Le Collier (The Necklace), carrying an estimate of 2,500,000 – 4,000,000 HKD (320,000 - 511,000 USD), was formerly in the private collection of Federico Möller de Berg (1899-1991), a renowned Uruguayan sculptor who acquired it directly from Thu in 1948 – the year the two artists first met in Paris. Federico studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiére and belonged to a circle of artists who shared and admired each other’s works. It was there Federico came across Thu’s paintings. Fascinated by Thu’s art and the tenderness in which he approached his subjects, Federico later exchanged his two sculptures for Thu's paintings, and one of the two pieces was Le Collier. The work remained in Federico’s personal collection and was brought back to Uruguay where he treasured it for the rest of his life. The painting portrays a white-dressed Vietnamese woman serenely reclining with a red beaded necklace in hand, admiring it while at the same time seemingly thinking of someone associated … [Read more...] about Renowned Vietnamese painter’s unseen painting up for sale
Entrance exams after 10th
Body of 10th grader swept away by floodwater found in north-central Vietnam
Rescuers have recovered the body of a 10th grader who was swept away by floodwater in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam after conducting a two-day search and rescue operation. Authorities in the province’s Quy Hop District completed procedures to hand over the body of the student to his family on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Ngo Quoc Chinh, 16, a native of Quy Hop. Before the fatal incident happened, Chinh and Luong Minh Huu, 17, both from Quy Hop 3 High School were riding an electric bike from Quy Hop Town to Chau Cuong Commune at around 0:30 am on Sunday this week. When the boys arrived at a spillway bridge in Chau Cuong, they found the bridge barricaded due to rising water level in the river after a heavy rain. They decided to remove the barricade and crossed the bridge. Unfortunately, they and the electric bike were swept away by floodwater when they reached one third of the bridge. Huu managed to swim ashore but Chinh went missing. … [Read more...] about Body of 10th grader swept away by floodwater found in north-central Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City to spend over 7 trillion VND on medical infrastructure, equipment
The decision is part of a resolutions adopted by the 10th municipal People’s Council at its 10th meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on September 19. Accordingly, the municipal People's Council approved a total investment of over 1.49 trillion VND for medical equipment in Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, more than 1.36 trillion VND for Cu Chi Regional General Hospital, and 1.45 trillion VND for Thu Duc Regional General Hospital. It also adopted projects for the construction of new infrastructure and procurement of equipment in 17 medical facilities. With the adjustments, the total mid-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period is valued at over 3 trillion VND, and that for 2026-2030 is more than 4 trillion VND. The council also approved for the first time the minimum investment amount for a public-private partnership (PPP) project in the health care sector at 30 billion VND. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City to spend over 7 trillion VND on medical infrastructure, equipment
Innovative medicine sales top the list for multinationals
Non-communicable diseases are still on the rise in Vietnam, and thus more choice and more modern answers are required, Photo: Le Toan Pfizer plans to bring numerous innovative medicines to Vietnam over the next four years. This is in line with its global strategy, as the company has made significant progress towards launching 19 new products over an 18-month span, having executed 11 launches so far. According to Pfizer, the company continues to build momentum, recently attaining key milestones for several products, including the US launches of Prevnar 20 in paediatric patients; as well as US approvals and launches of several other key medicines Darrell Oh, country manager of Pfizer Vietnam, told VIR, “Pfizer Vietnam will continue focusing our business where we believe we can have the greatest impact on patients and society – pursuing what we believe to be the most innovative biopharmaceutical therapies and vaccines.” “More than ever, we believe that the innovative industry … [Read more...] about Innovative medicine sales top the list for multinationals
War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked
THE HAGUE -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday its computer system had been hacked, a breach at one of the world's most high-profile international institutions and one that handles highly sensitive information about war crimes. The ICC said it had detected unusual activity on its computer network at the end of last week, prompting a response that was still ongoing. A spokesperson declined to comment on how serious the hack was, whether it has been fully resolved, or who might be behind it. "Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact," the ICC said in a short statement. The ICC is the permanent war crimes tribunal in the Dutch city of The Hague, established in 2002 to try war crimes and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors at the court are currently conducting 17 investigations into situations in Ukraine, Uganda, Venezuela, Afghanistan and the Philippines, among others. Highly sensitive documents at … [Read more...] about War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked
In Vietnam, parents spend big on children’s education despite economic woes
No matter how expensive it is, many Vietnamese families willingly pay for their children’s education in spite of their tight money situation. Vietnamese parents commonly seek the best education for their children while sacrificing their own needs, said Dr. Le Thi Mai Lien, head of the psychology faculty at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Cutting down on all expenditures but for children’s education As soon as her two children enter the new school year earlier this month, a 43-year-old woman named N.T.T., who resides in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, had to calculate her family’s expenditure to balance their spending and saving. After the COVID-19 pandemic, T. and her husband's total income decreased by more than VND20 million (approximately US$818) per month, so they have to tighten their belt to stabilize the investment in their children’s education. Years ago when their family was still financially solvent, they would frequently … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, parents spend big on children’s education despite economic woes
Defense Minister receives Thai Chief of Defense Forces
At the meeting, the host affirmed that over the past nearly 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, Vietnam - Thailand relations have comprehensively developed. The political-diplomatic, defense and security relations have been constantly boosted, contributing to strengthening strategic trust between the two countries. The two sides have also achieved positive achievements in economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchange. General Giang emphasized that Vietnam and Thailand are active and responsible members of the ASEAN Community. He highly appreciated the position, role, and active and pro-active participation of Thailand in general and the Thai Ministry of Defense in particular in promoting multilateral cooperation, especially within the ASEAN framework, contributing to strengthening intra-bloc solidarity and enhancing ASEAN's position. According to Vietnamese Defense Minister, on the foundation of the good friendship … [Read more...] about Defense Minister receives Thai Chief of Defense Forces
Engineering Company Rotation 2 departs for UNISFA
Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Head of the Intersectoral Working Group, and Deputy Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on Vietnam’s participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations, presided over the ceremony. At the event, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan entrusted the mission to the Engineering Company Rotation 2 and urged all of its members to uphold unity, overcome challenges, and successfully fulfill all assigned tasks. The deputy chief of the General Staff also called on the entire company to promote internal unity and international solidarity, provide active support to the locals, and collaborate with other forces stationed in the UNISFA to carry out their tasks effectively. They were also encouraged to promote good images of Uncle Ho’s soldiers to international friends. Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan expressed his confidence that following the successful … [Read more...] about Engineering Company Rotation 2 departs for UNISFA
Thai Chief of Defense Forces visits Vietnam
On September 20, Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong chaired a solemn reception for General Chalermphon Srisawasdi at the Headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense. After the reception, the two sides held talks. During the talks, General Cuong affirmed the significance of the visit which takes place in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their strategic partnership, contributing to creating new momentum for Vietnam - Thailand defense relations. On the basis of the bilateral friendship and fruitful cooperative relations, the cooperation between the two militaries has continuously developed with many practical and effective activities. Such cooperation mechanisms as defense policy dialogue; coast guard exchange; collaboration between arms and services; young officers’ exchange; information sharing; consultation; support to each other at ASEAN-led … [Read more...] about Thai Chief of Defense Forces visits Vietnam
Working with American business partners requires understanding their way of thinking
In January 2000, we established our first branch in San Jose, California, the heart of Silicon Valley. The director of that branch was a patriotic diasporic Vietnamese. But the American Dream did not come true for us. After merely one year of operations, FPT USA had to temporarily stop operating due to a lack of customers. We tried everything, with different people attempting to take the reigns of business development. From a Vietnamese expat to a graduate from prestigious MBA programs. What we received were critics, portraying our managers as "delusional about our corporate capability" and our programmers "weak in both expertise and language skills." It was a total failure. No one cared about a nameless company from Vietnam, a country only known then for the prolonged war. One of our then-potential customers was surprised to learn that it only took one hour to fly from Hanoi to Bangkok. He could not imagine the locations were so close, despite his own flying to Bangkok quite … [Read more...] about Working with American business partners requires understanding their way of thinking