Dien bien

The local aviation market is booming as several new airlines have entered the market, provoking concern over how major airports in the country can handle sudden rises in passengers and aircraft movements. Passengers stand in line for check-in procedures at Tan Son Nhat International Airport - PHOTO: LE ANH Over the past five years, some major airports such as Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai and Danang have received funding for repairs and upgrades to meet the rising air travel demand. However, the investment has been trivial given the rapid rise of air passengers. Statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) show that Vietnam is operating 22 airports with a combined capacity of 90.4 million passengers per year, but last year, some 103 million passengers went through those airports. Tan Son Nhat International Airport currently has two passenger terminals with a combined designed capacity of some 28 million people per year. The airport, however, served 38.3 million … [Read more...] about New airlines may put pressure on Vietnam’s airport infrastructure

An elderly woman in Ha Nam Province is in need of financial help to support her ill husband and daughter. Nguyen Thi Kim Lien (R) and her daughter 80-year-old Nguyen Thi Kim Lien lives in Da Bo Dao Village. Lien has five children but because of poverty, her children were unable to go to school. After growing up, they went to other provinces and cities like Danang, and Binh Duong to find works. Some of them haven't returned home for seven years. Her 54-year-old daughter, Nguyen Thi Nga, suffers from mental illness since she was small and often wanders alone when no one notices. There was one time, Lien was very worried when she couldn't find Nga, worrying that she might have an accident somewhere. Only when Nga was found sitting near a lake that Lien could feel relieved. Lien's husband Nguyen Minh Hong Meanwhile, her husband was bed-bounded after a stroke in September. Lien opens a tiny store at home but there are rarely any customers. Nguyen, one of Lien's neighbours, … [Read more...] about Woman struggles to support family at old age

Located in the ecological tourism site of Son Binh commune in Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, Rong May Glass Bridge has started to emerge as a popular tourist destination since opening to the public. The site is renowned as the country’s highest glass bridge and can be found on the Hoang Lien Son mountain pass in Tam Dien district situated at an altitude of approximately 2,800 metres above sea level. The bridge is part of Thac Trang, known as the White Falls, tourism project of Son Binh commune. The tourism site is equipped with a system of elevators that run up 300 metres and are connected to a 60 metre-long glass bridge that leads to a resort located on top of the mountain’s peak. In order to reach the foot of the elevator, visitors must travel by car to an altitude of roughly 300 metres. Following this guests must walk for 70 metres into the tunnel that goes into the mountain. Visitors can then enjoy the thrilling experience of walking on a bridge … [Read more...] about Visitors flock to Rong May Glass Bridge in Lai Chau

Vietnamese films Thưa Mẹ Con Đi (Goodbye, Mother) directed by Trinh Dinh Le Minh and Anh Trai Yêu Quái (My Annoying Brother) directed by Vu Ngoc Phuong will be presented at the Busan International Film Fest on October 3-12. MOVING: A scene in the film Thưa Mẹ Con Đi (Goodbye, Mother) directed by Trinh Dinh Le Minh. Photo courtesy of CJ HK Entertainment They will be screened in the framework of A Window on Asian Cinema, a part of Official Selection, where new films by Asian filmmakers are highlighted. While Goodbye, Mother has been screened nationwide since August 16, the film My Annoying Brother will premiere on November 29. All are inspired by family bonds. Goodbye, Mother is an indie film starting with the love story between two men, Ian and Van. But it’s more than a story about the empathy and equality for the LGBT community in Vietnam. The film tells the story of two gay men and the discrimination they face from the community. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese films to shine at Busan Int’l Film Fest

It is not often that a movie keeps you on the edge of your seat while reducing you repeatedly to tears.This is what “Thưa mẹ con đi” (Goodbye, mother) did to me. Vietnam and LGBT rights: Making strides LGBT community in Vietnam’s path to recognition Same-sex weddings officially permitted in Vietnam TENDER: The love of Van (Lanh Thanh - left) and Ian (Gia Huy - right) is portrayed in their most everyday light in the movie. Photos courtesy of Trinh Dinh Le Minh It was funny at first, and then it ran the gamut of human emotions – love, happiness, anger, disappointment – in a way that did not strive to be dramatic, but was naturally and authentically poignant. This, for me, is this film’s greatest strength and its director’s greatest success. “Thưa mẹ con đi” is a true indie film that carries a simplicity and directness that the Vietnamese film industry seems to lack these days. It is the debut … [Read more...] about ‘Goodbye Mother’ embraces, bids farewell to prejudices