Trần Thị Hiền won the Mrs Việt Nam title on December 18. — Photos dantri.vnViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Trần Thị Hiền, a 49-year-old from Hà Nội who works in the construction sector, won the Mrs Việt Nam title on December 18. Hiền, who was the oldest among the 21 finalists, also won the Q&A round with her quick and meaningful response to the question: “What should divorced women do to overcome their own inferiority complex and social prejudice?” “I want to tell them that they have no faults,” she answered. “They are just unlucky. They should use their strong will to overcome the most difficult stage of life. They will see divorce is not the most terrible thing. Be independent, self confident and choose a good future. In a civilised society, many people understand their case. In order to erase social prejudice, all of us have no other choice than overcoming … [Read more...] about 49-year-old wins Mrs VN title
Nearly 50 years old
Thai child fighting culture sparks debate after 13-year-old’s death
Thousands of child boxers are now competing in Thailand's traditional martial art with dreams of belts, glory and prize money. Centuries-old Muay Thai, known as the art of eight limbs for the different ways opponents can strike each other with knees, fists, kicks, and elbows, is the country's de facto national sport and remains a source of immense pride. But new research within Thailand suggests that the earlier Muay Thai boxers begin, the more prone they are to a range of injuries. Lawmakers under the country's military leaders have also drafted revamped legislation that would bar children under 12 from competing in the contact sport. The push has gathered new momentum in light of the death of 13-year-old Anucha Tasako, who died from a brain haemorrhage last weekend after his similarly aged opponent struck him with multiple blows to the head at a charity fight near Bangkok. Anger erupted on social media where footage of the critical moments of the bout was uploaded. Deputy prime … [Read more...] about Thai child fighting culture sparks debate after 13-year-old’s death
The PAN Group’s Vinaseed – 50 years alongside Vietnamese agriculture
Vinaseed Group has launched a new brand name and identity Established in 1968, the seeds Vinaseed had sown have grown into "stately trees," contributing to the continuous improvement of Vietnamese farmers’ living standards, technical skills, and actual incomes. Having set the goal to provide high-quality seeds with high productivity and wide adaptation, Vinaseed has been focusing on researching, applying, and transferring technology as well as industrialising the seed industry. Since equitisation (Stock code: NSC), Vinaseed has considered science and technology as an important tool for enterprise development and competitive advantage enhancement, while investing more than VND300 billion ($13 million) into R&D, opening up brighter and more energetic prospects. Vinaseed became the rising star in the Vietnamese seed sector as the first company in the country to be recognised as a scientific and technological company. Tran Kim Lien, Vinaseed chairman and general … [Read more...] about The PAN Group’s Vinaseed – 50 years alongside Vietnamese agriculture
Coffee that’s been brewing for 50 years in south Vietnam
Near the Long Xuyen canal and Ong Manh bridge, Ho Thi Hanh has been running her coffee shop for 50 years. Her café has no sparkling billboard or even a clear address, but its simplicity, neatness, unchanged ambience and special coffee flavor have won the hearts of many customers. Local patrons refer to the shop “Muoi Ngau café”. Hanh prepares the coffee after the customers place their order, so that every cup has a fresh, strong flavor. She brews the coffee in an earthen pot on a brick stove fuelled by rice husk. She uses an aluminum spoon to take the coffee powder from a tin container. None of her brewing tools are made of plastic. Once the coffee is brewed it is strained through cloth mesh before being poured into cups. Many customers said they can smell the “scent” of time as they wait for and enjoy their coffee. Before pouring the coffee, Hanh warms the cups by dipping them in boiling water, so the beverage retains its heat and warmth for longer. … [Read more...] about Coffee that’s been brewing for 50 years in south Vietnam
Sedge mat making, a one-hundred-year-old craft in Phu Yen province
Sedge mats of Phu Tan village not only serve locals, but also meet the demand of people in the Central Highlands and Southern Central provinces. The weather in these areas is dry and hot; therefore, sedge mats are ideal to ensure local people a good sleep. Phu Tan trade village has more than 25 hectares of land for sedge cultivation. With stable products, the trade village has maintained its development, securing jobs for over 600 local laborers. The trade village’s average revenue from selling their products has reached over VND 5.3 billion a year and each sedge-worker can earn nearly VND 4 million per month. Sedge mat-making requires a certain process. Collected sedge is dried in the sun before being dyed. After that, the dyed sedge is dried in the sun again. Sedge dying is important, requiring experience. The color of sedge is nicer if it is dried in bright sunlight. To meet the market’s demands, … [Read more...] about Sedge mat making, a one-hundred-year-old craft in Phu Yen province