Posts

Showing posts from April, 2023

US war veteran's artworks displayed in Hanoi

The exhibition themed “David Thomas and Friends” displays selected graphic works from the series of C. David Thomas during his struggle with Parkinson’s syndrome over recent years, one of the consequences of his exposure to Agent Orange during the war. On display are also the works by 21 Vietnamese artists who have been invited to participate in art and culture exchange programmes and activities organised by the Indochina Arts Partnership (a.k.a IAP) over a period of 30 years since 1989 to 2019. The relationship with David Thomas and IAP goes far beyond the artistic professional exchange, but is instead about sharing common sentiments and spiritual values, including the beauty of arts, healing and building emotions through aesthetics, companionship in life, as well as sympathies for the past and the bright vision of the future. David Thomas, 77, is a US war veteran and was the first foreigner to be awarded a “For the Culture Cause” medal in recognition of his contribution to Vi

Argentine Press Spotlights Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman’ Visit

Image
Governor of Santa Fe Omar Ángel Perotti (2nd from R) awards the title of Honorary Guest to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Photo: VNA The Argentina visit by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue drew great attention from the South American country’s media with many positive assessments, VNA reported Thursday. Argentine national news agency Telam has ran an article highlighting the sound relations between Vietnam and Argentina. It noted that during their meeting, NA Chairman Hue and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez reaffirmed the determination to strengthen bilateral trade and investment partnership. The article said the two leaders underlined the great potential in diversifying goods for exchange and agreed to promote partnership in investment, science and technology. It said that after her meeting with the Vietnamese NA leader, Argentine Vice President Cristina Fernandez shared on her Twitter a photo with Hue, showing her special sentiments towards

Overseas Vietnamese Commemorate Hung Kings

Image
OVs visit the Hung Kings Temple relic site. Photo: Pham Ly They offered incense to the Hung Kings at their temples on April 25, and planted trees at the Den Gieng (Gieng Temple). They prayed for a prosperous Vietnam with an increasing position in the international arena and solidarity among the Vietnamese communities abroad. The OVs offer incense to the Hung Kings. Photo: Pham Ly Hieu said the incense-offering program is held annually by the COVA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the provincial People’s Committee, noting it has received a warm response from Vietnamese abroad. It is intended to raise their pride of national traditions, pay tribute to the nation, and strengthen the great national unity bloc. Also on April 25, the delegation had a meeting with representatives of the provincial People’s Committee. They also commemorated the legendary ancestors of Vietnam, Father Lac Long Quan, and Mother Au Co. The OVs plant trees

Thua Thien-Hue to host international conference on conical hats

Participants at the event will discuss the current situation and various solutions for the sustainable development of conical hats in the locality. The event will therefore provide a chance for craftsmen to meet and exchange information about the craft of conical hat making. Advertising Hue conical hats and seeking measures aimed at improving vocational training for local practitioners are set to be hot topics during the conference. The international conference is jointly organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Vietnam and the Hue Conical Hat Association, and is expected to attract plenty of domestic and foreign intellectuals and craftsmen. The craft of conical hat making has been practiced in Thua Thien-Hue for centuries. It is still well preserved today in Tay Ho village of Phu Ho commune, My Lam village of Phu My commune, and the villages of Phu Cam, Phuoc Vinh, Doc So, Trieu Tay, and Huong So in Hue. Craftsmen residing in the village sell millions

New stamp collection features Vietnamese cable cars

The collection features plenty of cable cars from across the country, including Fansipan cable cars in the northern province of Lao Cai, Ba Na cable cars in the central city of Da Nang, and Hon Thom cable cars in the southern province of Kien Giang. The main image showcases a cable car cabin with the background including an image of the famous tourist attractions from the localities where the cable car is located. Designed by artist Nguyen Du, the collection includes a 26 x 66 mm stamp and a 70 x 100 mm block.  The prices of the three stamps and a block are VND4,000, VND6,000, VND8,000, and VND15,000, respectively. The latest collection set will be available on the postal network from April 22 to December 31, 2024. The post New stamp collection features Vietnamese cable cars appeared first on Vietexplorer.com . View more from VietExplorer: Visitors nationwide flock to 2020 Co Loa festival Buu Minh pagoda – Where ancient meets modern National Assembly Chairwoman Kim Ng

Drawing And Writing Contest About Japan Helps Promote Japan-Vietnam Friendship

Image
School students compete in a writing and painting contest to promote Japan-Vietnam friendship , celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in the central city from March 30 to May 30. The contest is titled ‘Da Nang school students joining hands in strengthening the Japan-Vietnam friendship’. Children join an outdoor reading session at the Japanese-styled Sakura Kindergarten in Da Nang. Photo: VNA It will feature around 10,000 students from primary, secondary and high school who will send their paintings and essays to Japan for selection on June 5-30. As part of a series of activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam – Japan diplomatic ties (September 21), the contest aims to contribute to enhancing understanding, friendship and cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese people, thereby facilitating local pupils, especially senior high school pupils, to learn about the 50-year history of establishing diplomatic

Century-old Ho Chi Minh City hall to welcome visitors for first time next week

Image
Visitors need to register in advance with the municipal Department of Tourism between April 22 and 26 for the tours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on April 29 and 30. They will spend 35 minutes in the building, learning about its history, architectural highlights, and function of each room during the one-hour tour, which also features a walk around the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park, located just in front of the hall. A part of the painting on the ceiling inside the office building of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City in District 1. Photo: N. Binh / Tuoi Tre This is part of the city’s efforts to showcase national monuments to foreign tourists to promote its image as a friendly and open city. The building, located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, was designed by French architect Femand Gardes. Its construction started in 1889 and finished in 1909. In 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized it as a national

Vietnam, Cuba to bolster cultural, tourism ties

In the meeting with the Vietnamese guest, Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso Grau expressed his joy at the success of the special cultural and artistic programme jointly staged by the two sides at Jose Marti Theatre in Havana on April 20 to celebrate several major anniversaries of historic milestones in Vietnam-Cuba relations. The two ministries agreed that the two sides have coordinated to organize successful cultural exchange programmes on the occasion of visits of high-ranking leaders of the two countries. The Cuban minister informed Minister Hung that Cuba will host a forum of culture ministers of the G-77 plus China from May 3-5, aiming to adopt a joint statement affirming the role and contribution of culture to sustainable development. He invited the Vietnamese minister to attend the event and contribute to the compilation of the joint statement, considering Vietnam’s achievements in conserving and promoting cultural values. Minister Hung spoke highly of Cuba’s Presidency of

Hoi An – The Land of Heritage Pagodas

Image
1. Cau Pagoda (Chua Cau) The first one on the list of Hoi An’s heritage pagodas is Cau Pagoda (Chua Cau). It was created for commuting. There are two parts of this relic site, “the bridge” and “the pagoda”. They are built more than half a century apart but blended seamlessly with each other to create a symbolic landmark of Hoi An. According to researchers, the architecture alone with the two subjects “Pagoda” and “Bridge” linked together into a unified whole is unique in the architectural treasure of Viet Nam (Photo:HS) The temple worships a local god named Bac De Tran Vu, a spiritual figure of peace and stability in the terrain and weather of Hoi An. According to the epitaph at Cau Pagoda and other sources, this relic was built in the late 16th – early 17th centuries, restored and repaired 7 times. The latest repair took place in 1986. Cau Pagoda also worships a pair of dogs and a pair of monkeys, representing Japanese symbols of worship landmarks. On the door of the C

Bridging Civilizations: Buddhism in Southeast Asia and Its Enduring Indian Connection

Image
Despite being born in India, Buddhism found fertile ground in Southeast Asia, where it took root and flourished for centuries, shaping the region’s socio- economic, political, cultural, religious and philosophical structures. This connection between Buddhism in South East Asia and India is a testament to the religion’s resilience and adaptability in the face of fast changing world under challenging circumstances over two millennia. The Buddhism in Southeast Asia from India underscores a complex interaction between different history, culture and identity. Such a complex interaction involved multiple factors, including the influence of Indian merchants and traders, the patronage of Southeast Asian kings and rulers, and the work of Buddhist missionaries. The arrival of Indian merchants and traders to Southeast Asia through sea routes from the 1st century CE onwards was a pivotal moment in the spread of Buddhism throughout the region. These travellers brought with them not only

Overseas Vietnamese in Mozambique Remember Their Roots

Image
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Pham Hoang Kim speaks at the event. Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Mozambique The day April 30 will forever be a glorious milestone in the history of Vietnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Pham Hoang Kim said at a recent ceremony marking the liberation of the south and national reunification (April 30), International May Day (May 1) and Hung Kings’ death anniversary (March 10) in the capital city of Maputo, VNA reported. In his speech, Kim highlighted the significance of the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification day on April 30, saying that this day is a source of pride for not only the Vietnamese people but also all nations struggling for independence and freedom around the world, including many countries in Africa. The ambassador affirmed that the spirit of April 30 victory lives on in the heart of every Vietnamese, inspiring them to move forward on the path of renovation and national construction and defenc

Paddling along Mekong River: Adventure full of surprises

Image
The biggest takeaway of the Mekong Paddle Adventure is the “surprises” for a man who spent almost his whole life going on adventures.  Adventurer, author, and speaker Dave Ellingson ready for the Mekong Paddle Adventure in March 2023. In many ways, the 600-mile kayak journey Mekong Paddle Adventure became the Mekong River Adventure as we, a group of four American kayakers, gained broader and deeper experience from the month-long journey through Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam that ended in late March 2023. In the Mekong River, we soon learned that the weather was much hotter than we expected. The thermometer usually read between 95- and 100-degrees Fahrenheit (35-37 degrees Celsius). We didn’t expect the hazy skies from smoke caused by farmers burning their rice paddies during the dry season. Our inflatable kayaks didn’t move as fast as we expected, and our aging bodies didn’t have as much stamina as we hoped. I thought a fitting description of our adventure was Lingering