VNA Exhibition on nation's building to be held An exhibition entitled '56 years of national building and defence along President Ho Chi Minh's path' will be open in Hanoi on August 19. Nearly 300 exhibits, documents and photos will be displayed at the exhibition. It will include four themes: 'President Ho Chi Minh - the founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam;' 'Nothing is more precious than freedom;' 'For the cause of a rich people, strong country and equal and civilised society;' and 'Firmly advancing in the 21st century under the glorious flag of the Party.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ President extends sympathy to Iran President Tran Duc Luong has sent sympathies to the Iranian people over the human and property losses caused by floods that recently swept over northern Iran. The sympathy was expressed in a message addressed to president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayed Mohammad Khatami, on August 15. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Campaign to collect public opinion on constitutional amendments launched A nationwide campaign to collect public opinions on amendments to the 1992 Constitution was launched on August 15. The National Assembly (NA) Ad-hoc Committee for Constitutional Amendment has called on all citizens to contribute their suggestions to planned amendments of the existing Constitution because the changes will directly impact on society. The collection of public opinion before making supplements and amendments to the Constitution aims to bring into full play the people's right to take part in the country's decision-making process. The decision to amend the Constitution and make it more suitable to the present context of national development was taken by the 10th NA at its eighth and ninth sessions. Information on those articles and clauses of the 1992 Constitution planned for amendment began to be disseminated through the mass media for the public as of� August 16. The constitutional amendments cover urgent issues ranging from the organisation of the State apparatus, national economy, culture, education, science, and technology. The Ad-hoc Committee said that it will base its draft on the opinions and recommendations gathered during the campaign and submit it to the upcoming NA session scheduled for the end of the year for consideration and approval. It requested a strict observance of regulations on making and collecting recommendations to ensure that the campaign will be conducted in a democratic manner. Written recommendations from the people will be collected either through the People's Councils at all levels or sent to the mass media. Employees working for public offices will submit their recommendations to the heads of their respective sectors or ministries. Soldiers of all ranks can send their recommendations to the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army, the Committee said. The latest date for submission and collection of recommendations is September 30. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vietnam and DPRK Fatherland Front delegations hold talks A delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee led by secretary general Tran Van Dang on August 15 held talks with a delegation of the Democratic Front for Reunification of the Fatherland (DFRF) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led by president of the Front Central Committee Kang Ryeng-Hak. The DFRF delegation began its week-long working visit to Vietnam on August 15 at the invitation of Pham The Duyet, president of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Presidium. At the talks, secretary general Tran Van Dang informed the guests of Vietnam's achievements in the national renovation process and lessons relating to the great national unity. Mr Dang also spoke of the socio-economic situation in the first six months of this year and the front's programmes of action to successfully implement the Resolution of the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. DFRF president Kang Ryeng-Hak expressed his pleasure at the development of co-operation and friendship between the two front organisations and expressed his belief that the delegation's visit would contribute to further strengthening the relations between the two countries and two front organisations. He spoke of the DFRF's activities, the Korea Peninsula and new developments in the normalisation of relations between the north and south of Korea, creating conditions for national reunification. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ India's Independence Day marked The Ho Chi Minh City Chapters of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association on August 15, held a ceremony to celebrate India's 54th Independence Day (August 15). Present at the celebration were the city's leaders, India's Consul General J K Mandal, and business people. Hoang Anh Tuan, vice president of the city's Vietnam-India Friendship Association, delivered a speech, congratulating the Indian people on their great achievements in implementing poverty alleviation programmes. India has become the second largest rice exporter in the world. He said that Vietnam and India shared many similarities in history and culture, that their traditional relations have been constantly maintained and fostered through many generations, and that their bilateral co-operation has gained good results, especially in economy, commerce, tourism, and information technology. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vietnam, Russia sign education deal Vietnam and Russia have signed an agreement on co-operation in education and training for the 2001-2003 period. Under the agreement, one country will annually receive for training from the other 30 undergraduate, postgraduate and trainee students of different fields and 30 students and 15 teachers of the Russian and Vietnamese languages. In addition, both countries' universities will exchange experts and jointly organise exhibitions and seminars on education and training. They will also help each other in establishing branches in the other country. (VNA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HCM City threatened by riverside erosion Nine riverside areas from Binh Trieu bridge to Muoi Chuoi ditch in Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh City, are in danger of being eroded, according to the Department for Water Management and Flood and Storm Control. The municipal People's Committee has asked the Department of Communications and Public Works and Thu Duc district's authorities to inspect the housing construction that is encroaching on the river banks. In the meantime, sand exploitation must be temporarily suspended and effective measures worked out to evacuate to safer places households and agencies in danger. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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