Yen tu pagoda

Located in the northern highlands province of Yen Bai, Mu Cang Chai, home to ethnic minority groups, primarily the Hmong people, is around a seven hours drive northwest of Hanoi. The remote rural district is famous for its terraced rice fields which change color depending on the time of the year, from green in late spring and summer to golden yellow in October during the harvest season. "These rice paddies in Vietnam’s isolated northern reaches have gained Instagram fame for their impressive angles in a topographically challenging region," Condé Nast Traveler said. The magazine urged visitors to explore the rice paddies in early October when the rice harvest begins, and to stop by the fields twice in a day: once early in the morning before the crowds arrive, and a second time at sunset. Around 500 kilometers from Mu Cang Chai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay, in Quang Ninh Province, is well known for its "blue-green water, and spectacular limestone karst … [Read more...] about Ha Long Bay, Mu Cang Chai among world’s 40 most colorful destinations: US magazine

Cuong lives alone in a small house spanning just 10 square meters, nestled deep within an alley of HCMC’s District 6. He has been living this way for several years in the house that a relative gave him. As he adjusted his tattered sleeves, the 66-year-old man brought out a box of personal items, documents and old newspapers. The documents and evidence were about a criminal case in which four police officers falsely accused Cuong and his two brothers-in-law of a crime they did not commit 38 years earlier. But even until today, that tarnish on his name remains. He has yet to to be given an apology and he has not received any compensation. "These papers were given to me by people at the time. I'm illiterate, but I know what these papers say by heart," Cuong said. "The police officers who made the false accusations have been put on trial, my two brothers have died, and I have yet to receive an apology." On February 28, 1985, Cuong, along with Ha Van Duoc and Tran Duc An, were … [Read more...] about Wrongful accusation, arrest destroys man’s life

The annual Nguyên Tiêu Festival on the 15th of lunar January in Hội An has been recognised as a National Intangible Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Lanterns are used to decorate Hôi An every full moon. The tourism hub also lights up lanterns on weekends. — VNS Photo Công Thành The festival celebrates the full moon of the first lunar month of the year. The city’s Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation confirmed the certificate was handed over on February 5, marking the fifth national intangible heritage after Thanh Châu bird's nest, Thanh Hà Pottery village, carpentry of Kim Bồng village and Trà Quế vegetable garden. The centre said the festival was a major event in a series of cultural and ritual activities among local people held during the first lunar month. Local people often prepare for the festival from the seventh day of the month with ancestor worship and praying for peace at the communal houses of Cẩm Phô, … [Read more...] about Ancient town’s full moon festival named intangible heritage

A pregnant woman was killed after a boat carrying 12 passengers capsized along a river in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday morning. A passenger boat was traveling along a section of Dong Nai River between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province at around 9:30 am when it hit a barge and overturned, according to preliminary information. The location where the boat capsized was in the territory of Ho Chi Minh City. The location where the accident took place. Photo: A.B. / Tuoi Tre The boat was carrying 12 passengers from Chau Doc 3 Pagoda on Ba Xe Islet in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City to Xua Wharf in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, a representative from the Dong Nai Department of Public Security stated. Meanwhile, the barge was carrying shipping containers in the opposite direction. Following the incident, the Dong Nai waterway police unit coordinated with their counterparts in Ho Chi Minh City to rescue the victims. Victims are brought ashore … [Read more...] about Pregnant woman dies after passenger boat overturns in Ho Chi Minh City