"Get a wife!" everyone shouts at me every time I have a problem in Vietnam. I’d make a terrible husband. I’m selfish about my private time for writing and drawing. I’m grumpy in the mornings and I’m as romantic as a brick wall. Nope, never! Hmm... famous last words? Yet I’m surrounded by fabulous Vietnamese women. This includes my co-partner/manager for my educational projects. My most trusted and reliable friend is a glamorous wife of someone else. From my local shopkeeper to my favorite café, hardware shop and travel agent – they are all women. Lucky me! Have you noticed how the public face of Vietnam is a beautiful woman in an ao dai? That the control of the country sits in the hands of women in offices everywhere who make deals, check details and arrange stuff. The whole country probably wouldn’t last a minute without all those women co-coordinating, reporting, checking, filing and documenting every male decision and action. Your … [Read more...] about Women and flowers: Vietnamese Women’s Day
Drawing about independence day
Diverse activities to mark Vietnamese Teacher’s Day
On November 20, the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Institute held a ceremony to mark Vietnamese Teacher's Day (Nov.20). Le Huu Nghia, member of the Party Central Committee and director of the institute reviewed its development and growth, and affirmed the responsibility and tasks of teachers and students. He also presented awards to some teachers for their contributions to teaching and research at the institute. This year, 17 teachers in the institute have been recognized for professor titles. * On the same day, leaders and representatives from the educational sector of the southern Binh Thuan province visited Binh Thuan-based Ho Chi Minh museum and burnt incense to Uncle Ho, or teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh, who used to teach at Duc Thanh school in Phan Thiet in 1910. Here, they reported to Uncle Ho on their achievements and promised to incessantly improve the quality of teaching as Uncle Ho did when he was alive. On this occasion, many schools in the province held camps, art performance … [Read more...] about Diverse activities to mark Vietnamese Teacher’s Day
Britain replaces Scotland minister before independence vote
LONDON - Britain's coalition government replaced the minister responsible for Scottish affairs on Monday less than a year before Scotland votes on whether to become independent, signalling a change in campaign tactics. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which runs a devolved government in Edinburgh, is seeking full independence, arguing that the country of five million people can achieve greater prosperity by going it alone. Opinion polls show a majority of Scots would reject independence in a referendum scheduled for Sept. 18, 2014, but as the vote approaches, Cameron's government wants to sharpen its campaign strategy. Cameron's office, which plans to conduct a wider reshuffle of junior government ministers later on Monday, said it had appointed Alistair Carmichael, 48, as the new Secretary of State for Scotland, replacing Michael Moore, also 48. Both men are from the Liberal Democrats, which has 11 lawmakers representing Scottish constituencies in the Westminster … [Read more...] about Britain replaces Scotland minister before independence vote
Australian Int’l School Saigon Holds Open Day
The Australian International School Saigon held the Open Day on Saturday, welcoming visitors to see the school campus and facilities, and to find out more about the school curriculum and philosophy. AIS Saigon is located at 21 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 3, which used to be a campus of RMIT Vietnam University, an arm of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. "The first school day of AIS Saigon marks an important event in drawing Vietnamese and Australian ties ever closer. The school is proud to be offering a high standard of education and a high quality English language program to school students in Ho Chi Minh City," said Mr. Chris Faisandier, general director and principal of the school. Mr. Mal Skelly, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said: "I believe that the AIS will be a very much welcomed investment in Ho Chi Minh City for its potential contribution to increasing education standards in Viet Nam." Mr. Faisandier, in collaboration with the Board … [Read more...] about Australian Int’l School Saigon Holds Open Day
