Sixty-three houses in Thuong Chau and Phu An villages were partially destroyed as the roofs were blown off by the strong winds. Two of houses were completely destroyed in the whirlwind. Many trees were uprooted in the whirlwind. Worse, the natural disaster broke the backyard fence and destroy crops in the island. Loss is estimated VND1.5 billion ($64,462).By NGUYEN TIEN – Translated by UYEN PHUONG Tags: Strong wind blows off roofs houses no casualties … [Read more...] about Strong wind blows off roofs of 60 houses, no casualties
Roofing house
Three family members found dead in house fire in northern Vietnam
April 22, 2018 | 12:58 pm GMT+7 The fire broke out inside the house, which was also an electronics store. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Linh Neighbors heard screams of a mother and her two children in the early hours on Sunday. A mother and her two children were found dead after a fire ripped through their house early Sunday morning in northern Vietnam. Neighbors were awakened at 2 a.m. by the screams of the trapped victims when the fire broke out inside the house, which was also an electronics store in Y Yen District, Nam Dinh Province. Attempts to save the family failed as the flames quickly engulfed the foam-insulated iron corrugated roofing house. The fire was only put out an hour later by the police, who found the bodies of three victims identified as Pham Thi Thao, the 36-year-old mother, and her two children, Do Thanh Xuan, 10, and Do Tan Dung, 6. The house was filled with fabric and electronic devices at the time of the fire, which the authorities believe made the … [Read more...] about Three family members found dead in house fire in northern Vietnam
A fishy affair on the ’Roof of Indochina’
VietNamNet Bridge – Located in the northern province of Lai Chau, the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, dubbed the “Roof of Indochina”, has always posed challenges to travellers. The upper area of Chang Phang Stream is where the bitter fish take shelter. VNS Photos Khanh Kien The primitive condition of the mountains nurtures many mysteries of creation, one such being a precious variety of fish, which, according to locals, exist only within the range. The fish is considered to possess beneficial medicinal properties due to its peculiar bitter taste. “There are many explanations for the name of the mountain range,” said Ly Van Xien, chairman of the People’s Council of Sin Suoi Ho Commune. “According to local belief, the mountain is named after Hoang Lien or Goldthread, precious ginseng that used to grow abundantly in the mountain range. But due to extensive trading in both domestic and international markets, the herbs have been … [Read more...] about A fishy affair on the ’Roof of Indochina’
Ancient houses requires proper preservation measures
Ancient houses of Hoa ethnic people in Bang Van and Thuong An communes, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan province have stood for half a century and became a destination in the northeastern mountainous province. However, harsh weather and fast-paced urbanisation are challenging the longevity of those houses, requiring local authorities and people to use proper preservation measures. At first, there were some 100 houses standing along one-kilometre road of Duc Van commune. Now there are only 10 preserving its original shape while the others have been replaced by modern houses. The houses have witnessed the lives of many generations of Hoa people so there are still people choosing to keep them that way, with certain modifications for a more modern and cozier living space. Dong Phuc Linh, Village elder of Ban Duom B village, Thuong An commune, Ngan Son district, Bac Kan told reporters: "Our great great grandfathers have the same idea of building a house in … [Read more...] about Ancient houses requires proper preservation measures
“White gold” on the roof
With an increasing price, garlic - Ly Son’s famous specialty - is considered as "white gold". At harvest time, the "white gold" is dried everywhere. The rooftops are used to expose garlic to the sun on the island, where is considered as the garlic kingdom. During the harvest season of garlic on Ly Son Island, where the land is narrow and houses are close together, most of the garlic is placed on the roofs to dry. From above, visitors can see rows of white houses because of the white garlic on the roof. This year, Tran Huu Quang's family planted more than 10 sao (equivalent unit of 500 square metres) of garlic. He harvested over five tonnes of fresh garlic and is drying garlic on his roof. In order to avoid dew and rain, people use a cover at night or when it is raining. Dang Thi Thu at Dong village, An Vinh commune, said that putting garlic on the roof is quite hard work but the garlic will dry quickly. Additionally, garlic can also be damaged if it is dried on soil. … [Read more...] about “White gold” on the roof
“Mushroom house” of the Black Ha Nhi in Lao Cai
The earthen houses with mossy roofs of the Black Ha Nhi in Y Ty district, Lao Cai province, look like mushrooms in the clouds. When sunshine banishes the clouds, the earthen houses appear on the mountainside as in a fairy land. VOV introduces the uniqueness of the Black Ha Nhi’s architecture. Earthen houses of the Black Ha Nhi in Lao Cai The Black Ha Nhi live on a rocky mountain which rises 2,000m above sea level and is almost always shrouded in clouds. They live in earthen houses with very thick walls to protect them from the cold. They carefully collect wood and choose an auspicious day to start a new house. Doctor Tran Huu Son, Vice Chairman of Vietnam’s Folklore Arts Association, said, “They have taboos about collecting wood to build a house. They must cut the trees in the dry season, not the rainy season. On their way to the forest, if they encounter a snake or anything odd, they go no further and return home. Only the head of the family clan or another … [Read more...] about “Mushroom house” of the Black Ha Nhi in Lao Cai
Vietnam, UN to build stormproof housing for at-risk coastal communities
Thousands of families along Vietnam's typhoon-battered coast will soon be protected by stormproof housing which will help pull them out of poverty, government and United Nations officials have said. Vietnam is one of 10 countries most affected by climate change, according to the latest annual Climate Risk Index published by the research organization Germanwatch. Coastal residents are particularly vulnerable as storms increase in frequency and intensity. They are often trapped in poverty due to the amount of money they are forced to spend on rebuilding or repairing their homes, businesses and possessions. "There is a really strong link between poverty and being able to accumulate assets, and housing is one of the major assets," said Jenty Kirsch-Wood, a senior technical advisor at the U.N. Development Program (UNDP). "If we can get some of these highly vulnerable people into safe houses, it not only protects their lives, but also their assets and small businesses," Kirsch-Wood … [Read more...] about Vietnam, UN to build stormproof housing for at-risk coastal communities
Hailstorms destroy hundreds of houses in Nghe An
A hailstorm blows away the roof of a house in central Nghe An province (Photo dantri.com.vn) Nghe An (VNA) - Two hailstorms occurred on February 21 afternoon in central Nghe An province, blowing away the roofs of hundreds of houses in two communes, local authorities said. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported. Vi Van Thanh, chairman of the Chau Ly Commune’s People’s Committee, said the hailstorm began at 3pm. Besides damaging houses, the storm uprooted many trees. At the same time, another hailstorm occurred in Nghia Xuan commune, partly destroying 15 houses. According to residents, the two storms occurred 30 minutes after a heavy downpour. The hailstones were about the size of a finger. They said hailstorms have never occurred in the first month of the lunar new year before. Local authorities have sent a team to help the affected residents with food and repair damaged houses.-VNA … [Read more...] about Hailstorms destroy hundreds of houses in Nghe An
Broken lifts force residents to climb over roof of apartment block
Hanoi chairman Nguyen Duc Chung has asked for investigation into a case where a building investor has failed to repair lifts in an apartment block for months. People walk on the rooftop to get to their home at G9 apartment building in Hanoi on January 23. Photo by Eva The request was sent to MTV Hanoi Housing Management and Development Company after clips and photos of residents at the G9 Apartment Building in Bac Tu Liem District having to walk on the rooftop to reach or leave their homes have gone viral on many newspapers and social websites. Photo by Eva Chung asked the company to urgently investigate and repair the elevators to ensure safety for people living here and report to the city People's Committee by January 31.The G9 resettlement apartment building began accepting residents in September 2006. 120 households with more than 400 people are living here.According to a resident, five out of six lifts have been broken since last October. They have reported the … [Read more...] about Broken lifts force residents to climb over roof of apartment block
Local artist welcomes Friends of Vietnam Heritage to revamped Mirror House
Known for her lead role in the ceramic mosaic mural along the Red River dyke in Hanoi, Thuy came up with an idea to remodel the Mirror House when she discovered the house, built by the former Czechoslovakia in 1979, was in derelict conditions. The mirrors were dull, the walls were peeling and mouldy while the roof was leaky. With the approval of the Hanoi government, Thuy embarked on the project by fitting small ceramic pieces onto the walls of the Mirror House, which reopened on January 1 this year. Painter Nguyen Thu Thuy and members of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage While touring the house, the FVH members, including Renata Greploud, wife of the Czech Ambassador to Vietnam, were fascinated by Thuy’s creativity and stunned by how the Mirror House was completely transformed with ceramic tiles. They showed their admiration for Thuy’s talent, the support of the Hanoi authorities for arts and the cooperation between artists and artisans in creating such as beautiful and … [Read more...] about Local artist welcomes Friends of Vietnam Heritage to revamped Mirror House