Thousands of tourists have paid a visit to the ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam to release lanterns into the Hoai River to pray for happiness, peace, and luck in the year ahead for the Nguyen Tieu festival, which celebrates the first full moon of the new lunar year. The Nguyen Tieu festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. It is seen as a spiritual event for local residents who wish to express their gratitude to ancestors and pray for prosperity and wealth during the yearHoi An often hosts the festival earlier than neighbouring localities, between the 14 to 16 of the first lunar monthCrowds of visitors pour into Hoi An to take part in the opening of the Nguyen Tieu festival.Every street in the city appears vibrant with colour as they’re adorned with lanterns for the occasion.Hoai River is illuminated by lanterns throughout night.Both local residents and visitors release candlelit paper flowers into the Hoai River to pray for … [Read more...] about Nguyen Tieu festival sees Hoai river shine in ancient town of Hoi An
Veteran town of salem
Mother Goddess temple in border town attracts tourists from China
Viet Nam News LẠNG SƠN — Thousands of pilgrims and tourists flocked to the Temple of Mother Goddess in the northern mountainous province of Lạng Sơn on Thursday to attend a festival dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Among the tourists, hundreds were from China. One of the province’s largest festivals, the old temple stands on a mountain near Đồng Đăng Market in the Đồng Đăng border town, where, 40 years ago, on February 17, 1979, 600,000 Chinese invaders flooded across the Vietnamese border, killing thousands of civilians including women and children. The town of Đồng Đăng was lost on the first day of the attack, but the city’s fortress resisted for five days and was only captured after artillery bombardment. In contrast to the death and destruction four decades ago, devotees gathered to pray for peace and prosperity as well as to enjoy the festive atmosphere. All roads leading to … [Read more...] about Mother Goddess temple in border town attracts tourists from China
Ten towns hit by river pollution from Brazil dam disaster
Viet Nam News RIO DE JANEIRO - Ten towns in southeast Brazil are suffering river pollution after a dam collapse at a mine nearly three weeks ago that killed 166 people and left 155 missing, presumed dead, according to officials. Mineral-laced sludge from the disaster near the town of Brumadinho has contaminated 75 miles (120 kilometers) of the Paraopeba river, impacting the riverside towns, the Institute for Water Management in the affected state of Minas Gerais (IGAM) said in a report. Officials have warned locals off using the river water for drinking, watering animals or irrigation. State environmental authorities had detected levels of toxic metals in the water, including lead and chromium, in the first 12 miles (20 kilometers) of the spill. IGAM director Marilia Carvalho de Melo was quoted by a local news website saying it was "unlikely" the waste would make it as far as a hydroelectric plant on the Sao Francisco river … [Read more...] about Ten towns hit by river pollution from Brazil dam disaster
Hoi An among Elle list of stunning holiday ideas for 2019
Hoi An ancient town (Photo: VNA) The ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam was among the 10 stunning holidays ideas for 2019 offered by Elle, the worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin. Elle described Hoi An as arguably Vietnam’s most underrated and marvellous town, a melting pot of architecture, history and culture. Dating back to the 15th and 19th century, the port town has a statuesque-ancient-town vibe. "From ornate Buddhist monasteries to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and from the bustling Riverside market to the tranquil old town, Hoi An has it all!" Elle wrote. Other destinations on the list included the Grand Canyon in the US who was ranked at number one, followed by Tunisia, Greenland, French Polynesia, Berlin in Germany, Cairo in Egypt, Dakar in Senegal, Matera in Italy. Hoi An is a well-known travel destination in Vietnam. The ancient town was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Earlier, Hoi An has been named among the … [Read more...] about Hoi An among Elle list of stunning holiday ideas for 2019
Italian town of Sambuca in Sicily sells homes for a dollar
Looking for a dose of instant sunshine to help you through the winter? This latest deal out of Italy could be just the warm jolt of vitamin D you need. As of right now, you can buy a house on southern Italy's beautiful island of Sicily for less than the cost of an espresso. Sambuca, a hilltop town with views over the Mediterranean island and nearby beaches, has placed dozens of dwellings on the market for €1, or just over a dollar. The deal is aimed at reviving a community that, like many other rural spots in Italy, has suffered from depopulation in recent years as residents move to bigger cities. It's not the first Italian town to lure in outsiders with tempting offers but, say local officials, Sambuca is scrapping red tape to make sure anyone interested can more or less make their purchase right away. "As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all €1 houses on sale," says Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambuca's deputy mayor and tourist … [Read more...] about Italian town of Sambuca in Sicily sells homes for a dollar
Once enemies, Vietnamese and US veteran pilots join hands in Hà Nội
Charlie Tutt, a retired US marine and head of the US veteran pilot delegation, speaks at the meeting among Vietnamese and US pilots. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương GiangViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese and American veteran pilots, once enemies in the air during the anti-US war, reunited in Hà Nội on Wednesday for the third time. Present at the gathering were Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Đức Soát, hero of the People’s Armed Forces and head of the Vietnamese veteran pilot delegation; Charlie Tutt, head of the US veteran pilot delegation; representatives from the Air Defence – Air Force Service under the Việt Nam Defence Ministry and veteran pilots of the two countries. In his remarks at the event, Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Đức Soát said the Vietnamese and US veteran pilots met for the first time in Hà Nội on April 13, 2010 and their second meeting took place in San Diego, California, the US, in … [Read more...] about Once enemies, Vietnamese and US veteran pilots join hands in Hà Nội
Vietnamese, US veteran pilots gather in Hanoi
Vietnamese and American veteran pilots, who were once enemies of each other in the air during the anti-US war, gather in Hanoi on October 3 for the third time. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese and American veteran pilots, who were once enemies of each other in the air during the anti-US war, gathered in Hanoi on October 3 for the third time. Present at the gathering were Lt. Gen. Nguyen Duc Soat, hero of the People’s Armed Forces and head of the Vietnamese veteran pilot delegation, Charlie Tutt, head of the US veteran pilot delegation, representatives from the Air Defence – Air Force Service under the Vietnam Defence Ministry, and veteran pilots of the two countries. In his remarks at the event, Lt. Gen. Nguyen Duc Soat said the Vietnamese and US veteran pilots met for the first time in Hanoi on April 13, 2010 and their second meeting took place in San Diego, California, the US, in September seven years later. This event is not only a chance for the aviators … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, US veteran pilots gather in Hanoi
The value of the gong
Viet Nam News The gong is more than just a musical instrument. Some communities in the Central Highlands believe that a god lives in each gong. They believe that everything has a soul and only the sound of a gong can connect these souls. Having a gong is therefore a sign of wealth. Hồng Vân & Dư Toán The gong, a musical instrument native to the Central Highlands, is popular in the five provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, and Lâm Đồng. Realising that the key force in preserving this national heritage are young people, Gia Lai cultural authority has attached great importance to engaging children and teenagers in gong sessions, as well as traditional folk singing and dancing classes. Theo, a 12-year-old from Đak Đoa District, said she learnt about the traditional art forms of … [Read more...] about The value of the gong
Tunisian government announces social reforms after week of unrest
Tunisia's government on Saturday announced an increase in aid to the needy and improved health care as part of social reforms following a week of unrest triggered by austerity measures. Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Trabelsi told reporters that monthly aid to needy families would rise from 150 dinars (50 euros) to between 180 and 210 dinars (60 and 70 euros). He said reforms which have been in the pipeline for several months would guarantee medical care for all Tunisians, without elaborating, and also provide housing to disadvantaged families. The announcement came after President Beji Caid Essebsi consulted with political parties, unions and employers. The North African country has been shaken by a wave of protests over poverty and unemployment during which hundreds of people were arrested before the unrest tapered off. "It's a very advanced legal project, which was submitted to parliament and will be discussed over the next week," said a government source who requested … [Read more...] about Tunisian government announces social reforms after week of unrest
Vietnamese mother of US veteran denied visa to attend his funeral: report
A Vietnamese mother was denied visa to the U.S. twice and could not attend the funeral of her son, who served in the U.S. Navy, his father told the media. The 22-year-old veteran died of leukemia last month but his mother missed his burial because her request to visit was turned down by the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, WREG-TV reported. “That’s what made me fuming mad. Fuming,” the father, Hung Truong, who is of Vietnamese origin, told the Memphis station. His son served in the Navy for four years before leaving in October and had planned to study graphic design. He died on December 17, shortly after doctors diagnosed him. The father said his son was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s exhortation: Don’t ask what your country did for you, but ask what you did for your country. “But he’s already done for this country, but what has this country done for him?” he said, as cited in the report. Truong, who owns a jewelry store in … [Read more...] about Vietnamese mother of US veteran denied visa to attend his funeral: report