VAN KAMPEN
                                                                      FUNDS INC.

NEWS RELEASE

    1 Parkview Plaza o P.O. Box 5555 o Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
                               o www.vankampen.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chad Peterson
212/762-9612

                          VAN KAMPEN HIGH INCOME TRUST
                                       AND
                         VAN KAMPEN HIGH INCOME TRUST II
                       ANNOUNCE APPROVAL OF REORGANIZATION

         CHICAGO (July 22, 2005) -- Van Kampen Asset Management announced today
that the shareholders of Van Kampen High Income Trust (NYSE/CHX: VIT) approved
the reorganization of VIT into Van Kampen High Income Trust II (NYSE/CHX: VLT)
at a special meeting of shareholders held on July 22, 2005. In the 
reorganization, shareholders of VIT will receive newly issued shares of VLT. The
transaction is currently expected to close on or about July 29, 2005, subject to
the satisfaction of certain conditions.

         Van Kampen Asset Management is a subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments
Inc. ("Van Kampen"). Van Kampen is one of the nation's largest investment
management companies, with more than $100 billion in assets under management or
supervision, as of June 30, 2005. With roots in money management dating back to
1927, Van Kampen has helped more than four generations of investors work toward
their financial goals. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley
(NYSE: MWD). For more information, visit Van Kampen's web site at
www.vankampen.com.

         The foregoing does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.
The joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed reorganization
contains important information and shareholders are urged to read it. Free
copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus are available by calling Van
Kampen's Client Relations Department at (800) 847-2424 or on the SEC's web site
at www.sec.gov.

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Copyright(C)2005 Van Kampen Funds Inc.  All rights reserved.  Member NASD/SIPC.