Vietnam's postal service

Vietnam's postal service

HANOI (AFP): Ho Chi Minh City is planning to set up a private
post and telephone service in a further step towards shaking up
Vietnam's lumbering state communications monopoly, a report said
yesterday.

The proposed joint stock company will operate limited postal
and telephone services initially within the southern economic
center and neighboring provinces, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said.

Saigon Postal and Telecommunications Services Co. "will
promote stiff competition and end the current monopoly in this
area," said Nguyen Van Huan, deputy chairman of the city's
People's Committee.

With an initial capital of US$1.4 million, the company is to
begin operating 100 telephone circuits within the city and 10 in
each province from September.

Vietnam announced in May that it would scrap its telephone
monopoly and allow a military-owned firm to set up a rival
network in the lucrative sector.