Most Vietnamese gov’t websites could collapse any time, survey | Look At Vietnam

Most Vietnamese gov’t websites could collapse any time, survey 

June 1, 2012

A recent survey found that 78 percent of Vietnamese government websites are vulnerable to cyber attacks, VietNamNet reported.
The statistic was reported by Internet security firm Vietnam Information Security Association during a conference on expanding the role of online government in Hanoi last Friday. 
The association team randomly tested 100 websites with the domain name .gov.vn. Nearly 3,700 security flaws were detected during the survey.
Around 58 percent of the sites showed “serious security weakness” and around 20 percent exhibited “high security weakness,” a representative from the association said.

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“Around 80 percent of the websites do not meet the minimum security requirements.
“Around 78 percent are susceptible to have their content altered or their operating engines collapse at anytime,” the representative said at the conference.
The Hanoi-based Internet security firm Bkav calculated that from the beginning of this year, six Vietnamese websites had been attacked every day.
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GOVERNMENT NEWS 26/5 | Look At Vietnam

GOVERNMENT NEWS 26/5

May 26, 2012

Prime Minister Dung welcomes Liechtenstein prince to Viet Nam

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday received Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein who is here to prepare for a cultural programme that will see Nobel Laureates coming to Viet Nam in November.
The prince is visiting Viet Nam as chairman of the International Peace Foundation’s Advisory Board.
Dung thanked the prince for his support to Vietnamese people in their past struggle for liberation and briefed the guest on the national external affairs policy.
He welcomed the prince in his effort to bring Vietnamese images to the international community, particularly in his preparation for a series of the 4th “Bridges-Dialogues towards a Culture of Peace”.
The programme, organised by the International Peace Foundation in Viet Nam from November this year to April next year, will bring along Nobel Laureates to give speeches and lectures at conferences and meetings with Vietnamese scientists, lecturers and students.
The prince also said another aim of his visit was to promote the co-operative ties between Viet Nam and Liechtenstein.
He also said he would always support co-operation activities with Viet Nam, particularly on education and training.
E-government further promoted
As many as 60 percent of official documents and materials exchanged between state agencies will be in electronic format by 2015, according to an instruction issued by the Prime Minister on May 23.  
All ministries, relevant agencies under the government, and the people’s committees of provinces and cities nationwide have been asked to use email to exchange documents such as invitations, reports, announcements, and other official papers.
The PM also asked for the digitalization of archived documents and materials to help civil servants search for and deal with information via the net.
Information portals of the government and other units will be utilized to publish law documents and other official papers with the aim of reducing the use of hard copies.
Vietnam backs the building of nuclear weapon free Southeast Asia
Vietnam actively participates in mechanisms to build a nuclear weapon free South East Asia and Asia-Pacific region in a sustainable manner.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh emphasized this while joining defence officials from 27 members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in a ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC) in Phnom Penh on May 25.
General Vinh affirmed Vietnam’s consistent viewpoint against global proliferation of nuclear weapons and stressed the importance of nuclear energy use for peaceful purposes, saying that priority should be given to safety.
Vietnam is studying a roadmap for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in its industrialisation and modernisation, he added.
The senior defence official emphasized the importance of maintaining safety during project operations and said Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries to ensure nuclear safety.
The ASPC said that this is an important issue for the region and necessary to encourage nations to participate in international nuclear treaties and mechanisms, complete their domestic legal frameworks, build training and assistance centres relating to nuclear security as well as increase international cooperation on the issue.
Regarding the situation at sea and in the East Sea in particular, participants said the disputes need to be solved peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and regional treaties.
They supported ASEAN and China’s effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) for peace, stability and security in the region.

Both sides should make effort to ensure maritime freedom, natural resource exploitation and economic development in accordance with international law, they said.
Delegations to the conference expressed concern over recent complications in the East Sea, and said they want concerned parties to refrain themselves and listen to the international community’s opinions, to peacefully solve disputes.
ILO to continue employment support
A 2012-2016 programme of co-operation between Vietnam and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was signed in a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 25.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said the programme aims to promote sustainable employment in Vietnam, which meant effective work in a safe and fair environment.
It will be developed based on Vietnam’s achievements in coordination with the ILO in previous years and the Government’s priorities in employment and social protection.
Chuyen urged relevant agencies to involve in ILO programme with a focus on supporting the development of labour codes and the National Programme for Employment for the 2011-12 period.
The programme will also concentrate on employment for youth and rural workers, activities to enhance harmonious working relationships at enterprises, and measures to implement the Government’s social protection strategies, she said.
She said the programme will be a key tool for the ILO and relevant tripartite partners to develop co-operation plans and mobilise resources in the most effective ways for promoting sustainable employment in Vietnam.
JICA official awarded friendship title
Outgoing Vice Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Masaei Matsunaga was presented with the “For peace and friendship between nations” insignia from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).
The award was handed over by VUFO Vice President Don Tuan Phong at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 25.
Speaking at the ceremony, Phong spoke highly of Masaei Matsunaga’s contributions to enhancing friendship, mutual understanding, exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan during his tenure from 2009-2012.
Masaei Matsunaga has accelerated Japan ’s involvement in international cooperative activities to support Vietnam through the JICA Partnership Programme, Phong said.
He also helped arrange for delegations from Japanese universities, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to visit projects in Vietnam , Phong said, noting that such activities help Japanese people understand more about the land and people of Vietnam .
Phong applauded the JICA official’s engagement in programmes to send Japanese volunteers to assist Vietnam in areas such as health care, rural development, teaching the Japanese language and supporting disabled children, as well as projects to help the country strengthen State administration.
Masaei Matsunaga promised to continue his contributions to enhancing friendship between the two countries.-
NA Chair bids farewell to India, Hungary ambassadors
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received the outgoing ambassadors of India and Hungary, Ranjit Rae and Vizi Laszio, in Ha Noi yesterday.
To the Indian diplomat, Hung expressed his delight at seeing growing ties between the two countries since setting up strategic relations in 2007.
Both agreed on the potential to increase relations in terms of politics, economy, trade and legislation.
Hung said Viet Nam would support Indian enterprises coming to do business in the country, while Rae said India would help Viet Nam in human resources development, particularly in information technology.
With the Hungarian diplomat, Hung appreciated his effort in elevating bilateral ties and promoting co-operation between the two law-making bodies.
Deputy Foreign Minister Son meets Chinese FM in Beijing
Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi held a reception for Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son in Beijing yesterday to discuss consular activities and experiences in dealing with denizens.
Son also participated in the Viet Nam-China forum on economics, trade, investment and tourism co-operation, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in China and the China-ASEAN centre in Beijing between May 20 and 23.
Talking to Son, Yang appreciated the working results from the forum.
He hoped to expand the good terms between the two countries.-
Lao journalists’ association head in VN to extend ties
Vietnamese and Lao journalist associations looked to deepen ties while Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savanhkhone Razamountry visited Viet Nam between May 24 and 30.
The Lao official, also deputy Chairman of the Lao Journalist’ Association, was received by his Vietnamese counterpart Ha Minh Hue on Thursday.
Yesterday, he was guest to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications and Deputy Director of Vietnam Television Nguyen Thanh Luong. Both sides wanted to extend ties in communications.-
PM applauds work of national lawyers association in protecting justice
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday called on the Vietnam Lawyers Association to continue its role in protecting justice and citizens’ rights during a meeting with the association.
Le Thuc Anh, chairman of the association, established only three years ago, said the association had become a forum for lawyers nationwide that had contributed a great deal to the country’s judicial reform process.
Between 2010 and 2011, the association’s lawyers defended more than 32,000 criminal cases, over 4,700 economic cases, and nearly 500 labour cases.
At the meeting, the association also asked the Government and other ministries to recognise October 10 as Vietnamese Lawyers Day.
Vice President meets Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito in Tokyo
Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan yesterday paid a courtesy visit to Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito while attending the 18th conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo from May 24-25.
Doan conveyed an invitation to the Emperor and Empress of Japan to visit the country during Viet Nam – Japan Friendship Year 2013, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Crown Prince Naruhito expressed thanks to the Vietnamese people for their support to Japan following the triple disasters last March.
Viet Nam, China hold first talks over sea border off Tonkin Gulf
Experts from Viet Nam and China gathered to discuss the sea border off the Tonkin Gulf during a first negotiation round held in Ha Noi on Monday.
At the two-day talks, the first expert-level of its kind, the two sides affirmed their determination to strengthen negotiation on the demarcation of a water boundary off the gulf and co-operate for mutual development based on an agreement signed last October.
Both countries agreed to hold negotiations twice annually, the next meeting set for the end of this year.
Viet Nam promotes further South-South co-operation
Viet Nam attaches a great deal of importance to cooperation with South-South and considers it vital for developing countries, Ninh Thi Binh, Counsellor to Viet Nam’s Permanent Mission to the UN, stated at the 17th Session of the High-Level Committee on South-South Co-operation in New York on May 23.
Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, head of the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam to the UN, was elected to Vice Chair of the biennial session, which is taking place from May 22-25.
Binh urged that developed countries realise their commitments to official development assistance (ODA), as well as trade and market access with developing countries.
Liechtenstein Prince suggests more humanistic approaches in education
The education system should adopt more humanistic approaches to allow children to reach their full potential, said Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein during his meeting with Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan in Ha Noi yesterday.
The prince, visiting Ha Noi as chairman of the International Peace Foundation’s Advisory Board, stressed that educational systems must create an environment in which young students could express their own opinions and be listened to rather than simply follow instructions.
In response to the prince, Minister Luan agreed on the need to allow students to develop independent thinking and creativity.
ASEAN Secretary General urges Japanese to ‘regain confidence’

Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of South East Asian Nations, emphasised the importance of Japan in maintaining East Asia’s position as the centre of global growth at an international forum yesterday.
Speaking at the annual “Future of Asia” conference attended by Asian political and business leaders, including Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, Surin said, “Today, you will see a lot of changes in the region because it is a centre of gravity now. The challenge for us in East Asia is how to handle our differences and make sure that our relations do not affect our growth or the confidence in our region.
“It is in the interests of Japan, and it is expected of Japan, to be in the centre of the problems and challenges that affect East Asia,” he said.
Surin urged Japan to “regain confidence” saying, “From the natural disasters, from the changes in the region — that may make you believe that you are no longer the leader. But look at your contribution to the region: first-class technology and science, first-class management, education, discipline — all of these are the ingredients, are what is needed for the confident Japan that East Asia needs,” he said.
World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati said at the conference, that ASEAN needs to prepare for both the benefits and problems that further globalisation will bring,
Sri Mulyani said that while ASEAN still has a long way to go to achieve full and sustainable prosperity, its current integration gives it an edge over many other areas of the world.
“Within ASEAN, we have a divide between the first five members and new countries that have entered the community,” she said. “But the region is connected. Brazil and Peru are more connected to China than they are each other. ASEAN enjoys a connectivity that can create an environment for opportunity.”
However, Sri Mulyani pointed out that the more vulnerable ASEAN countries still had a lot of work to do if they want to reap the benefits of globalisation.
“In order for ASEAN to benefit from being together, the countries need to do a lot of homework domestically,” the director said. “They need to have a good financial structure, a healthy agricultural structure, and to be able to deal with urbanisation.”
Sri Mulyani suggested that the region would need to cooperate more closely to overcome future challenges posed by such issues such as natural resource shortages, financial crises and environmental damage.
She also said there was a need to improve international institutions to meet these future challenges. “The global economy today shows us that interconnectivity is becoming more and more real. And it has upsides, but there are a lot of risks. We don’t have the global governance to deal with this,” she said.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he envisions making Japan’s reformed tax and social security system a model for other Asian countries.
“I certainly want to implement these reforms and create an Asian model for a sustainable, ageing society,” Noda said.



 more info ----->GOVERNMENT NEWS 26/5 | Look At Vietnam

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 £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 £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 £380 million (US$619
million) in aid to Vietnam.

In addition, since 2006 nearly £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

US migration scheme on track: Vietnam officials

The country has made great strides in allowing many of its citizens to move to the US under a bilateral immigration program, Vietnamese immigration officials said at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City Monday.
Resettlement has become a vital part of the US-Vietnam relationship in the past few years and holds significance for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese citizens, US Consul General Ken Fairfax told the conference.

The meeting, held to review the Humanitarian Resettlement (HR) Process, brought together US and Vietnamese immigration officials.

Fairfax added that the US appreciated the goodwill of the Vietnamese government in going ahead with the process, and hoped, with the program drawing to a close, the conference would help improve mutual understanding.

In November 2005 the two countries signed the final agreement of the HR Process under which a number of eligible Vietnamese will be considered for resettlement in the US

The scheme considers applications from former high-ranking officials and employees of the US-backed Saigon regime and former staff recruited directly by US companies or organizations before April 30, 1975, along with their families.

Processing of applications started in June 2006 and wrapped up last week.

Speaking at the conference, Le Xuan Vien, deputy head of the Immigration Management Bureau, said the Vietnamese government has always respected and protected the resettlement rights and created conducive conditions for eligible citizens.

Authorities have also strived to improve immigration procedures, Vien said, citing relaxed passport formalities as an example.

Last August the Vietnamese government issued a decree stipulating that passport applications must be processed in eight days.

New and renewed passports are now valid for 10 years instead of the earlier eight.

Vien stressed that the aim of his government in overseas resettlement programs is humanitarian and not political.

Vietnam is thus willing to cooperate with other countries and international organizations to meet the overseas resettlement needs of its citizens, he said.

He pointed out that the government has given ethnic minorities equal treatment under the HR Process, including passports, applications, rejecting all allegations of discrimination.

Asked about the small number of ethnic minorities deemed eligible for US resettlement, authorities told the meeting that the US has turned down many applications from minorities.

The Immigration Management Bureau said between 1997 and 2000, only 157 out of 967 applicants were accepted by the US

Authorities from central highlands provinces, however, also blamed the cumbersome application formalities for scaring away ethnic minority applicants.

Many of them had to wait very long, some for as long as a year, after they were interviewed for resettlement.

Central Highland authorities urged the US to streamline procedures in this regard.

Timothy Swanson, chief of the Humanitarian Resettlement Section of the US consulate in HCMC, said the consulate always writes to every applicant to apprise them of the status of their application.

But he admitted that problems with regard to permanent addresses often make it difficult for US authorities to contact ethnic minority applicants.

Swanson acknowledged the support rendered by the Vietnamese government since the HR Process began three years ago.

The predecessor of the HR process, the Orderly Departure Program, enabled nearly 500,000 Vietnamese citizens to resettle in the US between January 1980 and September 1994.

Vietnam ready to take part in Iraq reconstruction

Within its capacity and if conditions permit, Vietnam is ready to join the collective efforts of the international community to help the Iraqi people rebuild their country, said Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam.

At a UN Security Council debate on the situation in Iraq in New York on June 13, Ambassador Minh praised the progress that the country has achieved over the past five years under extremely difficult conditions in political and socio-economic fields, its improved relations with neighboring countries and its reintegration into the international community.

While firmly supporting the joint efforts of the Iraqi Government and concerned parties in consolidating peace and security, promoting sustainable development and strengthening national reconciliation, the Vietnamese representative stressed the important role that the United Nations, regional countries and the international community can play to help Iraq in its political process, regional dialogue, economic reconstruction and humanitarian relief work.

“We commend the efforts of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq and encourage it to further assist the Government of Iraq to address key priority issues as mandated by Security Council resolution 1770 (2007),” the ambassador said. He added that Vietnam hoped the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) would continue to enhance its audit and oversight capacity to ensure that all resources from the Development Fund for Iraq are transparently and efficiently disbursed for the best interests of Iraq and its people.

Minh said: “Viet Nam participated in the two conferences on the International Compact with Iraq in Sharm-el-Sheikh and Stockholm in 2007 and 2008. We look forward to continuing to support the work of the Compact in moving the country forward.”

He recommended Iraq to continue resolving urgent matters concerning security, humanities, reconstruction and national reconciliation. Vietnam is desirous to see Iraq to achieve further concrete improvements in ending the outbreak of sectarian violence, resolving disputed internal boundaries, strengthening poverty reduction and social welfare development, reinforcing the rule of law, curbing illicit use of weapons and combating organized crimes, promoting disarmament, demobilizing and reintegrating ex-combatants, clearing a substantial amount of foreign debts, and providing assistance to more than 4 million refugees and internally displaced persons, the ambassador said.

Cambodian Children protest Child Labour Day

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodian school children took to the streets on Thursday to mark World Against Child Labour Day, calling for parents to send their kids to school rather than forcing them to work.
About 500 children marched through the capital carrying placards and banners with slogans such as: "Work is not necessary for children, but schooling is", and "Child labour is unjust for children".

The demonstration was organised by the International Labour Organisation with the Cambodian government.

One of the marchers, 15-year-old student Roeun Ra, said his parents used to make him work by scavenging through garbage.

"Many of my friends cannot go to school because their parents ask them to work for money," the boy told AFP.

The World Bank said that last year some 1.5 million Cambodians under the age of 14 were forced to work, often in hazardous conditions.

Chey Chab, undersecretary of state at the ministry of education, told marchers the government was working to prevent the children from being exploited.

"Children are like bamboo shoots and are the (future) strong force for the country," he said in a speech, calling on all people to "take care, protect, and think of the interest of children."

Following years of civil unrest and government mismanagement, Cambodia remains mired in poverty, with more than 30 per cent of its 14 million people living on less than 50 US cents per day.