Illustrative image. (Source: vinaculto.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam National Villages for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi will host a series of cultural events, themed “Sac Hoa” (Colours of Flowers), next month to recreate the New Year atmosphere of ethnic minority villages in northern Vietnam. The events will be held from December 1, 2018 to January 2, 2019, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. One of the highlights is the recreation of a highland market of ethnic people ahead New Year which features the distinctive cultures of mountainous tribes, like H’Mong, Lao, Khang, Thai, Tay, Dao and Kho Mu, and their folk games and traditional food. At the market, visitors can also see how H’Mong people practice traditional blacksmithing and how craftsmen from the Lao ethnic minority group in Dien Bien province make unique pieces of brocade. Lao people’s brocade weaving has been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage. … [Read more...] about New Year traditions of ethnic minority people to be recreated
Lunar new year food
Young girl gives traditional cake new look
Chung or glutinous rice square cake is a traditional Vietnamese cake, commonly sold in markets and supermarkets at about 2 USD each. However, with a love for the cake and a desire to turn it into a high quality gift, a young girl in Hanoi has devoted time to giving chung cake a new look. Chung cake is an indispensible food for the traditional Tet (lunar New Year) festival in Vietnam. Besides Tet holiday, chung cake is also eaten year-round. However, not many people buy chung cake as a gift due to its unattractive appearance. What’s more, the traditional flavour is being lost due to massive production. Thu Hoai, who founded Nuong Bac establishment, decided to improve the cake’s quality and appearance to turn it into high-quality gift, worth 600,000 VND (26 USD) each. Chung cake is made from glutinous rice, mung beans, pork and other ingredients. The cake is wrapped in phrynium leaves. Thu Hoai makes the cake special by using organic pork. She also restores the tradition of … [Read more...] about Young girl gives traditional cake new look
January-June GDP reaches 8-year high
Viet Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 7.08 per cent in the first half of the year, marking the highest rate since 2010, fueled by robust expansion of the industrial and construction sector and service sector. — Photo tienphong.vn Viet Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 7.08 per cent in the first half of the year, marking the highest rate since 2010, fueled by robust expansion of the industrial and construction sector and service sector, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). “Impressive growth was seen in the agriculture, seafood, processing and manufacturing and service sectors. Exports continued to be a driving force for the nation’s economic development,” said GSO General Director Nguyen Bich Lam at a press conference in Ha Noi on June 29. The agro-forestry-fishery sector picked up 3.93 per cent, contributing 9.7 per cent of GDP growth. Expanding 9.07 per cent and 6.9 per cent, the industrial and construction sector … [Read more...] about January-June GDP reaches 8-year high
June’s CPI records highest rise in six years
Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in June expanded by 0.61 percent over May, the highest pace over the past six years, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on June 29. The number represented increases of 4.67 percent year-on-year and 2.22 percent against December 2017, the office said. With the figure, the index in the first six months of this year rose 3.29 percent over the same period last year. The first-half CPI hike was driven by higher prices of medical services, which climbed up 25.68 percent in line with the Health Ministry’s Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT dated March 15, 2017, head of the GSO’s Price Statistics Department Do Thi Ngoc explained. Besides, higher tuitions fees, the increase of regional minimum wage, plus higher prices of food, public transport services, and oil and gas products also contributed to the CPI rise. According to the GSO, June’s basic inflation (CPI … [Read more...] about June’s CPI records highest rise in six years
Paintings depict Singapore and Việt Nam after 45 years of ties
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI – A collection of 20 paintings by Vietnamese artist Phạm Luận and his Singaporean counterpart Jeffrey Wandly are on display at an exhibition in Hà Nội to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the two countries establishing relations. Perspectives, which opened on Thursday, features the countries’ landscapes through the unique views and experiences of the artists. Luận has a special affinity for Singapore and has extensively used Singapore’s landmarks and landscapes as inspiration for his paintings. “Singapore impressed me from my very first trip to the country in early 1990s. I’m particularly fascinated with a vibrant Singapore when the lights are lit up,” said Luận. Luận’s success in depicting the quality of light, both natural and artificial, gives an alluring appeal to each of his works, showing the iconic structures of Marina Bay Sands to the famous Merlion … [Read more...] about Paintings depict Singapore and Việt Nam after 45 years of ties