VietExplorer2023

The images showcase the Lunar New Year gifts that are given to the Spratly islanders. These gifts are a token of appreciation and support for the hard work of those defending national sovereignty and integrity. This special trip is made as the lunar New Year festival approaches. It signifies the importance of the occasion. The Fourth Regional Command of the Vietnam People’s Army’s Brigade 146 recently received several gifts from organizations and individuals. These gifts are meant for officers, soldiers, and people residing on the islands. With the Tet gifts brought from the mainland, the islanders of Truong Sa feel the continuous support of their compatriots both materially and spiritually. Colonel Le Dinh Hai, deputy commander of Brigade 146 and chairman of the People’s Committee of Truong Sa island district, Khanh Hoa province, expressed his gratitude. The gifts include kumquat trees, symbolizing wealth and good luck. There are a...

“Vietnam’s culture captivates me, and the best way to delve into it is through its objects. With 54 ethnic groups, each having their own unique items and perspective on the world, Vietnam offers a treasure trove for collectors,” states Mark Rapoport, a dedicated collector and connoisseur of Vietnamese ethnic cultures. Mark, who has spent 20 years in Vietnam, has amassed a remarkable collection of over 10,000 objects representing the ethnic minorities in the northern and Central Highlands regions of Vietnam. For Mark, these antiques are not merely decorative items but windows to the history and culture of the country. Mark’s love affair with Vietnamese culture began during his time as a medical student in Vietnam in 1969. Working as a medical volunteer in Da Nang City and Quang Ngai province, he was enchanted by a basket used by a local ethnic woman to hold cooked rice. That basket was the first of many antiques that Mark would go on to collect. Mark eventually returned to New York...