As a Singaporean company that has grown to be one of the leading international lodging owner-operators, Ascott Limited has more than 55,000 operating units in key cities of the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as over 39,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 94,000 units in over 630 properties. Ascott Vietnam and Cambodia offer great holiday packages to customers To welcome the New Year, Ascott’s properties in Vietnam and Cambodia invite customers to start the year with spectacular memories by offering them a great booking package. This three bedroom unit in Somerset West Point, Hanoi will be an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of Lunar New Year in Hanoi. Make a plan, get packing, and create wonderful moments for you and your loved ones. Enjoy up to 35 per cent off on Flexible Rates along with complimentary Special Welcome amenities, 30 per cent discounts on airport transfer, and … [Read more...] about Celebrate the New Year in style with Ascott Vietnam
New life lodge
I want mommy: Australian’s 17-year-search for Vietnamese mother continues
“As the plane ascends The screeching chaos I turn to take on last look. What am I fleeing from? I cannot yet comprehend. Where am I going? that... God only knows” Sue Bylund’s poem asks a question with retrospective effect going back 44 years. She was 36 days old then. That day, when she and 17 other children were taken out of Vietnam, she was too young to know or understand anything. She now knows a lot more, but fundamental questions remain, and she has been looking for answers for many years. Sue Bylund during her first days in Australia Fateful flight Sue Bylund was born at the Maternity Hospital Saigon on April 18, 1974 (Vietnam war time), under the name Luu Thi Van, and was taken to an orphanage the same day. A month later, her name was put up for adoption by an Australian couple, Richard and Marlene. “On May 24, 1974, I was taken to Australia and started a new life under the name Sue Bylund,” she told VnExpress. The little Asian girl with dark … [Read more...] about I want mommy: Australian’s 17-year-search for Vietnamese mother continues
Parents of terminally ill UK toddler lose new legal bid
British toddler Alfie Evans suffers from a rare neurological disease. (Photo: AFP/Action4Alfie) Toddler Evans, who suffers from a rare neurological disease, had his ventilator support removed late on Monday, but has continued breathing independently for more than a day. Three judges sitting in London's Court of Appeal upheld a Tuesday ruling that the 23-month-old could be taken home from Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, northwest England, but could not be taken to Rome for further treatment. "The respective appeals ... must be refused," said Judge Andrew McFarlane. Noting the boy's father, Tom Evans, had displayed "utter focus and tenacity", the judge added: "this is awful for everyone concerned". Paul Diamond, a lawyer for Tom Evans, told the court the parents were not "seeking a miracle cure in Italy". "They are simply seeking the palliative care that is needed," he added. Diamond told the judges a plane would be leaving from northern Italy tonight, ready to transport … [Read more...] about Parents of terminally ill UK toddler lose new legal bid
Painter Foujita’s Cat
Viet Nam News by Nguyễn Quang Sáng On the 100th birth anniversary of the painter Foujita of Japan, his works become the most sought after by art fans worldwide. Based on his adventures, art connoisseurs came to the conclusion that a few of them were left in Việt Nam. From the USA, France, Australia, Canada and so many other countries, they contacted Vietnamese galleries in Hà Nội and Sài Gòn, by phone, email and letter, trying to secure the paintings at any cost, especially the one portraying a cat. Every artist has a typical work bearing the stamp of his or her talent for posterity. For Foujita, it is none other than the oil-painting of a cat. I was lucky enough to witness one of those chases. From Sài Gòn a few men took express trains while others flew to Hà Nội. In the southern megacity a lot of art hunters searched high and low for Foujita’s works in many galleries along Đồng Khởi Avenue, or in a … [Read more...] about Painter Foujita’s Cat
Vietnamese student traverses Europe to answer life questions
A Vietnamese student has been embracing her lifestyle of wanderlust by traveling across Europe and other places around the world during her time as a student in France. Huyen Le was a student of the chemistry-specialized class at Le Quy Don High School for Gifted Students in Da Nang City before taking off to France for her study at the University of Technology of Compiègne. "France and the whole Europe have brought several new chapters to my life," Huyen said. "I would not have known that the world is so beautiful, had I not got out of my home country to see other places," the Vietnamese student continued. Kayaking at Lake Bled in Slovenia. Photo courtesy of Huyen Le Before enjoying traveling, Huyen was just like many other young people, not knowing exactly what she really loves to do. Thanks to various experiences from travel, she is now able to answer many important questions of her life, namely "Who is she?", "Where is she?", "What does she want?", "Why does she need … [Read more...] about Vietnamese student traverses Europe to answer life questions
A special day in the Central African Republic
A typical day at the MINUSCA Every day, the clock alarm goes off at 5:30 when it is still dark outside. Today, Major Dinh Duc Long is “on lodging duty”, which means he is to cook breakfast, prepare lunch boxes for others in the lodge to carry to work. At 7:20, after breakfast, everyone takes their backpacks and lunch boxes and walks to work. Walking from home to the mission’s HQs may be one of their most interesting periods of time of the day. A long the way, all local people they meet greet them. The children not only greet, but also run up to them to shake hands. Welcoming them at the gate of the UN mission are the greetings in the Sango language of the guards. They happily greet, “Good morning the Vietnamese people!” Buying stuff in preparation for the special day There are three Vietnamese officers working in Bangui (the capital city of the Central African Republic). They are Lieutenant Colonel Le Ngoc Son, Major Dinh Duc Long and … [Read more...] about A special day in the Central African Republic
Social News
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
In Vietnam, plastic surgery goes hand-in-hand with love and fortune
In the western world, pronounced cheekbones are widely regarded as an attractive feature, but for Vietnamese women the same attribute could mean an untimely demise for their future husbands. Vietnamese folklore and face reading have long advised men not to marry women with high cheekbones, unless they want to die early. Ngoc, a 26-year-old Hanoian woman, has had her cheekbones reduced for fear of becoming another woman 'left on the shelf'. “Everybody told me it was true, so I haven't dared to fall in love with anyone,” Ngoc told VnExpress this January after her surgery. For a full transformation, Ngoc paid a total $8,800, which included double eyelid surgery, a nose job, and chin and cheekbone reductions. 26-year-old Hanoian Ngoc before (L) and after (R) cheekbone reduction surgery. Photo courtesy of Ngoc. Vietnamese women like Ngoc are increasingly undergoing plastic surgery not just for beauty reasons, but in the hope of a happy love … [Read more...] about In Vietnam, plastic surgery goes hand-in-hand with love and fortune
Japanese wood-carvings on display
VietNamNet Bridge – A unique exhibition will introduce Japanese contemporary wood-carvings in the netsuke tradition, a technique used since the Edo period (1603-1868).Entitled Contemporary Wood-Carved Netsuke, the exhibition presents 65 works by contemporary netsuke carvers and artists. A netsuke is a non-slip toggle that has long been used to secure the small personal items such as money pouches, inro-medicine containers or tobacco containers worn suspended on cords from the obi sash worn with the kimono.The exhibition is co-held by the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam and the Japanese embassy in Vietnam in celebration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam this year.These practical objects were created by and for the common people. As Western clothing was adopted from the Meiji period (1868-1911) on, however, netsuke disappeared from daily life in Japan.Meanwhile, with the interest in Japonisme in Europe and America in … [Read more...] about Japanese wood-carvings on display
Co-living and green: the latest trends to sweep Vietnam’s real estate market
Owning real estate will no longer be a priority for millenials across the world, who will make up half of the global workforce by 2020, according to PriceWaterhouseCooper's latest Millenials at Work report. The latest trends in real estate development show that environmentally-friendly and smart co-living and co-working models promise to change Vietnam's property market in 2018. Co-living Shared accommodation is forecast to be the leading trend, as co-living and co-working spaces are becoming more popular among young people. A recent report on Global Market Perspective by Jones Lang LaSalle Vietnam shows that the main target for shared accommodation is young people, and investments have started pouring in. Many co-working spaces have opened in Hanoi over the past few years. Photo courtesy of Toong co-working space. Just last year, Ascott Limited, an international serviced residence owner-operator, introduced a new co-living brand called … [Read more...] about Co-living and green: the latest trends to sweep Vietnam’s real estate market