Ma May, a rare quarter that still retains several old houses, has created one of the characteristics of Hanoi. Hanoi’s streets are becoming increasingly crowded and traditional features can sometimes be hidden behind modern life. But if one takes the time to relax and look around, the ancient features begin to reveal themselves. Performing Ca tru singing at the 87 Ma May acient house According to certain ancient documents, the street is named Ma May because in the past it consisted of two small streets: Hang May and Hang Ma. After many ups and downs, the old street today features many innovations, alternating between the buildings, hotels with splendid lights, and still the old quiet houses. Among them, the most prominent is the house located at No.87 Ma May. The house is built mainly of black gloss ironwood. This house is typical of the traditional architecture in the Old Quarter: It has a narrow facade and a succession of buildings and courtyards. Stepping … [Read more...] about Ancient house in Ma May
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Overseas Vietnamese in Australia commemorate 30 years since Gac Ma…
Ms. Truong My Hoa granted a certificate recognizing the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in Australia as a collective member of the club (Photo: VNA) The meeting, which was organized by the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in Australia, was attended by Ms. Truong My Hoa, former Vice State President and Chairwoman of the club “For beloved Hoang Sa - Truong Sa”. At the meeting, the participants spent a minute to commemorate the 64 soldiers who sacrificed their lives bravely in the naval battle to protect Gac Ma and the sacred sovereignty over the sea and island of Vietnam in 1988. Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Tran Ba Phuc, member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in Australia, said the overseas Vietnamese community pays much attention to Vietnam’s seas, islands and territorial sovereignty. He called on the overseas Vietnamese community in Australia and around the … [Read more...] about Overseas Vietnamese in Australia commemorate 30 years since Gac Ma…
OVs in Australia commemorate 30 years of Gac Ma battle
At the meeting, overseas Vietnamese spent a minute of silence in commemoration of 64 soldiers who were killed in the naval battle to defend Gac Ma (Johnson South) island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in 1988. Former Vice President Truong My Hoa grants the certificate to Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in Australia Speaking at the event, member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in Australia, said the Vietnamese community abroad pay much attention to Vietnam’s seas, islands and territorial sovereignty. He called on Vietnamese nationals in Australia and the world to stand side by side with people at home to become a firm rear of soldiers who defend the nation’s seas and islands day and night. A documentary featuring achievements of the club over the past three years was also screened at the event. Former Vice President Truong My Hoa lauded the … [Read more...] about OVs in Australia commemorate 30 years of Gac Ma battle
Jack Ma says Alibaba ‘doing a lot of research’ on driverless cars
E-commerce giant Alibaba is steering resources towards driverless car technology, its CEO Jack Ma confirmed on Thursday (Apr 19), joining a global race to shape the future of driving. Alibaba founder Jack Ma said his compnay is doing research on driverless cars. (Photo: AFP/Jorge Silva) Despite fresh safety fears after a woman was hit and killed by a self-driving Uber vehicle in the US last month, many tech giants like Google as well as automakers are accelerating plans in an industry attracting billions of dollars. The competition is heating up in China, the world's largest car market, with internet firm and Alibaba rival Baidu recently predicting that self-driving vehicles will hit the road in the country within three to five years. Both Baidu and Chinese tech giant Tencent are pursuing the technology, stirring speculation about Alibaba's plans. "We've been doing a lot of research on driverless things," Ma told reporters on Thursday while on a business trip to Bangkok. … [Read more...] about Jack Ma says Alibaba ‘doing a lot of research’ on driverless cars
Fallen soldiers in Gac Ma battle commemorated in Germany
An overview of a requiem - Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Berlin (VNA) – The Franken Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Centre recently held a requiem at Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Germany’s Nürnberg city to commemorate 64 soldiers who laid down their lives to defend Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago on March 14, 1988. The requiem was also designed to pray for national peace and commemorate Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed to defend national independence and territorial integrity. Lam Quang Ngoc, a representative of the Franken Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Centre, recalled the sacrifice of the soldiers in Gac Ma battle, during which 64 soldiers laid down their lives, 11 others were injured and three naval ships were sunk. He affirmed that the Vietnamese community in Germany always bear in mind the soldiers’ sacrifice and are willing to join hands with overseas Vietnamese around the world to protect the home country’s … [Read more...] about Fallen soldiers in Gac Ma battle commemorated in Germany
War veterans recall Gac Ma battle
The meeting, held by Phu Yen’s Truong Sa soldier liaison committee, gathered war veterans hailing from different cities and provinces across the country. The same day, the war veterans and families of martyrs Phan Tan Du and Truong Van Thinh who had fallen down during the battle commemorated the death anniversary of the two martyrs. The memorial site dedicated to 64 naval soldiers killed in the battle to defend Gac Ma island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago was inaugurated On this occasion, the Truong Sa soldier liaison committee mobilized donors to present 16 gift packs, each worth VND 440,000 (USD 19.3), to families of Truong Sa soldiers in difficult circumstances. The Phu Yen Confederation of Labor also handed over ten gift packs, each worth VND 300,000(USD 13.17), to families of Truong Sa war invalids. The same day, the Thai Binh province Association of War Veterans held a meeting with relatives of martyrs and war veterans who fought … [Read more...] about War veterans recall Gac Ma battle
Spring in remote Si Ma Cai mesmerizes
Si Ma Cai district sits in the northwest province of Lao Cai. It is about 95km from Lao Cai city, at the elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level. From Lao Cai city, one can take the bus to Si Ma Cai town. The curving road stretching from the city center to Si Ma Cai is 95km. At some points it is quite steep. Arriving at Si Ma Cai, visitors can indulge in the pure nature, the mountains and thick forest as well as the fresh atmosphere. They can enjoy the beauty of the pink buckwheat flowers, mingle in the local market space and enjoy the local specialties. Spring in remote Si Ma Cai mesmerizes The area is surrounded by grand limestone mountain ranges. It is no longer a remote locality as there is a concrete road connecting the district with the neighboring ones. From the Bac Ha plateau, one drives about 10km to get to Lu Than commune, where the pink buckwheat flower blooms on the hillsides in September. The blend of the green forest and pink violet flowers … [Read more...] about Spring in remote Si Ma Cai mesmerizes
Gac Ma soldiers commemorated at Tokyo requiem
The event was attended by Buddhist monks and followers, Japanese historians, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan and Vietnamese people and foreigners in the country. The requiem at Nisshikutsu pagoda in Tokyo on March 4. Photo: Vietnam+ In her speech, nun Thich Tam Tri, head of the Vietnamese Buddhist followers’ association in Japan, highlighted the heroic sacrifice of the 64 Vietnamese soldiers in the battle on March 14, 1988. She underlined Vietnamese people’s gratitude to the soldiers, whose sacrifice was a heavy loss but also encourages today’s soldiers to be more determined in protecting the country’s sovereignty. After the eulogy, participants lit candles and prayed for the martyrs. Chairman of the Vietnamese People Association in Japan Tran Ngoc Phuc said the Gac Ma incident 30 years ago is a driving force for generations of Vietnamese people to develop and protect the country. Expressing her gratitude, Deputy Head of … [Read more...] about Gac Ma soldiers commemorated at Tokyo requiem
Hang Ma Street busy as the Kitchen Gods Day nears
Many people have flocked to Hanoi's Hang Ma Street to buy offerings for the coming Kitchen Gods' Day. This year, the Kitchen Gods’ Day falls on February 8. According to legend, on this day the Kitchen Gods will begin their trip to visit the Jade Emperor and report on what has happened in the country. Many believe the release of the strong and fast carp into local ponds, rivers and lakes can help transport the Kitchen Gods to heaven. Hang Ma Street is famous for selling toys, paper goods and paper votive offerings and has been in business for more than 500 years. During these days, it becomes colourful with all types of goods and nice weather also encourages people to go out and shop for the gods. A set of paper clothes with hat cost about VND150,000 (USD6.57). More detail clothes with perfume and patterns can cost more than VND200,000. According to a seller, the commodities this year are still the same types of traditional offerings. Most of them are made in Dong Ho Village … [Read more...] about Hang Ma Street busy as the Kitchen Gods Day nears
Ma Chau villagers strive to keep silk weaving art alive
The brand of Ma Chau silk used to be immensely popular in 16th century with the village’s products being exported both domestically and internationally. At that time, silk weaving could provide a generous income for the residents as thousands of households in the village practised the craft. However, during the wartime, the villagers were evacuated all over the country, and while some of them still earned their living with the craft in their new residential areas, others turned to different jobs. There were also people that returned to the village and continued to uphold their ancestors’ traditional craft. Like his friends, 48-year-old Tran Huu Phuong, Director of the Ma Chau Silk Limited liability company, started learning about silk weaving at the age of 11. When he was 19, Phuong headed to Hue city to study at the Agriculture and Forestry University, but his academic learning was interrupted when his father passed away. He decided to give up his studies and returned to … [Read more...] about Ma Chau villagers strive to keep silk weaving art alive