Every year, at the end of the harvest season, the Si La people begin their Tet celebrations. There is therefore no exact time for Tet, as it depends on when the harvest is completed, which is usually lunar October or November. On the first day of the new year, all Si La families slaughter a pig, whose size depends on the economic conditions in each household. However, it must be a black male pig. The Si La believe that the sooner they slaughter the pig the greater the luck in the new year. After the worshiping ceremony, the family enjoys a meal at the house of the family head. They also take some of the offerings home. The Si La people did not hold any entertainment in the past due to their migratory lives. With the support and encouragement of local authorities, many cultural and sports contests are now held during their new year holiday. People from the ethnic minority group have a deep love of the arts and considers playing and listening to music an indispensable part of … [Read more...] about Unique Tet celebrations of Si La ethnic minority in Lai Chau province
Mobile winner contest
Prime Minister asks north-central, central coastal regions to create development breakthroughs
The conference touched upon the implementation of the Government’s action plan to materialize the Politburo’s Resolution No.26-NQ/TW dated November 3, 2022 on orientations for socio-economic development and national defense and security in the two regions by 2030 with a vision towards 2045. It was also intended to promote investment in the regions with the theme of “Linkage - Breakthroughs from maritime economy - Rapid, sustainable development.” The regions hold strategic positions and roles of special significance in terms of economy, especially maritime economy, politics, culture, social affairs, environment, external relations, national defense and security, as well as sea and island sovereignty, the Prime Minister pointed out. Notably, they are home to five cultural and natural heritage sites, and six intangible cultural heritage elements recognized by UNESCO, he said. The leader, however, expressed his concern that such unique potential and competitive advantages have yet to … [Read more...] about Prime Minister asks north-central, central coastal regions to create development breakthroughs
Last-minute trading boosts VN-Index up
The index closed 12.14 points higher after losing 0.44 points on Friday. Trading on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) fell by 10.97% to VND9.61 trillion ($409.28 million). The VN-30 basket, comprising the 30 largest capped stocks, saw 22 tickers gain. PLX of fuel distributor Petrolimex led with a 4% rise. It was followed by BID of state-owned lender BIDV with a 3.8% increase. POW of electricity producer Petrovietnam Power Corporation went up 3.3%, and VCB of state-owned lender Vietcombank gained 3.2%. Six blue chips fell. VIB of Vietnam International Commercial Bank lost 2.7%, and MWG of electronics retail chain Mobile World was down 1.4%. Foreign investors were net buyers to the tune of VND392.20 billion, mainly buying STB of Ho Chi Minh City-based lender Sacombank and SSI of leading brokerage SSI Securities Corporation. The HNX-Index at the Hanoi Stock Exchange, where mid and small caps list, was down 0.38% while the UPCoM-Index at the Unlisted Public … [Read more...] about Last-minute trading boosts VN-Index up
Vietnam introduces new beauty pageant
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports has approved the organization of the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, which is scheduled to take place until the end of the year. The organizer, Golden Lotus Advertising Commercial JSC, announced the inception of the annual contest at a press conference on Sunday evening. Luong Thuy Linh (L), Miss World Vietnam 2019, Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc (C), Miss Intercontinental 2022, and Nguyen Thu Thuy Tien, Miss Grand International 2021, are introduced as the ambassadors of the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, February 5, 2023. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre The preliminary round began last month and will last until August. The semifinal will take place in September while the finale is slated for November and December with the participation of 63 contestants. Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, Miss Grand International 2021, attends the press conference for the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, … [Read more...] about Vietnam introduces new beauty pageant
Major quake kills nearly 200 across Turkey, Syria
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early on Monday, killing nearly 200 people, levelling buildings while many were still asleep, and sending tremors that were felt as far away as the island of Cyprus and Egypt. The emergency service in Turkey put the initial death toll at 76, although it threatened to climb substantially higher because the night-time disaster had flattened dozens of apartment blocks across major cities. At least 119 people also died in government-controlled parts of Syria, as well as the northern areas held by pro-Turkish factions, according to the health ministry and a local hospital. Television images showed shocked people in Turkey standing in the snow in their pyjamas, watching rescuers dig through the debris of damaged homes. The quake struck at 04:17 am local time (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 17.9 kilometres (11 miles) near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around two million people, the US Geological Survey said. Turkey's … [Read more...] about Major quake kills nearly 200 across Turkey, Syria
Retailers flexibly steering through turbulent times
Despite the festive occasion, the consumption of non-essential goods in the first month of 2023 remained stagnant, with analysts believing the situation will linger throughout at least the first half this year. Despite the unfavourable environment, Mobile World Group (MWG) – the largest consumer electronics retailer in Vietnam – still aims to post positive revenue and net-profit growth in 2023, as well as two-digit growth compared to average level during the 2020-2022 period. To achieve this goal, the company envisages opening new stores on a selective basis and striving for new shops to generate profit for the patent company within three months after launching. Simultaneously, all shops in the system will focus on augmenting the sales revenue at existing outlets and controlling their operating costs to boost profits. Besides this, MWG will optimise its cash flow and slash financial expenses through improved inventory management. Specifically, the group aims to … [Read more...] about Retailers flexibly steering through turbulent times
Vietnam wins numerous ASEAN tourism awards
Two homestay groups in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long and the Northwestern province of Lao Cai received the ASEAN Homestay Award. Meanwhile, four units won the ASEAN Community Tourism Award, namely the Quan Ba Community Tourism Service Cooperative in Ha Giang province, Sin Suoi Ho community tourism village in Lai Chau province, Tan Thanh fishing village in Quang Nam province, and Thai Hai Reserve Area of Ecological Houses-on-Stilts Village in Thai Nguyen province. The ASEAN Public Toilet Award was awarded to the toilets in Saigon Skydeck of Bitexco Financial Tower, Southern Women's Museum and Ben Xua Tourist Area in Ho Chi Minh City. The winners of ASEAN Spa Service Awards were Cham Spa & Massage in the Central city of Da Nang, Sen Tai Thu Vincom Mega Mall Smart City in Hanoi, Sol Spa of Minera Resort Hotel in the Southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Chi Spa of Silk Path Grand Resort & Spa Sapa - Lao Cai province, and Thala Spa of Best Western Premier Sonasea … [Read more...] about Vietnam wins numerous ASEAN tourism awards
Improvement of consular services to continue: official
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Doan Hoang Minh, Acting Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA)’s Consular Department, said most countries removed travel restrictions in 2022, and Vietnam was one of the first to reopen its borders, in mid-March. Since then, the number of people going abroad for working, studying, tourism, and business purposes as well as those entering the country has bounced back strongly. Highlighting the ministry’s determination to build a comprehensive, modern, professional, clean, and strong diplomatic sector, he said that in the current context, as the government is stepping up administrative procedure reforms and demanding ministries and sectors boost measures for post-pandemic economic recovery, the ministry is deeply aware of its responsibility for continuing to improve the quality of consular services. Diplomatic staff members in Vietnam and abroad will work with the highest sense of responsibility and consider people’s satisfaction as the … [Read more...] about Improvement of consular services to continue: official
Thailand allows digital IDs for boarding domestic flights
Thailand allows digital IDs for boarding domestic flights (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government has approved the use of digital IDs to verify passengers’ identities when boarding domestic flights. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has given the go-ahead for the use of digital ID following the rollout of the D.DOPA mobile application. digital ID. It can be used on both the iOS and Android platforms. Traisulee said passengers must present a digital ID from a recognised mobile application developed by a state agency, such as D.DOPA or the DLT QR Licence developed by the Department of Land Transport. Screenshots and photos of physical ID cards are not allowed due to the high risk of fabrication. Several other state agencies including the Revenue Department are now linked with D.DOPA for e-filing of personal income tax. To register a digital ID, people must scan a QR code … [Read more...] about Thailand allows digital IDs for boarding domestic flights
Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2024 cycle
The awards ceremony of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. — Photo Courtesy Zayed Sustainability Prize The Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced that the 2024 cycle is now open for submissions for candidates from all over the world, including Viet Nam. The prize, which accepts submissions until May 2 through the prize’s online portal, is the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognising excellence in sustainability. Small to medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools with sustainability solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the five categories of health, food, energy, water and global high schools. The prize’s US$3 million fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each category. The global high schools category is split into six world regions, with each school able to claim up to $100,000 to start or further expand their project. The Zayed sustainability prize has a three-stage evaluation process, beginning with the due … [Read more...] about Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2024 cycle