Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Linh (Source: VNA) Thai Binh (VNA) – The People’s Committee of northern Thai Binh province on January 23 presented nearly 450 gifts to Lao, Cambodian and Mozambican students who are studying at the Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, each worth 250,000 VND (10.8 USD), on the occasion of the upcoming lunar New Year. The recipients include 281 Lao, 163 Cambodian and 4 Mozambican students. Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Linh said the upcoming Lunar New Year festival will afford students a chance to learn about the Vietnamese tradition, thereby fostering friendship and solidarity between the Vietnamese State and people and fellows from Laos, Cambodia and Mozambique. She asked the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations to offer all possible support to the foreign students as well as promote … [Read more...] about New Year gifts to Lao, Cambodian, Mozambican students in Thai Binh
Lunar 2016 new year
Local authorities’ decision to scrap ethnic minority New Year denounced
Anthropologists call it ethnocentrism, the act of judging other cultures based on the preconceptions in one’s own. The decision asking its H'Mong residents not to celebrate their traditional New Year festival was taken recently by commune leaders in the northern province of Hoa Binh. The Pa Co Commune People's Committee in Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province, issued an official document last week informing its H'Mong ethnic minority residents that they should relinquish their traditional New Year holiday and instead celebrate the one observed by the majority Kinh people, Tet Nguyen Dan. The decision has been met by surprise among higher authorities and experts. "They did discuss it with us but we didn’t know about the official statement until recently," Ha Thi Hoa, Head of Mai Chau District's Information and Culture Department in Hoa Binh Province, told VnExpress International. The local authorities said that their decision was derived from conclusions drawn at a … [Read more...] about Local authorities’ decision to scrap ethnic minority New Year denounced
Tree planting festival on lunar New Year occasion launched
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has issued a directive on the launch of a tree planting festival on the occasion of the upcoming lunar New Year holiday to commemorate late President Ho Chi Minh. On November 28, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh wrote an article which was published on Nhan dan (People) newspaper, stressing the significance of tree planting to each person, each family and the entire nation. Since then, the tree planting festival has become a custom practice whenever a new year comes. Tree planting and afforestation activities have been conducted in a widespread and effective manner and greatly helped with environmental protection and socio-economic development in Vietnam. To promote positive results and address shortcomings, MARD requested the People’s Committees of provinces and cities to direct their localities to map out plans on tree planting and afforestation following the 2016-2020 … [Read more...] about Tree planting festival on lunar New Year occasion launched
Tet, Lunar New Year, an official holiday in California
Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of Asian and Pacific Islanders around the world. Photo by Reuters/Stringer Senate Bill 892, proposed by California Senators Richard Pan and Scott Wiener, officially recognizes the Lunar New Year, known as Tet in Vietnam, and requires the Governor to honor the festival annually. According to the bill, all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises recognizing the traditions and cultural significance of Lunar New Year, the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Californians to the state, and any local festivities and celebrations of the occasion. “The passage of this bill recognizes the rich history of one of the most celebrated events worldwide, and demonstrates to the API community in our state, that we are all part of the California family,” Pan said at a recent news conference in front of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. API communities have been a valuable part in the … [Read more...] about Tet, Lunar New Year, an official holiday in California
California state recognizes Lunar New Year
The Hanoitimes - The bill also encourages all public schools and educational institutions to conduct exercises recognizing the traditions and cultural significance of the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year, the grandest celebration in many Asian countries including Vietnam, was designated a day of special cultural significance in California when Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law on August 26. California state recognizes Lunar New Year. Senate Bill 892, authored by California State Senators Richard Pan and Scott Wiener, officially recognizes Lunar New Year in the state and requires the governor to honor it annually. The bill, proposed in January, also encourages all public schools and educational institutions to conduct exercises recognizing the traditions and cultural significance of the Lunar New Year, the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Californians to the state, and hold local festivities and celebrations for the occasion. The passage of this bill … [Read more...] about California state recognizes Lunar New Year