Kinsan would be proud. Actor-singer Ryotaro Sugi, who played the much-loved samurai drama hero on TV, has 26 "children" in Vietnam who call him "father." He even has a "grandchild" there. Having helped orphaned Vietnamese children for nearly 20 years, Sugi, 62, is now extending his support to encourage better Japan-Vietnam relations. Ryotaro Sugi in a meeting with then Nguyen Tan Dung, now prime minister of Vietnam, in Hanoi June 2006 … [Read more...] about Tough guy Kinsan’s softer side in Vietnam
Vietnam culture facts
Vietnam losing advantages to attract foreign investment
VietNamNet Bridge - The big economies, including in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, are believed to see strong recovery next year, which will prompt the investors from these countries to make outward investments. Vietnam remains the attractive destination in the eyes of investors. However, experts have pointed out that Vietnam is losing its advantages . According to Bui Trong Dinh from the Vietnam Cultural and Economic Office in Taipei (Taiwan), Taiwan's economy is bright this year with the expected GDP growth rate of 10 percent, the highest growth rate in the last 11 years. The good thing is that Taiwanese investment associations all highly appreciate the investment opportunities in Vietnam, considering Vietnam an important destination. In fact, many Taiwanese investors have arrived in Vietnam, including Formosa, Chinphon or CT&D. … [Read more...] about Vietnam losing advantages to attract foreign investment
Heritage syndrome in Vietnam
It is ridiculous that VND3 billion ($150,000) was spent to build a new Nam Giao worshipping platform in the Ho Dynasty Citadel for the UNESCO heritage certificate reception ceremony.Ho Dynasty Citadel – Behind the Heritage The real gate. The fake gate. On June 16, UNESCO presented the world cultural heritage certificate to the Ho Dynasty Citadel, in Thanh Hoa province. However, the ceremony was held inappropriately for a “world heritage.” The most special character of the citadel is its walls and its arch gate, which are built by 10-20 ton rocks, without using any mortar. However, at the ceremony, a fake arch gate was built on the stage, hiding the real gate of 600 years old. Worse, the fake gate was different from the real gate. A pair of fake stone-made dragons was also placed on the stage. They were also different from the true dragons, which were only several hundred meters away, in darkness. These fake things were honored on the stage, not the true … [Read more...] about Heritage syndrome in Vietnam
Vietnam’s cultural ambassadors find out about US
The three best students in the "Seeking cultural ambassadors" contest, launched by Vietnam National Library in association with the Asian Fund, will visit the US to find out about the country's people and culture. The three cultural ambassadors are Nguyen Do Thuy Anh of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi, Pham Thuy Tien of the same university in Ho Chi Minh City and Than Nguyen Thuy Linh of the University of Da Nang. During their stay in the US, they will meet with some American youths who are taking part in political activities like the 2008 presidential election, take fact-finding trips to learn about social services like shelters for the homeless and participate in cultural events and US Independence Day celebrations on July 4. In addition, they will have exchanges with students in universities, libraries and agencies there. The "Seeking cultural ambassadors" competition was for students aged from 18 to 22. They wrote an English essay of no more than … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s cultural ambassadors find out about US
Vietnam’s cultural industry: lack of money, abundance of conflicts
The Hanoi Times - Experts and government officials reviewed the situation and discussed solutions for the cultural industry in Vietnam at a seminar held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi last weekend. Dr. Nguyen Danh Nga, chief of the Planning - Finance Department, said: "The cultural industry contributed US$46 billion to Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) and employed 600,000 workers in 2007. In Japan, total revenue from the Doremon cartoon (TV broadcasting rights, cartoon, souvenirs and others) was $2 billion in 2007." Nga cited these statistics to make a comparison to Vietnam's situation, where there are no official statistics about revenue and profit from cultural business. In Vietnam, there is no policy, statistics nor even the concept of "cultural industry", experts said. In this context, the seminar attracted speakers who have worked in the cultural market for many years and actively worked to have a dynamic and effective policy to create a real … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s cultural industry: lack of money, abundance of conflicts