Tet greetings

Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa and Zimbabwe Hoang Van Loi presents his letter of credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Photo: VNA) Pretoria (VNA) – Zimbabwe always considers Vietnam a close friend, and hopes to further develop its friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has affirmed. Receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa and Zimbabwe Hoang Van Loi who came to present his letter of credentials on May 12, President Mnangagwa congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development and its increasing role and prestige in the international arena. Recalling the good bilateral relations since Vietnam supported Zimbabwe in its previous struggle for independence and is an active member of the Non-Aligned Movement, he expressed his wish that the ties will grow further, especially in economics and trade and in fields that the two countries have great potential and … [Read more...] about Zimbabwe wants to bolster multi-faceted collaboration with Vietnam: President

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits Hue Nghiem pagoda (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited Hue Nghiem and Minh Dao pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City on May 14 on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2 ,566th birthday, extending his greetings to local Buddhist dignitaries and followers. President Phuc affirmed that since Buddhism was introduced into Vietnam, Lord Buddha's birthday has become a sacred holiday for Buddhists nationwide, and also a common spiritual and cultural festival of the society, bringing a message of love, solidarity, harmony and development. The consistent policy of the Party and State regarding religions is to respect and ensure people's right to freedom of belief and religion, and create favourable conditions for dignitaries and followers of religions to well perform their spiritual practice and fulfill their duties to the nation, he affirmed. The State leader also expressed his hope that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) will … [Read more...] about President, VFF leader congratulate Buddhists on Lord Buddha’s birthday

After a near-death swimming incident, Nguyễn Ngọc Khánh realised he didn't know how to swim in natural water and decided to impart the swimming skills to as many people as possible. The experience has helped him find his life's mission. SWIMMING SAVIOUR: Nguyễn Ngọc Khánh, 35, started a network to give free swimming lessons to kids living along the Red River. Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Ngọc Khánh Inner Sanctum: Can you tell us why you initiated this project to teach swimming to children? It came from my own experience. I have only known how to swim properly for the past three years. After a near-drowning incident, I realised I had to learn how to swim all over again. I want to spread this message to as many people as possible; it's an immense disadvantage when you can't swim. You risk your life on waterways or beaches. I see that in the West, swimming is a major skill taught at school, and everyone needs to know. Whereas in Việt Nam, a country with many rivers and a … [Read more...] about The freedom of wild swimming

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visited Minh Đạo pagoda in HCM City on Saturday to offer greetings to Buddhist community and dignitaries on the occasion of the Buddha's birthday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất HCM CITY — President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc visited Huệ Nghiêm and Minh Đạo pagodas in HCM City on Saturday on the occasion of Buddha’s 2,566th birthday, extending his greetings to local Buddhist dignitaries and followers. President Phúc affirmed that since Buddhism was introduced into Việt Nam, Buddha's birthday had been not just a sacred holiday for Buddhists nationwide, and but also a popular spiritual and cultural festival in Vietnamese society, bringing a message of love, solidarity, harmony and development. "The consistent policy of the Party and State regarding religions is to respect and ensure people's right to freedom of belief and religion, and create favourable conditions for dignitaries and followers of religions to perform their spiritual practice and fulfil their duties to … [Read more...] about State President, VFF leader congratulate Buddhists on Buddha’s birthday

Dragon boat dumplings available for sale at Sheraton Saigon’s Li Bai restaurant. — VNS Photo Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is introducing premium dragon boat dumplings with beautifully designed packaging as gifts for families, friends and loved ones to celebrate Tet Doan Ngo. Tet Doan Ngo, or the Dragon Boat Festival, falls on June 3 this year. Dragon boat dumpling, also known as Zongzi, is a classic food associated with the festival, especially among the Chinese-origin community in Vietnam. The original version has a bold taste with cooked glutinous rice and peanut stuffed with seasoned pork belly, salted fried shrimp, fatty Chinese sausage and egg yolk, fresh shiitake mushroom, and nutty lotus seeds. Steamed in boiling water with bamboo leaves, the dumplings carry a delicate, appetising aroma. For this special occasion, the hotel’s Li Bai restaurant is introducing premium versions of the dragon boat dumplings handcrafted skilled chefs with over 40 years of experience. … [Read more...] about Sheraton Saigon gets festive with handcrafted dragon boat dumplings

Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen writes to Việt Nam News on Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on May 17. Another Norwegian Constitution Day has come. I am very happy but also emotional to share my last address on this day as Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam. Norwegians celebrate May 17 as our National Day. On this day in 1814, Norway’s first constitution was signed. The Norwegian constitution is the second oldest in the world still in use. 208 years have passed but the core values of sovereignty of the people, separation of powers and individual rights enshrined in our Constitution remain because they form the backbone of Norway today. Openness, free exchange of opinions, inclusive decision-making processes and effective rule of law are the cornerstones of a modern, dynamic society. Therefore, the Norwegian society understands that we must continue to protect these values actively at home and through our international work. This is more important than ever in a world of … [Read more...] about Norway-Việt Nam to further cooperate in various fields

Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen writes to Việt Nam News on Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on May 17. Another Norwegian Constitution Day has come. I am very happy but also emotional to share my last address on this day as Norwegian Ambassador to Việt Nam. Norwegians celebrate May 17 as our National Day. On this day in 1814, Norway’s first constitution was signed. The Norwegian constitution is the second oldest in the world still in use. 208 years have passed but the core values of sovereignty of the people, separation of powers and individual rights enshrined in our Constitution remain because they form the backbone of Norway today. Openness, free exchange of opinions, inclusive decision-making processes and effective rule of law are the cornerstones of a modern, dynamic society. Therefore, the Norwegian society understands that we must continue to protect these values actively at home and through our international work. This is more important than ever in a world of … [Read more...] about Together for a sustainable and greener future

National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ and former Prime Minister, former Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Thongsing Thammavong. VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI – National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ on May 16 met with former Prime Minister and former Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Thongsing Thammavong. Huệ conveyed the greetings of Việt Nam’s Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, State President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to the former Lao leader, affirming that Thammavong is the close friend of Việt Nam who has made many contributions to strengthening and developing the relationship between the two National Assemblies and the two countries. Chairman Huệ hoped that the former leader would continue to make intellectual contributions to the country's development as well as further promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos. For his part, Thammavong highly appreciated the … [Read more...] about NA Chairman met with Lao former Prime Minister, former NA Chairman

Saigon was greeted with a heavy downpour at the beginning of this week. Getting to work, already a tedious task, was now chaotically worse. Motorbikes pulled themselves to the side en-masse and riders brought their raincoats out. Cars weren't much better off, either. They had to switch lanes frequently, making traffic even more complicated. Buses had no maneuvering room. As the water poured down my face, I wondered, not for the first time: was I better off on the bike or were the bus passengers the happier lot? The answer seemed obvious. They could just sit there and enjoy the rain tapping on the glass, insulated from the outside chaos. Of course, riding a bus in Vietnam is not always the most pleasant experience. It requires forbearance and not a little of it. I used to go to work on buses too, but could not go through the experience for long. I’ve seen people talking about banning motorbikes these days. I don’t necessarily oppose this. In any developed city, personal vehicles … [Read more...] about Vietnam should take a leaf out of Indonesia’s public bus book

But people around the 24-year-old, who is admittedly at the higher end of the range, call her "sumo." Nguyen, who used to love munching on snacks and sipping boba milk tea in the evening, admits: "I act as if I don’t care, but I'm still a girl and such a label triggers in me a subconscious fear of becoming fat." The office worker in HCMC's District 7 tries not to let others’ negative comments bother her, but has nevertheless grown tired of people’s criticism. Her weight and eating habits have become "semi-public" with family members often criticizing her appearance during the Lunar New Year, and friends constantly pushing her to lose weight. As a result her self-esteem has plummeted, she says. The shame and guilt caused by others has pushed her into action. She spends the better part of the day in front of a computer screen and is not physically active, and so has embarked on a strict eat-clean diet in the hope of losing two to three kilograms this summer. "I am not … [Read more...] about Thin-skinned souls work hard to keep bodies slim and fit