Seeing bright pinpoints of light

Coaches play mind games ahead of football final Hosts crowned football queens Finswimming makes splash on return Vietnamese muay fighters reach finals Cambodia win historic volleyball bronze ABSOLUTE STARS: Vietnamese fans used the country's traditional nón lá (conical hat) painted as the national flag to cheer for the men's football players in the final yesterday in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh Anh Đức HÀ NỘI — After 17 days of intense and exciting competition, the 31st SEA Games is coming to an end. Although the joy of hosting the Games for the Vietnamese people came one year late, it is evident that their passion did not waiver. "It's a wonderful SEA Games," said Minh, a supporter wearing an interesting cone hat and cape. "The athletes are friendly, and the Games went on in an atmosphere of solidarity between the nations." "I watched all SEA Games events, and I am impressed by the spirit of sports here at the Games." "It's quite surprising … [Read more...] about Passion and pride: see you next Games

by Lê Hương When mentioning the flamboyant flower (peacock flower), people think of a bright summer basking in nature and the enthusiasm of local people. The flower also makes people think of Hải Phòng coastal city, known as the 'city of the red flamboyant.' In May, when the bright summer sunshine lights up the streets, the red flamboyant blooms bring out the city's soul. Streets along around the Opera House such as Hoàng Văn Thụ, Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Quang Trung, Nguyễn Đức Cảnh, Trần Phú, Lê Hồng Phong, Lạch Tray and Cầu Đất are all covered with the red blooms. People like to take photos with the flower.  — VNS Photo An Đăng Local elders say the tree was brought from Madagascar and planted in the city by the French 100 years ago. “At first,”the tree was named Ba Giăng,” said local Lê Hồng Tâm. “But then it was called Phượng Vĩ (Phoenix’ Tail) as the five-petal flower looks like a phoenix dancing and the leaves spread like phoenix tails. The tree grows well in the local … [Read more...] about Hải Phòng’s most beautiful season

Sampan riding on the Hoài River is one of the most popular tourist activities in Hội An City. Sampan riders in the ancient city are eager to get back to work after more than two years of suspension due to COVID-19. — VNS Photo Bảo Hoa QUẢNG NAM — Entering a new normal phase after more than two years of being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, sampan riders in Hội An City are eager to get back to work, expecting prosperous, stable tourism development for the town. The main riverside walk in Hội An in the central province of Quảng Nam – one of the most beautiful cities in Việt Nam – is usually packed with sampans, which tourists can hire for about VNĐ50,000 per hour for a small one and VNĐ100,000 for a bigger one. Sampans are long and low boats with a wooden hull that two to four people can sit on comfortably. They are used as taxis, fishing boats and for tourism. Nguyễn Thị Nhánh, a sampan rider, said that over months, Hội An had become more and more crowded with visitors … [Read more...] about Hội An sampan riders: the hardships and the smiles

An additional 1,319 new Covid-19 infections were confirmed on Sunday, raising the national tally to over 10.70 million, according to the Ministry of Health. According to the ministry's report, most of the new patients are locally-transmitted cases confirmed in 33 out of 63 localities in the country with some localities seeing the highest numbers including Hanoi (347), Bac Ninh (138), Vinh Phuc (90), Nghe An (82), and Yen Bai (61). As of Sunday evening, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to over 10.70 million. The country now stands 12th among 227 countries and territories worldwide in the number of infections. On May 22, an additional 8,940 more patients recovered from the disease, raising the number of recoveries in the country to over 9.40 million. On Sunday evening, no deaths related to Covid-19 was announced, keeping the total fatalities unchanged at 43,075. By May 21, the country had injected more than 219 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, … [Read more...] about Vietnam reports additional 1,319 Covid-19 infections on Sunday

Nguyễn Tiến Linh (9) and Nhâm Mạnh Dũng (17) celebrate after Dũng scored the only goal for Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh Peter Cowan HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam retained their SEA Games men’s football title on Sunday night, with a late, golden goal enough to see off bitter rivals Thailand by a goal to nil. The party began at Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hà Nội and surely went long into the night as the whole country celebrated their latest group of young heroes. The latest piece of silverware is yet another vindication of coach Park Hang-seo’s pragmatic methods, as while Việt Nam failed to entertain with their quality of play, he U23s still came away with the gold medal. Coach Park made three changes to the starting 11 that defeated Malaysia in the semi-final on Thursday, with Nguyễn Văn Tùng, Huỳnh Công Đến and Phan Tuấn Tài coming into the team. The passion of the rabid home crowd ensured the match was played in an atmosphere befitting of a final, but the quality of play in … [Read more...] about Golden Việt Nam defeat Thailand for SEA Games crown

HANOI -- Thousands of people waving flags poured into the streets of Vietnam's capital Hanoi and other cities after the SEA Games hosts beat fierce rivals Thailand 1-0 in the men's football final on Sunday. Defending their football crown from the 2019 Games, the home team came out on top of a tough match in front of a capacity 40,000 crowd at Hanoi's rocking My Dinh stadium. Forward Nham Manh Dung was the home hero with an 83rd-minute header that arrowed into the top corner, sending the already boisterous crowd into a frenzy, blasting air horns and waving flags and flares. A supporter holds a flare as he celebrates Vietnam's football win. Photo: AFP Downpours had drenched Hanoi all day, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of red-clad spectators who began arriving for the clash several hours before it began in an effort to grab a prime seat. As kickoff approached, the streets of the usually traffic-choked capital became relatively light as many locals were … [Read more...] about Vietnam erupts in celebration as SEA Games hosts win football gold