Hong Phuc "There’s a retard here," a corpulent woman shouted as she punched on my apartment door. "There’s a retard here!," she kept yelling. We were living in Hanoi back then, when my son was five years old. That woman, a neighbor, rushed into my house to find "the retard" because, she said: "He stole my grandkid’s toy, he even opened the fridge to take biscuits himself." That day, my son lost a piece of his toe because of the iron folding door. That neighbor tried to push him out of her apartment while my son tried to get back in. After she left, I followed the trail of blood to find my son hiding in a corner of the bedroom. He did not cry and his eyes were wide open as if he had never been chased away so many times before. Then he lay down, very still, rolling the wheel of a toy car as I bandaged his toe. When was the last time that you had peace of mind? My answer to that question would be: the time before a hot summer afternoon in Hanoi, more than 13 years ago. … [Read more...] about After 16 years of living with an autistic child, I am grateful
Books every child should read
Art talent on display in the capital city
Bright: Diva by Trần Vũ Hoàng. Viet Nam News Some interesting art is coming out of Hà Nội. Two teachers are selling their work to help women in need of kidney treatment. Their work involves both oil and lacquer paintings. Their pictures include a scene of a woman holding a conical hat and one of a man telling his daughter about her great grandfather’s war victories. The great grandfather was none other than General Võ Nguyên Giáp By Hà Nguyễn “Em… particularly women and girls who are unlucky or facing difficulties in life, were the main source of inspiration for our paintings,” said Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hường, who is a teacher at a primary school in Hà Nội. Hường and her friend Trần Vũ Hoàng, who is deputy head of the Hà Nội College of Art, said although their regular jobs were at school, they were interested in fine arts, … [Read more...] about Art talent on display in the capital city
Bilingual book of childhood stories launched
Charming read: The book by Trần Ngọc Anh Thư helps readers recall beautiful memories and think positive. — VNS Photo Minh ThuViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Simple children’s stories are told in a new book by Trần Ngọc Anh Thư which has been released in Hà Nội. The book, Just The Way She Thinks, was launched on Tuesday in Vietnamese and English to serve both domestic and international readers. In the book, Thư shares her own memories from when she was young, including beautiful moments and difficulties that every child faces. The book is about emotions that Thư expects readers can relate to and children can find lessons to solve their troubles. The book is illustrated with sketches by Thư’s daughter, Nguyễn Khánh Vy. Thư considers the book a gift for her daughter and other children. Parents should read the books together with their kids, and help them understand how precious life … [Read more...] about Bilingual book of childhood stories launched
Stuck in paradise
Viet Nam News By Nguyễn Hữu Tài Quân walked in, drew shut all window curtains, threw off his clothes, then strolled around the apartment. It was early and the kids were still at school. He had at least several hours to relax before the apartment was crowded and he would have to flee. The three-room apartment was too cramped. Sometimes he visited his friends and found them residing in huge houses that cost several hundred thousand to one million dollars, had nearly 10 bedrooms, five restrooms and orchards laden with fruits which made him so envious. If only he had such a house. In the morning he would sip a cup of coffee. In the afternoon he would go home from work and cut the grass and fertilise the trees. At night he would set up a hammock to lie in and look at the stars. He wouldn’t have to fret and pound on the restroom door to hurry whoever was inside. Yet real estate prices in California were skyrocketing. He heard the Chinese were flocking here … [Read more...] about Stuck in paradise
Art exhibition raises money for poor women
Bright: Diva by Trần Vũ Hoàng. Viet Nam News Teachers Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hường and her friend Trần Vũ Hoàng both have a passion for the arts. In honour of this year’s Vietnamese Women’s Day, the artists will be auctioning off some of their works to help women undergoing hemodialysis. Hà Nguyễn reports. “Em… particularly women and girls who are unlucky or facing difficulties in life, were the main source of inspiration for our paintings,” said Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hường, who is a teacher at a primary school in Hà Nội. Hường and her friend Trần Vũ Hoàng, who is deputy head of the Hà Nội College of Art, said although their regular jobs were at school, they were interested in fine arts, respecting beauty and values of human culture. An exhibition entitled ‘Em…’ displaying more than 60 works by … [Read more...] about Art exhibition raises money for poor women