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According to Director of the Hue Relics Preservation Center Hoang Viet Trung, under the Nguyen Dynasty, the rituals marked the end of the lunar New Year holiday and the start of work and normal activities. The Neu pole was erected on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, marking the beginning of Tet. It coincides with the day when the Kitchen Gods are believed to ride a carp to Heaven to report on events from the past year. During 143 years of its reign (1802 – 1945), the Nguyen Dynasty held an annual ceremony to plant the Neu at the Imperial Citadel. The pole carried ritual items on its top, like a royal seal, a paper scroll and pen, which implied that the royal court stopped working during Tet. After the royal ceremony, ordinary people would erect their own Neu and start celebrating Tet. The Neu was intended to ward off ghosts and demons from entering the community during Tet, and guide the spirits of ancestors on the way home for the lunar New Year festival. The custom is also … [Read more...] about Neu pole lowering, seal opening ceremony celebrates new year

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the official noted that Vietnam has focused on including the cultural content into the activities of high-ranking leaders during their overseas trips and the country’s reception of foreign leaders; and on promoting deep and wide integration in the fields of culture, science and education at international forums. According to him, Vietnam hosted significant regional and international conferences and events last year, including the 31st SEA Games and the Vietnam day program in the Republic of Korea, Austria and India. The country was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term with the highest number of votes. The first official visit to Vietnam by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay was a highlight, putting the country, its culture and people on the radar of international media, Ngoc said. The guest said she was impressed by … [Read more...] about Cultural diplomacy raises Vietnam’s position worldwide

Foreign investors poured nearly US$1.7 billion into Vietnam as of January 20. In the first month of 2023, newly-registered capital is estimated to have increased 3.1 times over the same period last year, showing that foreign investors still maintain confidence in Vietnam's investment environment. Hanoi ranks among the top localities in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022. Photo: Thang Long Industrial Park The Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that there were 801 newly-registered projects totaling $1.2 billion and 89 projects increasing capital with a combined amount of $306.3 million. In addition, 204 transactions of share purchases by foreign investors were worth $174 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 60.7%. Meanwhile, the disbursement of foreign investments dropped by 16.3% to $1.35 billion. The agency attributed the decrease in registered and disbursed FDI to the national holiday (the … [Read more...] about Foreign investors remain confident about Vietnam’s business environment

PANO - The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre on February 11 th re-captured a ceremony to erect the “Neu” (bamboo) pole at the Hue Royal Palace in Hue city, Thua Thien Hue province, to welcome the 2015 Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. During the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the ceremony was held on December 23 rd of the lunar calendar, starting the Tet holiday. A tall bamboo pole was erected with some ritual items, like a seal, pen brush and swords, which were guarded by soldiers, to be hung on its top. The pole is believed to help prevent evils, and to worship their ancestors and drive the past year's bad luck away and welcome good luck for the Lunar New Year. Soldiers in formal uniform prepare the “Neu” pole. A music troupe playing "nha nhac" (Hue royal court music) gets ahead of the procession. Preparing a gold-trimmed seal, which will be hung on the pole’s top. The ceremony conducted from Hien Nhon … [Read more...] about Ritual to erect “Neu” pole re-captured

Decreasing demand for apartments in the region is also forecast to continue through at least the middle of the year. But it may begin to gradually rise by the last quarter of 2023 as legal bottlenecks and obstacles to credit are slated to be at least partially removed by the government, according to DKRA real estate consultants. DKRA Vietnam deputy R&D director Vo Hong Thang said apartment market liquidity, this year, would concentrate in affordable housing projects with prices of below VND50 million ($2,118) per square meter in HCMC and less than VND35 million per square meter in Binh Duong. Such social housing projects promise to be a ray of light in the otherwise gloomy 2023 market, he said, while adding the caveat that supply would still be limited. According to Thang, businesses are gradually supplying fewer high-priced homes and more affordable apartments and social housing units this year. He said this trend may last until 2025, with new supply focusing on the city’s … [Read more...] about Apartment market to continue slumping this year

Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in January edged up by 0.52 % month-on-month, fueled by high consumer demand for the Lunar New Year or Tet which fell in the same month, the General Statistics Office said on January 29. In addition, the prices of goods, food and foodstuffs went up during the final lunar month to prepare for the longest annual holiday and domestic fuel prices rose to global levels, contributing to the rise of the index. January’s CPI increases 0.52% due to high Tet demand (Photo: VNA) This month’s CPI increased by 4.89 % year-on-year, while the core inflation in January inched up 5.21%. Among the 11 main commodity groups, nine marked a month-on-month increase in prices, and the rest registered a decline. Transport services reported the highest rise of 1.39 %, followed by beverage and cigarette with 1.12%. The prices of catering, other goods and services, apparel, footwear and hat, gold prices, restaurant services, cultural activities, and … [Read more...] about January’s CPI increases 0.52% due to high Tet demand

Lionbooks Children's Bookstore has organized a Tet program in Hanoi to bring children and their families to an attractive playground of 20 folk games and activities. Joining in the event "Open the door to see Tet", the children enthusiastically played bamboo dance, throwing cans, and mandarin square capturing. “I played the game of throwing a cloth ball. I was very happy. I hit three balls.” Children participate in the bamboo dance. “My children can play the games that I used to play in the past, which I find very meaningful. Children can also experience throwing balls, bamboo dance, and doing fun activities with friends. The bamboo dance and mandarin square capturing remind me of my childhood. As for the games played in mountainous areas, I have never seen them before. Today I came to play with my children, and I feel very happy.” “Children often use phones, televisions, and video games... There’s little opportunity for them to play folk games. That’s why … [Read more...] about Festival of folk games for children

EXHIBITION HCMC-Exhibition ‘No more, not yet’ Opening: Feb 3, 06:30 pm EMASI Nam Long, 147 Street No.8, Nam Long Residential area, D7, Display: Feb – June, Wed & Fri, 10 am – 04 pm EMASI Nam Long (D.7) Tues & Thurs, 10 am – 04 pm EMASI Vạn Phúc (D.Thủ Đức) *and every last Saturday of the month From the organizer: Nguyen Art Foundation (NAF) proudly invites you to the opening of ‘No more, not yet’, an exhibition that looks back on Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai’s shapeshifting artistic practice in all its multiplicity. Winner of the Artist Excellence Award (inaugural edition, initiated by The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre and managed by in-tangible institute), her work is presented here alongside nearly 20 artists whom she calls her colleagues and friends. The exhibition will be on display from February to June 2023 across the campuses of EMASI Nam Long and EMASI Van Phuc. Hanoi-Exhibition “This is not A Dream” Exhibition: Until Mar … [Read more...] about What’s on January 30-February 5/2023

A showroom displays and sells products under the country’s One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme and other products in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s 12 provinces and the city of Can Tho are developing more products under the country’s “One Commune-One Product” programme. Launched in 2018, the OCOP programme focuses on developing specialty products and high-quality products in rural areas to increase incomes for locals and boost the sustainability of economic development in rural areas. OCOP products are commercial products and services such as food and beverages, handicrafts and rural tourism services. They are classified as having one to five stars. Under the programme, the Cuu Long delta, which is the country’s largest rice, seafood and fruit producer, has developed more OCOP products and increased their value. Can Tho recognised 18 new OCOP products last year, including 10 three-star … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta develops more OCOP products

Costume of Ha Nhi ethnic people in Ha Giang province. (Photo: VietnamPlus) It is hoped that 2022 will be a more optimistic year for the tourism sector. A survey revealed that up to 80 percent of Vietnamese people said they are planning vacations to make up for what the COVID-19 pandemic has deprived them of, and 43 percent said they want to experience a lesser-known place, instead of the destinations too familiar to them. It is also noteworthy that booking by tourists in Vietnam to share popular destinations is becoming a dominating trend. Ethnic minority culture paradise Up to 84 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to visit Meo Vac in Ha Giang province. It is a small but attractive valley in the northeast, surrounded by limestone mountains and inhabited by H’Mong and Ha Nhi ethnic groups, boasting a unique dish – thang co – cooked from the inner organs of cattle, of which 70 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to try during their 2022 tours. For … [Read more...] about 2022 destination selection trend of Vietnamese tourists