One place in Ho Chi Minh City symbolizes this statement. Amidst the chaos and noise of a bustling commercial hub, the peace and calm is to be found in a small street that has the widest metaphorical spaces - Nguyen Van Binh Book Street. Situated in District 1, which is the most urbanized part of the city, this street is a sanctuary hidden in plain sight. Just behind the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and opposite the shiny glass building of Diamond Plaza, this street has been designated for bookshops and has become the city’s Mecca for booklovers. Somewhat fittingly, the city’s stately Post Office is just around the corner as well. The street, more than 100 meters long, is lined by bookshops on both sides, and the icing on the cake is comfortable cafes in which one can read books in complete peace and quiet. In fact, the Nguyen Van Binh Book Street can be seen as an outdoor library, both in terms of the wide selection of books and magazines and in the atmosphere of hushed … [Read more...] about Saigon book street: Calm in the eye of the storm
Examined life philosophy is in the streets
Billionaire Mai Vu Minh: An influential investor in the world
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Vu Dai Thang (second from left) and Vietnamese-origin billionaire Mai Vu Minh (second from right) in a working session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Mai Vu Minh is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAPA Thale Group headquartered in Germany. He is listed as a great investor, a billionaire having a strong influence on the financial world and governments. A great investor As an investor, Mai Vu Minh is very interested in generations of startups in Vietnam. In 2017 on the Bloomberg Terminal (a computer software system for 350,000 professionals users to access the Bloomberg Professional service, news, price quotes, and messaging), it was posted that Vietnamese origin billionaire Mai Vu Minh has invested 400 million USD in startups in Vietnam and Global market. Minh is holding many projects and shares of large corporations in countries around the world and respected by international finance and world politicians for his sharp strategic … [Read more...] about Billionaire Mai Vu Minh: An influential investor in the world
India election: Major political personalities in the fray
Indian election officials check polling material and Electronic Voting Machines at a distribution centre in Hyderabad on April 10, 2019.—AFP Photo Narendra Modi The Indian Prime Minister is up for re-election and as of now the frontrunner to retain power. But he is also arguably the most polarising – and powerful -- political leader in India since the Late Indira Gandhi. Having led the BJP to a massive 283 seats on its own (well over 300 with allies) in the 2014 elections – the first time a single party won a majority on its own in 30 years -- Modi, 68, has spent the past five years leaving his imprimatur on the Indian body politic. For his admirers and supporters, or bhakts (devotees) as they are known, he has been just what the doctor ordered. A muscular approach towards dealing with Islamist terror emanating from Pakistan, an integrationist approach towards the conflict-hit state of Jammu & Kashmir and providing a corruption-free administration are his … [Read more...] about India election: Major political personalities in the fray
Wild peach blossoms flood the streets of Lai Chau
Markets selling wild peach blossoms have been bustling across many localities and cities throughout the country in recent days. Wild peach blossoms need to have been planted well in many north-western regions due to the harsh weather conditions. As Tet draws near, ethnic minority people in the north-western region bring wild peach trees into the cities to sell to customers. In Lai Chau province, beautiful wild peach trees can be found in high mountainous areas such as Sin Ho, Phong Tho, and Tam Duong, all of which are over 1,500 metres above sea level. Sellers are mostly made up of Mong and Dao ethnic people. In Lai Chau city, peach trees and branches have been on sale in the streets for a few days.In fact, the main streets have been busy destinations for those wishing to buy and sell the festive trees. Motorbike is the only means of transportation to carry peach trees from the hamlets to the city streets. This year, wild peach blossoms are more beautiful than in previous years … [Read more...] about Wild peach blossoms flood the streets of Lai Chau
Five must-see destinations in the upcoming New Year holiday
Sapa Sapa, about 5 - 6 hour drive from Hanoi, is a tourist paradise for visitors all year round. It is considered as an ideal place to avoid heat in summer while in winter, this small town in the Northwestern region wears a new coat weaved from mist. At the end of the year, when the climate in Sapa is getting colder, many tourists prefer Sapa for enjoying snow. Sapa Sapa has a wide variety of accommodations for tourists to choose, including motels, homestay, hostels, 4-5 star hotels, and luxury resorts. One of the interesting experiences for tourists, especially for foreigners, is trekking to villages inhabited by people of ethnic minority groups and exploring their life and culture. Visiting Sapa, visitors can enjoy a number of local specialities such as horse meat and viscera soup - called “thang co,” “Men Men” - a dish made from maize powder, fish soup, grilled meats, grilled sticky rice-in-bamboo-tube, and free-range pig. Hoi An ancient … [Read more...] about Five must-see destinations in the upcoming New Year holiday