Thứ Sáu, 31 tháng 7, 2015

The Immortal Epic ballet brings to mind memories of martyrs


VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will stage its first performance of the ballet Con Mai Ban Hung Ca (The Immortal Epic) at the city’s Opera House on tomorrow, July 29.











HBSO Ballet, Young Melody programme, academic art

New heights: The ballet Con Mai Ban Hung Ca (The Immortal Epic) will be staged tomorrow. — Photo dailo.vn


The ballet, which is part of the monthly Young Melody programme launched by the HBSO in 2011, offers youth a deeper understanding of academic art.


“Long after the end of the war, immortal songs about the indomitable spirit and the pure love of the people who sacrificed for national liberation still remain,” a press release from HBSO said.


“These immortal songs will touch the sacred memory of each person and help them become strong, kind and confident,” the release said.


Choreographed by People’s Artist Kim Quy, Nguyen Phuc Hung and Nguyen Phuc Hai, the ballet’s music was composed by Tran Vuong Thach. People’s Artist Vu Viet Cuong wrote the story. The ballet was created by the city’s Performing Arts Department.


Cuong and Quy, who are married, have contributed a great deal over the years to the development of HBSO and Viet Nam’s dance sector.


Hai and Hung are considered the most talented choreographers in HCM City.


Their recent works, including Nhung Manh Ghep Cua Giac Mo (Dream Puzzles), Cham Tay Vao Qua Khu (Touching the Pass) and Danh Mat Va Tim Lai (Lost and Found), have received high praise from critics and audiences.


Hai is the head of the HBSO Ballet, and Hung is the choreographer and director for all of HBSO’s ballet performances.


Free tickets are available at the HCM City Student Support Centre, 33 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, and at HBSO’s ticket office at the Opera House at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1.


VNS   




The Immortal Epic ballet brings to mind memories of martyrs

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HCM City project gives facelift to iconic lake


VietNamNet Bridge – A lake in the heart of HCM City now sports a stunning look thanks to the “7 Up To Diem Viet Nam” (7 Up Beautifies Viet Nam) campaign, a project that kicked off in HCM City in March.











HCM City, Con Rua Lake, impressive street art

Historical makeover: A panaromic view of Con Rua (Turtle) Lake in District 1. The iconic site will be renovated thanks to a HCM City campaign that started in March. — Photo vi.wikipedia.org


The bed of the Con Rua (Turtle) Lake in District 1 has been cleaned, and the surrounding park area has been given a new coat, with new embellishments.


With the theme “Feels Food to Be You”, the campaign aims to give local structures a fresh, dynamic appearance. The entire area has been painted and adorned with impressive street art.


Stone benches were also put into place so that visitors or passersby could rest or chat.


A richly coloured fountain with a LED lighting system lights up the night sky with colourful lights. Gone are the days when visitors were driven away from the area by the foul odors of urination or defecation.


Officially named “Cong Truong Quoc Te” (International Public Square) by the city, Con Rua Lake serves as a water-fountain roundabout where Vo Van Tan, Pham Ngoc Thach and Tran Cao Van streets converge.


Built between 1965 and 1967, the structure is of historical and cultural significance.


The octagonal lake is divided into smaller spaces by crossing sections above the surface, and boasts surrounding park areas frequented by young people and tourists. Some also stroll or sit leisurely at the crossing sections.


The project to spruce up Con Rua Lake is the second of the campaign.


The first project saw a makeover of a dormitory at the HCM City University of Economics.


Vietkings, a Vietnamese records organisation, has recognised it as the country’s greenest dorm.


VNS




HCM City project gives facelift to iconic lake

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Vietnamese short film won over BiFan 2015 audiences


A Vietnamese short film titled The Scent of Fish Sauce was screened on July 16-26 at the 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan 2015) in the Republic of Korea.








Vietnamese short film won over BiFan 2015 audiences








The 23-minute film directed by young director Trinh Dinh Le Minh tells a romance between a Vietnamese nurse and a young American male patient.


Mai, a Vietnamese nurse, is hired to take care of an injured American man. After turning him on to the secret pleasures of Vietnamese cooking, Mai’s romantic dreams take a strange turn.


The film was made in eight days in 2014 with Ly Bao Tram taking the starring role. Tram has lived in the US for eight years. She is a nurse with innate acting abilities.


Stage director Trinh Dinh Le Minh, 29 years old, graduated from Ho Chi Minh City Cinema and Theatre College. He won a Fulbright scholarship and got a MA degree after three years of study in the University of Texas at Austin.


After BiFan 2015, The Scent of Fish Sauce will take part in the 59th BFI London Film Festival held in the UK this October. A short-film channel in Europe has made an offer to buy the film. Film Director Minh also planned to distribute it on Vimeo and iTunes.


VOV



Vietnamese short film won over BiFan 2015 audiences

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Young Vietnamese comes second at Euregio Piano Award


Young Vietnamese pianist Luu Hong Quang recently took second place at the 3rd Annual International Piano Competition, Euregio Piano Award 2015.








Young Vietnamese comes second at Euregio Piano Award, luu hong quang








He ranked second for those of 18-30 years old. The first place winner was a contestant from Russia.


Euregio Piano Award 2015 held on July 23-26 in Geilenkirchen, Germany, attracted the 72 contestants from 20 countries around the world- Russia, Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and Norway.


Quang- the son of Associate Professor Luu Quang Minh- is currently attending graduate school at the Montreal Academy of Music in Canada.


VOV



Young Vietnamese comes second at Euregio Piano Award

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From Bach to the Blues, Chamber music festival back in HCMC


VietNamNet Bridge – A night of music, From Bach to the Blues will kick off the 2nd Saigon Chamber Music concert series in HCM City.








HCMC, music festival, pianist Nguyen Bich Tra

Saigon Chamber Music Festival


The returning trio, Norwegian violinist Atle Sponberg, UK cellist Zoe Marlew and Vietnamese pianist Nguyen Bich Tra will carry the night.


Music pieces of depth and variety begin with the likes of JS Bach, Ravel, Chopin, Mendelssohn and carry on to the 20th century with Gershwin and Nicholai Kapustin.


“From Bach to Blues is a concept that we are very fond of because it will introduce a colourful programme ranging from Bach to Kapustin to the Vietnamese audience,” said pianist Bich Tra.


“The audience will experience music styles and ways of expression — from stylish Baroque dances, dreamy and expressive worlds of the Romantic era, to the sense of urgency in the modern vocabulary of living composers.”


The concert start at 8pm on Saturday at HCM City Conservatory of Music, 112 Nguyen Du Street, District 1.


The concert series lasts one week, during which musicians will offer classes at the conservatory to 22 young, talented musicians selected from auditions held around the country.


According to a representative of the concert’s board, the festival is structured after a music festival model popular in Western cultures in which performances are followed by extra curriculum activities. The model aims to expand young musicians’ experience and help them reposition their development.


A concert by the young musicians, From the Baroque to the Broadway, will then be held on August 8 at 7pm.


In addition to the concerts and chamber music course, the week programme also includes an array of master classes and workshops free-of-charge and open to the public at 5pm from August 2 to 6. Seminar topics include Useful Exercises for Musicians, Fascinating Rhythm and How to Practise Efficiently.


VNS




From Bach to the Blues, Chamber music festival back in HCMC

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Indian movie stars welcomed in HCM City


Actor Avinash Mukherjee and actress Smita Bansal – two main characters in the Indian television drama series ‘Balika Vadhu’ were warmly welcomed by hundreds of fans at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on July 28.


On July 29, the actor and actress will meet fans and the media and take part in a number of activities.


Balika Vadhu – Kachchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte (English: Child Bride – Strong Relationships of Tender Age) was an Indian television drama series that premiered on July 21, 2008 on Indian Colors TV.


The show is being shown on ‘Today TV’, attracting a large number of Vietnamese fans.
































Actress Smita Bansal, dressed in an Indian traditional costume was accompanied by her husband Ankush Madan Mohla.




VOV



Indian movie stars welcomed in HCM City

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Art & Entertainment News 29/7


Replica of war painting to be made with gems, coral








Replica of war painting to be made with gems, coral, Hanoi gears up for upcoming National Day, Activities to honour great tale of Kieu, poet Nguyen Du, Hue promotes relic complex preservation








The replica of a recently auctioned painting will soon be made with natural gems and corals, the Tri Viet (First News) Book Company said.


The painting depicts the brave fight between Vietnamese naval soldiers and Chinese navymen who invaded Viet Nam’s Gac Ma Island of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago in March 14, 1988.


“We are looking for artisans who can work on the new version of the painting,” Nguyen Van Phuoc, the director of the company, said.


Earlier this month, the oil painting — entitled Gac Ma – Vong Tron Bat Tu (Gac Ma – Immortal Circle) by artist Bui Le Trang — fetched VND1.28 billion (US$61,000) at an auction held to raise funds for the families of the 64 naval personnel killed by the Chinese invaders.


The oil painting (1.6m by 2.2m) depicts the bloody naval battle of 27 years ago, showing Vietnamese soldiers building and protecting the island, and the gun barrels of the Chinese invaders.


The replica will be gifted to a monument dedicated to the Gac Ma martyrs, built in Cam Ranh in the central province of Khanh Hoa.


On this occasion, the company will launch a book entitled Gac Ma – Vong Tron Bat Tu that has writings on the battle, with the introduction being written by noted historian Duong Trung Quoc and Major General Le Ma Luong.


Japan, Vietnam discuss solutions to preserve Hanoi’s Old Quarter


Vietnamese and Japanese architects have gathered in Hanoi to discuss solutions for the preservation and sustainable development of Hanoi’s Old Quarter till 2030, with a vision to 2050.


The event was part of an international cooperative programme between Vietnam and Japan through the “House Vision Vietnam-Japan 2015” project.


The programme aimed to assess factors related to housing space such as community, land, residents, and construction works in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and devise solutions to preserve its cultural heritage values.


During the discussion, Japanese architect Sadao Tsuchiya, head of the co-ordinating board of the project House Vision in Asia presented housing models which are suitable to Hanoi’s ancient streets and have been successfully applied in Tokyo.


The Japanese architect said the project trends towards building safe, healthy, people and environmently friendly, and multi-purpose houses.


He added that the project was very successful in Japan, a country which has limited housing space. It has also been developed in many nations in Asia like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.


Hanoi gears up for upcoming National Day


Hanoi has planned a host of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), with the highlight being a grand meeting and parade at Ba Dinh Square.


At a press conference in Hanoi on July 28, To Van Dong, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the city is working around the clock to prepare for the celebrations.


About 10,000 local people will march in the parade at Ba Dinh Square on September 2 morning, he said, adding that large screens will be installed at various locations in the city for the public to watch the live broadcast of the parade.


Concerts and sports activities will also be held at Ly Thai To Park, August Revolution Square and in front of My Dinh National Stadium to mark the day.


Other events include a workshop on Hanoi, its tradition and prospects for development, a knowledge contest on the August Revolution and National Day, an exhibition on war items at the ancient Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a bicycle race around Hoan Kiem Lake and free film screening for the public.


Fireworks will be set off at 21:00pm on September 2 at five spots around the city, including Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh National Stadium and West Lake, to celebrate the National Day.


Activities to honour great tale of Kieu, poet Nguyen Du


A number of activities and workshops will be held to honour the great poet Nguyen Du and his world-famous masterpiece ‘The Tale of Kieu’.


Next November, Nguyen Du will become the third person after Nguyen Trai (1980) and late President Ho Chi Minh (1990) to be venerated as an Outstanding Man of Culture by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).


On July 28, the Vietnam Kieu Study Association collaborated with the Vietnam National Library to organise a conference entitled “The Great Poet Nguyen Du and His Masterpiece ‘The Tale of Kieu’”.


This will be the third workshop on Nguyen Du and is one of the events to mark Nguyen Du’s 250th birthday anniversary.


About 30 reports revolving around Nguyen Du’s artistry and his masterpiece were presented at the conference.


There will be an international conference on Nguyen Du and his masterpiece later on held by the Academy of Social Science and a commemoration ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of the central province of Ha Tinh, Nguyen Du’s home province.


The Tale of Kieu, which has 3,254 verses, has become part of Vietnamese daily life and the names of many characters in the story have become household names.


The Tale of Kieu has been translated into some 20 different languages, including French, Chinese, English, Russian, Japanese, Korean and German.-


Hue promotes relic complex preservation


Comprehensive measures are being taken to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the natural and physical values of the Hue Relics Complex, a senior local official has said.


The efforts are part of activities under the management plan of the complex from 2015-2020 launched by the People’s Committee of the central province of Thue Thien-Hue at a ceremony on July 28.


The plan aims to prevent the toll of natural elements on the relic sites, thus protecting their outstanding global values in a systematic and long-term manner, said Vice Chairman of the Committee Nguyen Dung.


Under the plan, a legal framework will be built and analysis and evaluation of potential impact factors will be conducted to ensure effective management and protection of the Complex.


Programmes and projects will also be developed and implemented to realise the targets set forth in the period.


The Hue Relics Preservation Centre will continue working with relevant bodies and localities to protect and maintain the relic sites in terms of their tangible and intangible cultural values, the beauty of the landscapes, the environment and the livelihoods of local residents.


Currently, the centre is working with the Phu Vang and Phu Loc districts, among other wards and bodies, to relocate residents from relics sites and adjust the preservation coverage.


The application of geographic information systems (GIS) has also been fostered in managing the complex.-


VNS/SGT/ND



Art & Entertainment News 29/7

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Bald pictures lift up cancer patients


A collection of photos of the shaved heads of young volunteers has gone on show in HCM City to support breast-cancer patients.








Bald pictures lift up cancer patients 


Nguyen Thuy Tien(front) is accompanied by volunteers in a photo from a collection by theViet Nam Breast Cancer Network. — Photo Dinh Dzu 


The photos feature two cancer patients, Nguyen Thuy Tien, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, and 10 young volunteers.


Tien is manager and co-ordinator at the Viet Nam BreastCancer Network established by her late sister, Thuong Sobey – a breastcancer victim. She has kept her head shaved in memory since 2013.


Dung, 30, is a breast cancer patient in an advanced stage oftreatment. Tien and Dung are pictured with five men with shaved headsand other women with normal hair.


The men were willing to shave their heads wearing pink andwhite clothes, the colours use to promote the fight against breastcancer.


“I’m glad to know the photo project supports breast cancerpatients,” said Nguyen Huu Nhat Truong, one of five female volunteers.


Truong’s mother died of breast cancer two years ago.


While caring for his mother in hospital, Truong met many breast cancer patients.


“I think it is wonderful to raise the spirit of breast cancer patients and help them overcome the disease,” she said.


Another volunteer, Hong Quyen, is from the southernmost province of Ca Mau.


About 30 photos will be displayed at a photo exhibition inOctober as one of a series of events by Viet Nam Breast Cancer Network. 


VNS




Bald pictures lift up cancer patients

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Japan-Vietnam book fair to kick off in HCMC


A mini book fair with the participation of Japanese and Vietnamese bookpublishers is expected to be held in HCMC in October, according to therepresentative office in HCMC of the Vietnam Publishers Association.








Japan-Vietnam book fair to kick off in HCMC








Tuoi Tre newspaper reports that information from the office revealedthat 20 Japanese book publishers and nine Vietnamese publishing houseshave registered to join the event.


Le Hoang, vice chairman of the Vietnam Publishers Association and headof the HCMC representative office, said the mini book fair will focus onexchanges on copyright issues among participating publishers.


If the event is successful, the association will organize more such book fairs for book publishers from other countries.


Japanese publishers said they hope the fair will offer themopportunities to trade and exchange book copyrights with Vietnamesecounterparts.


The Vietnam Publishers Association also calls for Vietnameseparticipants to register the content and genres of books they want tobuy copyrights so that Japanese publishers can meet their demand.


To date, Vietnamese publishers have registered to buy copyrights ofvarious books from Japanese publishers including comic books and manga,books on education, culture, and books for children and parents.


SGT


Japan-Vietnam book fair to kick off in HCMC

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National Day celebrations for Hanoi


September 2 marks the 70th anniversary of National Independence Day.








National Day celebrations for Hanoi








A range of activities will be held in Hanoi to mark the 70th anniversary of National Independence Day (September 2), Mr. To Van Dong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told a press conference on July 28.       


A grand meeting and parade gathering about 10,000 local people will be held at Ba Dinh Square on the morning of September 2. About ten large screens will also be installed at various locations in the capital for the public to watch the live broadcast of the parade.


As the parade starts, the Ministry of Defense will fire a 21-gun salute from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel.


Fireworks will light up the sky at 9pm at five spots around the city, including Hoan Kiem Lake (Hoan Kiem district), Thong Nhat Park (Hai Ba Trung district), Van Quan Lake (Ha Dong district), My Dinh National Stadium (Nam Tu Liem district), and West Lake (Tay Ho district).


Various activities, including workshops, artistic performances, exhibitions, and contests will be held at different locations in the city, including the Hanoi Opera House, Ly Thai To statue, and around Hoan Kiem Lake and My Dinh National Stadium, among others.


VET



National Day celebrations for Hanoi

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Art & Entertainment News 30/7


Russian-German musician Zedd tours HCMC















Russian-German electronic music producer and DJ Zedd will visit HCM City on August 7, opening his True Colours Asia tour to promote their latest album True Colours released this May.


Zedd grew up and began his music career in Germany, primarily producing electro house music. He won a Grammy award for Best Dance Recording for the song Clarity released in 2012.


The concert will take place at Rach Chiec Golf Driving Range on Ha Noi Highway in District 2. Tickets priced at VND550,000-1.25million can be purchased at www.ticketbox.vn.


French comedy Playing Dead at L’Espace


L’Espace will screen the 2013 movie Je Fais le Mort (Playing Dead) directed by Jean-Paul Salome tomorrow at 8pm.


Featuring Francois Damiens, as a former movie celebrity, muddles the investigation of a small-town triple murder. Geraldine Nakache plays both prosecutor and prospective love interest.


The film delivers laughs and charms without going too far overboard, with much of its power riding on Damiens’ spot-on performance.


The movie will role in its original French language with Vietnamese subtitles. Tickets cost VND50,000, and VND40,000 for members of L’Espace and students. Tickets are available at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street.


Artists stage movement-based Hamlet


A wordless adaption of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet will be staged at The Vista Walk from July 30 to August 2.


The performance, as part of The Hamlet Project created by New York City-based artists to foster an environment of creative conversation between Vietnamese and American artists and citizens, will feature actors and dancers HCMC and NYC.


All profits of the production through ticket sales will go to charity activities in HCMC.


The show will begin on 7.30pm from July 30 – August 1 and on 5.30pm on August 2. The venue is at 628C Ha Noi Highway in District 2. Tickets are VND200,000. They are available at www.ticketbox.vn.


Queer Disco celebrates first birthday party


On Saturday, CAMA ATK will host The Queer Disco Love Boat, a party to celebrate the first anniversary since Queer Disco debuted in the capital.


The nautical-themed Queer Disco Love Boat encourages partygoers to dress up as sailors, captains, swimmers, pirates, mermaids and mermen…


Ha Noi Panic DJs will heat up the atmosphere with the best music from fem-pop, nu-wave, disco, 70s/80s, Beyonce, Madonna, Erasure and other best gay anthem hits.


The night will also feature a drag talent show.


The first 100 guests will be given birthday goodie bags. The free entry party will start from 8pm onwards. CAMA ATK is at 73 Mai Hac De Street.


Acoustic music show to rock Manzi


Manzi Art Space will present Those Were the Days – a series of acoustic music shows featuring the best traditional singers and musicians of Ha Noi.


Curated by composer Vu Nhat Tan and artist Dam Minh, the series will showcase Ha Noi’s culture, history and citizens.


Entrance is free of charge, however the charge for the first drink is VND200,000 – to support the artists and cover organisational costs.


The event kicks off at 8pm tomorrow at 14 Phan Huy Ich Street.


Contest asks for cultural photography


Davines Art Series No 4, the latest edition of Davines’s annual global competition, has been launched as a film production/photography contest, titled Treasure the Beauty.


The contest, co-organised by Davines Viet Nam and Dep magazine, will until September 30. It was created to showcase individual efforts or group projects that focus on preserving beauty through culture, the arts and society.


The judges and audience will vote on the submitted films and photographs to choose the winner, who will be crowned “The Beauty Conserver” and will represent Viet Nam in the World Wide Hair Tour 2016, the top hair show organised by Davines, which will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles in the United States.


Each registered work must be either a film or a set of photographs that tells a story of conserving beauty. The best works will be introduced at the Davines Art Series No 4 exhibition, scheduled to be held this October.


Prizes for the contest have a combined value of VND50 million (US$2,300). The judges’ panel includes artist Le Thiet Cuong, journalist Le Quoc Vinh and movie director Do Thanh Hai.


Nguyen Anh Tu, general manager of Davines Viet Nam, says the group’s mission is to emphasise the true value of community spirit and to preserve sustainable beauty.


“Our aim in organising the Davines Art Series No 4, I Treasure the Beauty contest, is to inspire moviemakers and photographers to seek out and honour those who conserve beauty in culture, the arts and society. Through this contest, we hope people will develop a better lifestyle, so that the world will become a better place,” he said.


Quang Binh cave festival opens with art performance


An art performance took place in central Quang Binh province in the evening of July 29 to launch the “ Quang Binh Spectacular Cave System Discovery Week”.


The show featured more than 20 music, dancing and singing performances which demonstrated the province’s cultural identities.


The provincial People’s Committee took this occasion to announce diverse activities such as the launch of new tourist destinations, promotions and tourist discounts and farm trips.


Within the framework of the festival, food and handicraft fairs will be held in Son Trach commune in Bo Trach district from July 15-19, and in Bao Ninh commune in Dong Hoi city.


On the sidelines of the show, the Vietnam Book of Records (Vietkings) awarded the title “The longest zip-line route in Vietnam” to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. O perational since September 2014, the 400-metre zip-line spans over the Chay River to the entrance of Toi Cave (Dark Cave).


Tran Tien Dung, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Binh People’s Committee, said the festival is an opportunity for tourists, locals and businesses to enjoy the imposing scenery of the park and get an insight in the province’s historical and cultural values.


Established in 2001, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is among the 238 most important ecological zones in the world. Covering 85,754 hectares, the park was recognised as a UNESCO geological and geomorphological World Natural Heritage Site in 2003.


With the length of 7.7 kilometres, it boasts a system of 300 different caves and grottos which date back some 400 million years. Particularly, Son Doong, which was first explored in 2009, is considered the largest natural cave in the world.


Recently, the New York Times named Quang Binh as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia and the world’s 52 top must-go sites for 2014.


VNS/VNA/SGT/ND



Art & Entertainment News 30/7

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Thanh Hoa to host ASEAN music festival


The 2015 ASEAN traditional music festival will take place in thenorth-central province of Thanh Hoa from August 1 to 6, according to theVietnam News Agency.








Thanh Hoa to host ASEAN music festival











The event is part of the 2015 Tourism Stimulus Program, which waskicked off in April in Thanh Hoa and is seen as the biggest travelpromotion program of the year to fuel domestic tourism growth, said PhamDinh Thang, Deputy Head of the Performing Arts Department under theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at a press conference held inHanoi last week.


So far, ten art troupes from ten ASEAN countries and a troupe from South Korea have registered to join the event, he said.


The folk music troupe of the Vietnam Theater of Music and Dance willrepresent Vietnam to join the festival with performances at the openingceremony on August 1.


Artists attending the festival will deliver art performances everynight to audiences at Lam Son Theatre free of charge. In addition, theywill also stage free music performances respectively at the stage on SamSon Beach every night from August 2 to 5.


The festival, which is also the first of its kind in Vietnam, isexpected to present a good opportunity for artists in the region toexchange experience and listen to the regional traditional music. Inaddition, it aims to boost solidarity among ASEAN countries towards theestablishment of the ASEAN Community at the end of this year.


SGT


Thanh Hoa to host ASEAN music festival

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Da Nang hosts EWEC Trade and Tourism Fair




The six-day event brought together 200 businesses from Viet Nam, South Africa, India, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea and China along with local and foreign trade promotion agencies.



According to Hua Tu Anh, Director of the city’s Trade Promotion Centre – the event organiser – the fair provides a good opportunity for enterprises in countries along the corridor to seek business partners and expand their markets.



Some 200 pavilions are displaying a variety of tourism products and services, trade and investment projects, consumer goods, electronics and information technology, food processing equipment, wooden products and interior decorations.



Conferences on trade and investment promotion and art performance programmes will be arranged in the framework of the event.



Initiated in 2006, the 1,450 km East-West Economic Corridor passes through four ASEAN nations – Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Viet Nam.





Da Nang hosts EWEC Trade and Tourism Fair

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Quang Binh cave festival opens with art performance




The show featured more than 20 music, dancing and singing performances which demonstrated the province’s cultural identities.




The provincial People’s Committee took this occasion to announce diverse activities such as the launch of new tourist destinations, promotions and tourist discounts and farm trips.




Within the framework of the festival, food and handicraft fairs will be held in Son Trach commune in Bo Trach district from July 15-19, and in Bao Ninh commune in Dong Hoi city.




On the sidelines of the show, the Viet Nam Book of Records (Vietkings) awarded the title “The longest zip-line route in Viet Nam” to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Operational since September 2014, the 400-metre zip-line spans over the Chay River to the entrance of Toi Cave (Dark Cave).




Tran Tien Dung, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Binh People’s Committee, said the festival is an opportunity for tourists, locals and businesses to enjoy the imposing scenery of the park and get an insight in the province’s historical and cultural values.




Established in 2001, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is among the 238 most important ecological zones in the world. Covering 85,754 hectares, the park was recognised as a UNESCO geological and geomorphological World Natural Heritage Site in 2003.




With the length of 7.7 kilometres, it boasts a system of 300 different caves and grottos which date back some 400 million years. Particularly, Son Doong, which was first explored in 2009, is considered the largest natural cave in the world.




Recently, the New York Times named Quang Binh as one of the most attractive destinations in Asia and the world’s 52 top must-go sites for 2014.




Quang Binh cave festival opens with art performance

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Bad weather hits tourist boats in Halong Bay



(source: Internet)


Hoang Ngoc Hung, chief representative of the Port Authority of Inland Waterway Area No. 1 in Halong, told the Daily that heavy rain was projected to pour in Halong Bay and that owners of tourist boats had been informed of weather conditions.



Nguyen Thi Minh Luong of the provincial Department of Information and Communications said heavy rain in the past days had inundated many streets in Quang Ninh Province and caused traffic jams. Many tourists had been stranded on islands like Co To and Quan Lan as of on July 27.



“The government of Quang Ninh Province has asked travel agencies and hotels on the islands hit by heavy rain to lower service charges and support clients to stay there while waiting for weather to improve,” Luong said.



At least 2,500 travelers had to take shelter on Co To Island as boats had been banned from leaving ports, said Vu Duc Loi, administrative manager of Co To District.



Loi said the figure was based on reports by lodging facilities while households providing homestay services and rooms for rent had not reported the numbers of their guests to the authorities.



Co To Island attracted 100,000 visitors in the first half of this year, equivalent to the number recorded in all of 2014. As usual, there are four daily tourist boat services and a number of chartered vessels transporting passengers to the island.



The committee for natural disaster control, search and rescue in Cam Pha City said torrential rain and floods killed a mother and two daughters in a family in Mong Duong Ward on Sunday night.



According to the national weather center, a tropical low in the north triggered torrential rain in Quang Ninh Province.



Rainfalls of 613 mm were recorded in Cua Ong, 391 mm in Mong Cai and 285 mm in Bai Chay, said Bui Duc Long of the center.



Notably, rainfalls in Cua Ong were much higher than the 570 mm that caused the most severe flooding in Hanoi in 2008.


Prolonged rain has inundated parts of Quang Ninh and many roads in the province’s Cam Pha City have submerged under one meter of water.




Bad weather hits tourist boats in Halong Bay

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Ha Noi to display fireworks on National Day



About 10,000 local people will march in the parade at Ba Dinh Square on September 2 morning, and many large screens will be installed at various locations in the city for the public to watch the live broadcast of the parade.


Concerts and sports activities will also be held at Ly Thai To Park, August Revolution Square and in front of My Dinh National Stadium to mark the day.


In addition, the city will also hold various significant activities including a workshop on Ha Noi, its tradition and prospects for development, a knowledge contest on the August Revolution and National Day, an exhibition on war items at the ancient Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a bicycle race around Hoan Kiem Lake and free film screenings for the public.


The capital Ha Noi will let off fireworks at 9pm on September 2. The fireworks display is planned about 30 venues across the city, including five high-range shows at Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, West Lake, Van Quan Lake and My Dinh National Stadium to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).




Ha Noi to display fireworks on National Day

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Zoning plan for Ban Gioc Waterfall tourist area proposed



The institute has put forth the zoning plan of Ban Gioc Waterfall tourist area in the northern mountainous province plus a detailed plan for the site’s central area.


As suggested by the institute, the tourist area would be developed into a major area for sightseeing tours, resorts, adventures, and recreational and cultural activities, among others.


The institute proposed developing two key sites, with the administration part on the west side and the central area on the east side. In particular, the former would have administrative, political and technical infrastructure facilities as well as works for tourism services.


Meanwhile, the central part of the tourist area would house tourism infrastructure and service facilities and the operation center for the entire area.


Ban Gioc Waterfall is an attractive tourist spot of Cao Bang Province. However, tourism services and infrastructure are still underdeveloped and the road leading to the waterfall is not in good condition. This is the reason why tourism potential of the area has not been fully tapped.


The institute proposed the zoning plan with an aim to help make the most of potential and advantages of the tourist area and boost tourism development.




Zoning plan for Ban Gioc Waterfall tourist area proposed

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Germer team hosts classical concert Sunday


Germer established by a group of the HCMC Conservatory of Music’sstudents will host its 10th concert entitled “Mot chang duong” (ajourney) at Thanh Nien Media at 345/134 Tran Hung Dao Street in HCMC’sDistrict 1 at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.








Germer team hosts classical concert Sunday


Poster of the concert “Mot chang duong” (a journey) by HCMC-based Germer team – PHOTO: FACEBOOK PAGE OF GERMER TEAM










The event will feature all the amateur and professional artist membersof Germer to contribute piano, violin, and vocal performances. Audienceshave a chance to enjoy some masterpieces of “Petite Suite ‘Prélude’” byDebussy, “Turkish March” and “Sehnsucht nach dem Fruhling” by Mozart,“Oblivion” by Piazzolla, “Galop-Marche” by Lavignac and “Vocalise” byRachmaninoff.


Tickets priced at VND60,000 per person are available at OtusConsulting, Level 5, PaxSky Building, 34A Pham Ngoc Thach Street inHCMC’s District 3. Spectators are advised to make online registrationsat http://bit.ly/1cbvNYy. For more information, call 0949 516 196 or0983  979 896.


Germer team established last September hosts regular non-profitconcerts with presentations, exchanges and meetings to provide musicknowledge for audiences and to bring classical music closer to thecommunity, especially youth.


SGT


Germer team hosts classical concert Sunday

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Jaspanan's JFE Steel to invest $220 mln in Vietnam steelworks


JFE Steel, Japan"s second-biggest steelmaker, said on Thursday it would invest 27 billion yen ($220 million) in a steelworks being built by Taiwan"s Formosa Plastics Group in Vietnam in a bid to expand its global network to drive growth.


The decision comes at a time when the steel industry globally is struggling with overcapacity and sluggish demand in China, the world"s top buyer.


"This investment is based on our mid- to long-term growth strategy," Shinichi Okada, executive vice-president of JFE Holdings Inc, JFE Steel"s parent, told a news conference on its earnings on Thursday.


"It is obvious that Japan"s local demand will be shrinking. Our long-term growth has to come from elsewhere in Asia," he said.


JFE plans to take a 5 percent stake in the plant"s operating company, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel (FHS), which is investing $10.5 billion in the first phase to build a hot rolling mill, blast furnaces and steelmaking facility in Vietnam"s central Ha Tinh Province.


The steelworks, with initial capacity of 7 million tonnes of crude steel a year, is set to begin operating this autumn.


JFE will provide technical support and sell some of the products made at the plant through its customers in Southeast Asia.


Formosa Plastics, Taiwan"s top plastics conglomerate, plans to invest further in the second phase to expand the plant"s capacity to 22.5 million tonnes a year, but JFE"s Okada said the Japanese company had not decided whether or not it will join the expansion phase.


Under JFE"s three-year business plan unveiled in April, it will spend 200 billion yen on overseas expansion to propel its growth and counter an expected fall in demand in Japan where the population is shrinking.


Last year, JFE – the world"s ninth-biggest steelmaker by output – scrapped a plan to build its own steelworks in Asia due to the global supply glut.


JFE reported that its recurring profit, which is pre-tax before one-off items, fell 17.3 percent in April-June from a year earlier due to lower steel output and slumping overseas markets.


For the year to March 2016, JFE cut its profit forecast by 13 percent to 200 billion yen, citing reduced output and appraisal losses on raw material stocks after a collapse in the price of iron ore.


JFE will cut its crude steel output by 4.8 percent in July-September from a year earlier to 7 million tonnes to slash inventory, Okada said. ($1 = 124.0400 yen)




Jaspanan"s JFE Steel to invest $220 mln in Vietnam steelworks

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Ho Chi Minh City welcomes British investment in infrastructure, finance


The Party leader of Ho Chi Minh City, Le Thanh Hai, has said the city welcomes British firms to invest in areas where both Vietnam and the UK have advantages, especially in infrastructure and finance.


Secretary of the Party Committee Hai made the statement when he and Chairman of the People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan talked with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who visited the city on Thursday.


PM Cameron arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.


Party Secretary Hai said the city wants to join the UK in efforts to expand cooperation between the two countries in all fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, training, and people’s exchanges.


He also thanked the UK for its assistance to the city in recent times and wished that the kingdom will continue to help Vietnam in developing the public-private partnership model.


The secretary expressed his hope that PM Cameroon will encourage British businesses to invest in fields where both countries have advantages, particularly in finance and infrastructure projects.


The British premier expressed his deep impression with the great socio-economic achievements gained by Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.


He also highly appreciated the southern economic hub’s efforts in boosting economic reform and creating favorable business environments for both domestic and foreign businesses.


The UK is willing to share with Vietnam experience in infrastructural development, finance, urban planning, education, training, and the public-private partnership model, PM Cameron said.


As part of his visit to the city, the British premier attended the Vietnam-UK business forum and met with Vietnamese and British investors at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.


The guest also met with representatives of a number of major Vietnamese companies and discussed opportunities for foreign investors in the UK and support for them by the British Trade and Investment Department.


During his stay in Hanoi on Thursday, the UK leader held talks with PM Dung and met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Truong Tan Sang.


During their discussions, the two premiers affirmed that economic cooperation continues to be a priority in bilateral relations between the two countries.


They highly valued progress in negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union, saying that trade and investment partnerships between Vietnam and the UK will be further expanded once the pact is signed.


The two prime ministers also witnessed the signing of many cooperation agreements, including a £340 million ($530.4 million) deal between Rolls-Royce and Vietnam Airlines Corporation.


The two sides also issued a joint statement in which both prime ministers welcomed the investment of £100 million ($156 million) by Prudential Vietnam in the Ministry of Finance’s first issue of 20-year government bonds.


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Ho Chi Minh City welcomes British investment in infrastructure, finance

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Ethnic Thai town of Mu Cang Chai highly popular for home-stay visits






Solid beauty: A two-storey house available to home-stay service in Mu Cang Chai. — Photos dulichmucangchai.com.vn

by Kieu Van


Tourists always choose Mu Cang Chai Township in the northern mountainous area of Viet Nam as a destination for home-stays.


Returning to Ha Noi last week from a three-day trip to Mu Cang Chai Township, Tran Chu Giang, a professional phuot (back-pack traveller on a motorcycle) said his six-member group had been touring the mountain sides and they were excited by the experiences of staying two days with people from the ethnic minorities.


Agreeing with Giang, I remembered our group trip a month ago. Five adults and two children reached the beautiful township in the evening. We were amazed to see terraced rice fields on the route as we prepared to go mountaineering through the beautiful township.


Terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai have been ranked as national relics by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2007.


We rented a pine timber stilt house in a Thai village, 1km from Mu Cang Chai Township. The clean two-storeyed house was built for home-stay tourism, so it was very comfortable. We stayed overnight on the second-floor which had bedrooms measuring 1.5mx1.5m and a living room equipped with a TV, a tea table, and two rest-rooms.


At present, the Thai village has five families who are in the business of home-stay services. Located at the centre of a peaceful valley surrounded by a pine tree forest and terraced rice fields, it is home to the Thai ethnic minority people who have a long-standing and diversified traditional culture.


Po Mu timber stilt houses in Thai villages are usually two-storeyed with a balcony.


The first floor is used for dining. We had dinner together and ate baked pondfish, baked leaf-wrapped pork, bamboo shoots, freshwater crab soup and salted eggplant.





Cozy: A comfortable room for phuot travellers in a Thai Village.

Visitors preferred baked fresh sea-food for their meal, Xanh said, and added that guests praised his wife’s cooking.


Gastronomy in north-west Viet Nam in general, and Mu Cang Chai township in particular, is famous for the steamed glutinous rice (terraced field-farming rice), village-breed black chicken (a chicken weighs 0.7kg), and the village-breed pig.


Travellers to Mu Cang Chai Township should eat Tu Le steamed glutinous rice (Tu Le is a town and a beautiful stop for photographers on their Ha Noi-Mu Cang Chai route).


Our host at the stilt house where our group stayed for one night was Xanh, the slender middle-aged Mong man, deputy chairman of Mu Cang Chai Township People’s Committee.


The stilt house is located at the head of the village and was built in 2009, Xanh said, and added that the family decided to go into the business of home-stay tourism.


The hospitable host invited us for some bottles of cider and we had a heart-to-heart talk. The life of the ethnic minorities in Mu Cang Chai has improved with asphalt roads, and double-storeyed houses equipped with comfortable household facilities. Xanh has bought an Innova car to make travel easier for his family of six adults and three children.


We went around the village, and met people from the ethnic minorities we were very interested in, especially a middle-aged woman who was fluent in the popular Kinh language who invited us to see her house.


Two visiting children, aged 7 and 10, said they had a nice experience sleeping in a timber house, wading across a stream, picking up forest flowers and playing with the ethnic minority children.





Real Thai food: Travellers enjoy dinner with a home owner.

“My children were very excited,” their mother said.


“They exclaimed excitedly when they saw the sunset behind the mountain. They learnt so much about real life in the countryside,” she said.


Traditional cultural performances had not been organised regularly in the village, due to the lack of funds and organisers, Xanh said. Performances are primarily held during a festival or a traditional holiday.


In the near future, the Mu Cang Chai Township People’s Committee plans to organise a cultural performance during the weekend to attract visitors.


Xanh said the district was implementing a project to train the local ethnic minorities in the village on professional tourism that includes behaviour, gastronomy, and interacting with visitors.


Travellers flock to the beautiful township during the two main seasons, in May, and between late September and early October.


During each period, the township looks especially beautiful. In May, water from the falls and the mountaintop pours into the terraced rice fields and helps the people prepare for a new crop.


However, young people, among whom amateurs and professional photographers, prefer to reach the township between late September and early October. During the ripened rice harvest the terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai resemble a yellow carpet in a water-colour painting.


Back in Ha Noi, every member of our travelling group gifted a bottle of the forest bee’s honey to friends and family.


Tips for tourists


The price for a set meal for four people: VND150,000 per head.


For overnight stay: VND100,000 per head; Breakfast VND50,000 per head. However, for a group of 10 persons or more, there will be a discount of VND130,000 per head for a meal.


Ethnic minorities in Yen Bai farm in terraced fields on the mountainsides. When spring arrives, rainwater and water pour into the terraced fields. People call this period the watering season.


Mu Cang Chai District is located in the west of Yen Bai Province, 180km from Yen Bai City. From Yen Bai City, travellers can reach the district by bus or motorcycle.


A bus plies on the Ha Noi-Mu Cang Chai route from the My Dinh and Giap Bat bus stations. It departs at 7.30pm and arrives at 3am. The one-way fare is VND250,000. The bus for Ha Noi-Lao Cai stops at Mu Cang Chai Township. Motorcycles are available for rent at hotels or guest houses. — VNS






Ethnic Thai town of Mu Cang Chai highly popular for home-stay visits

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Mui Ne among world's top sand-boarding destinations



MUI NE (VNS) — Mui Ne in the southern province of Binh Thuan ranks second among the world’s best sand-boarding destinations, according to infotainment blog wonderslist.com, which has listed the “World’s 10 Best Sand-boarding Destinations”.


“This recreational activity thrives mostly in the desert and coastal areas where there is an abundance of sand dunes,” it says helpfully.


“This place is much less popular for this sport compared to counterparts elsewhere.”


Only Duna Grande in Ica of Peru is ahead of Mui Ne, which is followed by Tattori in Japan, Lucky Bay in Australia, Cerro Negro active volcano in Nicaragua, The Valle de la Muerte in Chile, the desert in Dubai, Sossusvlei in Namibia, Sandmaster Park in the US, and Hirschau in Germany. — VNS






Mui Ne among world"s top sand-boarding destinations

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King Khai Dinh's consort's house opened for tourism



HUE (VNS) — The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has opened the house at 145 Phan Dinh Phung Street, King Khai Dinh’s consort’s, to tourists.


Queen Mother Doan Huy stayed there after the Ngo Dinh Diem Government seized An Dinh Palace in 1955.


The first and second floors display photos and documents about the king, the queen mother, and the families of King Bao Dai and Ton Nhan Phu. — VNS






King Khai Dinh"s consort"s house opened for tourism

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Rock climbing contest to be held in Phong Nha-Ke Bang



QUANG BINH (VNS) — Viet Nam’s first top-rope climbing competition will be organised in the world heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province from August 5 to 20 as part of the Cave Festival.


The Phong Nha-Ke Bang Tourism Centre has built a 30 metre, partially-artificial cliff at the gate of Hang Toi (Dark Cave), the highest of its kind in the country.


The route will later be used as an adventure entertainment option for tourists.


Hang Toi is a part of tours of the national park, offering visitors such attractions as zip-lining and cave mud-bathing. — VNS






Rock climbing contest to be held in Phong Nha-Ke Bang

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Can Tho among world's 10 most beautiful canal cities



CAN THO (VNS) — Can Tho has been ranked the 10th most beautiful canal city in the world in a list drawn up by the Mysterious World website.


“Waterways have played a crucial role in transportation throughout the history,” the site says.


“Until today cities like Venice, Birmingham and Giethoorn are globally known for their stunning canal system.


“The large Vietnamese city of Can Tho is located in the Mekong Delta in the centre of a network of canals and rivers. The city’s total waterway length is 1,157km. The Hau River, the biggest branch of the Mekong River, runs along the north of the city.”


It also mentions floating markets, the main attraction of the city.


“Touring floating markets is the best way to know about local goods and the cultural aspects of the city.”


Venice in Italy tops the list followed by Birmingham in England, Giethoorn in the Netherlands, Suzhou in China, Alleppey in India, Stockholm in Sweden, Bruges in Belgium, Bangkok in Thailand, and Cape Coral in the US. — VNS






Can Tho among world"s 10 most beautiful canal cities

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Thứ Năm, 30 tháng 7, 2015

The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites






The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites


Kon Tum is a majestic basalt soil plateau, with many beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural background of ethnic groups. The Po Ko River is an interesting address on the itinerary.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The border landmark of the three Indochina countries – Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia – is built on a mountain of 1,086 meters above sea level.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The Kon Klor communal house is the largest in Kon Tum. It is the place for community activities, and a symbol of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


Kon Tum Museum helps visitors understand the culture of the Central Highlands.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The Archdiocese of Kon Tum.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The Kon Tum Wood Church, a work which represents the harmony between Western and traditional indigenous architecture.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


Unspoiled natural scenery at the resort of Mang Den.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


The local people are very friendly.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


Visitors can take flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang to the Pleiku Airport, then take the bus for more than 40 km to Kontum.


 If you want to stay overnight in Kon Tum, you should book rooms in advance, at a price from VND150,000. Most of the tourist sites here are open for free.


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites 


You should try local specialities like com lam (rice), grilled meat, stream fish, and wild vegetables.


Photo: Hachi8/VNE

Nguồn: english.vietnamnet.vn


The beauty of Kon Tum via famous sites

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Hanoi: 17,000 people have 30m2 of playgrounds














Hà Nội: 17.000 dân, 30 m2 sân chơi (!)

In old dormitories such as Kim Lien, Giang Vo or Dinh Cong, there are many playgrounds for kids but they are used for other purposes of adults.








Các quán bia này đón khách rồi sắp xếp các bàn nhậu ngay trên sân chơi dành cho trẻ em của khu nhà.

This is the playground of a dormitory in Dinh Cong – Hoang Mai urban area at 5pm, which is used by bia hoi (draught beer) shops.








Những đứa trẻ chơi đùa bên cạnh những bàn nhậu ồn ào.

Children play besides the noisy beer shops.








Những đứa trẻ chơi đùa bên cạnh những bàn nhậu ồn ào.

A playground at Kim Lien departments, Dong Da District.








Khu sân chơi này bị bao vây bởi khá nhiều hàng quán.

This playground is surrounded by many restaurants.








Khu sân chơi này bị bao vây bởi khá nhiều hàng quán.

Do children dare play here?








Sân chơi giữa khu nhà C5 và C6 tập thể Kim Liên.

Another playground in the old Kim Lien dormitories.








Sân chơi giữa khu nhà C5 và C6 tập thể Kim Liên.

The unused slide at a playground of the old dormitories of Giang Vo.








Trong không gian thế này thì trẻ có muốn chơi cũng khó.

In this space, it is difficult for the children to play.








Trong không gian thế này thì trẻ có muốn chơi cũng khó.






Trong không gian thế này thì trẻ có muốn chơi cũng khó.

A children’s playground at the Kim Lien dormitories, which has become a rubbish gathering site.








Trong không gian thế này thì trẻ có muốn chơi cũng khó.






Trẻ em chơi đùa tại sân chơi của khu nhà B20 tập thể Kim Liên.






Một khu vui chơi dành cho trẻ em tại dãy nhà H1 ngõ Văn Chương quận Đống Đa trở thành bãi gửi xe.

A playground for children in a dormitory in Van Chuong alley, Dong Da district, which has become a parking lot.








Các điểm vui chơi của dãy nhà H1 ngõ Văn Chương thường bị chiếm dụng làm nơi gửi xe và bán quán.


Photo: Dan Tri

Nguồn: english.vietnamnet.vn


Hanoi: 17,000 people have 30m2 of playgrounds

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