Phan Van Dinh opens the gate of his house and tells his wife with a grin: "I couldn't eat anything at the wedding; there was only pork." "As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you)," Vu Thi Vui calls out from the garden, using the traditional Muslim greeting. The spick and span house in Hanoi’s Dong Anh District makes it hard to believe that Vui, 41, raises animals for a living. The couple live with their two sons in a small house by the dike. But it has a spacious garden, enough to raise more than 40 sheep and a lot of vegetables. Hungry, Dinh sits down to have a hotpot with his wife. Vui and Dinh have their dinner. Photo by VnExpress/ Trong Nghia Their meal is typical of that of most Vietnamese families, comprising vegetables, chicken and lamb, a favorite meat in the Middle East. Vui’s conversion has helped her business, because many Muslim restaurants in the capital city that can only use halal meat buy it from her. Halal is permissible meat under Islamic Law, which … [Read more...] about A Vietnamese woman becomes a Muslim, is shunned, then accepted
Vietnamese culture when someone dies
When in Vietnam, drive as the Vietnamese do
In any country, driving culture and etiquette, or a lack thereof, is a window into that society. Vietnam is no exception. Here's my take on being an active participant-observer of transportation in Vietnam on a part-time basis since 1996 and full-time since 2005. I ride a bike but not in the city. Yes, I wear a helmet because I value brain function over vanity. I've never owned a motorbike. I am a frequent pedestrian who has had too many death-defying experiences in city traffic to recount in a single article. My main mode of transportation is a car. What is it like driving in Vietnam? Much like the country itself, never boring, always an adventure. What to expect? The unexpected – virtually every minute of every day that you’re on the road. Drive defensively and, when need to be, offensively. Protect yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. A tall order? Welcome to the crazy world of driving in … [Read more...] about When in Vietnam, drive as the Vietnamese do
Hanoi investigates music fest deaths amidst a passing-the-buck game
Charges being considered are “Harboring illegal use of narcotics” and “Forcing/Inducing other people into illegal use of narcotics.” If charged, those held responsible could end up serving between one and 15 years in prison. Drug users will be fined VND500,000 to VND1 million ($22 to $44). Seven people died and five others were admitted to hospitals after overdosing on drugs during the Vietnam Electronic Weekend (VEW) Festival at the West Lake Water Park in Tay Ho District Sunday night. All 12 people, between 18 and 29 years old, tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. At the scene of the festival, police found balloons containing nitrous oxide and unidentified pills. Following the deaths, Hanoi on Monday announced the suspension of all music festivals until further notice. Lax security Witnesses said security was lax at the festival. Quang, a Hanoian who was there on Sunday night, told VnExpress that security checks were … [Read more...] about Hanoi investigates music fest deaths amidst a passing-the-buck game
Amidst a passing-the-buck game, Hanoi investigates music fest deaths
Charges being considered are “Harboring illegal use of narcotics” and “Forcing/Inducing other people into illegal use of narcotics.” If charged, those held responsible could end up serving between one and 15 years in prison. Drug users will be fined VND500,000 to VND1 million ($22 to $44). Seven people died and five others were admitted to hospitals after overdosing on drugs during the Vietnam Electronic Weekend (VEW) Festival at the West Lake Water Park in Tay Ho District Sunday night. All twelve people, between 18 and 29 years old, tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. At the scene of the festival, police found balloons containing nitrous oxide and unidentified pills. Following the deaths, Hanoi on Monday announced the suspension of all music festivals until further notice. Lax security Witnesses said security was lax at the festival. Quang, a Hanoian who was there on Sunday night, told VnExpress that security checks were … [Read more...] about Amidst a passing-the-buck game, Hanoi investigates music fest deaths
An American woman’s spiritual bond with Vietnam
Carolyn is wearing a Vietnamese conical hat. A blue stamp In her stamp collection, Carolyn is particularly interested in a small Vietnamese stamp that depicts a blue dragon on a red background. At 12 years old, the little girl asked her father “Where in the world is Vietnam?” She was too young to figure out the location of the country but for some unknown reason, Carolyn had “a good feeling about Vietnam”. In 1967 when she was a third-year student at the State University of New York, Carolyn was allowed to choose to study in any country she wanted over the course of the next two years. She chose France and it was the first opportunity for her to learn more about Vietnam. “I thought Vietnamese students were the best. My French teachers also said the same. Any educated American knows that Vietnamese students are very smart. It is one of the things, other than the war, that Americans know about Vietnam.” At that time, America was in the middle of the … [Read more...] about An American woman’s spiritual bond with Vietnam