Viet Nam News by Kiều Bích Hương “New customers are coming, dad!” Demi called excitedly. Noel frowned, put a pile of bills into the drawer, rearranged his shirt collar, straightened its hems, and walked out. The sunshine outdoors dazzled him, preventing him from seeing the customers clearly. Yet he caught Demi’s excitement. Later, after the customers left, he must scold her, Noel thought. Of course customers meant business, which was good. But they mustn’t wear their gladness on their faces like that when another person had passed away. Three middle-aged chaps with burly bodies and distraught faces were standing wearily before Noel. Demi eagerly fetched some drinking water. Noel stretched out his hand toward the stoutest man to invite him to sit down. The tallest one nodded to greet Noel then went out to answer his phone. The remaining one, the youngest, thrust his hands into his pockets, and anxiously walked around Noel’s office … [Read more...] about A note for someone who has passed away
Who recently passed away
Bản in : British campaigner for Vietnamese AO victims passes away
London (VNA) – Secretary of the Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society (BVFS) Len Aldis has passed away at his home at Tomlins Grove Street, London, the United Kingdom. He was 85. As a peace campaigner known throughout the world, Aldis has been unstinting in his effort to help Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims in Vietnam. In a statement on November 28, local police said they were called by Aldis’s friends who were worried that he had not answered or responded to phone calls recently. The campaigner was then found inside his house and pronounced dead at the scene. Aldis first came to Vietnam in 1989 and since then he has annually returned to the country to assist people who had suffered in wars, particularly those continued to live with the lasting effects of Agent Orange, a toxic chemical the US troops sprayed on Vietnam during the war. The British man worked hard to raise funds for the victims, even braved the cold on winter days to sell souvenirs to collect money for them. … [Read more...] about Bản in : British campaigner for Vietnamese AO victims passes away
Veteran researcher passes away
THUA THIEN HUE (VNS) — Cultural researcher Ho Tan Phan, who made great contributions to the antique collection and research of the former Hue Citadel's history, died of old age on February 14. Phan, who was born in 1939 and lived in Hue City in central Thua Thien Hue Province, was an active member of the Hue Research Centre. A retired teacher, Phan had a museum of ceramic items found in the Huong River bed. He had also collected more than 10,000 old books, many of which contained rare materials about Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos. Last May, he presented to the National Border Committee (of the Foreign Affairs Ministry) a copy of a book on Dai Nam (the old name of Viet Nam), written by historians under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) and recently republished by Keio University, Japan. Phan has left behind unfinished research about the titles of kings under the Nguyen Dynasty. Phan wished to sell half of his 3,000sq.m … [Read more...] about Veteran researcher passes away
UK Agent Orange activist Len Aldis passes away at home
Len Aldis, a campaigner for peace known throughout the world, passed away last week at his home in London at the age of 85. Aldis’s friends had been worried that he had not answered or responded to phone calls recently, and decided to ask police for help. The 85-year-old activist was found dead at home on November 27. The death is not being treated as suspicious. Aldis, secretary of the Britain-Vietnam Friendship Society, spent his whole life fighting for justice and supporting Agent Orange victims in Vietnam, starting in 1989. He returned annually to the country to assist people who had suffered the effects of Agent Orange, a toxic chemical the U.S. sprayed on Vietnam during wartime. Besides continually giving gifts and money to people who suffered in wartime, Aldis was the man who exposed the multi-generational effects of the chemical warfare. Last August, he sold souvenirs and handicraft items he had collected from previous visits to Vietnam to raise funds for … [Read more...] about UK Agent Orange activist Len Aldis passes away at home
Legendary Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap passes away
The office of Vietnam's first General Vo Nguyen Giap confirmed of his passing away on October 4. The first General and the Supreme Chief Commander of the Vietnam People's Army died at 6.09pm on October 4 at the Army Hospital 108 in Hanoi, more than a month after he celebrated his 102th birthday. The General was born on August 25, 1911 in Le Thuy District in Quang Binh Province in the central region of Vietnam. He recently celebrated his 102nd birthday on August 25. In June 2009, due to old age and infirmity, he was moved to the Army Hospital 108. Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap is considered as the Founder and the First Commander of the Vietnam People's Army. He was the first soldier who was awarded the title of General of Vietnam People's Army when he was 37-years-old in 1948. He led the Vietnam People's Army to defeat the French and US in 1954 and 1975 respectively. He directly commanded major operations including the Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954 and the Ho Chi Minh campaign in … [Read more...] about Legendary Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap passes away