors' bank accounts.
He also said the company was currently paying the doctors VND22,000 per patient for "overtime."
However, Thanh Nien found some doctors had collected up to VND15 million a month for overtime.
Dr. Dang The Can, K Hospital's vice director, said Wednesday the hospital was not aware of any payment for doctors' overtime, but said that [the overtime payment] was "a big amount."
He also admitted that some doctors had contributed their own funds to invest in the venture's equipment.
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