Green trees neglected in Ho Chi Minh CityWhile some of the city’s trees have become common dumping grounds for local garbage, others are suffocating from cement poured over their roots.According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters, trees along D2 Street in Binh Thanh District have had their roots buried under a layer of cement, making it difficult for the plants to be taken care of or watered.“They are still growing just fine. I protect these trees from being chopped down,” a resident explained.Several trees on the promenades of Hoa Hao Streets in District 11 have also been subjected to such neglectful treatment.“The concrete surrounding their roots has been damaged, causing soil to be washed into our houses,” a local said.“Since authorities have been unable to deal with the problem, we decided to fix it ourselves,” he continued.Meanwhile, green trees on a section of Dien Bien Phu Street in Binh Thanh District have become … [Read more...] about Social News
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Social News 10/2
Hoi An authorities seek solution to noisy bars, dinersAuthorities in Hoi An, an iconic tourist town in central Vietnam, are seeking solutions for dealing with loud music from local bars in an effort to restore a peaceful atmosphere to the vintage destination.Located in the namesake city in Quang Nam Province, Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and has long been famous for its tranquility and unique charm.Recent complaints by tourists, however, have local authorities worry that the destination may lose its tranquil charm due to loud music from local bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.The Hoi An People’s Committee announced on February 7 that it will invite local bar and hotel owners to reach a common ground on ensuring that business operations at certain venues do not compromise the interests of local residents and visitors.The meeting will be chaired by Nguyen Van Son, vice-chairman of the city’s administration and the man … [Read more...] about Social News 10/2
Tears of American former POW as he returns to Hoa Lo prison Most Recent News
NDO – Although he has returned to Vietnam many times, when he put his step back into Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, the American anti-war prisoner sergeant Robert P. Chenoweth can’t hold back his feeling. He had to stop at times to hold back his tears while addressing the opening ceremony of the ‘Finding Memories’ exhibition, which was held in late November in Hanoi. The four-month exhibition is hosted by Hoa Lo Prison Management Board to celebrate 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s Epic Dien Bien Phu in the Air (December 1972-2017). Army non-commissioned officer Robert P. Chenoweth joined the Vietnam war in January 1967. His aircraft was shot down in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri in February 1968. He was then arrested and detained in Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi, which was known to its American inmates as “the Hanoi Hilton” at that time. During his time of imprisonment, Robert gradually got to know more about the war that he was participating … [Read more...] about Tears of American former POW as he returns to Hoa Lo prison Most Recent News
Social News 23/12
Vietnam’s air force marks US Christmas bombing of HanoiThe air force of Vietnam held a ceremony on December 21 to mark the 45th anniversary of the victory over the US Christmas bombing of Hanoi in 1972, known in Vietnamese as the Dien Bien Phu Victory in the air.The function is attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai.In a celebratory speech, Lt General Le Huy Vinh, commander of the air force, recalled the force’s resounding triumphs during the war against the US, notably the victory against US Operation Linebacker II in December of 1972.During the 12-day operation, Vietnamese soldiers and people fought heroically and shot down 34 B-52 aircraft and other strategic bombers, forcing the US to return to the negotiation table and sign the Paris agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.The victory provided a significant momentum for Vietnam to step up its … [Read more...] about Social News 23/12
The three friends’ story Most Recent News
“I have one foot in the grave!” Toan moaned. “We’re so old now, we haven’t got long left” he burst out laughing coldly. “Well, still see Hien, don’t you? In my heart of hearts I still have a deep hatred for him.” “Shut up!” shouted Nhien, his ex-sweetheart. “Nonsense! How can you say that? You’re obsessed with death, aren’t you?” she asked him furiously before hanging up the call abruptly. Toan’s incoherent and bitter rantings at a late hour made her quite uneasy and exhausted. Come what may, he was one of her close classmates and, furthermore, her first lover. A few years before, he and his wife had divorced, leaving him to bring up their son. Unfortunately, the boy died of a drug overdose in prison while still a teenager. Despite all these hardships, she hadn’t realised how desperate his situation had become. Soon after, Toan died in deep distress. At the news of his death, she … [Read more...] about The three friends’ story Most Recent News
Reading is good for the soul, but it takes time to find out
Last week, Viet Nam News invited its readers to share their reading habits in the light of the proliferation of other media. Here are some of the comments we have received. Jeffry M. Tupas, reporter at the Philippines Daily Inquirer, Davao City I love reading a lot, even in the toilet. Everything from old magazines to fiction novels appeals to me. We have many book sales here, if you are lucky you can get one for as low as 45 pesos or about a dollar. Untouched, pristine books are usually priced between 300 to 700 pesos ($7-16). What is interesting here is that there are no foreign books translated into Filipino. If you buy a foreign author, you get it in English, which explains why our English is so good. I agree that the internet has revolutionised the way we live and entertain, but it has by no means managed to completely kill off print media which still receives a lot of support. People don't always have the patience to read electronic copies and would still … [Read more...] about Reading is good for the soul, but it takes time to find out
More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months Most Recent News
NDO – As many as 96,478 foreigners requested and received e-visas in the past nine months (since February 1), including 93,266 that accessed the application system by themselves and 3,212 that completed the procedures through domestic agencies and organisations. The information was released at a press conference held by the Immigration Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, in Hanoi, on December 12, to evaluate the results of a nine-month trial period of granting e-visas for foreigners, as well as to announce that more countries have been added to the e-visa programme. According to Major General Le Xuan Vien, Director of the Immigration Department, over the past nine months, the programme of granting e-visas for foreigners has been appreciated by both domestic and international travellers, as well as attracting the interest of citizens from the US and Europe. He also noted that the issuance of e-visas has attracted a larger number of foreigners to visit Vietnam, to … [Read more...] about More than 96,000 foreigners granted e-visa in past nine months Most Recent News
Saigon through the lens of two of its expat wanderers Info Alert Alert Chia sẻ bài viết qua e-mail
It’s well known in the expat community of Saigon that there are several members who have a passion for wandering around and taking pictures of things they love about the city.Philip Genochio from the UK and Swede Tanya Olander are two of them. ‘Authentic, real Saigon’On a late July afternoon Philip Genochio sat down with a café sữa đá (Saigon’s iconic iced coffee with milk) at a small cafe in a tiny alley in Saigon, the former name of Ho Chi Minh City.The Londoner excitedly shared with Tuoi Tre News his passion for discovering and capturing images that reflect the “real and authentic Saigon”, the one that Westerners are so fascinated about.“To most Westerners, it's very different from what we’re used to. The variety of life in Saigon doesn't exist in the West as we don't live our lives so openly on the street,” he began of his first impressions of the city.Moving to Saigon in 2011 to be an English teacher, over … [Read more...] about Saigon through the lens of two of its expat wanderers Info Alert Alert Chia sẻ bài viết qua e-mail
Poet Mai Van Phan: Vietnamese artists can also create permanent art trends Most Recent News
NDO – Poet Mai Van Phan is the author of 13 volumes of poetry, many of which were translated into foreign languages. He became the second Vietnamese poet honoured with Cikada Prize - a prestigious award for outstanding poets, focusing on East Asian region. He granted an interview to Nhan Dan Online in relation to the integration of Vietnamese poets on the international arena. Q: You were the second poet in Vietnam, after Y Nhi, to win the Cikada award for Southeast Asian poets launched by Swedish poet Harry Matinson (1914-1978). The award showed that Vietnamese poetry has a common voice with other countries in the world. What do you think about this? A: Vietnamese literature, particularly poetry, is sharply divided, showing that it has become more diversified, liberal, democratic and creative. Notably, since 1986, a new trend of renewed Vietnamese poetry has been formed and developed, keeping pace with poetry in the region and the world. In my opinion, in order to promote … [Read more...] about Poet Mai Van Phan: Vietnamese artists can also create permanent art trends Most Recent News
Vietnam province’s leader handpicked son for top post. Now both face the music
A senior official who became the youngest provincial department head in Vietnam at the time of his promotion is all but poised to lose his position following a ruling by the Communist Party’s top watchdog that dismissed his appointment as “wrongful” and held his father, who then was the province’s top leader, accountable for nepotism. The Central Inspection Committee said in a statement on Saturday that Le Phuoc Hoai Bao, the director of Quang Nam’s Department of Planning and Investment, was “dishonest” in his profile and application form when he was nominated for a slot at the Communist Party unit of the central province in 2015. The committee did not elaborate on his dishonesty. It also concluded that Bao had violated the Party’s discipline principles, among other things. The committee held Quang Nam's provincial administration responsible for a host of wrongdoings in appointing local officials and pointed the finger at Bao’s … [Read more...] about Vietnam province’s leader handpicked son for top post. Now both face the music