Bang Hyeon Seok, a creative writing professor at Chung-Ang University in the Republic of Korea, has visited Vietnam some 100 times during his research on President Ho Chi Minh since the 1990s. During his research, the writer had a deep understanding of the Vietnamese leader, without which, as he admitted, it is very difficult to exactly capture related social context and people when studying Vietnam’s history. According to the professor Bang, President Ho Chi Minh has impressive thoughts on peace and he sought righteous peace for people worldwide. For the future development, he had a good preparation by sending youth overseas for education despite war-inflicted difficulties at home. Indian journalist Sandip Hor, Vice President of the Foreign Correspondents’ Association in Australia, said he has a deep impression on President Ho Chi Minh, and he always wants to gain better understanding of Vietnam’s history and the late president. The journalist remembered those posters were the … [Read more...] about President Ho Chi Minh in the hearts of international friends
International certificates
SEA Games final: Thailand are the underdog, says coach Polking
"It's not easy to play more than 120 minutes," Polking said at a Saturday press meet, referring to Thailand's semi-final match against Indonesia. "Vietnam are in the same situation, so I believe that makes them equal," he said, adding that with both teams tired, he didn't think there would be any obvious advantage for either. "Vietnam are the clear favorite for the game, not only because they have 40,000 passionate people helping and cheering and supporting them for 90 minutes... they have also the best preparations, they have all the players..." "We are the underdog in this situation, but we are a good underdog. We'll put the fight in... but yeah it will be a very, very tough game for us," he said. Thailand began SEA Games 31 with a 1-2 loss against Malaysia, but later won all their matches to enter the final for the 21st time. Polking said he hoped Thailand's offensive lineup would prove themselves against Vietnam's defense, who have never conceded a goal in this year's … [Read more...] about SEA Games final: Thailand are the underdog, says coach Polking
Vietnam Airlines posts $113 mln Q1 loss
Revenues were up 55 percent year-on-year to VND11.6 trillion, the highest since 2020, when Covid-19 started to cripple the aviation industry. But it reported a ninth consecutive quarterly loss, with a total gross loss from the sales of products and services of around VND1.6 trillion due to higher costs. Fuel, for example, cost VND465 billion more than budgeted and accounted for 30 percent of transport costs. The carrier said the results clearly reflected the impact of Covid on the aviation industry despite the relatively quick recovery by the domestic market. Meanwhile, international services remain in limbo, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis has driven fuel prices up sharply. As of March 31, Vietnam Airlines’ accumulated losses were VND24.5 trillion, some VND2.16 trillion higher than its charter capital. The management said the airline could "basically maintain its liquidity until this year-end" based on the expected recovery by the industry. But it also sought the … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines posts $113 mln Q1 loss
‘Straight to your soul’: Japan’s taiko reinvents drum tradition
In a hall on Japan's Sado island, 71-year-old Yoshikazu Fujimoto strikes the imposing drum mounted before him, producing a boom so powerful that it reverberates through the floorboards. Fujimoto is a veteran performer of Japanese taiko drumming, a musical form with roots in religious rituals, traditional theatre and the joyous abandon of seasonal festivals called matsuri. But for all its ancient pedigree, taiko as a stage performance is a fairly modern invention, developed by a jazz musician and popularised in part by one of Japan's most famous troupes: Sado island's Kodo. Fujimoto is the oldest of the 37 musicians that make up the group, which recruits members through a rigorous two-year training programme. It was founded partly to attract people to Sado, off Japan's west coast, and tours internationally, spreading the gospel of taiko. "Taiko itself is like a prayer," said Fujimoto, who came to Sado in 1972 to join the group that evolved into Kodo. This photo … [Read more...] about ‘Straight to your soul’: Japan’s taiko reinvents drum tradition
HCMC needs to take more actions to improve business, investment environment
Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the People's Committee of HCMC, discusses with delegates at the meeting. (Photo: SGGP) The People's Committee of HCMC, on the afternoon of May 20, organized the program "Meeting between HCMC leaders and the Foreign Business Association in 2022", with the attendance of Mr. Phan Van Mai, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of HCMC and the foreign business community in the city. Promoting sustainable growth In the opening remarks, Ms. Mary Tarnowka, Managing Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), highly appreciated Vietnam's commitment to a safe coexistence with Covid-19 and the recent reopening of international tourism activities. The key is that Vietnam, in general, and HCMC in particular, needs to ensure a positive regulatory environment. AmCham pays attention to creating a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory system … [Read more...] about HCMC needs to take more actions to improve business, investment environment
Industrial hub Dong Nai to renovate its capital for $320 mln
Dong Nai Province that borders Ho Chi Minh City is working on a project it had launched last year to upgrade a riverside route stretching 5.2 kilometers long beside the Dong Nai River in Buu Long Ward of Bien Hoa Town. Costing VND1.3 trillion ($56 million), the project includes works to build the river embankment, parks and a tunnel. To carry out the project, authorities had to relocate 302 households. Houses along the Dong Nai River in Bien Hoa Town will be relocated for a project to upgrade a riverside route. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan The province is about to start work to build a new road along the Cai River, a branch of the Dong Nai River to ease traffic jams in the center of Bien Hoa. The road will stretch 4.5 kilometers long, 32 meters wide, and costs more than VND574 billion. Ngo The An, director of Dong Nai Project Management Board, said the province has completed basic investment procedures for building the road, including choosing the contractor and … [Read more...] about Industrial hub Dong Nai to renovate its capital for $320 mln
Hà Nội Cuisine Festival opens
Lê Hương HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Cuisine and Handicraft Villages Tourism Festival has opened to visitors in Lê Quang Đạo Street in Nam Từ Liêm District (opposite the F1 track) to entertain SEA Games visitors. The event gathers hundreds of handicraft villages, artisans and food suppliers in the city and throughout the country. The festival introduces the top dishes of the city and some neighbouring localities, typical handicraft villages, which offer tourism services, and demonstrations of traditional handicrafts. The event introduces the best dishes of the capital. — Photo Hoàng Lân Bamboo booths host cuisine spaces offering popular dishes such as rice pancakes, shrimp cakes, coffee, young rice cake, and tea scented with lotus from the West Lake. Handicraft shops introduce notable villages like Vạn Phúc Silk Village, Bát Tràng Ceramic Village and Sơn Đồng Wood Craft Village, where visitors can listen to guides explaining the village production processes. “This festival … [Read more...] about Hà Nội Cuisine Festival opens
V4 countries share agricultural innovation
Innovation in agriculture encourages the use of modern technologies. —Photo clf-poland.com HÀ NỘI — Experts from the Visegrad Group (V4) - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia - shared experience in agricultural innovation at a workshop held in Hà Nội on May 20. Őry Csaba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary in Việt Nam, said agriculture was an ever-changing, dynamic sector, the experts of which need to be ready to answer various emerging challenges, from the effects of climate change, through excessive use of inorganic fertilisers, to the high demand of agricultural products. At the event, participants had the chance to hear the introduction of V4 institutions leading agricultural research and innovation in their respective countries, as well as the opportunity to get familiar with several companies, who have innovative solutions to offer, such as those in smart agriculture, soil regeneration, nutrition, non-chemical farming, premixes and feed … [Read more...] about V4 countries share agricultural innovation
Mộc Châu hosts Vietnam Trail Marathon in harvest season
Runners from around the world will run up to 70km on trails through the hills, ethnic minority villages, orchards and tea fields of Mộc Châu District, Sơn La Province today. A runner competing in the Vietnam Trail Marathon last year. This year, runners from around the world will run up to 70km on trails in Mộc Châu. — Photo courtesy of the organiser Established in 2019, Vietnam Trail Marathon (VTM) has grown to become one of the largest mountain runs in the nation. The race usually takes place during blossom season, but this year the COVID-19 pandemic forced a date change, so now runners will see Mộc Châu in harvest season -- another very special time of year in this region. The route will take runners along stunning trails through orchards and remote ethnic villages before eventually finishing in the Đồi Chè Trái Tim (Heart-Shaped Tea Field). On the starting line will be some of Vietnam’s top trail runners, as well as some strong international … [Read more...] about Mộc Châu hosts Vietnam Trail Marathon in harvest season
Hanoi’s second airport planning proposed
The State Appraisal Council is seeking Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s consideration for Hanoi’s second airport project. Under the proposal, the project will be located in the south of Thuong Tin District which can help avoid mountains in the west of the city. The airport’s runways may be built parallel to those at Noi Bai International Airport. Planes at Noi Bai International Airport The airport would be constructed after 2030 with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers per year. This is expected to ease the congestion at Noi Bai International Airport. Earlier, Hanoi proposed building the second airport in Ung Hoa District. However, this would affect flights to Noi Bai International Airport. Hanoi also disagreed with the recommendation to place its second airport in Hai Phong City. … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s second airport planning proposed