We can take the Americans to the WTO court – and win!

VietNamNet Bridge – A leader of the Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) judges that Vietnam’s complaint to the WTO against US barriers to Vietnam’s shrimp has a good chance to succeed.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung, VASEP deputy chairman

Since 2005, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the United States have been subjected to anti-dumping duties. In that year, the US Department of Commerce, responding to a petition by the US shrimp industry, calculated that Vietnamese producers were ‘dumping’ their product into the American market, a finding that has been upheld by two subsequent ‘administrative reviews’ in the US.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung is a VASEP deputy chairman, and an expert on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Talking with VietNamNet, Dung emphasized that the WTO is a level playing field where all players must play by the rules. Members can appeal to the WTO if they see other members breaking the rules.

VietNamNet: What will happen after Vietnam files its complaint with the WTO about the three unreasonable practices the US has used against Vietnamese producers?

Dung: After Vietnam complains to the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body, the two parties have sixty days to settle the issues through direct consultation.

After studying the US antidumping duty on warm water frozen shrimp, Vietnam has appealed on three points, the zeroing method used to calculate dumping margin; the compulsory security payment and method of defining the dumping margin for voluntary defendants; and the imposition of a country-wide rate.

If the US admits these calculation methods and regulations are unreasonable, the complaint will be settled and the US will have to stop using the unreasonable practices. Though few complaints at WTO are settled in the consultation stage, the situation may be different with the shrimp case. All the by other countries against the US relating to shrimp were ended in the consultation stage.

VNNet: Could you please tell us more about Vietnam’s complaints?

The zeroing calculation method, a practice that the US has been using regularly in many antidumping lawsuits, is particularly objectionable. The American Commerce Department just calculates dumping margins for products found to be higher than the “standard” price. But if related products have higher prices than the “standard” one, the margins are automatically listed as “zero,” not as negative.

It is clear that the zeroing calculation method results in a higher dumping margin. When Thailand, India and EU complained to the WTO about it, the US admitted it was wrong. However, a WTO decision is not automatically applied to all countries and so Vietnam is still subjected to the zeroing method.

In the second administrative hearing with Vietnamese shrimp exporters, the US still used the zeroing method to calculate duties. For example, they only selected two compulsory defendants for review and imposed the same rate of zero percent. Our other enterprises, the ones that were not chosen as compulsory defendants, should also have enjoyed the tax rate of 0 percent (which was the average of the duties levied on the two enterprises). However, the US, citing the zeroing method, imposed a 4.57 percent duty on the rest of our enterprises.

If Vietnam succeeds in its appeal, the US will have to pay back the duties it has collected from our Vietnamese exporters.

VNNet: Didn’t VASEP once appeal to the American Court of International Trade about the tax calculation method?

Dung: Yes, it is true that VASEP once sued DOC for the wrong method of calculating anti-dumping duties without success. However, the CIT is an American court, and of course it protects the US interests. The situation will be different when we bring the lawsuit to the WTO.

VNNet: Is it risky for Vietnam to bring a case to the WTO for the first time, though it does not yet understand international laws really well?

This will be an ‘exercise’ for government agencies. Vietnam didn’t join WTO just to wait for other countries to file complaints against it. Next we’ll have to defend our floating glass industry, and some others.

There is nothing to worry about. WTO has concluded that the US was wrong in applying the zeroing method in precedent cases. I can see high possibility of Vietnam winning the case.

If we need to hire lawyers, I think we should hire a non-US law firm.

VNNet: What’s the best time to file our complaint at the WTO, bearing in mind that the third and fourth US administrative reviews are coming up?

At any time, and the sooner the better. VASEP urged that the Government file a complaint in October 2008. The longer we delay, the more Vietnamese enterprises will suffer.

In the worst case, if the US refuses to accept a WTO judgment against it, we will calculate our losses caused by the US shrimp duties. Then we are entitled to retaliate, using other measures to make the US bear the same value of losses. Vietnam could impose penalty duties on any of our imports from the US. Why not on beef, for example?

Ha Yen

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Vietnam ranks 6th in Asia in mobile phone users

VietNamNet Bridge – With 73.2 million mobile phone subscribers by March 2009, Vietnam holds sixth position for the number of mobile phone users in Asia.

China and India secure the first and the second positions, with 644.8 and 391.6 million subscribers. The two countries account for 1.04 billion subscribers of the world’s total number of 4.15 billion.

The third largest mobile market in Asia is Indonesia, with around 144.6 million, followed by Japan.

In fifth position is Pakistan, followed by Vietnam with around 73.2 million users by late March 2009.

The seventh is the Philippines with 71.7 million, followed by Thailand 62.7 million, Bangladesh 46.3 million and South Korea 46.2 million.

The top ten countries for mobile users in Asia have 3.48 billion people and 1.68 billion mobile users.

VietNamNet/ICTNews

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Nation at high risk for rapid spread of H1N1 flu

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Health yesterday, July 21, warned of the high risk that the A/ H1N1 flu could spread, especially during the upcoming winter weather which would provide favourable conditions for the virus to develop.

"The health sector has found 61 teachers and pupils from the Ngo Thoi Nhiem Private High School in District 9, HCM City, to be positive for the virus. The number of patients will rise high in the coming time". (Photo: VNN)

A flu report to the Prime Minister said the A/H1N1 flu virus had spread quickly into the community. It particularly noted two flu clusters that were recently found in Viet Kieu hamlet, Xuan Hiep commune, Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province and at the Ngo Thoi Nhiem Private High School in District 9, HCM City.

As of yesterday, 84 of the country's A/H1N1 positive patients were relatives of overseas Vietnamese patients who had returned to Dong Nai from the US.

"The health sector has found 61 teachers and pupils from the Ngo Thoi Nhiem Private High School in District 9, HCM City, to be positive for the virus. The number of patients will rise high in the coming time," said Director of the Preventive Medicine and Environment under the Ministry of Health (MoH) Nguyen Huy Nga.

"Signs have shown that the A/H1N1 flu pandemic has spread into the community," said Nga.

Viet Nam has begun to see signs of A/H1N1 flu in the community more than 50 days after the first reported case. So far, all patients have been isolated, closely monitored and effectively treated for quick recovery.

Health experts have warned that when the A/H1N1 flu spreads widely into the community, Viet Nam will face challenges in its control. An increasing number of patients and even fatalities are unavoidable. In particular, people suffering from chronic diseases, weak immune systems, the elderly, children, pregnant women and obese people are vulnerable to the flu.

At present, the health sector is focusing its activities on closely monitoring patients, isolating suspected cases and treating positive patients in a timely manner. The health sector has made efforts to prepare sufficient drugs, hospital beds, medical facilities and isolation areas for a pandemic, according to Nga.

The MoH yesterday confirmed 35 new A/H1N1 flu cases, bring the nation's total to 443 cases and no fatalities since the onset of the threat. Of all cases, 328 have been discharged from hospitals and the rest are stable, resting in isolation and undergoing treatment.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported a total of 139,556 A/H1N1 flu cases, with 781 fatalities, in 139 countries and territories worldwide.

Bird flu, too

At a workshop held yesterday, representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also called for raised awareness about avian influenza in humans among civil servants, workers and their managers.

"One of our challenges is how to help workers and managers understand methods for preventing avian influenza themselves and to actively combat the disease," said Director of MoLISA's Labour Safety Department Doan Minh Hoa.

At the event, participants agreed that so far avian influenza prevention at the work place had focused primarily on communication activities rather than specific measures or comprehensive strategies to curb the disease.

"We should set up policies for avian influenza prevention activities, and insurance policies and wages for workers who are unable to go to work because of the pandemic," added Hoa.

Avian influenza prevention for workers will be integrated into MOLISA's labour safety programme.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

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First int’l Salsa festival in Vietnam

VietNamNet Bridge – Salsa dancers from many countries and Vietnamese salsa fans will group up at the first Salsa Holidays from July 30 to August 1 at Sheraton Hotel, Hanoi.

Three special guests of Salsa Holidays: (from the left) Reyno, Sharon Parkir and Gupson Pierre.

Salsa entered Vietnam several years ago and has quickly developed. In the first international Salsa festival in Vietnam, fans will see the presence of three special foreign guests, who will perform with international and Vietnamese dancers.

The first is Gupson Pierre from Canada, Chairman of Attitude Dance Studio. This is a leading dancer in the world and a talented trainer who has won many prizes at highly-reputed dance competitions in the world.

The second is Sharon Parkir from Australia, a lecturer of the Salsa Melbourne Institute, who has taught Salsa in many famous dance centres worldwide.

And the third is Reyno from Indonesia, who is the founder of the Salsa Fresca and the champion of the Salsa Indonesia Championship.

Besides enjoying impressive shows by international and Vietnamese Salsa dancers, Salsa Holidays will be a chance for young people to register for Salsa courses taught by famous foreign dancers.

VietNamNet/VNE

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Vietnam ranks second at int’l Muay Thai tourney

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam won four gold medals to finish second at the six-day Pre-Asian Indoor Games Muay Thai Tournament, which concluded in Ho Chi Minh City on July 20.

Thailand took first with five golds, while Vietnam and Laos secured four golds each at the tournament attended by 79 boxers from Thailand, Mongolia, India, Laos, Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam.

Thailand, Vietnam and Laos dominated all 13 weight categories of the Thai boxing event.

Vietnamese athletes have been acquainted with the sport only for a short time but have made a good impression thanks to their quick adaptation and varied combat techniques.

Santiphap Intarapharnt, President of the Asia Federation of Muay Thai, said Vietnamese boxers have good basic technique and modern ways of fighting but need additional practice to improve their stamina and their ability to withstand attacks in competitions.

He predicted that Vietnam will grab some gold medals at the 25th SEA Games and medals at the upcoming Asian Indoor Games.

After this tournament, the Vietnam national Muay team will train for two months in Thailand before competing in the Asian Indoor Games to be held in Ho Chi Minh City.

VietNamNet/VOV

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Colourful Bac Ha fair

VietNamNet Bridge - Bac Ha fair opens every Sunday in Bac Ha district, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai. The fair is known for its cultural identity of ethnic minority people.

The fair attracts not only domestic tourists but also many foreigners who come to look for colourful brocade, skirts of Mong ethnic minority people and specialities of the mountain region.

These Chinese tourists are looking at wooden and silver jewellery and other souvenirs

These brocade skirt made by Mong ethnic minority people are sold up to several Vietnamese million dong.

These brocade handbags are the favourite of many young city ladies

This kind of pig or called “lon man” is sold well here.

Rice wine is indispensable in Bac Ha fair.

At the end of the market is a place for trading cattle.

A foreign tourist stops a while before taking more photographs

After the fair, people normally have noodle full with fat meat and hot chilly.

Bac Ha fair attracts tourists with its wild and uncommercialised beauty but no one can assure that this identity will be preserved for next years.

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Making splash

VietNamNet Bridge - A private water puppetry troupe will, for the first time, present the traditional art at an international festival in Japan.

An art form unique to Vietnam that makes waves wherever it goes will reach the shores of Japan this week.

Two tons of equipment including dozens of puppets and even a pool had been shipped to Japan several weeks ago to present to Japanese audiences, especially children and the youth, authentic water puppetry performances.

Seventeen members of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Rong Vang (Golden Dragon) Water Puppet Theater will take part in the Kijimuna Festa 2009, a prestigious art festival for children and young audiences held in Tokyo and Okinawa.

The delegation, comprising of one producer, three directors, six musicians and seven actors, will present 18 performances spread over seven shows from July 20 to August 6.

Huynh Anh Tuan (photo), owner of the Golden Dragon theater, told the Tuoi Tre newspaper the performances will introduce Vietnamese customs, folk activities and daily life in rural areas. The dragon and phoenix dances, rearing of ducks, fishing and boat racing are some of the scenes that will be enacted.

Traditional music including cheo (northern folk opera) will accompany the performances, bringing to the audiences another fascinating, long-established folk art from Vietnam, Tuan said.

The shows will also feature the famous legend of King Le Loi (1385-1433) and the Sword Lake in Hanoi.

Legend has it that the king had been lent a magic sword by the Golden Turtle God to defeat the Chinese Ming invaders in the 14th century, and after he accomplished the task, he returned it to a turtle in the lake, giving it its name.

Happenstance

The Kijimuna Festa organizers, while making a survey of Southeast Asian traditional arts in November 2007, visited HCMC and were attracted by Golden Dragon’s performances, Tuan told media in a press briefing last week.

They invited the theater’s managers to attend last year’s event to learn about the festival, Tuan said.

“I’m very happy and proud to present Vietnam’s unique water puppetry to young Japanese audiences.

“I hope spectators will be amazed by the vivid wooden puppets and the technique of decorating them with lacquer,” he said.

Water puppetry has been showcased to foreign audiences many times but only through tours by state-owned troupes like the Central Water Puppet Theater and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater.

Luck played a part in helping Golden Dragon break the tradition, Tuan said, as the festival organizers came to the theater’s performances by chance during their November trip.

The Japanese had also visited other theaters in Vietnam before selecting his, Tuan added.

“Maybe they liked the colorful and festive atmosphere of Golden Dragon’s shows.”

Kijimuna Festa is an annual art festival held in Okinawa in the summer, mainly to entertain children and young audiences and introduce them to different kinds of art forms including dramas, puppetry and music, as well as exhibitions and comics.

The festival is open to participants of all ages, from below 5 to 12 and above with a wide range of activities tailored for each age group.

Organizers also aim to promote cultural exchanges between nations with various seminars and workshops held during the event.

This year’s event will be held in Okinawa and Tokyo with 63 performances from 13 countries and territories including France, Australia, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam and hosts Japan.

Tuan said he admired how Japan spent money and effort to introduce the younger generations to art.

“Japanese children are so blessed, being educated to appreciate beauty and art from a young age,” Tuan said.

“I think we need to learn that from Japan.”

Puppeteer of the show

Tuan has dedicated most of his art managing career to entertain young audiences and rescuing water puppetry from falling into oblivion in modern times.

The IDECAF Theater – a familiar venue for HCMC drama lovers established by Tuan in 1997 and located inside the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France – has dedicated much time to children’s plays and produced hits for the younger audience almost every summer.

“I love seeing young faces light up with joy at art works meant especially for them,” Tuan told Thanh Nien Daily in a recent interview.

He collaborated with the Cultural Labor Palace in opening up the Rong Vang Water Puppet Theater, Vietnam’s first private water puppet theater, at 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Dist. 1, in 2007.

“Several water puppetry groups had been formed around the country, but they all ended in failure. Many, therefore, considered my decision to begin the theater risky and irrational.

“But I don’t fear difficulty. I love water puppetry and I believe it’s a traditional Vietnamese feature that must be preserved by all means.”

Since its opening, the theater has received some 200 visitors per night, half of which are foreign.

In Vietnam, traditional water puppetry was originally performed in rural villages in the Red River Delta some 1,000 years ago.

It was not until 1958 that water puppetry was first displayed in Hanoi and the first state-run puppetry group was established to serve public audiences in 1973.

Vietnamese water puppetry was introduced abroad for the first time in France in 1984. Since then, this original art has traveled to many places around the world including the US, Mexico, Korea and Japan.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien

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