So he can finally segue into the next life. The ceremony is one of Vietnam's most sacred death rituals, an ancient custom usually carried out before the Tet Lunar New Year, which falls in early February this year, as the final act in life's journey. Many Vietnamese, especially in the north, honor their dead with reburials - normally three years after their loved ones are first laid to rest. Modernity is chipping away at the tradition with cremations preferred as a more simple, clean and cheap passage into the afterlife. For Thang's relatives, however, meeting his wishes of a reburial three years after he died of cancer aged 59 was never in question. "Finally, he can rest in his nice new home. I feel so blessed and happy," said his wife Ha Thi Thua from his graveside at a cemetery on the outskirts of Hanoi. The hours-long ceremonies are not for the impatient - or faint of heart. Beginning in the evening, a shaman makes offerings to the spirit guardian and the deceased - in Thang's case, … [Read more...] about Goodbye, again: Vietnam’s reburials send souls on final journey
Journey through hallowed ground
The journey of Việt Nam’s smallest student
Improving: K’Rể has developed some skills after three years at Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School. VNS Photo Hà Nam Viet Nam News Feeling pity for ‘smallest boy in Việt Nam’ who used to live isolated from the outside world, Đặng Văn Cương – the principal of Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School in the central province of Quảng Ngãi – persuaded Đinh Văn K’Rể’s parents to let him attend his school. Over the past three years, he has been treating and teaching K’Rể like his own son. by Hà Nam It’s 6am. As usual, Đặng Văn Cương, the head tearcher of the Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School – a small school in remote Sơn Hà District in the central province of Quảng Ngãi – wakes up and begins his day. His first job of the day is not answering telephone calls or enjoying breakfast, but … [Read more...] about The journey of Việt Nam’s smallest student
The journey of Việt Nam’s mallest student
Improving: K’Rể has developed some skills after three years at Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School. VNS Photo Hà Nam Viet Nam News Feeling pity for ‘smallest boy in Việt Nam’ who used to live isolated from the outside world, Đặng Văn Cương – the principal of Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School in the central province of Quảng Ngãi – persuaded Đinh Văn K’Rể’s parents to let him attend his school. Over the past three years, he has been treating and teaching K’Rể like his own son. by Hà Nam It’s 6am. As usual, Đặng Văn Cương, the head tearcher of the Sơn Ba Primary Boarding School – a small school in remote Sơn Hà District in the central province of Quảng Ngãi – wakes up and begins his day. His first job of the day is not answering telephone calls or enjoying breakfast, but … [Read more...] about The journey of Việt Nam’s mallest student
History glitters through archaeological treasures
Long history: Many ceramic objects found at a shipwreck in Cù Lao Chàm sea territory proved the exchange between Vietnamese and foreign traders. VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng Viet Nam News by Đỗ Minh Glorious jade sceptres, precious terracotta mythical creatures and gigantic bronze drums are few among 300 artefacts being showcased in public for the first time. The exhibition, “Treasures of Vietnamese Archaeology”, which will remain open till the end of July at Hà Nội’s National Museum of History, displays these objects representing significant periods in national history. They are the result of many excavations by Vietnamese archaeologists and historians spanning more than 50 years. “The exhibition displays the most beautiful, precious, rare and intact artefacts selected from numerous objects excavated from archaeological sites,” Nguyễn Văn Đoàn, vice director of the museum, said. … [Read more...] about History glitters through archaeological treasures
Cafe culture, colour and caves: an Instagram journey through Vietnam
Good morning Vietnam: Few cities can match the charm of Hanoi, with its lakes, tree-lined streets, crumbling pagodas and French heritage buildings. And if the streets weren’t vibrant enough already, flower ladies add a colourful touch. Sweet street: Sample all the pho, bánh mì and spring rolls you want – but leave room for dessert. Chè is a sweet soup that comes in many forms but those with fresh fruit, coconut milk and yoghurt are the biggest crowd-pleasers. Paddy power: Ninh Binh, around a 90-minute drive south of Hanoi, offers a welcome respite from the clamorous city streets. Pictured are the Mua Caves, which offer views over the paddy fields below. It’s a steep 500-step climb, though. Hats off to Hoi An: The old centre of Hoi An is painted in golden hues, which makes this little town one of Vietnam’s prettiest. The tourist crowds here are no joke, so get up early if you want the streets to yourself. Cafe society: You’ll be … [Read more...] about Cafe culture, colour and caves: an Instagram journey through Vietnam
A journey through time: Old photos of Tet in Hanoi 90 years ago
Take a peek into the past to see how the cherished traditional Tet looked like. The Tet rush usually starts a month before the clock strikes Lunar New Year, with people busy shopping, preparing for the homecoming, cleaning and decorating houses, and cooking Tet specialties, and the celebration can last to another month after the official holiday. Yet many are arguing Tet is losing its magic amid the modern fast-paced life, and whether the country should abandon the long-standing festival and its accompanying “exhaustion”, joining the rest of the world to celebrate only the Gregorian New Year instead. Others on the other hand, are trying to revive the flavors of Tet to prove how it has been a sacred, venerable tradition passed on for centuries that should be kept for the next generations. While the debate spirals on, take a look back at the Tet spirit in Hanoi almost a century ago, before the wars, the Subsidy Period and then the modern lifestyle rolled in. … [Read more...] about A journey through time: Old photos of Tet in Hanoi 90 years ago
Vietnam’s fairy tale at AFC U23 journey to be adapted for the big screen
A local production house has unveiled its plan to make a movie inspired by Vietnam’s remarkable journey at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China, where the team defied all odds The film project, titled ‘Viet Nam Oi!’ (Dear Vietnam!), will begin filming right after the tournament’s conclusion on Saturday, according to Minh Beta, founder of the Hanoi-based Beta Media production house in charge of the project. “This is a mark of honor that I as well as other Vietnamese football fans and film lovers would like to dedicate to our national U23 team,” Minh Beta said. “To me, the fact that they made it to the final was a miracle in itself. Regardless of the result of Saturday’s match, the players are the champions in the hearts of over 90 million Vietnamese people,” he added. According to Minh Beta, ‘Viet Nam Oi!’ will follow the journey of goalie Bui Tien Dung from a small boy to a national hero. Dung was praised for … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s fairy tale at AFC U23 journey to be adapted for the big screen
Two train trips among Top 10 journeys in Asia
Travelling by train to relax and enjoy the view out the window is a pleasure for many travelers, and two train routes in Vietnam with stunning views were recently selected among the ten best train journeys in Asia by the UK-based newspaper The Telegraph. Hanoi - HCMC and Hanoi - Kunming listed in Top 10 best train journeys in Asia by UK's The Telegraph newspaper. Photo: Lonely Planet Taking 36 hours, the Reunification Express connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and reveals the beautiful natural and rural areas Vietnam boasts. The 1,600-km (1,000-mile) journey passes through a pastoral parade of pagodas, paddies and farmers wearing conical hats, together with beaches and mountains, The Telegraph wrote. Moreover, travelers can hop off along the way to relax at beach resorts in Nha Trang and the endless swathes of sand in Da Nang, Vietnam’s third-largest city, where they can also take in the beautiful Chinese, European, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture in the World … [Read more...] about Two train trips among Top 10 journeys in Asia
Telegraph names top 10 train journeys in Asia, and 2 of them are in Vietnam
Vietnam appeals to tourists in many ways, and there’s one way where you can just sit, stare and take in all its beauty: a train journey. The U.K.-based Telegraph recently selected its 10 best train journeys in Asia for 2018, and two of them are in Vietnam. Travelers can take a trip on the Reunification Express that winds north-south down Vietnam’s coast connecting Hanoi and Saigon and all points in between in just 36 hours. Those with more time can hop off along the way and dig deeper into coastal towns to feel the sand and local life in Da Nang, Hoi An or Nha Trang. Rural and natural landscapes dominate the 1,600km (1,000 miles) journey on a “pastoral parade of pagodas, paddies and conical farmers hats,” said the Telegraph. Last year, travel publisher Rough Guides also named the route one of the most scenic in Asia, where one can watch buffalos grazing in rice paddies and fishermen casting their nets in the sea as well as deserted white beaches and lush … [Read more...] about Telegraph names top 10 train journeys in Asia, and 2 of them are in Vietnam
Itinerary through Former Vietnamese Capitals
The Hanoi Department of Tourism hosted a famtrip called “Itinerary through former Vietnamese capitals” from December 11 to December 16, 2017. This was the first time that a famtrip with a workshop on this topic was held for more than 30 companies across the country. The itinerary was appreciated by destinations, authorities, the press and travel companies for its professionalism. The “Itinerary through former Vietnamese capitals” famtrip explored unique historical and cultural values of former capitals of Vietnam such as Phuong Hoang Trung Do (Nghe An), Ho Dynasty Citadel, Lam Kinh (Thanh Hoa), Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh), Hung Temple (Phu Tho) and Thang Long Citadel (Hanoi). This was a historical cultural tour with destinations in provinces well-known for tourism strengths like Ninh Binh and Phu Tho where there are many UNESCO-recognised heritages. However, not based on ecological, maritime and spiritual tourism approaches, the itinerary was created to diversify … [Read more...] about Itinerary through Former Vietnamese Capitals