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Walking their dog after dinner has always been a favorite daily activity of Tho Pham and his wife, a Vietnamese couple who live with their 39-year-old son in Garden Grove City, California. But not in the last few months as the wave of anti-Asian violence and harassment has terrified him. "I do not dare go out without my children because I am afraid someone will knock me to the ground or stab me to death just because I am Asian," he laments, adding that the hate crimes have disrupted his daily life. Many other Vietnamese share his apprehension, especially older people. Wally Ng, a member of the Guardian Angels, patrols with other members in Chinatown in New York City, New York, U.S., May 16, 2020. Photo by Reuters. Violence and hatred directed at Asian Americans, which also includes mugging, have surged across California since the beginning of the Covis-19 pandemic as Asians are blamed for its origin in Wuhan, China. Videos of an Asian woman being punched in the face on a subway platform and a Thai man being pushed to the ground in San Francisco have sparked fears, and the Vietnamese community is traumatized. Hoai Nguyen, a housewife in San Jose, home to the largest Vietnamese population in America, says: "It is annoying and scary when you go out and have to keep looking behind your back to see if you are being followed by someone suspicious." She has been called "coronavirus" several times while walking and shopping, but she had not expected the discrimination and hatred to turn violent and even murderous. Last month the Vietnamese community in San Jose was shocked after a 64-year-old woman was robbed in front of Dai Thanh Supermarket during the Lunar New Year holidays. Nguyen says with a sigh: "I cannot do that (go out) on my own because they may kill me. How weak I am and how cold-hearted those people are." Since older people are targeted, no one is comfortable letting their parents or grandparents go out alone though the first …

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The Hanoitimes - With the relocation of the capital and a comprehensive reform, Ly Cong Uan (King Ly Thai To) and his descendants succeeded in building a strong nation. Peaceful ascension to the throne The kings of the Early Le Dynasty, founded in 980, embarked on effective reforms to stabilize the political and economic situation. However, the decease of king Le Dai Hanh in 1005 led to infighting within the royal family for succeeding him. In the end, Le Dai Hanh’s fifth son, Le Long Dinh, defeated other princes to claim the crown. However, the brutal struggle that he fought for the throne caused resentment among the people. The statute of Ly Cong Uan in Hanoi. Photo: Jenna Duong. In 1009 when Le Long Dinh died at the age of 24 and his children were very small, Ly Cong Uan, a talented dignitary was supported by other court officials to ascend to the throne, peacefully seizing power from the Le. It is known as the most peaceful change of dynasty in the country’s history. From moving the capital to reforming the country Ly Cong Uan was crowned in the context of a serious political and socio-economic crisis and the threat of invasion from the Chinese Song dynasty. He was determined to end the political crisis that lasted through several reigns and bring stability to his kingdom. His  first decision as king was to move the capital from Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh) to Dai La (Hanoi now). Hoa Lu was chosen by King Dinh Tien Hoang (924-979) as seat of his court to suit the needs of defending the nation in the early days after the civil wars. It was more appropriate for defense purposes as it is located in a low land surrounded by limestone mountains. However, it was difficult to develop an urban city here as traffic was inconvenient and its location is too distant from the thriving economic centers in the Red River Delta. In autumn of 1010, King Ly Thai To decided to move the capital of the kingdom to Dai La, mindful that the place …

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A special exhibition of two collections of Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) by renowned designers will open at the Ao Dai Museum in Long Thuan Garden in District 9 on March 7. They include Ao Dai owned by outstanding women working in politics, culture and arts, such as Dr Trinh Thi Hoa, the former director of the HCM City History Museum, and veteran soldier Dang Hong Nhut, who have both encouraged young women to study and develop their careers as well as live more independently. The museum displays Ao Dai owned by Nguyen Thi Dinh, the first woman major general to serve in the Vietnam People's Army, former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh, and some of HCM City's well-known cai luong (reformed opera) artists, including Kim Cuong and Bach Tuyet. A photo exhibition featuring Vietnamese women in Ao Dai will also be held on the occasion. The two exhibitions will open at 206/19/30 Long Thuan Street and will close at the end of the month. Fashion designer Si Hoang, the museum’s owner, said Ao Dai Week 2021 promotes traditional cultural identity and the image of Vietnamese women. Hoang spent 12 years to establish the museum thanks to his love for the traditional attire. “The long robes have aesthetic, historic and cultural value,” he said. In Hanoi, the union and Museum of Vietnamese Women have worked together to open a photo exhibition of 358 images featuring Vietnamese women, their place, and their contributions to the country. Captured by veteran artist Dinh Quang Thanh, the works on display portray women and their heroic activities in the national resistance wars against France and the US. …

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