Saturday, May 28, 2011

UK to give US$114 million aid to Vietnam

May 27, 2011 about Uncategorized

LookAtVietnam -
Before officially stopping its direct aid to Vietnam in 2016, the UK’s
non-refundable aid for Vietnam by 2015, will reach Â£70 million (around US$114
million), according to an agreement side on May 26.

Minister of State, Alan Duncan MP and Minister of Planning
and Investment, Vo Hong Phuc at the signing ceremony.

On May 26, UK
Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan and Vietnamese
Minister of Planning and Investment, Vo Hong Phuc signed the UK-Vietnam
strategic partnership agreement for the 2011-2014 period in Hanoi.

Under the agreement, the UK
has committed itself to providing up to Â£70 million in aid to Vietnam until
2015.

The funding aims to support Vietnam in meeting the
Millennium Development Goals; achieving strong growth that is inclusive,
low-carbon and led by the private sector, along with strengthening efforts to
tackle corruption and enhance accountability.

The signing took place after the two governments stated to
heighten their relations to strategic partnership last September.

The UK
will replace Sweden as the
lead donor on anti-corruption in Vietnam.

“I am pleased to have agreed the next five years of our
development partnership. The aid commitment enshrined in the DPA Amendment
today, together with our new role as lead donor on anti-corruption in Vietnam, shows the great importance that the UK attaches to the bilateral relationship with Vietnam,” said Duncan.

The UK
and Vietnam
entered into a ten year DPA in 2006. By 2011, The UK, through the Department
for International Development (DFID), has granted over Â£380 million (US$619
million) in aid to Vietnam.

In addition, since 2006 nearly Â£19 million (US$30.95
million) in debt relief has been granted to Vietnam through the Multilateral
Debt Relief Initiative for humanitarian efforts.

In March 2011, the UK
confirmed that its aid to Vietnam
would end by 2016, marking the conclusion of the DPA.

Chung Hoang

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.