Poetry Day attracts a lot of visitors - Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A string of new activities are expected to take place within the framework of the 16th Vietnam Poetry Day, scheduled to start on February 27 (the 12th of the first lunar month), in the hope of attracting more audiences. In the previous years, the even kicked off in the 15th day of the first lunar month and art performances honouring Vietnam’s poetry organised on the previous night. However, this year’s event, themed “Literature accompanying the nation”, will take place over four days, from February 27 to March 2. Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association Nguyen Tri Huan said the association issued 1,500 more invitations to members of poetry clubs compared to previous years to increase the presence of audience at the event. Four members from Japan’s poets association have been invited to exchange with Vietnamese poetry lovers on the occasion. A … [Read more...] about Vietnam Poetry Day experiments with new activities to attract audiences
Green day day holiday
Hanoi: 16th Vietnam Poetry Day opens
The 16th Vietnam Poetry Day officially opens at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 2. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 16th Vietnam Poetry Day officially opened at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi on March 2. Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association Huu Thinh said this year’s poetry day coincides with the 70th anniversary of the birth of famous poem “Nguyen Tieu” (the 15th day of the first lunar month) written by late President Ho Chi Minh. The organising board of the event is working to turn the Poetry Day into a festival for literature in general, he said. Since its debut on Nguyen Tieu (the 15th day of the first lunar month) in 2003, the Vietnam Poetry Day, the biggest poetry festival in the country, has become a national tradition, often taking place in the spring. Starting out as an initiative of the Vietnam Writers' Association, the Poetry Day has been organised in many provinces and … [Read more...] about Hanoi: 16th Vietnam Poetry Day opens
Night and day, this market has been running non-stop for half a century
Vo Thanh Trang Market on Truong Chinh Street to the northeast of Ho Chi Minh City is open day and night, which is unusual compared to other traditional markets in the city. Goods are delivered early in the morning, and peak hours are 3-4 a.m. Buyers can find a variety of products including fruit, meat, fish and processed food. The market covers 2,000 square meters, and expands out into smaller “satellite markets” down the surrounding alleyways. Vo Thanh Trang was the name given to the market in 1978, but local people are more familiar with the old name, Ba Queo. The name Ba Queo (Debilitated Lady) is thought to have originally come from a widow who had a debilitated hand (“queo” means “disabled” or ”debilitated” in Vietnamese). The childless widow worked in the market for years, hence the name given to distinguish it from other markets. There is also a story which suggests that the market … [Read more...] about Night and day, this market has been running non-stop for half a century
Various activities in response to World No Tobacco Day
Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Ngo Quy Chau, Deputy-Director and a doctor of the Hospital, said that smoking is the leading factor causing cardiovascular and cardiac diseases in Vietnam and around the world. Smoking just one cigarette a day increases the risks of heart disease by 50 percent and increases the risk of stroke by 25 percent in comparison with non-smokers. Thus, the benefits of smoking cessation will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and subsequent deaths by these diseases. Prof. Ngo Quy Chau speaking at the workshop * Responding to the “World No Tobacco Day” and the “National No Tobacco Week,” youths from the Engineer Officers School - Ngo Quyen University held various practical activities, such as strictly abiding by the regulation of "No smoking in the barracks," promoting information dissemination on preventing the toxic effects of tobacco and organizing activities and emulation movements so that each individual can … [Read more...] about Various activities in response to World No Tobacco Day
Many poets but few good poems: critics
Teenagers release balloons printed with poems at last year’s Vietnamese Poetry Day at the Literature Temple in Hanoi (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Many critics and poets attending a workshop on contemporary poetry in Hanoi on February 27 agreed: the country is home to many poets, but few good poems. “Never before there have been so many poets and poetry fans,” said poet Vu Quan Phuong. There are dozens of thousands of poetry writers throughout the country. “There are about four thousand poetry collections published each year,” he said. “Poetry has become an elegant spiritual creative endeavour, which should be respected and encouraged. Composing poems has become a passion of the whole community, but few poetry reciting galas have been organised.” Big-name publishers are no longer interested in printing poetry collections. That’s why poets themselves pay their own money to publish their work and struggle to sell their books. Poet … [Read more...] about Many poets but few good poems: critics