40 52mm step up ring

Apricot blossoms in Mu Nau Valley of Son La Province, northern Vietnam.

Mu Nau Valley lies in sub-zone 13 of Moc Chau Town in Son La Province. Two kilometers south of Moc Chau center, the valley spans 200 hectares and comprises a 40-year-old apricot forest, a 25-year-old plum forest, and an old-growth forest.

The route from the town to the valley is short but steep and requires excellent driving skills, often scaring first-timers.

Leaving Moc Chau around 5 p.m, I was accompanied by Duy, owner of Pho Nui Tinh Yeu Homestay, to Mu Nau. He picked me up at the intersection near town and advised me to mentally prepare myself for the ride, an effort that would prove futile as soon as we hit the road.

The higher we got, the more Duy revved his engine, with the slope becoming increasingly uncooperative. I was not in the least comforted by the fact I was on the back of a local’s bike. At one point, I was shaking with my eyes closed shut out of fear the vehicle would flip over. As we ascended the hill, I gripped onto Duy, holding on for dear life.

After five minutes of wrestling with the road, we finally reached our destination. Drenched, I quickly used my arm to wipe the sweat off my forehead. This would be the first and last time I would ever take that “death” road, I thought to myself.

From the tippy top of Mu Nau, sun rays gently lit wild flowers, weeds, and evergreen grassy plots. The entire town of Moc Chau nestled snugly at the bottom. Pretty, poetic, and romantic beyond words. It was afternoon and breezy, with a hazy mist floating far off. Indeed, at the end of a rocky road was a real-life paradise.

Enraptured by the amazing beauty of the landscape, I stood contemplating it as the sun gradually set behind the mountains.

It was now 6 p.m. and the sun had completely disappeared. As dusk fell, lights brightened Moc Chau. Lining the main streets of town, yellow lights sparkled in the dark night like stars in the sky. Night had arrived in Moc Chau!

Under the night sky, Duy drove me to Pho Nui Tinh Yeu Homestay in Mu Nau Valley. Tucked in the heart of Mu Nau Valley, Duy’s homestay is the sole one in the valley.

Pho Nui Tinh Yeu Homestay in Moc Chau, Son La Province.

To many people in Moc Chau, Duy goes by “crazy guy”. The nickname originates from his love of the hometown; it was so strong it ended his thriving career at a leading Hanoi construction firm, drawing him back here as a proud homestay owner.

During the initial construction period, he encountered many obstacles since the area lacked electricity and basic materials. Duy personally transported every rock, steel bar, and sack of cement for the homestay on his bike. After countless arduous days, a charming and inviting homestay was erected.

That evening, Duy’s family welcomed me with a scrumptious feast of mountain specialties like jungle fowl and wild boar. After the delicious dinner, Duy started a campfire and together with his wife told me nostalgic anecdotes of their tough beginning as the crackling flames danced to the spring breeze. In a heartwarming spirit, I slipped into a deep sleep in the middle of Mu Nau Valley.

Unlike my previous visits to Moc Chau during which fog obscured the way, the following morning was vibrantly blue with fluffy clouds floating about. My first morning in Mu Nau was a tender one. While stretching, I caught the first sunrays of the day.

I then relished in a hearty breakfast that Duy’s wife had prepared ahead. After the meal, I put on a deep red H’mong dress and began another exciting day of adventure in Mu Nau Valley.

I climbed on the back of Duy’s bike to follow him through the gorgeous landscape of Mu Nau. From the homestay, I passed by pristine white bok choy flower gardens, strawberry fields, as well as old-growth forests. We eventually stopped at an apricot garden.

One simply cannot talk about Mu Nau without mentioning its three specialties: apricots, plums, and old-growth forest. For a novice, it is incredibly difficult to distinguish between an apricot and plum blossom. Their beauty is unquestionable, however.

Mu Nau apricot flowers grow by themselves. They have five round and smooth petals of one to three centimeters in diameter and are characterized by their snowy white shade. The trunk of a plum flower tree is typically taller than an apricot tree, its height varying from four to 15 meters. The petals of a plum blossom are also white but bunched up.

From the hilltop, I saw endless rows of spotless white apricot flower trees blending in the beautiful landscape of humble-sized H’mong abodes.

Moc Chau is mostly known for the poetic beauty of its enchantress, Na Ka plum valley. However, in the last two years, another hidden gem was discovered – Mu Nau plum valley. Fairy-like plum gardens stretch all over the hillsides of the valley, brightening up the Moc Chau plateau.

More than visually pleased by the rows of pristine white apricot flower trees, I climbed back on the back of Duy’s bike to visit the plum garden. Shortly after, I found myself lost in a paradise of plum flower trees and time seemed to slow down.

From the back of Duy’s trusty motorbike, I contemplated the snow white plum blossoms that fluttered throughout the garden aisles, almost resembling snow. I quickly climbed down, rushed to the trees, caressed the soft petals, and attentively watched as they flaked off branches and flooded the way.

Far off, the visual of local H’mong grazing their horses on a pasture completed the dreamy landscape.

The author, Xu Kien, amid plum blossoms.

* Before traveling to Mu Nau

Transport

Motorbikes are the only means by which to reach Mu Nau from Moc Chau Town. From the Moc Chau intersection, you can rent a motorbike taxi to Mu Nau. You could also attempt to walk to Mu Nau. However, please note it is highly recommended not to drive up to Mu Nau if you are a beginner due to the dangerous route. My suggestion is contacting Duy to book a ride at 097 492 66 96 .

Accommodation

Homestay Pho Nui Tinh Yeu Moc Chau is currently the sole option in Mu Nau. It offers a selection of dorm rooms as well as private rooms in a contemporary style.

Food

Mountain specialties like wild fowl, boar, and vegetables are must-tries when in Moc Chau. It is worth noting all produce are locally grown and free of pesticides.

Time

The most ideal time to visit Mu Nau Valley is from mid-December until early March during which apricot and plum flowers are in full bloom. March is fruiting season and April, harvest season. For the rest of the year, Mu Nau dons a green garb.

Other activities

In addition to visiting apricot and plum flower gardens, Duy also organizes trekking tours to Thai and H’mong ethnic villages, departing from the homestay. The opportunity to interact with ethnic culture is truly an enriching experience one should not miss when traveling in the northwest.

The vaccines would come from British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, global vaccine access mechanism Covax and other domestic producers. The reception schedule and number of doses received was reported by the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control to the government Wednesday.

The first batch, delivered Wednesday, was 117,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses from AstraZeneca. They would be prioritized for those on the frontline of the pandemic fight, including medical workers, doctors, nurses, contact tracers and officials of Covid-19 prevention and control committees.

The second batch, expected to arrive within the first half of this year, would comprise 1.5 million additional doses, of which 1.2 million are provided by Covax and the rest by AstraZeneca. These doses would also be prioritized for those on the pandemic frontline, with the addition of diplomatic personnel, customs officers, immigration officers and soldiers.

The third batch, expected within the second quarter, would include 8.2 million additional doses from AstraZeneca. Soldiers who have not been inoculated during the second wave, along with police officers, teachers and the elderly (aged 80 and above) would be vaccinated at this time.

The fourth batch, expected within the third quarter, would consist of 10.9 million doses, including 3.6 million from Covax and the remainder from AstraZeneca. The elderly who have not been vaccinated, along with those working in essential businesses and those with chronic conditions, would be inoculated this time round.

The fifth batch, expected between the fourth quarter and first quarter of 2022, would provide 14.4 million doses by AstraZeneca for those with chronic conditions and not yet vaccinated.

The sixth batch, expected within the same time frame as the fifth, would afford 25.2 million Covax doses to those with chronic conditions and not yet vaccinated, along with those aged 65-80.

The final batch, expected between the fourth quarter and second quarter of 2022, would comprise 90.5 million doses from both foreign and domestic producers. They would be administered to those aged 65-80 who have not been vaccinated and those aged 18 and above not included in the aforementioned priority list.

Vaccines should be prioritized for citizens in areas with outbreaks, said the steering committee. The committee also proposed the health ministry and other relevant entities manage the buying, importing and distribution of vaccines.

Four indigenous vaccines are under development by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals, Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1, and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals. Vietnam earlier said it was stepping up negotiations with the U.S.’s Pfizer and Moderna, along with other vaccine manufacturers in Russia and some other countries to ensure it can get a total 150 million doses to cover 70 percent of its 98-million population this year.

As of Thursday, Vietnam has recorded 2,412 Covid-19 cases, with 569 still active.

On February 20, the Spring Festival of Opening the Fansipan Heaven Gate officially opened at Fansipan spiritual complex at Sun World Fansipan Legend Resort, opening the spring travel season and worshipping Buddha for peace in the early spring. The festival lasts until March 8, 2021.

The Spring Festival of Opening the Fansipan Heaven Gate is held on the 9th day of the lunar calendar every year at Fansipan spiritual complex, also known as the “Roof of Indochina”. This is a spiritual event to open the spring travel season and worshipping Buddha for peace in the early spring. The 9th day of the first lunar month is also the Birthday of the Jade Emperor, the king of Heaven, which is said to bring a lot of fortune and peace for Buddhists and visitors here.

Although this year’s festival is short and simple, it is no less solemn with the participation of monks, nuns and Buddhists. Everyone is required to wear a mask and line up for safety and the prevention of COVID-19.

Standing in front of the majestic pagoda with a faint scent of incense, the monks, nuns and Buddhists pray for their family’s well-being and a peaceful new year for the world.

The complex consists of spiritual structures divided into 12 clusters, bearing the characteristic architecture of the Vietnamese ancient pagoda, stretching from the height of 1,600m to 3,000m atop Fansipan. The journey to worship the Buddha and pray for peace will begin with a prayer ceremony at Bao An Thien Tu, the first project in the complex, located opposite the Fansipan cable car station.

After the prayer ceremony, Buddhists and visitors will experience the cloud cover by cable car to Fansipan Heaven Gate. Here, the great scene of thousands of flowers for Buddha made from fresh flowers with an area of 150 square metres in the middle of the cloud yard will welcome them.

During this year’s “Opening the Fansipan Heaven Gate”, Fansipan is full of sunlight, capturing a scene of a beautiful country and promising a prosperous new year. The space here is more sacred and magical when the clouds appear in the sky over the pagoda roofs and focus on the area with Buddha statues.

Bich Van Thien Tu, an ancient and majestic temple that is filled with the sound of bells and gongs, where Buddhists and visitors pray for peace before the Buddha, or pray for fortune at the Temple of the Great Father and Great Mother.

The great Amitabha Buddha statue which is cast in bronze stands 21.5m tall. The statue is covered entirely with thousands of 5mm thick copper moulded sheets and was handcrafted right at the top of Fansipan. Within the heart of the great Amitabha Buddha statue, there are Buddha’s relics stored in a small bronze tower. The relics embody the spiritual qualities, compassion, and wisdom of the Buddha. Buddhists believe that by making offerings and prayers to Buddha’s sacred relics, they will be blessed and protected. Hence, the trip to see the relics in the great Amitabha Buddha statue is much more sacred and significant.

A sacred destination firmly located at the highest point of the Fansipan spiritual complex is Kim Son Thang Tu, it serves as a portal connecting to the spiritual realm and is the place where important Buddhist activities take place, creating opportunities to generate compassion and pray for fortune.

About 100 stone steps from Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda is the bronze statue of Quan The Am Bodhisattva with a height of 9m, located on a high rock. This is a sacred place that the Buddhists on the pilgrimage to Fansipan will come to pray for blessings, health and peace for their families.

Visitors will experience an extended spiritual journey while walking on Arhat path, where 18 bronze statues of Arhat are located in all shades and expressions of life under the Ancient Rhododendron trees. In this harmonious place of heaven and earth, all afflictions seem to be removed; only peace of mind remains.

With the desire to bring visitors a more meaningful spring trip, Sun World Fansipan Legend has prepared two flower walls with the words “Loc” (Fortune) and “An” (Peace) located at Bich Van Thien Tu Pagoda, with the cards for peace and fortune cherished by the monks. Visitors can bring home these lucky cards to their family after a magical spiritual journey at Fansipan Mount. Visitors also get lucky money up to VND250,000 when buying the cable car ticket and lunch buffet combo from February 14, 2021.

In the midst of the beautiful spring scenery, we can find a spiritual essence on the Fansipan sacred peak. What could be better than starting the New Year with such wonderful and peaceful moments?

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Tuesday applauded Vietnam’s achievements in its fight against COVID-19 while also stressing a high likelihood of future pathogen emergence in the country.

Dam’s statements were made during his chairmanship of a meeting of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

During the meeting, Nguyen Dac Vinh, deputy chief of the Party Central Committee’s Office, pointed out that early detection is key to successful epidemic prevention efforts, as seen from the quelling of recent outbreaks at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and in Hai Phong at the end of January.

Vinh also emphasized the importance of tactical medical screenings to identify transmission sources and contain the pathogen.

He noted that the Ministry of Health should reflect on its contact tracing programs and identify optimal isolation plans in order to inform efforts in other provinces.

The upcoming COVID-19 inoculation plan should be rolled out in sync with other epidemic prevention efforts, he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy PM Dam pointed out that Vietnam ranked 173rd in the world in terms of patient tallies and 213th on the ratio of COVID-19 cases to population, an impressive achievement considering the relatively low cost that the country spent on COVID-19 prevention.

“With all due humility, it can be said that Vietnam is ranked one of the most successful countries in the world when it comes to COVID-19 prevention,” he said.

“For that reason, we must stay loyal to the principles and strategies that were employed in the early days.”

According to Dam, those strategies involve five steps: prevention, detection, isolation, eradication, and treatment, all of which have been maintained through different phases of the epidemic.

Large-scale testing

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son asked that Hai Duong Province, the country’s current COVID-19 epicenter, continue its large-scale COVID-19 testing for workers in industrial zones, which involves determining optimal sample sizes and the demographic for medical screening.

Do Xuan Tuyen, another Deputy Minister of Health, also noted that testing in Hai Duong should only be rolled out at factories at high risk of transmission instead of being mandated at all plants.

Eradication out of reach

After hearing the reports of attending officials, Deputy Prime Minister Dam commended Hai Duong’s contribution to the nationwide effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Since the outbreak in the province, only three cases of transmission have been detected outside the isolated areas or quarantine wards, all of whom completed contact tracing to help curb further transmission.

The deputy PM has asked Hai Duong to keep up contact tracing and mass medical screenings in the community as instructed by the Ministry of Health.

“Currently, a real-time PCR test costs as much as two jabs,” Dam stated.

“A circumstance where factories must test all of their workers before they are allowed to resume operations should be avoided, as it is not only costly but also enkindles skepticism about the test results.”

Additionally, busy locations such as beverage stalls near industrial parks, hospitals, bus stations, and wet markets should be closely monitored.

Dam also underlined the necessity of Hai Duong’s vigilant stance against the epidemic even after the isolation mandate is lifted, as Vietnam’s dense population, long border, and demand for foreign experts will continue underpin risks of future outbreaks.

“No one can be sure that Vietnam is completely freed from the pathogen,” Dam warned.

“We must stay vigilant.”

A total of 820 local cases have been detected in 13 provinces and cities since since January 28, when the Ministry of Health confirmed the first community-based infections after Vietnam had gone almost two months without local transmission.

The current outbreak is considered the most serious wave to have struck Vietnam after the first-ever COVID-19 patient was recorded in the country on January 23, 2020.

Hai Duong Province is the hardest-hit locale, with 636 cases logged in this round of infections.

The national tally stood at 2,412 coronavirus cases, including 1,513 domestic infections, as of Wednesday night, with 1,790 recoveries and 35 virus-related deaths, according to the Ministry of Health’s data.

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HANOI — Vietnam’s domestic coffee prices edged up on Thursday, on upbeat global prices and limited supplies as farmers refrained from selling the bean on hopes that prices could rise further, traders said.

Farmers in the Central Highlands, Vietnam’s coffee-growing capital, sold coffee at VND33,500-34,000 ($1.46-$1.48) per kg, up from last week’s VND32,300.

May robusta coffee on Wednesday settled at its highest level in a year, at $1,463 per metric ton, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.

“Domestic prices inched up this week following a skyrocket in global prices,” a trader based in the coffee belt said.

“Farmers are not under pressure to release beans to cash in for holiday anymore and are hoping prices would edge up further so supplies are very tight.”

Another trader also based in the region said farmers had already sold 40%-50% of their beans harvested in the 2020/21 crop year that began on Oct. 1.

Traders in Vietnam offered 5% black and broken grade 2 robusta at a premium of $60 to the May contract, down from $90-$100 premiums last week.

Meanwhile, premiums for robusta beans in Indonesia’s Lampung province fell for the second week, with one trader offering $220 premium to the April contract, down from $270-$280 premium last week.

Another also trader based in the Lampung region offered $200 premium to the May contract, down from $280 premium last week.

“The benchmark price went up significantly this week, so the premium has to be narrower,” one of the traders said.

“Meanwhile, stocks remain low since farmers are still waiting for the upcoming mini harvest.”

($1 = VND23,015)

CANBERRA — The Australian parliament on Thursday passed a new law designed to force Alphabet Inc’s Google and Facebook Inc to pay media companies for content used on their platforms in reforms that could be replicated in other countries.

Australia will be the first country where a government arbitrator will decide the price to be paid by the tech giants if commercial negotiations with local news outlets fail.

The legislation was watered down, however, at the last minute after a standoff between the government and Facebook culminated in the social media company blocking all news for Australian users.

Subsequent amendments to the bill included giving the government the discretion to release Facebook or Google from the arbitration process if they prove they have made a “significant contribution” to the Australian news industry.

Some lawmakers and publishers have warned that could unfairly leave smaller media companies out in the cold, but both the government and Facebook have claimed the revised legislation as a win.

“The code will ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate, helping to sustain public-interest journalism in Australia,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The progress of the legislation has been closely watched around the world as countries including Canada and Britain consider similar steps to rein in the dominant tech platforms.

The revised code, which also includes a longer period for the tech companies to strike deals with media companies before the state intervenes, will be reviewed within one year of its commencement, the statement said. It did not provide a start date.

The legislation does not specifically name Facebook or Google. Frydenberg said earlier this week he will wait for the tech giants to strike commercial deals with media companies before deciding whether to compel both to do so under the new law.

Google has struck a series of deals with publishers, including a global content arrangement with News Corp, after earlier threatening to withdraw its search engine from Australia over the laws.

Several media companies, including Seven West Media, Nine Entertainment and the Australian Broadcasting Corp have said they are in talks with Facebook.

Representatives for both Google and Facebook did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment on Thursday.