Tong Van Han has spent more than 20 years researching and preserving the cultural values of the Thai ethnic minority, particularly the Black Thai. ENJOYING: Tong Van Han and some of his research works about Thai culture. The 47-year-old from the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien is of Thai ethnicity and understands that cultural preservation has become an urgent task amid Vietnam's globalisation and development. Han, an active member of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association since 2009, says the beauty of Thai culture has interested him since he was a teenager and when he entered high school, he started researching traditional Thai customs. “The more I worked on researching, the more I was attracted to it. I have found the Thai cultural treasures are vast, fruitful and unique compared to other ethnic groups,” Han says. Along with researching and collecting culturally significant items, Han also wrote articles for newspapers and magazines. His stilt house in Lieng … [Read more...] about Researcher devotes 20 years to preserving Black Thai culture

Every day from 4 to 6pm, an elderly foreign man and his Vietnamese wife can be seen sticking reflective tape onto the bicycles of any passersby for free in Da Nang City. American vet finds peaceful home in Da Nang US army veteran returns to Vietnam to heal scars of war David Clark is seen sticking reflective tapes onto the bicycles of a passer-by in Da Nang City. — Photo cadn.com.vn His name is David Clark, an American war veteran who previously served his country in Da Nang. Now the city is his second home and a place where he helps heal the scars of war with modest but meaningful acts. By sticking reflective tape on the bicycles, the 70-year-old man expects to help bikers avoid traffic accidents at night. The tape is purchased and shipped to Vietnam from the US and each red strip costs about US$400, while silver piece costs $250, all paid for from Clark's savings and his friends’ support. The idea of providing free reflective tape to bikers occurred to Clark … [Read more...] about American veteran finds peace in his new life in Vietnam

  Vietnamese-Australian Châu Văn Khảm (left) was sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of “terrorist activities against the People’s government” at the first-instance trial on Monday at the HCM City People’s Court. — VNA/VNS Photo Thành Chung HCM CITY — Vietnamese-Australian Châu Văn Khảm, 70, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of “terrorist activities against the People’s government” at the first-instance trial on Monday (November 11) at the HCM City People’s Court. Two other Vietnamese defendants, Nguyễn Văn Viễn, 48, and Trần Văn Quyền, 20, were sentenced to 11 years and 10 years in prison, respectively, on the same charges.  The charges were in accordance with Article 113, Clause 2 of the 2015 Criminal Code relating to joining a “terrorist” … [Read more...] about Vietnamese-Australian sentenced to 12 years on “terrorism charges”

HCM City is facing difficulties collecting over 9,000 tonnes of domestic rubbish every day. A dumping spot in HCM City The problem was discussed during a talk show held by the HCM City People's Council about the collecting and transporting rubbish from local households held on November 10. HCM City Urban Environment Company and locality public services companies are responsible for rubbish collecting and transportation. The authorities have revised the rubbish collecting system in recent years to be more effective. Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said over 9,000 tonnes of rubbish from 1.9 million households and 134,000 businesses were discharged each day. However, only 100 out of 1,700 litter trolleys have been upgraded. HCM City has many alleyways that can only send small equipment and rudimentary vehicles to collect rubbish. Nguyen Thi My Hanh, vice chairwoman of District 4 People's Committee, said the population density in … [Read more...] about HCM City faces rubbish collecting difficulties

The PAN Group’s BOD Member affirmed that Shin Ca phe is a new and essential step for the group’s overall development strategy. The PAN Group (HOSE: PAN) has just announced its investment and claimed to hold nearly 80% stake in Shin Ca phe chain. Mr. Nguyen Duy Khanh - Member of the BOD of The PAN Group, who is directly in charge of the investment in this startup, has shared his viewpoints over PAN's participation in the production and trading of specialty coffee. - Why did PAN decide to participate in this new field? - Besides the growth based on internal resources, PAN Group has always been ready for M&A plans. In addition to other leading companies, PAN also has a strategy to invest in potential startups, which are suitable to implement the mission of promoting Vietnamese agricultural and food products. It was not until now that we are interested in coffee. The Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dak Lak province to build facility for coffee growing, … [Read more...] about PAN’s Leader: Shin Ca phe’s investment – Treasure the value of failures