The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will select the winners from more than 100 entries received by the UPU.

Begun in 1971, the annual contest targets people who are 15 years old and below.

It is aimed at helping young people develop composition skills and subtly foster an appreciation for letter-writing, and contribute to international friendship.

The competition this year is on the theme of why the world needs tolerance.

In Vietnam it is held by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Central Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

They received nearly two million entries this year.

Here are some excerpts from Chi’s letter:

Dear Mr. Osama Bin Laden,

I am not sure if you will read this letter. But, if what I am writing is placed in front you, I hope you will be patient enough to read it fully.

You must laugh at me, an ordinary high school girl from a small country, daring to write to you. One of the reasons I write this is to help you find peace and a way to escape. Please do not look down on a 15-year-old girl’s words.

The events of September 11, 2001, have helped you shoot to fame. You must be proud of it, right? You may have a conflict with the US government but it does not mean you have the right to involve so many innocent people in your violent game.

I realize that in this life people always make choices and sometimes it is about what attitudes to have. So, why have you chosen anger and revenge instead of tolerance? At school, we are taught that “Life has many difficulties, challenges and sometimes even disappointment and sadness. Be brave to overcome them, and don’t lose faith and hope or give up your dreams.” You are older than I, but I wonder if you have understood this. Life is fair. Obstacles and adversity can confront us at any time and without warning. But, in exchange, we will discover the magic and great beauty of bravery and love.

Many innocent people lost their lives when the Twin Towers collapsed. Is it your goal? But are you sure you will be happy at seeing the loss of so many lives? You have chosen war and violence. How will this world be if those innocent people choose the same way? If you were wiser and had showed tolerance, innocent people would not be shedding tears.

One of the most difficult and precious things for humans is tolerance. It has been more than six years since the event took place. What do you think will lessen their [the families of your victims] pain? I believe it is tolerance. Everyone with a conscience understands what is lost can never be found again. We feel sorrow. We feel pain. But it does not mean we will take revenge like you. We are ready to forgive your actions if you realize your mistakes. But can you forgive yourself? To me, the remedy for all human diseases, mistakes, concerns, worries and guilt is love and tolerance. It has the power to create life. Don’t you believe in this?

Waves are not born by themselves, but are caused by winds from the ocean. Humans are the same. No one can live alone in this life. We have to live in the community and receive support from other people. It is the reason why the world needs tolerance. Tolerance is essential for all relationships that humans were, are and will be involved in. What is important to everyone is not to receive, but to give. I think it is God’s tolerance that you are still alive. You should be grateful for it instead of remaining angry.

People cannot do everything on their own. But they can do something meaningful in this life. You can do something useful for society if you can get rid of your rage and wake up the tolerance that hides deep inside your heart.

I hope it will happen though there is only a slim chance!

Goodbye!

By Thanh Nien staff

In the late 1960s, Iacobucci became a war photographer, spending seven years in the rice fields of Vietnam to capture vivid images of the Indochina conflict.

In those days, his photos were published by many important newspapers around the world.

He died impoverished in 1977.

The exhibition will run at the Museum of Rome until September 14.
A photo taken by Ennio Iacobucci in territories then known as Indochina (FILE PHOTO)

The US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Promotion, Israel Hernandez

(Source: VNA)

Vietnam’s fundamental advantages remain, says Hong Kong TDC

Though costs are rising in Vietnam , many of the country’s fundamental advantages remain, said a director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

At series of market briefings held recently by HKTDC to update Hong Kong small and medium enterprises on trade issues and opportunities in the US, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and India, HKTDC director in charge of Vietnam, Tina Phan, said that Vietnam has recently been hit hard by soaring food and oil prices, and the government is trying to rein in inflation, which has climbed to 16 percent.

According to Phan, Vietnam’s fundamental advantages include an inexpensive labour force with a high literacy rate, risk diversification, a base for exports and stable political and social conditions.

She added that potential sectors for Hong Kong in the markets include electronics, building and construction materials, machinery and equipment, financial services, telecom service, education and training.

However, there are short of managerial talent and weak in local supporting industries in the country, Phan said.

Businesses urge all-out efforts to fight counterfeit goods

The Vietnam Association for Anti-Counterfeiting and Trademark Protection (VATAP) convened a symposium on June 19 to push for stronger efforts to fight fake goods.

The symposium focused on a draft action plan of the VATAP, which unites more than 100 businesses nationwide towards the common goal of curbing counterfeit and copy goods.

The draft proposed to make November 29 the anti-counterfeiting day.

The VATAP also called for stricter market inspection and simpler administrative procedures this field.

It recommended that businesses establish their own agent systems with strict business regulations and actively help relevant agencies in assessing and providing information on counterfeit goods. Businesses should also publicise ways to distinguish authentic and fake goods and promote their business trademarks.

The growing production and trafficking of counterfeit products in Vietnam has affected domestic producers and consumers as well as investment environment.

Every year, relevant agencies detect and punish tens of thousands cases of manufacturing and trafficking counterfeit, poor quality and outdated goods and seize a large volume of counterfeit cosmetic products, foodstuff and materials for production.

State Bank allows JV bank to raise capital

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has given the nod to the Vid Public Joint Venture Bank to increase its statutory capital from 20 million USD to 62.5 million USD in 2008.

Vid Public is a joint venture between the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam and the Public Bank Berhad Malaysia . Each side will contribute an additional 21.25 million USD.

The SBV has also allowed the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank to issue bonds worth 3 trillion VND and the Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank to issue long-term valuable papers worth 5 trillion VND.

32 million tonnes of equivalent oil exploited

Members of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group have exploited 9.32 million tonnes of equivalent oil over the past five months, including 6.09 millioin tonnes of crude oil and 3.14 billion cubic metres of gas.

The group also reported that it exported 5.7 million tonnes of crude oil during the period.

The Chemicals and Nitrogenous Fertiliser Joint Stock Company, a member of the group, produced and supplied 264,000 tonnes of urea fertilier to the domestic market, contributing to stabilise the domestic fertiliser market.

The group’s total revenue in the January-May period hit nearly VND 108.5 trillion, with nearly VND 44.5 trillion going to the State budget, fulfilling over 66% of the group’s target set for this year.

Ha Tinh: Investment licence of FORMOSA Son Duong Port and lron/Steel Complex presented

The People’s Committee of the central province Ha Tinh has presented an investment licence of Son Duong Port and Iron/Steel Complex to Ha Tinh FORMOSA Hung Nghiep Iron/Steel Company Limited, with a total investment capital of nearly US$7.88 billion.

This is the biggest foreign direct investment project ever granted in Vietnam so far.

The project includes the Iron/Steel Plant with capacity of 7.5 million tonnes a year, which will be raised to 15 million tonnes per year in the second period, and Port Son Duong which serves the Iron/Steel Plant will be constructed in the area of over 3,000 ha, in which more than 1,000 ha of water surface in Vung Ang Economic Zone in Ha Tinh province.

Japan helps Vietnam modernise aviation management

The Japanese government has decided to help the Transport Ministry’s Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam in making the Master Plan Study on Development of the New Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management Systems" (the New CNS/ATM Systems) to the year 2025.

A document on the study was signed in Hanoi on June 20 by representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) preparatory study mission and the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam.

Under the document, the Study will include analysis of the existing systems; formulation of the Master Plan on the New CNS/ATM Systems to the year 2025; and feasibility Study on Priority Project Components in the roadmap for transition to the new systems.

The study will start in February next year and last for 13 months.

A Steering Committee will be established to monitor and evaluate the progress of the Study, discuss and advise JICA Study Team and Vietnamese counterparts on major issues arising during the implementation of the study, JICA said. 

(Source: VNA, ND)

Twenty young artists from Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An as well as 40 tourists, will stand in boats to spray-paint a 600-m long, 1.6m high nylon canvas hung along the river.

The show will be organized by the River Vietnam Arts and Media Company.

The ancient town of Hoi An will welcome more than 80 beauties from throughout the world for Miss Universe 2008, to be held the next day.

The young women will travel around the ancient town by pedicab (xích lô) and take part in a gala featuring musical performances, folk dances at Kazic Park as well as social and community activities scheduled over two days.

(Source: SGGP)

By June 17 in the afternoon, over 20 candidates of Miss Universe 2008 pageant had arrived in HCM City.

Every hour, a group of cars escorts competitors from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the New World Hotel.

At the hotel, competitors have their photos taken, have their measurements officially taken and fulfill registration requirements. Miss Vietnam Universe Thuy Lam has checked into the hotel as well.

Some photos of competitors at Tan Son Nhat Airport and the New World Hotel:

Miss Hungary

Miss Russia and Miss Ukraine

Miss Vietnam

Miss USA

Miss Guam and Miss Ukraine

Miss France and Miss Albania

Miss Albania, Miss Kosova and Miss Finland

Miss NIgeria

Miss Malaysia, Miss Curacao and Miss Finland

Miss Hrvatska and Miss Estonia

Miss Brazil, Miss Nigeria and Miss New Zealand

Vo Tien