MARKET OF BEAUTY: Đông Ba Market is a large trading centre imbued with the tradition of the ancient capital Huế. Photo from the market's Facebook page Mai Trang Linh Returning to the central province of Thừa Thiên Huế after more than two years of lockdown due to the pandemic, Lưu Hoàng Long and his wife, a Vietnamese Australian, chose first to visit Đông Ba Market, the biggest traditional local shopping centre in the ancient royal city of Huế. The couple and a group of overseas Vietnamese who started their trip through the country early this month from their native home in the northern coastal city of Hải Phòng could not help but be surprised at the changes in the market. Besides the usual crowded and busy atmosphere and familiar hospitality of sellers, the visitors were amazed at the changes, particularly the trade promotion programmes for traditional handicrafts -- one of the most attractions of the market. Looking at the pop-up booths displaying different kinds … [Read more...] about Huế’s Đông Ba Market revamped to lure tourists
Coast guard stops submarine
Woman with an iron will
For the first time, Việt Nam has had a representative in the Ironman World Championship. Lâm Túc Ngân, 27, from HCM City, qualified for the biggest event after winning Ironman Philippines 140.6’s 25-29 year-old female group and finishing in the top 8 of the women's ranking. She will join powerful athletes from all over the world at the 2022 event in Hawai in early October. Ngân shares her experience and plans for the upcoming race. Lâm Túc Ngân will be the first Vietnamese to compete at the World Ironman Championship in October in Hawaii, the US. Photo from Lâm Túc Ngân facebook Inner Sanctum: Congratulations. You are the first Vietnamese to earn a slot at the Ironman World Championship. How do you feel? Thank you. It is several months to go to the world championship. There are many things to work on. In the last 15 years of the world tournament, there was no one from Việt Nam. Lâm Túc Ngân trains for her world competition. She plans to complete the race … [Read more...] about Woman with an iron will
The Old Hà Nội: ideal to meet old friends
A restaurant in the capital that never fails to impress with its classic local dishes and rarefied setting SWORN IN: World famous chef Gordon Ramsay has visited the restaurant, which has proved great for marketing. by Nguyễn Mỹ Hà Flights have been resumed after a taxing COVID period, and Vietnamese living abroad were seen flying back to Việt Nam to visit their ageing parents after a two-year lockdown. After hugging their parents to their heart's content, they also needed to catch up with old friends. And just like old friends in the old days, Old Hà Nội Restaurant was a popular choice to host guests. And we joined in, with a joyous reunion dinner. Conveniently located in a neighbourhood where both the Old Quarter and French Quarter are within walking distance. Old Hà Nội is located in a French-style villa, and has all the grace and grandeur required for a reunion dinner to welcome expatriated friends. We were a big group, so we had a big feast, doting all the best … [Read more...] about The Old Hà Nội: ideal to meet old friends