Trans rights are human rights

Remittances contributed by migrants account for 5% of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP). International migration and internal migration in Vietnam have long played a very important role in the country’s socioeconomic development and they will continue to do so. Park Mihyung, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vietnam, shared that view with The Hanoi Times . Park Mihyung, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vietnam. Photos: IOM Vietnam “If you look at the GDP, up to 5% of the country’s GDP comes from remittances contributed by international migration and that’s only recorded remittances, so it should be a lot more,” she said. For that reason, when the migration governance is done right and well, there’s a lot of positive development and contributions to Vietnam when they return and with their remittances, Park added. In addition, there’s also a recognition that … [Read more...] about Migration significant to Vietnam’s socio-economic development: IOM

"It's not just the coffee," said the American magazine, "but the hundreds of handwritten notes that adorn most every surface." Located at 64 Luong Van Can Street right next to Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in the heart of Hanoi, the entire coffee shop is covered with colorful post-it notes written by its customers. The notes are mainly inspirational quotes or comments about the lessons of life left by visitors from around the world. The three-story café attracts passers-by with its red signboard, views of Hoan Kiem Lake and nearby pedestrian zone. "Make sure to try a cup of egg coffee, which is more delicious than it sounds," Newsweek recommended. In addition to signature egg coffee, the café serves fresh juice, smoothies, snacks and sweet cakes with prices ranging from VND30,000-50,000 ($1.28-$2.13). The list also included Coffee 101 in Colombia, Majestic Café in Portugal, Café Sofa in the Czech Republic, Blacklist Coffee Roasters in Australia and The Roastery by Nozy Coffee in … [Read more...] about Hanoi coffee shop among world’s quirkiest: US weekly magazine

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Van Hoa newspaper published his apology on Friday, which said it was a personal story and not meant to offend anyone. The comedian and director of the Vietnam National Drama Theater had posted "Mother’s slap" three days earlier to seemingly take a potshot at people who criticized his TV show. In the story, a woman cooks "banh chung" (glutinous square rice cake) every year for Tet, but her son, who does not know how to make it himself, always criticizes it. It read: "This year is no exception. At 8pm on Lunar New Year’s Eve, I criticized the cake after the first bite. My mouth has two sides, one to chew on ‘banh chung’ and the other to criticize the cake. "Not really because the cake is not delicious, not necessarily because it is bad, but because it is not what I imagined, it is not what I wanted. I criticize it because I have the right to criticize, because it is my mother’s responsibility to cook cakes as I want them." In the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s famous comedian apologizes to TV audiences