In Briefs (23-10-2008) Sai Gon hi-tech park gets more labs HCM CITY— The Sai Gon Hi-Tech Park's R&D centre will open three more laboratories - to research into nanotechnology, semiconductors, and precision machinery and automation — tomorrow. The nanotechnology lab will include an FESEM S4800 device made by Hitachi Hi-Tech that costs US$500,000. The precision and automation facility too will come equipped with many cutting-edge tools worth a total of $300,000. Besides research, they will also be used for training scientific personnel. They will be run initially by five doctors and 24 engineers. Military Bank in deal with coffee firm DaK LaK — The Military Bank (MB) yesterday signed a comprehensive agreement with Tay Nguyen Coffee Import-Export JSC Company (VINACFBMT) on the supply of banking services between the two sides. Under the agreement, MB and its member companies, HFM, TSC, AMC, MB Land and MIC, will be given priority in credit and deposit services, … [Read more...] about Military Bank in deal with coffee firm
Banks will be closed tomorrow
Suspected bank robber nabbed in Kien Giang
KIEN GIANG — Vietnamese American John Le, who is wanted in the US for robbing banks, was arrested in southern Kien Giang Province by Vietnamese police on Monday. Police identified John Le while he was staying at a house in the province's Rach Gia city. Le, 29, is accused of robbing two banks in Houston, Texas in the US on May 20 and June 7, 2008. He escaped to Viet Nam in February 2009 and married a Vietnamese woman in the province, where he has lived since. He is being held by Vietnamese police and will be handed over to US police in due course. Pedestrian bridge opens in HCM City HCM CITY — Property developer Phu My Hung Corp officially opened a VND50 billion (US$2.6 million) pedestrian bridge in District 7's Sai Gon South Area yesterday. Located in the heart of Phu My Hung New City Centre, the 8.3 metre wide, 154m Starlight Bridge is the most modern pedestrian bridge in Viet Nam. The bridge has solar-powered LED lights installed on its path and the bottom beams. Another … [Read more...] about Suspected bank robber nabbed in Kien Giang
Nation’s longest spring fest opens in An Giang tomorrow
AN GIANG - Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to visit An Giang's Ba Chua Xu (Temple of the Goddess) on the Sam Mountain to celebrate the annual spring festival that opens tomorrow night. Preparations for the opening ceremony have been completed, according to Thai Cong No, deputy head of the Mount Sam Tourist Site management board. Apart from prayers and the lighting of incense by the devout, several cultural activities will be held at the festival including folk games and cai luong performances honoring Thoai Ngoc Hau and other pioneers credited with opening up the region for cultivation. The four-month-long festival will also stage the legend of Ba Chua Xu and host folk song performances from the Mekong Delta region. Quang Ngai Province to host sea, islands festival HCM CITY—The central province of Quang Ngai has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for approval to organise the first Sea and Islands Festival in Viet Nam, according to Nguyen Dang Vu, … [Read more...] about Nation’s longest spring fest opens in An Giang tomorrow
Manulife Fund to launch mutual fund tomorrow
Manulife Vietnam Fund Management Co. will begin selling shares of its first closed-end mutual fund on Thursday, July 19, the company announced Tuesday. A sum of 25 million Manulife For Progressive Fund (MAFPF1) units will be on sale at a face value of VND10,000 each. The company aims to sell VND250 billion (US$15.5 million) worth of units - a kind of the closed-end fund. … [Read more...] about Manulife Fund to launch mutual fund tomorrow
Gold in downswing
Price of gold in Vietnam declined after rising by nearly VND200,000 a tael (1.2 ounces) on May 31 while international investors stood on the sideline to await US unemployment report in May. Saigon Jewellery Company, Vietnam’s biggest gold processer and trader, bought the metal at VND41.18 million and sold at VND41.38 million as of 9.15am Vietnamese time. Hanoi-based Phu Quy Jewellery Company purchased SJC-brand gold at VND41.28 million and sold at VND41.39 million as of 11.15am Vietnamese time. Bao Tin Minh Chau Jewellery Company quoted price at VND40.1 million for buying, and at VND40.4 million for selling at 12.15pm Vietnamese time. Domestically, gold fetched VND2.1 million a tael, higher than global price. On free market, dollars were bought at VND20,870 per dollar, and sold at VND20,890 per dollar, up VND10 per dollar over the previous day. Meanwhile, Vietcombank bought the greenback at VND20,840 per dollar, and sold at VND20,890 per dollar, unchanged as of the … [Read more...] about Gold in downswing