Ten years ago, Nam was captivated by the look of iguanas and tortoises. He decided to buy some of the animals out of interest. He now has a 1,400 square meter garden that has several bird species, and over 100 iguanas, water monitors and African tortoises. The creatures in Nam’s garden may have ferocious appearance, but all of them eat plants and insects, and are very friendly. Among all the animals, Nam loves his albino African tortoise the most. This is a species that can live for up to 150 years, and grow to the size of a pig. Once, this tortoise fell sick and he traveled nearly 100 kilometers from his house to Ho Chi Minh City to find a doctor, but no one was knowledgeable about reptiles. Finally, he thought of endoscopic surgery to remove a tumor. The most popular animal in his garden is the Beared Dragon iguana, which is about the size of an adult's hand. They only put on a tough appearance to scare the enemy, but they never actively attack anyone, so Nam lets them move out … [Read more...] about A home for pet reptiles becomes a mini zoo in southern Vietnam
Philly zoo teacher pass
Military-captain-turned-teacher Tran Binh Phuc: I am just doing a normal job
His class on Hon Chuoi, an island 32-kilometre west of the mainland to the of Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district in the southernmost province of Ca Mau, now has 23 pupils in different age groups. Phuc has to divide them into small groups graded from 1 to 5 to help them study better. Hon Chuoi island houses more than 40 households with over 129 people who mainly run their life by fishing. Phuc was honoured as one of 70 exemplary models standing out in the national patriotic emulation movement in 2018. He also received certificates of merit from the Ministry of Defence and the Ca Mau provincial People’s Committee in recognition of his excellent service for the army as well as significant contributions to socio-economic development the same year. In an interview granted to Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper Phuong Mai, Phuc revealed the story how a military man turned teacher on Hon Chuoi and his warm sentiment to the children there. Question: How can you handle a class with such … [Read more...] about Military-captain-turned-teacher Tran Binh Phuc: I am just doing a normal job
Thanh Hoa to test nearly 1,200 English teachers
Many English teachers in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa have expressed worries after the local Department of Education and Training announced to carry out a quality test to improve English teaching in the area. The headquarter of Thanh Hoa Province's Department of Education and Training According to a decision signed on January 24 by director of the department, Pham Thi Hang, all English teachers from primary to high school level will be tested and have to be retrained if not pass. "The teachers who don't take part in the test will be moved to other jobs following our staff reduction policy by 2025," Hang said The official added that 1,180 teachers have been called to join in the test. While local education authorities stressed the need for the test to improve the quality of English teaching in the province, many teachers have complained that this was not necessary for those who already have qualifications accredited by some prestigious educational … [Read more...] about Thanh Hoa to test nearly 1,200 English teachers
One dead, 21 injured in coach accident on country’s most beautiful mountain pass
According to initial information, at noon on January 8, the passenger bus of driver Truong Anh Minh was travelling on Hai Van mountain pass which is the most beautiful one in Vietnam before it plunged into the abyss. Police officers, locals and rescue workers join the rescue effort to take victims to hospital in the central city of Da Nang (Photo: SGGP) Head of traffic police station Nguyen Hoang Vu said that rescue forces rushed victims of the accident to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Presently, the rescue work is still underway as the bus is in the abyss. Commissar of Lang Co border guard station Hoang Van Dung who took part in the rescue work said that the bus was carrying 26 people including one teacher and 22 students of a college in the Mekong delta province of Kien Giang. According to witnesses, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle when passing Hai Van mountain pass and crashed into the cliff before plunging off the road into the 20-meter-deep abyss. … [Read more...] about One dead, 21 injured in coach accident on country’s most beautiful mountain pass
First polar bear born in the tropics dies at 27 in Singapore zoo
Singapore on Wednesday mourned the death of the first polar bear born and bred in the tropical island city, put down by wildlife authorities after a five-year battle with health difficulties stemming from old age. Inuka, a 27-year-old animal who grappled with challenges ranging from arthritis to dental problems and ear infections, carried until his last days a green tinge in his fur blamed on algae growth. "As much as we would like to keep Inuka with us for as long as possible, our ultimate responsibility is his welfare," said Cheng Wen-Haur, an official of zoo operator Singapore Wildlife Reserves. "The greater kindness would be to relieve him from prolonged suffering," Cheng said in a statement. Calls for Inuka to be allowed to live out his natural life grew after the zoo operator said this month that the bear, whose age corresponded to 70 years in human terms, was sick. "Please do let him pass on naturally," said Vanessa S. Wee, one of more than 100 social media users who commented … [Read more...] about First polar bear born in the tropics dies at 27 in Singapore zoo