The tale of new buildings, old buildings, and heritage buildings is a never-ending story. A heritage building is not just an old building built long ago. There are structures that have been standing for 100 or even 200 years but still can't be called heritage buildings. This is the same for people. There are people who grow "smaller" with age, who can't be considered wise despite their gray hair. There are also young, wise people and those who do become more respectable and better role models as they age. Buildings are like people: their values must be determined by both their self-worth and their relationship and effect on the living environment, urban or rural. The preservation of heritage buildings must be seen as an "investment" and not an "expense." I have worked for long in Vietnam, but have participated in many projects to renovate or reorient small cities and towns overseas. For some projects, I was the lead researcher (such as one for the city of Kriens in Switzerland); … [Read more...] about Heritage equivalence: A cattle barn and a theater
Barnes and noble order
Vietnam News Agency receives Lao noble orders
VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi holds talk with KPL General Director Sounthone Khanthavong. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held a grand ceremony at its headquarters in Hanoi on January 15 to receive noble orders granted by the State of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara presented second-class Isala (Freedom) Orders to the VNA and VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi. Meanwhile, third-class Labour Orders were bestowed on several VNA collectives, namely the Editorial Secretariat and External Relations Department, the Domestic News Department, the News for Foreign Service Department, the Press Photography Department, the Vietnam Pictorial, the VNA Technical Centre, and the VNA bureau in Laos. Speaking at the event, VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi affirmed that this is recognition from the Lao Party and State for the effective cooperation and support between the VNA and … [Read more...] about Vietnam News Agency receives Lao noble orders
Female Vietnamese academician receives Japan’s noble order
Academician Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan (L) receives Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun from Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Academician Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, Chairwoman and CEO of the Advanced International Joint Stock Company (AIC), has been conferred Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for her important contributions to the development of Japan. At a recent award ceremony in Hanoi, Iijima Isao, Special Advisor to the Japanese Cabinet, said the 49-year-old academician is the youngest awarded with the order since 1875. As Chairwoman and CEO of the AIC, Nhan has supported the Japanese eloquence contest over the past 16 years, creating opportunities for 700 Vietnamese students to visit Japan. Her company has hosted cherry blossom festivals in many cities and provinces across Vietnam, thus boosting Vietnamese people’s understanding about Japan and their sentiments towards the nation, as well as Japanese investment in … [Read more...] about Female Vietnamese academician receives Japan’s noble order
Son La province, leaders receive noble orders, medals from Laos
At the ceremony (Source: nhandan.com.vn) Son La (VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Son La held a ceremony in Son La city on November 22 to receive noble orders and medals conferred by Laos. At the ceremony, empowered by the Lao President and Prime Minister, Phethavone Philavan, member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Governor of Luang Namtha province, presented a Development Medal to Son La province and a Friendship Order to the province’s Police Department. On behalf of the Lao President, Vansay Phengsumma, member of the LPRP Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Governor of Houaphan province, handed over a second-class Freedom Order to Secretary of the Son La Party Committee Hoang Van Chat; as well as third-class Freedom Orders to Deputy Secretaries of the Son La Party Committee Nguyen Dac Quynh and Nguyen Huu Dong, and Deputy Secretary of the Son La Party … [Read more...] about Son La province, leaders receive noble orders, medals from Laos
Dong Nai’s individuals and collectives receive Lao noble orders
Mr. Bounthong Divixay presents Labour Orders to collectives. (Photo: baotintuc.vn)Accordingly, the second-class Freedom Orders were presented to Nguyen Phu Cuong, 12th PCC member, Secretary of the Dong Nai provincial Party Committee; and Dinh Quoc Thai, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. Meanwhile, the third-class Freedom Order was presented to Tran Van Vinh, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; and the first-class Labour Medal to 3 collectives, including the Offices of the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee, and the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs; and the Friendship Orders were also awarded to 5 collectives and 4 individuals. Additionally, 28 individuals who are doctors, nurses and medical staff, received certificates of merit from Champasak provincial Party Committee Secretary and Chief. Addressing the awarding ceremony, Mr. BounThong Divixay said that these are noble presents from the Lao State for collectives … [Read more...] about Dong Nai’s individuals and collectives receive Lao noble orders
Vietnamese and US author co-operate on Agent Orange book
Viet Nam News ĐÀ NẴNG — Authors Lê Kế Sơn and Charles Bailey have introduced the book From Enemies to Partners: Việt Nam, the US and Agent Orange to Vietnamese readers after three years of work. The 258-page book, which was released in English by the publisher G. Anton in the US in early 2018, and in Vietnamese by the Thế Giới Publishing house in Việt Nam in August, is the result of endless efforts by the two authors in seeking documents and interviewing AO victims, officials, veterans and local people in Việt Nam and the US. “It’s been long and hard working days for two of us. We just try to tell the story of dioxin and AO victims as well as the disastrous consequences of the toxic chemical,” Sơn said as he introduced the book in Đà Nẵng early October. “Đà Nẵng was not a major site for the dioxin-spraying campaign during the American war in Việt … [Read more...] about Vietnamese and US author co-operate on Agent Orange book
Vietnamese military officers and units receive Lao noble orders
At the event, the Lao side honored 22 Vietnamese officers and 69 units, who significantly contributed to reinforcing and strengthening the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the two peoples and militaries. Senior Lieutenant General Chansamone Channhalat (first from left) presenting an order to the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Senior Lieutenant General Chansamone Channhalat, Lao Defense Minister, and his Vietnamese counterpart, General Ngo Xuan Lich co-chaired the event. The event also saw the attendance of senior officers of the Vietnam People’s Army and representatives of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam. Over the past years, the militaries of Vietnam and Laos have maintained close connection and supported each other in various fields. Notably, during the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, the two militaries collaborated in organizing practical activities in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese military officers and units receive Lao noble orders
Naval Fleet 129 receives noble order
Present at the ceremony were Admiral Nguyen Van Hien, former Deputy-Defense Minister; Secretary of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh; Rear Admiral Ngo Sy Quyet, Deputy-Commander of the Naval Service; and representatives of central and local authorities. Rear Admiral Ngo Sy Quyet (third from left) presenting the noble order to the unit's commanders The report delivered at the ceremony recalled that on May 27, 1978, the Ministry of National Defense released a decision on the establishment of Naval Fleet 129 under the Department of Economic Development of the Naval Service. Over the past four decades of construction and development, the unit’s troops and employees have always overcome hardships and promote creativeness to well fulfill all assigned missions, contributing to firmly protecting the national sovereignty over seas and islands. On the occasion, the fleet was honored with the first-class Fatherland Protection Order and the … [Read more...] about Naval Fleet 129 receives noble order
MR 2 receives Laos’ noble order
Over the past years, MR2 actively cooperated with relevant agencies at all levels to assist units and localities in Northern Laos in boosting their economic and socio-cultural development in close combination with defense-security enhancement. This has greatly contributed to the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, Militaries and peoples in general and among MR2 and units and localities in Northern Laos in particular. Phetthavone Philavanh pinning the Friendship Order on the MR2’s “Determined to Win” Flag At the ceremony, under the authorization of President of the LPDR, Phetthavone Philavanh, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Luang Namtha province, presented the Lao State’s noble order to the Vietnamese military unit. Addressing the event, Phetthavone Philavanh affirmed the special … [Read more...] about MR 2 receives Laos’ noble order
Vietnam Friendship Village honored with noble order
The ceremony saw the presence of Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duoc, President of VVA; and Ms. Rosemarie Hohn Mizo, Chairwoman of the International Committee on the Vietnam Friendship Village. At the ceremony The Vietnam Friendship Village, established on March 18, 1998, is considered a symbol of the international solidarity for peace, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese veterans and other friendship organizations from the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada. Up to now, the village has welcomed and taken care of 6,500 veterans and nearly 700 Agent Orange/dioxin child victims from various localities across the country. In her speech, Ms. Mizo thanked VVA and other Vietnamese relevant agencies in caring for the disadvantaged children, making contributions to healing the pain of the war in Vietnam. Meanwhile, General Duoc emphasized that overcoming the aftermath of Agent Orange/dioxin left behind from the war is a tough work, requiring a considerable … [Read more...] about Vietnam Friendship Village honored with noble order