The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council has approved a plan to revitalize the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Saigon Opera House, as the theater has fallen into a state of degradation. The renovation of the opera house, which is considered as one of the city’s iconic symbols, is estimated to cost VND337 billion (US$13.9 million). The repair is aimed at preserving the architectural values of the establishment to make it a further attractive destination for international tourists visiting the city and a venue for important festivals and events. Chau Huy Toan, who has worked at the opera house for 33 years, said he has witnessed the building undergo two renovations. The Saigon Opera House is situated at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The theater, developed over 123 years ago, is a popular destination for tourists to the city. In 1998, the city launched a large renovation of the theater and equipped it with modern sound … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City to renovate downtown opera house
Kicking 18 year old out of house
VietnamWood Fair kicks off in HCM City
The 15th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair attracts 320 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - The 15th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on September 20. It has attracted 320 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories who are showcasing their latest woodworking product lines and engaging in various curated events and activities. Exhibitors showcase comprehensive automatic production lines and wood system integration with the focus on digital transformation. It has eight foreign pavilions from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the US and Taiwan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Handicrafts and Wood Industry Association Phung Quoc Man said Vietnam is the world’s fifth largest exporter of wooden products and has substantial demand for woodworking machinery and components. Imports of … [Read more...] about VietnamWood Fair kicks off in HCM City
Blockbuster movie scares Chinese tourists away from Thailand
But thanks to social media rumors and a blockbuster movie, the kingdom's image among many Chinese people is now one of dangerous illegality and seedy scam border compounds - leaving visitor numbers plummeting. Thailand is hugely reliant on tourism, particularly from China. The country welcomed more than 10 million Chinese visitors each year before the Covid-19 pandemic - numbers Bangkok is desperate to see return. But its struggling holiday industry has been hit by viral social media rumors claiming that tourists might be kidnapped and sent across the border to work in brutal scamming compounds in Myanmar or Cambodia. Chinese tourist Jia Xueqiong spent a week in Thailand with her husband and daughter, despite her parents' disapproval. "They felt it was not safe here, and tried to persuade us not to come," the 44-year-old nurse told AFP outside Bangkok's unusually quiet Grand Palace. "All my friends said 'You go first to explore, if it's ok we will follow'," she said. Her … [Read more...] about Blockbuster movie scares Chinese tourists away from Thailand
German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
The travel news site Reisereporter has just published an article that highlights some of the famous tourist destinations and landscapes in Vietnam, including Hanoi. In the article titled “Vietnam: You shouldn’t miss these sights”, www.reisereporter.de suggests tourists to visit some hidden "treasures" and undiscovered natural wonders in this wonderful country in the Southeast Asia region, in addition to popular tourist attractions. A Vietnamese girl in her charming ao dai (long dress) and non la (conical hat) walks through the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi According to Daniel Schramm, staff writer for www.reisereporter.de , Vietnam is a fascinating destination with a wide variety of sights and experiences. From historic cities like Hanoi and Hue to stunning natural landscapes like Halong Bay and Sapa to culinary adventures in street kitchens and markets, the country offers something for every taste. Vietnam's … [Read more...] about German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
Peruvian culture showcased in Hanoi bull statue exhibition
The art initiative "Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands" introduces Vietnamese audiences to the aesthetic essence of this breathtaking Latin American nation. The exhibition "Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands" has been opened in Hanoi, featuring 18 handmade ceramic Pucará bull statues, one of the most specific symbols of traditional Peruvian pottery. Initiated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the exhibition is an activity to celebrate 29 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Peru. The exhibition is a display of the unique art and culture of Peru. Photo: Department of International Cooperation As for the theme, "torito" means "little bull". The bull statues are created by skilled artisans from the pottery village of Checca Pupuja in the district of Jose Domingo Choquehuenca, province of Azangaro, in southern Peru. Visitors contemplate the bull statues. Photo: Department of … [Read more...] about Peruvian culture showcased in Hanoi bull statue exhibition
Vietnam’s dialysis sector commended in Southeast Asia
A hemodialysis patient (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam currently has 350 hemodialysis units with 3,500 medical staff and over 5,500 machines performing dialysis for about 33,000 patients, the recent second scientific conference of the Vietnam Dialysis Association (VDA) revealed. VDA Chairman Dr Nguyen Huu Dung said Vietnam's dialysis industry is highly appreciated in Southeast Asia and has made strong progress in catching up with the world-class level, most notably with techniques such as cyclic dialysis, online hemodiafiltration and blood adsorption. However, with many kidney failure patients needing dialysis, a shortage of dialysis equipment has occurred. He said that patients have to undergo dialysis on shifts, even at night. "Despite efforts over the past time, which are highly appreciated, Vietnam's dialysis sector is facing challenges when chronic kidney failure patients are younger, and the number of patients in need of treatment is on the upward trend. Hence, … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s dialysis sector commended in Southeast Asia
Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 opens
All Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 (AI4VN 2023) events take place at Riverside Palace in District 4 this year, including four main activities: the AI Summit, the AI Workshop, the AI Expo, and the CTO Summit 2023, which will select and honor the company with "the best technology environment in Vietnam." With the theme "Artificial Intelligence Empowering Life," the main session of the AI Summit 2023, which opens on Friday, has attracted thousands of registrations from AI-interested communities. Technology demonstration booths at Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 (AI4VN 2023) opened on the afternoon of September 21, attracting droves of AI lovers. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran The session will open at 8:30 a.m. and will be reported online by VnExpress . The event is expected to draw the participation of government leaders, ministries, large corporations, scientists, and members of the community interested in technology development and AI applications. … [Read more...] about Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 opens
Mini apartment blocks in eye of controversy after Hanoi fire kills 56
"Mini apartment blocks cannot be legalized," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said this week as he demanded a review of fire safety regulations in the capital after the fire in a 10-floor mini apartment building killed 56 people , including children, and injuring 37 on Sept. 12. Mini apartment blocks, which typically have between five and 10 floors divided into small apartments, have been mushrooming in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in recent years despite having no legal sanction. There is no official data, but according to national utility Vietnam Electricity, around 2,000 buildings in Hanoi that are connected to the grid can be classified as mini apartment towers. Vu Ngoc Anh, head of the Ministry of Construction’s science, technology and environment department, pointed out to reporters Thursday that the 2014 Housing Law does not recognize mini apartment buildings as a separate category, and so in essence they are residential buildings like others. Many owners have … [Read more...] about Mini apartment blocks in eye of controversy after Hanoi fire kills 56
Hanoi’s US$2.8 billion fifth metro line project approved
This is one of eight metro projects planned by Hanoi to improve the city's mass transit system by 2030. The State Appraisal Council has approved the plan for Hanoi's fifth metro line, connecting Van Cao Street and Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, with a total investment of over VND65 trillion (US$2.8 billion), according to the city's People's Committee. As one of eight metro lines Hanoi plans to build by 2030 to improve the city's public transportation system and ease traffic congestion, the fifth line will facilitate fast and convenient mobility between suburban and urban areas. A rendered image of Hanoi's fifth metro line project. Photo: The Hanoi People’s Committee With a total length of 38.43 kilometers, the line will run 6.5 kilometers underground and 2 kilometers on elevated tracks. The fifth metro line will pass through seven districts. After running underground through Van Cao, Lieu Giai and Nguyen Chi Thanh streets, it will surface at Thang Long … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s US$2.8 billion fifth metro line project approved
Green-focused businesses ready for cooperation
How much will Japan work with Vietnam and ASEAN to help with the energy transition? Kinoshita Tadahiro, director general of Sojitz Vietnam and president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam We highly appreciate the government and related ministries for the national green growth strategy, as well as the action plan on green energy transition and reducing carbon and methane emissions of the transportation sector. Completing the legal framework is an important factor to achieving this goal. In the context of increasing energy demand in Asian countries, the Japanese government is ready to cooperate with ASEAN countries in the energy transition process by providing more financial and technical support for testing and applying emission-reduction technologies. Accordingly, Japanese businesses wish to contribute to an effective energy transition in Vietnam by increasing private investment and applying deflation technologies, aiming to achieve … [Read more...] about Green-focused businesses ready for cooperation