Perhaps the biggest turning point in Nguyen Phan Que Mai’s life was the morning she woke up to an email from her literary agent with an offer from Algonquin Books – a New York-based publisher – to publish her very first English-language novel “The Mountains Sing.” A dream Mai, originally from Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam, wrote “The Mountains Sing” as a way to spread Vietnamese literature and culture by recounting the story of a Vietnamese family’s journey through the twentieth century, including their trials and tribulations during the French Colonial period, the separation of the North and the South, the Vietnam War, and the present day. Her inspiration for the novel was a deep frustration that language barriers were a major obstacle for international readers who wished to access Vietnamese literature. The books on Vietnam that English-language readers did have access to were primarily about the Vietnam War and written by Western writers who gave their Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Vietnamese writer shares love of homeland in award-winning English-language book
Vietnamese american family culture
Vietnamese’s journey from particle physicist to machine learning scientist
It would be great happiness to know early in life what one is truly passionate about, which is indeed difficult for many. The inspiring journey of Vietnamese scientist Nguyen Quang Thong, who successfully transitioned from a particle physicist to a machine learning scientist at Microsoft, can provide some meaningful thoughts for anyone facing a crossroads in life. A glimpse at the profile of Thong may surprise many people. In less than 15 years as an adult, the Hanoi native has changed careers three times, and he cannot even fathom how unexpected and dramatic those changes have been. Thong was once a student at the prestigious Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in Hanoi. Drawn to both art and science, he pursued architecture at Hanoi Architectural University. But after receiving a full-ride scholarship at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), Thong could not resist the opportunity and left the architecture program to pursue computer engineering in the United … [Read more...] about Vietnamese’s journey from particle physicist to machine learning scientist
The imprints of English-American architectural wizard in Vietnam
The design philosophy of Bill Bensley - the architect known worldwide as the “king of resorts” - is as interesting and unique as his hospitality projects in the country. Have you ever admired the beauty of Indochine architecture blended with typical patterns of highland people at a hotel in Sapa Town in the northern mountain province of Lao Cai? Overwhelmed by the fresh, natural space at hotels in Danang City or Hanoi? Bill works at his Bensley Outsider Gallery in InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery Overwhelmed by the fresh, natural space at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Danang City or Capella Hotel in Hanoi? The person behind all these masterpieces is the wizard Bill Bensley - the leading architect in the tourism and hotel industries worldwide. He was named “the king of exotic luxury resorts” by Time Magazine , as well as recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 … [Read more...] about The imprints of English-American architectural wizard in Vietnam
Journey from particle physicist to machine learning scientist
It would be a great happiness to know early in life what you are truly passionate about, which is indeed difficult for many of us. The inspiring journey of young Vietnamese scientist Nguyen Quang Thong, who successfully transitioned from particle physicist to a machine learning scientist at Microsoft, can provide some meaningful thoughts for anyone facing a crossroads in life. A glimpse at the profile of Nguyen Quang Thong may surprise many people. In less than 15 years as an adult, the Hanoi native has changed careers three times, and he can’t even fathom how unexpected and dramatic those changes have been. Thong was once a student at the prestigious Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Drawn to both art and science, he pursued architecture at Hanoi Architectural University. But after receiving a full-ride scholarship at University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), Thong couldn't resist the opportunity and left the architecture program to pursue computer engineering in the … [Read more...] about Journey from particle physicist to machine learning scientist
Foreign business founders keen on Vietnam’s development potential
In addition to the country's economic potential, many foreign business owners say their love for Vietnam is what keeps them here “paying it forward” by improving the country’s national brand and human resource training. Holiday turned home Rafael Masters landed in Vietnam 14 years ago. A recent graduate, the British national had planned to travel the world and experience different cultures. To finance such a trip, he planned to work as an English teacher. “I intended to teach for a year and then return home. What actually happened was that I began to fall in love with the culture, the country, and even teaching in Vietnam. “It's an incredibly exciting feeling to see children of all ages being given educational tools and then developing and building themselves with those tools,” he said. Rafael Masters, founder of Vulcan Augmetics, a start-up that makes electronic prosthetics for the disabled. Photo : Binh Minh / Tuoi Tre Some of Masters' first students in … [Read more...] about Foreign business founders keen on Vietnam’s development potential
The rejuvenation of nation’s tourism
The rejuvenation of nation’s tourism Oliver Horn - General manager InterContinental Long Beach Phu Quoc “We’ve focused across all of our services and outlets” In recent years, the domestic market has been playing an increasingly important role, giving us the incentive to sharpen our services to fit local travel expectations, while conveying our legacy of refined elegance and worldly travel. When looked at regionally, the picture is of an industry close to full recovery, and we are pleased to welcome lots of guests from Asian countries, especially South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and India – one of the fastest emerging markets throughout 2022. From early this year, the demand from the US and Europe, particularly Britain and Germany, has surged, and we are confident that it will soon return to pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam has been long renowned as the haven of diverse culinary themes, from tempting street food to traditional dishes from each province. … [Read more...] about The rejuvenation of nation’s tourism
Vietnam welcomes first international visitors of Lunar New Year
The Silver Spirit Cruise, which sailed from Hong Kong, arrived in Ha Long, Quang Ninh Province at 7:30 a.m Sunday, with 500 American and European tourists on board. To welcome the first international visitors of the Lunar New Year, Cao Tuong Huy, acting chairman of the Quang Ninh People's Committee, presented the tourists with flowers and lucky money. Huy also introduced them to famous tourist and heritage sites such as Ha Long Bay and the hospitality of the Quang Ninh People. The tourists on the Silver Spirit were impressed with the natural landscape and fresh atmosphere during their journey to Ha Long. International tourists on Silver Spirit Cruise are welcomed to Quang Ninh on January 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Do Phuong Josephine, an American tourist, said she had done her research and that she was interested in the beauty of Ha Long Bay. "I will spend a day in Ha Long to experience the culture and the cuisine of the Vietnamese during Tet, and will visit Ha … [Read more...] about Vietnam welcomes first international visitors of Lunar New Year