Being one of the best-loved railways in Southeast Asia, Vietnam's North-South Railway, with two ends at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracts many travelers. Lonely Planet, the world-renowned travel guide, named Vietnam National Railway the most incredible rail trip in the world. The 1,730-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City offers breathtaking views of the country's diverse landscapes, making it a must-see for foreigners coming to Vietnam, the magazine said. "Some railways rattle through historic cities; others swoosh beside spectacular coastlines. A few have an epic history, and one or two are remarkable for the colorful characters onboard. The Reunification Express line, known as the North–South Railway, fulfills all these criteria," it stated. The railway is one of Southeast Asia's best-loved railways and the world's most epic overnight train journeys. It's also one of Vietnam's tourism highlights that attracts many international visitors. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Reunification Express named world’s most incredible rail journey: Lonely Planet
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Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
One of Hanoi's most fascinating and historic events, the festival is a tribute to Saint Giong, one of Vietnam's four immortals. The 2023 Giong Festival kicked off last week at Phu Dong Temple in Hanoi's suburban Gia Lam district. The festival's opening ceremony also marked the recognition of Phu Dong Commune as a new rural area. The opening ceremony of the Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple in Phu Dong Commune of Gia Lam District. Photo: Hoang Quyet/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Duc Hong, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People's Committee, said the district is an ancient land of cultural convergence of Thang Long (original name of Hanoi) and Kinh Bac (an old name designating the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang) and the holy place where Saint Giong was born. "The festival is in commemoration of Saint Giong, or Heavenly King of Phu Dong, who led the country against foreign invaders during the reign of the Sixth Hung King. The … [Read more...] about Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
Perfume Pagoda gets ready for a festival kick-off
The Huong (Perfume) Pagoda Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the Lunar New Year. Preparations have been wrapped up for the Huong (Perfume) Pagoda Festival, one of the biggest celebrations in the Lunar New Year. Everything is ready to welcome thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. The opening ceremony of the Huong Pagoda is held on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, which falls on January 30. The pagoda is a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built in the limestone Huong Tich mountains in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, Hanoi. The Huong Pagoda festival attracts thousands of visitors and Buddhist followers. This year, the religious site is expected to welcome 40,000 – 50,000 people coming to pray and show reverence to Buddha. According to the organizing board, during five days of Tet, the number of visitors to the Huong pagoda increasingly amounted to 15,000, of them, 3.7 thousand … [Read more...] about Perfume Pagoda gets ready for a festival kick-off
Exhibition in Hanoi to praise Hungary’s national poet
The cultural event aims at celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sándor Petőfi - a famous Hungarian revolutionary poet and writer. The Embassy of Hungary in Vietnam is holding a photo exhibition entitled " Petőfi : Around the World" at the National Library of Vietnam in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The exhibition is open to the public until June 5. The exhibition, themed at Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi, will last until June 5 at the National Library of Vietnam. Photo: Embassy of Hungary in Hanoi The exhibition features 19 large-format color posters, with content in both English and Vietnamese, outlining the career and remarkable contributions to the world culture of the Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 2023). "I believe that the exhibition will be a valuable opportunity for the Vietnamese people and international visitors to Hanoi to learn about the life and career of the greatest Hungarian revolutionary poet and literary figure: Sándor … [Read more...] about Exhibition in Hanoi to praise Hungary’s national poet
A look at logistic supply guarantee on Ship 20
The delegation has completed activities within the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023 and is en route to Makassar, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia for the fourth Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK-4). Departing Da Nang city on May 14, the ship is planned to return to Naval Region 3 on June 17. The long journey requires careful preparation of logistic supplies to ensure officers and soldiers’ health. Therefore, one of the important missions of Naval Region 3’s logistics sector is to provide standardized, nutritious meals that meet all requirements on food safety and hygiene. Below are photos logistics services on Ship 20. By Ngoc Hung from the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia Translated by Mai Huong … [Read more...] about A look at logistic supply guarantee on Ship 20
Hanoi’s second metro line delayed again to 2027
In a decision issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday, the completion of the capital's second metro line has been pushed back five years later than previously planned. The decision was in line with a recent proposal by the Hanoi People’s Committee to postpone the project’s completion date. The total investment for the project is now over VND34.8 trillion, with VND3.9 trillion more coming from the city budget, and VND2 trillion less coming from Official Development Assistance (ODA). The committee will be responsible for the accuracy of information and statistics regarding the project, including the resolution of potential issues, the decision stated. Hanoi will also be responsible for the delay's extra costs, which will be paid for with funds from the city's 2021-2025 public investment plan. If the project fails to meet its new deadline by the end of 2025, the capital city would have to utilize other sources of funding to complete the project. In April, the … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s second metro line delayed again to 2027
Nha Trang street cleaner killed in hit-and-run
Nguyen Thi Tuyet, 55, a graveyard-shift sanitation worker for the Nha Trang Urban Environmental Company, was cleaning up trash on the Tran Phu Bridge at around 1:15 a.m. when a car hit her. Tuyet was thrown onto a nearby flower bed and died at the scene. Following the impact, the driver of the car did not stop. Witnesses said the car that hit Tuyet had five seats. Authorities found fragments of the car at the scene. Tran Van Huong, director of Tuyet’s department, said Tuyet had been with the company since 2015. The incident happened around an hour into her shift, he added. Police are analyzing nearby camera footage to find the car’s driver. An investigation is ongoing. … [Read more...] about Nha Trang street cleaner killed in hit-and-run
HCMC cops snatch phone snatchers in high-speed chase
Nguyen Cong Thuan, 27, and Duong Le Tuyen Tai, 28, were both arrested on Monday. It all began when officers received reports of a phone-snatching on Nhat Tao Street in District 10 on May 19. After analyzing nearby camera footage, investigators were able to identify the suspects via their license plate numbers. When special forces found Thuan and Tai riding two motorbikes in Hoc Mon District, the pair was exhibiting signs of looking for potential victims. Officers from the special forces stopped the two men for questioning. Tai was apprehended while Thuan tried to escape on his motorbike. A high-speed chase ensued throughout Hoc Mon. Police eventually cornered Thuan at the side of a road and incapacitated him. At the police station, Thuan and Tai admitted to having stolen the phone on May 19. They also admitted to having snatched belongings in two other District 10 cases. … [Read more...] about HCMC cops snatch phone snatchers in high-speed chase
Truck rams through traffic light, killing one
At around 7 p.m., numerous vehicles were stopped at a traffic light at the Thuan An Hoa-My Phuoc-Tan Van intersection in Thuan Giao Ward. A truck then came from behind and rammed into the rows of vehicles. Three motorbikes were heavily damaged by the impact. A 20-year-old man died on the spot. Two other people were rushed to the hospital. Nearby vegetable stalls were also damaged in the incident. "I was sitting inside my house when I heard a loud crash. When I ran outside, I heard screams and saw 2-3 people lying on the road," a witness said. The accident caused a traffic jam, and police officers were dispatched to barricade the area. My Phuoc - Tan Van is a more than 40-km road connecting the center of Binh Duong, a major industrial hub, with Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces and HCMC. It is often used by many trucks and prone to traffic accidents. … [Read more...] about Truck rams through traffic light, killing one
Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years
The annual Wealth Report by Knight Frank said there were 1,059 "ultra-rich" people in Vietnam in 2022, up from 538 in 2017, an 82% increase. An ultra-rich person is defined by Knight Frank as someone with a net worth of at least $30 million, minus loans. By 2027, the number of ultra-rich people in Vietnam is projected to hit 1,300, a 22% increase from 2022, and a 122% increase over the span of a decade, according to the company’s report. Vietnam’s number of high-net-worth individuals, defined as those with assets worth at least $1 million, has also increased by 70% over the last five years, from 40,971 people in 2017 to 70,000 in 2022. The report projected there would be over 112,200 high-net-worth individuals in Vietnam by 2027, a 173% increase over a decade. The report said the rapidly rising number of wealthy individuals in Vietnam aligns with general trends in Asia, where similar patterns have been seen in countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years