The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council has approved a plan to revitalize the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Saigon Opera House, as the theater has fallen into a state of degradation. The renovation of the opera house, which is considered as one of the city’s iconic symbols, is estimated to cost VND337 billion (US$13.9 million). The repair is aimed at preserving the architectural values of the establishment to make it a further attractive destination for international tourists visiting the city and a venue for important festivals and events. Chau Huy Toan, who has worked at the opera house for 33 years, said he has witnessed the building undergo two renovations. The Saigon Opera House is situated at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The theater, developed over 123 years ago, is a popular destination for tourists to the city. In 1998, the city launched a large renovation of the theater and equipped it with modern sound … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City to renovate downtown opera house
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Japanese Crown Prince visits late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, together with Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, paid a visit to late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and fish pond on Thursday morning. Their jaunt was taken after talks between the top Vietnamese official and Japan’s crown prince. Vice-State President Xuan chaired a welcome ceremony for Akishino and Kiko at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Thursday morning. The stilt house and fish pond are situated in the late President Ho Chi Minh relic site. These places were the late president’s living and working space. The visit to the relic site was part of Akishino’s ongoing Vietnam trip, which will last until Monday next week. Crown Prince Akishino, 58, is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito. He was declared first in line to the chrysanthemum throne in 2020. This is the third time the Japanese crown prince has visited Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Akishino is set to meet other … [Read more...] about Japanese Crown Prince visits late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house
VietnamWood Fair kicks off in HCM City
The 15th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair attracts 320 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - The 15th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on September 20. It has attracted 320 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories who are showcasing their latest woodworking product lines and engaging in various curated events and activities. Exhibitors showcase comprehensive automatic production lines and wood system integration with the focus on digital transformation. It has eight foreign pavilions from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the US and Taiwan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Handicrafts and Wood Industry Association Phung Quoc Man said Vietnam is the world’s fifth largest exporter of wooden products and has substantial demand for woodworking machinery and components. Imports of … [Read more...] about VietnamWood Fair kicks off in HCM City
German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
The travel news site Reisereporter has just published an article that highlights some of the famous tourist destinations and landscapes in Vietnam, including Hanoi. In the article titled “Vietnam: You shouldn’t miss these sights”, www.reisereporter.de suggests tourists to visit some hidden "treasures" and undiscovered natural wonders in this wonderful country in the Southeast Asia region, in addition to popular tourist attractions. A Vietnamese girl in her charming ao dai (long dress) and non la (conical hat) walks through the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi According to Daniel Schramm, staff writer for www.reisereporter.de , Vietnam is a fascinating destination with a wide variety of sights and experiences. From historic cities like Hanoi and Hue to stunning natural landscapes like Halong Bay and Sapa to culinary adventures in street kitchens and markets, the country offers something for every taste. Vietnam's … [Read more...] about German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
Singers want apology not money from tycoon in alleged defamation case
Business mogul Nguyen Phuong Hang at her trial on September 21, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung Hang, the general director of the Dai Nam Joint Stock Company, stands trial at the Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Court on Thursday, after she was arrested by Ho Chi Minh City police in March last year for "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, and the lawful rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens." She was accused of using different social media accounts to livestream and make allegedly false claims about various celebrities, as well as spread information related to celebrities' private lives. In her videos, she said singer Dam Vinh Hung had not been transparent in distributing money he collected from others, and singer Vy Oanh had earned a huge amount of money after having a child with a rich man. "My reputation, which I have built over the past 20 years, was damaged," Hung said at the trial of Hang at the HCMC People’s Court, … [Read more...] about Singers want apology not money from tycoon in alleged defamation case
Mid-Autumn magic hits Vietnamese cities in pre-festival spirit
In Saigon, the lantern streets in District 5 have become a lively hub of activity half a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, which peaks on September 29 this year. Families from all corners of Ho Chi Minh City converge on streets like Luong Nhu Hoc, Phu Dinh, and Lao Tu. Among these, Phu Dinh walking street takes the spotlight as the epicenter of lantern shopping. Phu Dinh and Luong Nhu Hoc streets are renowned for their wide assortment of traditional handmade lanterns. These lanterns, adorned with intricate designs ranging from boats to dragons, fish and butterflies, are predominantly crafted from red cellophane. LED lights have replaced traditional candles, enhancing safety while preserving durability. These enchanting lanterns vary in size, from modest 20-centimeter versions to creations exceeding 1 meter, with prices ranging from VND20,000 to VND500,000 (US$0.80 to $20). Rabbit and pig lanterns, housed in bamboo … [Read more...] about Mid-Autumn magic hits Vietnamese cities in pre-festival spirit
HCM City looks for new technologies toward smart transport system
The smart transport management centre is connected with 875 traffic cameras and 216 traffic lights. (Photo: tuoitre.vn) HCM City (VNA) – Study of new technologies is underway in Ho Chi Minh City to complete its transport system, and ease traffic congestion that has plagued the southern hub for a long time. According to Director of HCM City Urban Transport Management Centre Do Van Tan, the city has 9 million vehicles on the road, including 7.8 million motorbikes and 865,000 cars. The increase in the number of personal vehicles has exerted enormous pressure on the city’s transport infrastructure, he said, highlighting that the transport sector is working to catch up with new technologies to improve the city’s smart transport system. The city put into operation its first smart transport management centre in 2019, which is connected with 875 traffic cameras and 216 traffic lights. The centre has helped local residents get updated with the traffic situation via website and … [Read more...] about HCM City looks for new technologies toward smart transport system
Major US companies, including SpaceX, aim to expand investment in Vietnam
Some top international and U.S. firms such as SpaceX, the Coca-Cola Company, and Pacifico Energy are planning to expand their operations in Vietnam, heard the receptions hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for these firms’ leaders in New York City on Wednesday (local time). During these receptions, part of the top Vietnamese official’s ongoing trip to the United States, PM Chinh underlined that Vietnam prioritizes science, technology, innovation, green, digital and circular economic, and research projects. He affirmed that the Vietnamese government always creates favorable conditions for international firms to do business in Vietnam effectively. Speaking at the meeting with the prime minister, Tim Hughes, senior vice president for global business and government affairs at SpaceX, a U.S. aerospace company, run by South African-American billionaire Elon Musk, said that the group highly values Vietnam’s potential for development. Hughes revealed that SpaceX aims … [Read more...] about Major US companies, including SpaceX, aim to expand investment in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Nha Trang – Lien Khuong expy proposed to be built in next 3 years
Authorities in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong Provinces, located in Vietnam’s south-central and Central Highlands regions, respectively, have sought to develop a 103km-long expressway linking the two localities in the 2025-28 period, said a local official. The administration of Khanh Hoa recently told relevant agencies to work with a consulting unit on a proposal to develop the Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway project, Nguyen Tan Tuan, chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, said on Thursday. According to the proposal, the route would start from an intersection with the Nha Trang - Cam Lam Expressway in Khanh Hoa to the end of the Lien Khuong - Prenn Expressway in Lam Dong, with some 48km of the route in Khanh Hoa and the rest in Lam Dong. The projected end of the Nha Trang - Lien Khuong Expressway project, which will link Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam with Lam Dong Province in the country’s Central Highlands region. Photo: Tran Huong / Tuoi Tre … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Nha Trang – Lien Khuong expy proposed to be built in next 3 years
Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities
The 2023 Hanoi Fall Festival program will take place from September 29 to October 1 at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street and Hanoi Children's Palace. The first Hanoi Fall Festival with the theme "Hanoi - Come to fall in love" will be held at Hoan Kiem Walking Space and Hanoi Children's Palace from September 29 to October 1, aiming to promote travel to the capital in Autumn, the season when Hanoi is considered to be at its best. The information was announced by Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) Nguyen Thi Mai Anh at a press conference in Hanoi on September 20. Foreign tourists visit Hanoi's Book Street. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times According to Anh, this is the first iteration of an event showcasing Hanoi's culture and cuisine on Capital Liberation Day (October 10). The festival will feature 150 booths from people's committees in 10 districts of Hoan Kiem, Me Linh, Quoc Oai, Ung Hoa, Ba Dinh, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Dong Anh, Ba Vi and Gia … [Read more...] about Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities