Vietnam to reduce int'l phone charges by 10-15%

Asian Economic News, Sept 18, 2000

HANOI, Sept. 12 Kyodo

Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has instructed the General Department of Posts to cut charges for international telephone calls by 10-15%, official media reported Tuesday.

The cut is to take effect within this year, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said, quoting a document from the prime minister's office.

Foreign investors say doing business in Vietnam is expensive compared with other countries in the region, and often complain about high international telephone charges.

Currently, a three-minute call from Vietnam to Japan costs $8.52, while a call from Singapore to Japan costs only $2.23.