Human rights bill of rights

To mark the 42nd anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran (February 11) Việt Nam News introduces a story by Ali Akbar Nazari, Ambassador of Iran February 1-11 are unforgettable days in the history of our great nation, Iran. They are the days of the victory of the Islamic Revolution with the participation of all strata of society under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. Forty-two years ago, on February 11, 1979, the Iranian people established their religious democracy and chose a new political system based on independence relying on the two principles of republic and Islam. A system which defined international relations on the basis of compliance with international laws, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and mutual respect based on the three-pillar foreign policy of dignity, wisdom and expediency following the logic of dialogue and emphasising respect for human dignity and co-operation to achieve universal prosperity, peace, stability and security. Azadi Tower, the most iconic landmark and symbol of Tehran - the capital of Iran.  Photo courtesy of the embassy Over the past 42 years, Iran has sprung up in all dimensions one after another. Globally speaking, being among a few countries in the field of science production, nuclear and satellite technology, ranking fourth in nanotechnology, fifth in drone manufacturing, fifth in cyber power, ninth in access to space, third in converting gas to gasoline, fourth in bioethanol production, first in attracting medical tourists in the region and having the largest shipbuilding pools in the Middle East all reflect Iran’s success in the past four decades. Of course, Iran’s huge progress was not to the liking of enemies and they tried in every possible way to create obstacles from imposing maximum pressure on Iran in military, economic and political ways to the assassination of significant military and scientific figures such as General Soleimani, the …

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For many farmers in Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam, buffaloes are also the highlights of eco-tours hosted by the Jack Tran Tours company. So in the Year of the Buffalo, they have more tales about the animals to tell than ever. Tran Van Khoa (third from the left, in green T-shirt) shows his visitors how to ride a buffalo. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours Tran Van Khoa, sales manager and owner of the company, told Viet Nam News that the idea for the tour came to him on a field trip he took a group of foreigners to visit Tra Que vegetable village on the outskirts of ancient Hoi An Town 10 years ago. “The foreign tourists seemed to be interested in buffaloes eating grass,” he said. “They asked the owners to take photos with the cattle. They often tipped the farmers one or two US dollars for each photographing session. I thought the buffalo might be a special tourism product that will bring more income to farmers.” Over the time, the company has gathered nearly 20 farmer families who own some 100 buffaloes for wet rice tours, which offer tourists the chance to work in the field with buffaloes. Before the pandemic, each year the company received 2,000-3,000 guests, bringing each family VND10-15 million ($434-651) a year. Such a tour lasts for five hours when tourists try various farming tasks. Two junior tourists enjoy riding a buffalo in Tra Que Village. Photo courtesy of Jack Tran Tours “At first local farmers were not willing to join the service,” Khoa recalled. “They thought foreigners would never like dirty work in the field. I spent lots of time to persuade them.” Now the tour attracts mostly group tours and families at a ticket cost of VND1.3 million each including lunch at homestays. Local farmer Le Nhien, in his mid-50s, who has raised buffaloes since his childhood, is among the farmers who have worked the longest with the company. “We often choose strong male buffaloes for the job,” he said. “They are …

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Export value skyrockets over Lunar New Year Vietnam's export turnover during this Lunar New Year saw breakthrough growth, occupying nearly half of the total export-import turnover. The latest data published by the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that export volume over the seven days (February 10-16) of the Lunar New Year holiday reached $730 million, rising 79 per cent on-year and accounting for about 44 per cent of the $1.67 billion export-import turnover. The main export articles include mobile devices and components valued at $332 million; computer and electronic products worth $251 million. The two categories accounted for 80 per cent of the total export value. This Lunar New Year saw exports going to 80 markets, seven more than last year. China continues to be the leading export market with a value of $189 million (26 per cent). Following are the US ($152 million), South Korea ($67 million), and Hong Kong ($57 million). According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, there were 960 import-export businesses, up 59 per cent on-year. Nevertheless, importers still outnumbered exporters with an import turnover of $940 million, up 37 per cent on-year. Thus, from early this year to February 16, the total export-import turnover reached $74.51 billion, up 31 per cent on-year. Of this, exports hit $38.57 billion, up 36 per cent on-year while imports reached $35.94 billion, up 26 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of $2.63 billion. Drug market forecast to grow by 15 per cent in 2021 The pharmaceutical industry grew by just 2.8 per cent last year, much lower than its average 11.8 per cent growth in the last five years. It is expected to recover and grow by 15 per cent this year, mainly due to a rapidly ageing population and increasing incomes, analysts at SSI Securities Corporation said. Last year there was a short supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients from China and India due to social distancing and …

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