Many of Ho Chi Minh City's historical sites have been severely damaged and denigrated, experts said at seminars on "searching and preserving value of historical sites," and "planning, preserving and promoting value of historical sites in HCMC within 2010 and 2010," held by the municipal Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism. Surveys have shown that historical sites including Phung Son and Giac Vien pagodas in District 11, Hung Loi pottery-kiln in District 8 and others are being used, controlled, transgressed and otherwise misused. People have occupied the land illegally for living, trading or storing. The city now has 73 artful edifices, whose architecture dates back hundreds of years, which have been damaged due to time and weather. It is not easy to restore ancient constructions. Apart from the need for major capital, experts have to focus on the risk of losing their specific historical and cultural traits. Streets built in 1872 have been broken down for the construction … [Read more...] about Historical sites at risk for damage, transgression
Damage
China to kick off repair programs on quake-damaged culture heritage sites
China will start repairing culture heritage sits damaged in the May 12 earthquake starting with Dujiangyan, the 2,200-year-old irrigation project in southwestern Sichuan Province. The director of State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) Shan Jixiang told Xinhua Wednesday that the repair program at Dujiangyan will start later this month and others will follow. Dujiangyan, built in 256 B.C. along the Yangtze River's main tributary Minjiang River, is the world's oldest irrigation project still functioning. It distributes water from the river to the Chengdu Plain, supporting more than 10 million people. After the 8-magnitude quake, cracks were found on the Fish Mouth, a dike that divides the Minjiang River into two branches, the inner and outer ones and a key part for the Dujiangyan project. The city near the project and named after it was one of the worst hit places. About 169 cultural heritage sites under state protection, including two in the UNESCO world heritage list, … [Read more...] about China to kick off repair programs on quake-damaged culture heritage sites
Real estate damages development prospect
Real estate damages development prospect Tu Hoang By Tu Hoang - The Saigon Times Daily HANOI – The real estate bubble is seen overshadowing the development prospect of Vietnam, posing problems for the economy and affecting the financial sector and the society, says a report of the Institute of Construction Economics. The report was delivered at the Spring Economic Forum held by the economic committee of the National Assembly (NA) ending Friday in Nha Trang last week. The financial distress of the property market seems to have entered its most critical stage, the report remarks. Restriction on loans for non-manufacturing sectors has led to a frozen property market, dragging down housing prices and driving many companies to bankruptcy. As a result, the unemployment rate has increased. It is estimated that around VND112 trillion is stuck in the property market, say the latest figures from the Ministry of Construction. Hanoi and HCMC are home to many large-scale property … [Read more...] about Real estate damages development prospect
Woolen sound hats may damage children’s hearing
Woolen hats fitted with audio devices may damage children's hearing, authorities warned. Audio devices inside made-in-China woolen hats can damage children's hearing Concern was raised following a social media video about the China-made hats, which allegedly caused headaches and buzzing in the ears of children. The hat contains audio equipment inside the ear flaps. The hats are being sold at markets and shops in Hanoi. When activated, the equipment can produce music or songs at high volume levels The hats do not have a volume adjustment. Nguyen Tuyet Xuong, an ear specialist at Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, said that extended loud sound can damage children's hearing. … [Read more...] about Woolen sound hats may damage children’s hearing
Bình Định fishermen want compensation for damaged ships
BÌNH ĐỊNH — Fishermen in the south central coastal province of Bình Định have asked two companies to pay compensation for damage to their new steel ships. Phan Trọng Hổ, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 19 fishermen families have sent a proposal to the department asking Nam Triệu and Đại Nguyên Dương companies in the northern province of Nam Định for compensation of VNĐ45.6 billion (more than US$2 million), zing.vn reported. In June this year, the two shipbuilders were found to be violating shipbuilding contracts, delivering dozens of substandard steel fishing ships to the fishermen. The fishermen claimed their new steel ships built in accordance with Decree 67 of the Government were damaged after only a short time of use and they have laid on the shore while waiting for repairs for the past nine months. Hổ said 14 … [Read more...] about Bình Định fishermen want compensation for damaged ships