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Showing posts from January, 2024

Preparatory visit made to isolated island districts before Tet

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The purpose of the visit is to encourage them to remain strong in protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty. In Ly Son district, the officers and reporters toured administrative units and brought gifts to the staff working at the Ly Son Radar Station. The delegation deliver Tet gifts to soldiers and local people in Con Co island district of Quang Tri province. For their participation, military units have planned duty timetables to ensure their staff can enjoy a cozy Tet, which is the country’s largest festival of the year. The post Preparatory visit made to isolated island districts before Tet appeared first on Vietexplorer.com .

Weather Forecast in Vietnam (January 28th): Persistent Cold Waves in the North

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According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the weather has been extremely cold in the Northern and north-central regions. In some areas, there has even been frost in the northern highlands. It is strongly recommended that people wear warm clothing when outdoors, as the cold waves and rain can be detrimental to their health, especially in mountainous areas. Heavy rain can also impact sightseeing, tourism activities, and the safety of vehicles on the roads. This harsh weather conditions can also have an effect on livestock, poultry, and the growth of plants. Weather Forecast in Different Regions Northwest region: The weather forecast predicts cold and rainy conditions in the early mornings and at night. High mountain areas may experience frost and snow. The lowest temperature will range between 8-11 degrees, and in some areas, it may even drop below 0 degrees. The highest temperature will range between 11-14 degrees, with some places reaching above 14 degre

Reviving Traditional Tet Celebrations at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

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Spanning a total area of 3,500 square meters, the historical site arranges special spaces specifically for Tet celebrations, showcasing both the old times along with tourist destinations and heritage sites from across the country. The event creates an immersive experience for both domestic and international visitors to enjoy, thereby allowing them to appreciate the precious cultural heritage and the unique culinary delights that are on offer across the country. A space for Tet cuisine and regional specialties beautifully showcases the distinctive flavors found in Hanoi’s Tet dishes which embodies the nation’s cultural richness and culinary values. Dong Xuan market is recreated as part of the program. The event provides a space specifically for businesses to introduce food and high-quality products to visitors which are typical of the Tet holiday. Guests at the event will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Tet through various

Ninh Binh requests increased UNESCO support for heritage conservation

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During a meeting with a UNESCO delegation led by Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, Huan highlighted the crucial role that UNESCO has played in the socio-economic development of Ninh Binh Province. He emphasized that since Trang An complex received UNESCO recognition in 2014, it has contributed to local economic restructuring and the development of tourism. Ninh Binh is committed to transforming into a millennium urban heritage site and a creative city with exceptional values. Recognizing the challenges in preserving and promoting heritage values, climate change, and urbanization, the province hopes to receive further assistance from UNESCO. This includes mobilizing international resources for archeological and biodiversity research, as well as implementing advanced preservation measures. Ninh Binh also seeks UNESCO’s support and close cooperation in building a UNESCO charter or declaration for the Trang An landscape complex. Ninh Binh is home to the UN

Young Vietnamese artists draw inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints

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There are 38 artworks created by young Vietnamese artists currently on display at the Temple of Literature. These unique pieces are inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The exhibition, titled “Dialogue with Japanese Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints,” opened on January 23. Originating from the Edo period (1615-1868), these vibrant woodblock prints depict various scenes from everyday life in Japan. Ukiyo-e, which translates to “pictures of the floating world,” refers to the licensed brothel and theater districts in Japan’s major cities during the Edo period. The exhibition showcases 38 artworks by Vietnamese artists. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times The ukiyo-e style emerged in 1765 and remained popular until the final decades of the Meiji period (1868-1912). While paintings by contemporary artists were only affordable for the wealthy, ukiyo-e prints were accessible to a wide audience, including commoners, as they could be produced relatively cheaply and in large quanti

How Vietnamese parents utilize Facebook to nurture their children’s love for reading

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Duong Quang Minh, a teacher from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, came up with the idea for this campaign. The goal is to help parents integrate a reading habit into their children’s daily routines. The campaign provides practical guidance and a roadmap that has been proven successful in many families. The program is divided into several sessions that will take place throughout 2024. It will kick off with 12 interactive workshops scheduled from January 1 to February 7. Le Thi Thuy Phuong reads a book with her daughter in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Following the introductory workshop, parents are encouraged to participate in a competition to create a reading corner within their homes. “Creating this space doesn’t require a lot of shopping or a big investment. It can be done with items that are already available in the household,” said Minh. “Having a designated book corner in each home has been proven to significantly increase children’s engag

Hanoi prioritizes environmental protection during upcoming festivals

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Hanoi is looking forward to organizing cost-effective and practical festive events in 2024, without any religious fanaticism, as discussed at a meeting on January 23. Huong Pagoda Festival in 2023. Photo: The Hanoi Times The local authorities have been instructed to prioritize safety during these events and ensure that the festivals align with the local socio-economic development. Tran Thi Van Anh, the deputy director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture and Sports, emphasized that the ritual activities should reflect traditional cultures, and visitors should be mindful of their behavior and actions to uphold cultural values and preserve relics. The deputy director also stressed the importance of training relic managers and staff on how to receive visitors and maintain the local environment, safety, and tradition preservation. During the meeting, representatives from local communes and districts in Hanoi expressed their commitment to making their festivals unique and appea

Exploring Vietnamese Culture Through Water Puppetry: The German President’s Wife’s Journey

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During their state visit to Vietnam, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, visited the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Elke Büdenbender went behind the scenes and talked to the artists to gain a deeper understanding of the art of water puppetry and their work. As part of their visit to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, the first ladies of Vietnam and Germany received special gifts from the theatre. Water puppetry is a traditional art form in Vietnam that dates back to the 11th century. The shows depict scenes from rural life, including landscapes, bamboo trees, and traditional activities like fishing and rice cultivation. The wives of the Vietnamese and German Presidents posed for a photo with the artists at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1975 and elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2011. The year 2024 is significant as it leads up to the 50th anniver

German President’s Visit to Temple of Literature in Hanoi

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife arrived in Hanoi on January 23 for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong and his wife. During their visit, foreign guests had the opportunity to explore Vietnamese culture through a visit to the historic Temple of Literature, a site that showcases Vietnam’s traditional fondness for learning. The high-ranking German delegation received a briefing on the history of the Temple of Literature. This is Steinmeier’s second visit to Vietnam, following his first visit in October 2016 when he served as the Foreign Minister of Germany. This is the first foreign visit by the German President in 2022 and marks the first high-level exchange between the two countries this year. It is an important year as both countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025. The post German President’s Visit to Temple of Literature in Hanoi appeared fir

Vietnam President Welcomes German Counterpart with a Grand Ceremony

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President Vo Van Thuong invites German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to step on the podium while military bands play the national anthems of both nations. Vietnam and Germany first established diplomatic relations in 1975. The two countries lifted ties to strategic partnership in 2011. Germany is Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in Europe, and more than 350 German businesses are operating in Vietnam. As of May 2023, Germany had 444 valid projects worth over US$2.36 billion, ranking fourth from a total of 24 European countries investing in Vietnam. The two leaders inspect the guard of honour. This is the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the first high-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year – a pivotal year towards the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025. The two leaders hold talks immediately after the welcome ceremony. During two-day visit, German President

World-renowned baritone to make debut performance in Vietnam

Sulimsky, one of the world’s leading singers, will join forces with the Sun Symphony Orchestra to present an extraordinary New Year concert. The concert will feature the delightful Carnival Overture of Dvořák and his beloved Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”, both composed during the same period as the Biblical Songs, representing a prolific era of masterpieces by the composer. In addition, Vietnamese soprano Dao To Loan will grace the stage, performing special songs composed by Van Cao. Sulimsky has achieved great international acclaim throughout his career. In 2010, he emerged as the winner of the International Giacomo Lauri-Volpi Competition in Italy. Notably, his portrayal of Prince Kurljatew in Tchaikovsky’s Charodeyka (Enchantress) in Christof Loy’s production at the Theater an der Wien in 2014 garnered significant attention. Since then, Sulimsky has continued to excel, making his debut at the Salzburg Festival in 2018 as Tomsky (Pique Dame) under the baton of Mariss Janso

Vietnamese literature showcased in Brussels eatery

The restaurant also offers a selection of bilingual books in Vietnamese and French/English. This project, a joint initiative between YouTube channel Viet Happiness Station and the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium (GAVB), aims to set up bookcases in Vietnamese restaurants. With over 300 book titles covering various genres, the bookcase has captured the interest of Vietnamese individuals from different generations, sparking meaningful discussions among them. Le Van Vong, a 75-year-old patron, expressed how these books have helped him and others who have lived abroad for many years to reinforce their Vietnamese language skills and expand their knowledge. Moreover, he emphasized that the project has also fostered closer connections among people. Kieu Bich Huong, the brains behind this project, revealed that there are future activities planned to further engage Vietnamese culture enthusiasts. These activities will allow individuals to borrow books and partake in exchanges w

Indian specialists initiate survey to restore Nhan Tower in Vietnam

The expert team from the Archaeological Survey of India, under the Indian Ministry of Culture, has started surveying the tower in Tuy Hoa City, as the first step towards its preservation and refurbishment. This restoration plan was established based on a memorandum of understanding signed between the Vietnamese and Indian governments. On Sunday, the Indian experts measured the tower, used drones to capture the relic, and created 3D scans of the structures for data collection. Due to its deteriorated state over the years, the Tuy Hoa authorities have requested the Indian experts to propose suitable repair and recovery solutions. The team plans to replace damaged bricks, treat cracks, reinforce structures, remove harmful organisms, and clean up the inside of the tower. During the process, they will ensure that the sightseeing experience for visitors is not disrupted. The Nhan Tower holds great significance as a signature symbol of Tuy Hoa and Phu Yen. It was built between the late 11th a

Vietnamese athletes win big at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship

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The duo initially dominated with impressive scores of 7-1, 9-3, and 15-5, but faced a challenge when Indian opponents Arjun Cheema and Rhythm Sangwan narrowed the gap with a 15-11 victory. Despite a strong performance from both Vietnamese athletes, they only managed to secure a narrow victory with a 0.2-point lead over their Indian rivals. While the gold medal is a promising start for the team at the Asian tournament, it does not count as an Olympic qualifier. Currently, Vietnam has earned only one spot for the Paris Games thanks to Trinh Thu Vinh, who achieved a fifth-place finish in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2023 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Azerbaijan last August. Vietnamese athletes Pham Quang Huy (R) and Trinh Thu Vinh (L) cheer with head coach Park Chung Gun after winning the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2024 in Indonesia, January 9, 2024. Photo: Nhung Nguyen / Tuoi Tre The ongoing

Promoting ASEAN as the Ultimate World Festival Destination

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The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 26 organized a workshop on ASEAN festival tourism, as reported by VNA. Vietnam is actively participating in and contributing to tourism cooperation activities within the ASEAN framework. Currently, Vietnam holds the Chair position of the Committee on Resources, Monitoring and Evaluation of ASEAN Tourism; and serves as the main coordinator of the project “Building ASEAN festival tourism products”. According to the organizing committee, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has stated that international tourism is on its path to recovery and is expected to reach about 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. Several destinations have already recovered, some even surpassing their pre-Covid-19 visitor numbers and revenue. Based on forecasts by tourism experts, the global tourism industry is projected to fully recover starting from 2024 onwards. Delegates discuss

Impressive Lunar New Year Festival 2024 Mesmerizes Visitors

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The festival, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association, showcases a combination of traditional and contemporary art programs, along with various national Tet rituals. The event features over 150 booths exhibiting a diverse range of Vietnamese products and specialties from different regions. Many tourists gather to observe artisans wrapping and cooking “banh chung” (a square glutinous rice cake), a traditional dish during the Tet holiday. A special attraction of the festival is a calligraphy market where calligraphers, dressed in “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress), sell calligraphy works written in black and yellow ink on red paper. Visitors also have the opportunity to participate in traditional folk games such as stilt walking, tug of war, blindfolded clay pot breaking, and mandarin square capturing. A booth showcasing “To He” (toy figurines) attracts