How long rice cook

The staff try to reduce the psychological impact on children who can barely remember a time without sirens and fear. "They go calmly, none of them cries," says one of the carers, Tetiana, 68. The children chatter and giggle as they do coloring, listen to stories, build Lego and get their faces painted. "We're hiding from bombs," one boy, Platon, tells AFP as he selects Lego pieces. "When we expect bombs, we go to the cellar," a girl, Nadiya, adds matter-of-factly. Concerns over the war's emotional toll on children have prompted diverse efforts to help -- from a book of therapeutic stories to specially commissioned videos from the makers of U.S. show "Sesame Street". The trauma suffered by the children has prompted a Ukrainian TV channel to air videos designed for children in crisis and war, created by the US makers of "Sesame Street". Photo by AFP/Genya Savilov The kindergarten director, Alla Pysmenchuk, said some of the children come from hotspots in … [Read more...] about Toys and tales helping Ukraine kids process war trauma

Hanoi is known to have more rivers, lakes, ponds, and lagoons than any other city in Vietnam, acting as natural air conditioners to maintain a balanced ecology or being the city's green lung. The Hanoi People's Committee has recently approved a comprehensive list of 3,164 lakes, ponds and lagoons that are now off-limits to reclamation activities, demonstrating the authorities' unwavering commitment to preserving the capital's greenery and environmental sanctity. Cau Giay Lake in Dich Vong Ward, Cau Giay District. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times There are 30 districts and towns on the list. Among them, the inner-city district of Hoan Kiem has the lowest number of protected lakes, with only one, while Quoc Oai District has the highest number of protected water bodies, with an impressive 276 lakes, ponds, and lagoons. Other areas with notable numbers include Cau Giay (29), Dong Da (15), Hoang Mai (40), Long Bien (53), and Son Tay Town (199). Drastic actions … [Read more...] about Hanoi determined to preserve its “green lung”

The exhibition of Yakishime-style ceramics aims to help Hanoi residents and visitors understand the diversity of Japanese culture and appreciate Japanese creativity. The ceramics exhibition titled "Yakishime - Earth Metamorphosis" will be held from April 4 to 20 at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi, according to the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam. The poster of the “Yakishime - Earth Metamorphosis” provided by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam "Yakishime - Earth Metamorphosis" focuses on the ceramic technique of yakishime, the firing of unglazed wares at high temperatures. While one of the most basic means of producing ceramics, yakishime has developed in distinctive directions in Japan. This exhibition introduces an aspect of Japanese culture by examining yakishime from the earliest examples to contemporary works. The earliest known examples of yakishime ware date back to the fourth or fifth century. However, it was not … [Read more...] about Exhibition of traditional Japanese pottery to be opened in Hanoi

The CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered, shared his view on Vietnam's significance for US businesses and why Vietnam is potential for foreign investors. Vietnam has gone from being a frontier economy in ASEAN to a flourishing, cost-effective industrial nation. Firms and investors looking for new markets to grow, source, or manufacture their products – especially in Asia – should consider Vietnam’s long-term potential and stay updated on its opportunities. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered. Photo: Standard Chartered In recent years, Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the US and China. With US companies adopting a ‘China plus one’ approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine percent between 2018 and 2021. It is, however, important to note that Vietnam has been an alternative to China … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice: Standard Chartered

It is evident that organic production methods yield better economic returns and enhance the quality, competitiveness, and value of agricultural products. Hanoi has successfully implemented several organic farming models that align with modern agricultural development trends and have brought significant economic benefits to farmers. Organic rice cultivation model in Thanh Van Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi. Photos: Anh Ngoc/The Hanoi Times In 2022, the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center launched an organic rice production model on 20 hectares of land in Thanh Van Commune and Kim Bai Town, Thanh Oai District, according to which the production process involves the use of organic fertilizers and biological products instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the rice area. A yield of 5,730 kg per hectare using organic production has been achieved with this approach. This model is expected to be replicated in other communities in the district this … [Read more...] about Hanoi promotes high-quality organic farming models

The launch ceremony was co-hosted by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Korea International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam (KOICA Vietnam) and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Merry Year International (MYI) funding agencies. Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Truong Canh Tuyen said the project aims to improve the material and spiritual lives of households vulnerable to climate change, especially poor families living off agriculture, contributing to improving climate change adaptation in the community for sustainable ecosystem conservation. MYI Secretary General Kim Choo-in said MYI will work with the department and the Can Tho University’s Faculty of Rural Development to set up a climate risk assessment system, build more surface water salinity monitoring stations, and utilize information and communication technology to improve remote management capabilities. By 2025, five more surface water salinity monitoring stations and a … [Read more...] about Project launched in Hau Giang to improve adaptation to climate change

Speaking at the ceremony, Dang Quoc Van, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, acknowledged that the sets of lithophone hold precious musical values, presenting cultural life of ethnic groups in the province. After the reception, the sets were handed over to the provincial museum for display and further preservation. Besides, the museum will study and compile a dossier to recognize the instruments as national treasures. In 1977, in Doc Gao (To Hap, Khanh Son district), a man named Bo Bo Ren discovered 12 pieces of stones in different sizes and shapes which could produce musical notes when hit. Afterwards, archaeologists unearthed and discovered more tools used to make lithophone, stone axes, stone hammers, etc. Based on the artifacts discovered, they concluded that the set of lithophone dated from 2,000 to 5,000 years ago. In 1979, information about Khanh Son lithophone was officially made public, both at home and abroad. Since then, lithophone has … [Read more...] about Ancient lithophones return to Khanh Hoa

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his belief that the ambassador will contribute to improved bilateral relations, adding that the Vietnamese government will order relevant agencies to coordinate with and assist the diplomat to fulfill his duties. Implementing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralization of external relations, and being a good friend, trustworthy partner, and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam wishes to intensify cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, of which Saudi Arabia is a major and influential nation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted. Ambassador Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy highlighted the increasingly enhanced relations between the two countries, saying he hopes bilateral ties will continue to be promoted more strongly. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador applauded the progress in cooperation in recent times. Saudi Arabia is now one of its leading … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Saudi Arabian ambassador

In 2008, the US investment bank Bear Stearns, on the verge of collapse, had to be rescued by J.P. Morgan. This marked the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008, which sent the global economy into a deep recession and caused significant economic damage, including massive employment losses. Patrick Lenain, senior associate at the Council on Economic Policies Today, several banks are once again in trouble. As of March 22, four large banks were in distress. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a $212 billion US bank specialising in tech startups, collapsed when it was unable to meet deposit withdrawal requests and had to be taken over by federal regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank, another midsized US bank with assets of $110 billion, also suffered a severe liquidity crisis and was seized by federal regulators. This was followed by First Republic Bank with assets of $205 billion, which was hit by rating downgrades and a tumbling share price and had to be … [Read more...] about Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis

At last week’s AGM, privately-held Nam A Bank signalled its ambition to expand its footprint in the international market by establishing a wholly-owned commercial bank, or to set up a branch in a foreign country. Banks expanding share over borders, illustration photo/ Source: Nam A Bank This is part of the bank’s long-term strategy to diversify revenues, capitalise on other prospective foreign markets, and build a robust banking ecosystem. “This plan is in line with the upward trajectory of other financial institutions in a bid to support Vietnamese businesses in their international trade and investment activities,” said a bank representative. “We haven’t decided the exact location, but our target would be focused on the Asian market first.” Regarding its domestic network, Nam A Bank targets to open at least 20 new branches and transaction offices in various localities, such as Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Dak Nong, Binh Thuan, and Long An provinces. The bank’s AGM also … [Read more...] about Banks expanding share over borders