Gong at shangri la

Istana (Source: Straitstimes) Singapore (VNA) – Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a campaign to strengthen security ahead of the 32nd ASEAN Summit that the country will host from April 25-28, especially in the event’s major venues including Istana and Shangri-La hotel. Local police has announced the formation of special restricted zones at the two locations during the event, asking people not to bring explosives, loud hailers, flags and big posters to the zones. Those convicted of possessing prohibited items in the special event areas may be fined a maximum of 20 SGD (about 15,000 USD) and jailed up to 12 months. The police also warned that it will be an offence to bring drones into the zones or fly them. In March, Singapore hosted the Joint Consultative Meeting to finalise the agenda and documents of the ASEAN Summit, during which ASEAN leaders are expected to release a declaration on the vision of ASEAN leaders on resilient and creative … [Read more...] about Singapore works to ensure security for 32nd ASEAN Summit

Giay (round sticky rice) cakes have long been an indispensable part of H’Mong cuisine in Vietnam’s northwestern region. The Kinh often make giay cakes for festive occasions like the Lunar New Year. Their round shape symbolizes heaven, based on a legend dating back thousands of years. Making giay cakes is a community activity that enhances unity. The H’Mong of northwestern Vietnam make giay cakes for their traditional new year festival, new rice festival, and going-to-the-field festival. The H’Mong also make the cakes for important family events and as a specialty to sell to tourists. The rice used to make giay cakes is harvested at the beginning of the season on terraced fields. The locals use banana leaves to wrap the cakes. Cake pounding is done using a mortar made from hardwood. Men are usually in charge of the physical demanding work of pounding, flipping, and smashing the sticky rice. Women are responsible for the remaining. H’Mong … [Read more...] about H’Mong round sticky rice cakes in northwest Vietnam

PANO - On 23rd June 2014, Ambassador Ning Fukui wrote on the Matichon Daily expressing his opinions on the issue of the South China Sea – called “the East Sea” by Vietnam. With a view to a better-informed public opinion on this particular issue, I would like to present here some facts and information to help the Daily’s readers have a more complete assessment of “Who is the trouble-maker in the South China Sea?” First, the information Ambassador Ning used in his article to argue that Vietnam “disrupted” China’s activities was, in fact, copied from an article published on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website on 8th June 2014. However, I notice that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ representative has never been able to present any convincing and impartial evidence to support their viewpoint in this article as well as at other press conferences. In this information era, it is perhaps not difficult for … [Read more...] about “Who is the real trouble-maker in the South China Sea?” – A few words to Ambassador Ning Fukui