Fire threat stalks Bình Dương wood workshops Many woodwork plants in Bình Dương Province face a high risk of fire since they lack proper prevention equipment. —Photo: thanhnien.vn With the year just three months old there have already been fires at many wood processing workshops in Bình Dương Province, which have caused injuries to people and damaged properties. Recently there have been several fires in Tân Uyên town that caused serious damage with thousand of square metres of workshops burnt down and several businesses going bankrupt as a result. In February a fire destroyed a 1000sq.m facility belonging to Mỹ Nghệ wood processing workshop in Thuận An town. The province has more than 600 woodwork facilities, but only 10 per cent of them have effective fire prevention equipment. Though losses caused by fire are huge, most businesses, with an eye on cost, fail to invest in fire prevention equipment. … [Read more...] about Social News 30/3
News from saigon times online
Lack of English-language signage, announcement may drive tourists away from Ho Chi Minh City
It is not uncommon for foreign tourists to feel uncomfortable when they travel by public transportation in Vietnam, as most, if not all, of the voice announcements are made in the local language rather than English. Except for airports, few venues in Vietnam have really acknowledged the importance of displaying signage or making voice announcements in both Vietnamese and English, so that non-Vietnamese speakers will not be left scratching heads when receiving the information. This is a reality in Ho Chi Minh City, which welcomed more than six million international tourists in 2017, and so is it in other smaller localities. Confusion for English-speaking tourists It is a real challenge for foreign visitors to follow instructions or announcements made via the loudspeaker systems at bus stations, as the information is only available in Vietnamese. In a piece sent to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper last week, a reader named Xuan Dao recounted a situation she witnessed at the newly-opened … [Read more...] about Lack of English-language signage, announcement may drive tourists away from Ho Chi Minh City
Social News 27/12
6th Haiku poem contest endsPoet Ha Thien Son, a Doctor of Philosophy in Ho Chi Minh City won the first prize at the 6th Vietnamese-Japanese haiku contest that ended in the city last week.Three third awards went to poets, Xuan Truong from the central coastal province of Quang Nam, Nguyen Huy Hoang and Doan Van Tiem of Phu Tho nothern province.The organization board also presented 8 enouragement prizes.The Japanese Consulate in HCMC cooperated with the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanity to launch the 6th Vietnamese-Japanese haiku contest in August. The contest received 704 submissions from authors throughout the country.The Vietnamese-Japanese haiku contest is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to learn more about the Japanese culture. It also aims to encourage the people of the two countries to learn about each other’s language and culture.Haiku is not usually popular in Viet Nam except with those Japanese Language students from the University of Social Sciences … [Read more...] about Social News 27/12
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
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
September 4-10: Egyptian President concludes Vietnam visit Most Recent News
NDO - Nhan Dan Online reviews a number of notable events that have made the headlines over the past week. 1. Egyptian President concludes Vietnam visit Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi concluded his two-day State visit to Vietnam on September 7, having obtained fruitful results. During his meetings with the Vietnamese leaders, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations across all channels, concurred to work closely together to organise activities celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2018, and pledged to create optimal conditions for businesses on both sides in order to access the respective markets, aiming to raise two-way trade to US$1 billion in the future. They emphasised their wishes and determination to maintain maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law laid down in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On the occasion, both sides signed nine cooperation agreements in various fields and … [Read more...] about September 4-10: Egyptian President concludes Vietnam visit Most Recent News
August 7-13: NA Standing Committee convenes, ASEAN founding anniversary celebrated Most Recent News
NDO - A Nhan Dan Online selection of notable events that made headlines over the past week. National Assembly Standing Committee convenes 13th session The 13th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) opened in Hanoi on August 10 and will run for seven days. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stated that during this session, the NA Standing Committee will give opinions in regards to controversial issues of the four draft laws. Deputies commented at the NA’s third session in regards to the revised laws on forest protection and development and fisheries. The Standing Committee also discussed public debt management, along with denunciations at the convention. The committee will scrutinize five bills scheduled to be submitted to the NA for consideration at the upcoming fourth session. First Vice President of the Cambodian Senate Nay Pena visits Vietnam Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and Nay Pena, Chairman of the Cambodian People’s Party … [Read more...] about August 7-13: NA Standing Committee convenes, ASEAN founding anniversary celebrated Most Recent News
Social News 11/12
"Danish Week - Sustainable City Solutions" about to beginA series of events on sustainable city solutions will be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from December 12 to 17 within an initiative of the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam and co-organized by the National University of Civil Engineering in Hanoi (NUCE) and the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City (UAH), with support from local authorities, organizations, and enterprises from Vietnam and Denmark.“Denmark is among the world leaders in green technology, and Green Growth is an important area of Vietnam and Denmark’s Comprehensive Partnership Agreement,” said Danish Ambassador H.E. Charlotte Laursen. “With this campaign we hope to create opportunities to exchange inspiration and knowledge with Vietnam on how to build green and sustainable cities.”With the theme “Danish Week - Sustainable City Solutions”, the campaign includes exhibitions, seminars, film screenings, masterclasses, and a … [Read more...] about Social News 11/12
Working as repairmen along busy streets in the motorbike kingdom of Saigon
A common sight along many Saigon roads is that of a tire hanging from a tree branch, pole, or fire hydrant, along with a rustic air compressor prominently displayed on the sidewalk. These street-side repair 'shops' have been serving local drivers on their daily rides in the city for years.Huy, a 33-year-old migrant living in Saigon for the last three years, was riding his ramshackle motorbike to work on a cool morning in December, when suddenly he heard a popping sound, like that of an exploded balloon. The effect was immediate, and his wheel began to malfunction. However, remaining calm, Huy knew he could just ask around for the nearest roadside repairman.Statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport reveal that in March 2017, there were 7.3 million motorbikes in the city.Data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam shows that the city’s official population in 2016 was 8.3 million, which translates to 87 motorbikes per 100 city residents.Well aware of … [Read more...] about Working as repairmen along busy streets in the motorbike kingdom of Saigon
Saigon woman finally granted visa to see dying father in US
A woman in Saigon has received a visa to visit her dying father in the U.S. after media reports prompted the U.S. government to grant her the document on the fifth attempt. Nguyen Thi My Linh arrived in the U.S. on Sunday, bringing fish sauce and other Vietnamese spices to give her father a final taste of home. Linh’s father, My Nguyen, migrated to the U.S. three years ago to live with his other daughter. The 69-year-old had planned to return to Vietnam, but was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June and doctors in California said he was no longer well enough to travel. Linh, 31, had four visa applications rejected before she was granted permission to visit her dying father. Despite presenting her land and house deeds, marriage certificate and a document regarding her father’s cremation in Vietnam, the U.S. Consulate did not believe that she would return to Vietnam after the visit due to the fact that she had applied for migration in 2010, a plan which was canceled after … [Read more...] about Saigon woman finally granted visa to see dying father in US