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​Vietnamese – French adoptee reunited with birth mother after story published in Tuoi Tre

July 20, 2018 by tuoitrenews.vn

A Vietnamese adopted by a French couple 23 years ago had the opportunity to reconnect with her biological family in southern Vietnam after having her story published in T uoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Amandine Durand, a 23-year-old Vietnamese – French adoptee, on Wednesday burst into tears when she suddenly hit with the realization of a lifetime: she had found her biological family.

The journey for tracing root

“Last week a beautiful article was published in Tuoi Tre Newspaper about my story, how I ended at Go Vap orphanage, my life in France and abroad, and the reason why I came back in[sic] Vietnam. I was looking for my biological family, maybe still[sic] a tiny chance to find them,” Amandine wrote on her Facebook.

“I have such great news to announce today, I finally found [my family], where I am from. I already had a big family in France, now the family is huge, there is no word who can express how I feel. This week was incredible,” she added [sic].

Tuoi Tre had the honor to follow Amandine as she set out to trace her personal history.

Amandine Durand shares her story at the talk titled
Amandine Durand shares her story at the talk titled “Helping Vietnamese Adoptees Trace Their Roots” held by Tuoi Tre Newspaper on July 12, 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

On July 12, Tuoi Tre published Amandine’s adoption story in its Vietnamese print edition as part of its “Helping Vietnamese Adoptees Trace Their Roots” program.

Within hours of its publication, the story had spread throughout the country and Tuoi Tre became inundated with phone calls from people claiming to know Amandine’s birth mother, Do Thi Chiem, a resident in Ngai Giao Town, Chau Duc District, in the coastal province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

When Tuoi Tre told Amandine the news, the young woman reacted with understandable wariness, though it was clear she was eager to follow the lead.

The only way to find the truth, after all, would be to visit Ngai Giao.

Amandine and Tuoi Tre set out from Ho Chi Minh City to Ba Ria – Vung Tau at 5:00 am on July 14, passing from the busy highways of Saigon onto the twisting back roads near Ngai Giao where Chiem, now in her mid-60s, is cared for by relatives.

When Amandine arrived at the house, relatives and neighbors were eager to fill in the empty spaces of her story.

The story of baby La

According to neighbors, Chiem grew up in a poor area of the province and eventually married a local man, with whom she bore five children.

Shortly after the fifth child, the husband passed away.

Chiem married for a second time and soon had another daughter, Doan Thi Lua, now 25.

Two years later, at the age of 43, she was pregnant once again. In the six month of her pregnancy, however, her old age and harsh living conditions contributed to an obstetrical hemorrhage and she was transferred to Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Doan Thi La was born premature, weighing only 1.56kg and needing to spend her first few days of life in an incubator.

“I was weak and did not have money. People around said that our daughter could die if we brought her home to live our difficult life,” Chiem recalled.

Do Thi Chiem (2nd from R) kisses Amandine when they meet on July 14, 2018 in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Do Thi Chiem (2nd from R) kisses Amandine when they meet on July 14, 2018 in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Photo: Tuoi Tre

An infertile couple asked to adopt the baby and, choking back tears, Chiem agreed, hoping it would save her daughter’s life.

She received VND1 million and a bunch of old clothes in return.

The couple ended up leaving the baby at the hospital.

She was then taken to the Go Vap Orphanage where she eventually met her French adoptive parents.

When Chiem and her family got back to their hometown, they told their neighbors that the baby suffered a premature death.

However, the yearning for his daughter tore at Amandine’s biological father’s heart.

After that telling his family the truth, he spent much of his life talking about his baby with regret until he died in April 2018 from cardiovascular disease.

When the people of Ngai Giao read Amandine’s story in Tuoi Tre , they knew the details were too similar to be mere coincidence.

Amandine listened intently as Tuoi Tre reporters carefully translated the story, trying to make sense of her life and trying to find a link to these strangers who were her family.

When Chiem and Lua tried to hug her, she pulled away.

Chiem and Lua both agreed to a DNA test and samples of Chiem’s hair and nails were brought to a lab in Ho Chi Minh City for testing.

As Amandine left the house that day, her face was calm and betrayed no emotion.

Her mother and sister were in tears.

The picture of the father

Before leaving Ngai Giao, Tuoi Tre and Amandine visited the house where Chiem and her husband used to live.

Amandine burst into tears when she saw the picture of her father on a small altar in the house, realizing the similarities between his face and hers.

“I am late, dad,” Amandine said while shedding tears and reaching to hug Chiem and Lua.

Amandine (L) cries when she visits Do Thi Chiem and Doan Thi Lua (R) on July 14, 2018 in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Amandine (L) is seen crying in a picture taken during her visit to meet Do Thi Chiem and Doan Thi Lua (R) on July 14, 2018 in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“She is my little sister,” Lua said in tears. “My father kept talking about La in months before he passed away.”

Before leaving the place, Amandine gave a necklace to “her sister” with a promise to return.

After four days of waiting, Tuoi Tre and Amandine received unsurprising news from the DNA test – a matching result confirming that Chiem is Amandine’s biological mother.

Amandine couldn’t help but share her news with the world.

“If I could be honest, here and right[sic] now everything is going to change. All the pain I had is gone and all my questions are finally answered,” Amandine spread the happy news on her Facebook.

“It’s a miracle I was born premature [with only] a 20 percent chance to survive.  Here I am and after a week I found my family. I’m just so thankful for the situation and am the luckiest woman in the world.  Two families, two amazing countries, two beautiful cultures,” she happily shared. Her dreams had come true.

To all the children who are still looking for their family, please never give up.  Believe in faith and in your dreams. The best is coming for you.
Amandine Durand – Doan Thi La

Below is an English version of Amandine’s story published on Tuoi Tre Newspaper in the form of a personal essay on July 12:

I want to find my mother: Do Thi Chiem. She was 43 when she gave birth to me in the early morning of August 20, 1995 at Tu Du Hospital. She left after that. I was premature and weighed only 1.56kg. The hospital named me Do Thi Ngoc Chau. At six months old, I was adopted from Go Vap Orphanage and flew to France.

My adoptive parents have always told me that I am a gift they had been waiting for. They fell in love with Vietnam when they traveled the country during their youth. When they knew they couldn’t have children, they decided to adopt a child from Vietnam. I have changed their life with happiness and they have given me a wonderful life. I have everything I want, travel a lot, and had the opportunity to study in London. My parents support me in everything I do.

Together we’ve traveled to Vietnam five times since I was young to experience the country, its food, and its culture. I love the country and its people. I feel comfortable and connected here; no one stares at me because I look the same as them. When in France, people often stare because I look different. Since I turned 14, I’ve had the idea of finding my birth parents. I wonder where they are and how their life is.  I wonder if I have siblings.  I wonder why they left me.

In France, I had a very good job, an apartment, and a car.  All was good. I did charity work such as handing out food to poor and homeless people. My parents often taught me about certain values in life: if you want something in life, you have to work for it and share your luck with people. Sharing will not make you poor – it’s an important part of life.

Last year, I visited Vietnam to volunteer at orphanages.  I particularly remember the Go Vap orphanage where I took care of babies and disabled children. I feel connected with the place and feel as though all the children are my brothers and sisters. I was there, in that situation. After three months I went back to France where I tried to continue with my life, but felt something was missing. From the bottom of my heart, I felt Vietnam was calling.

This year I returned to Vietnam, found a job, and continued volunteering. My life in Vietnam is as great as in France.  Everything is lovely. What was most important to me, though, was that I find my birth parents. I’ve always wanted to meet my biological parents and to know where I’m from and why they left me. I think it’s important to know the whole story.  This Vietnamese part is the missing part of my life puzzle. I need help from friends in Vietnam to complete that puzzle.

Amandine Durand – Do Thi Ngoc Chau

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Filed Under: Features Vietnam Life - ​Vietnamese - French adoptee reunited with birth mother after story published in Tuoi Tre, TTNTAG Helping Vietnamese Adoptees Trace Their Roots, ..., bao hang ngay tuoi tre, contacting birth mother on facebook, reuniting adoptees and birth parents, rejected by birth mother, adoptee rejected by birth mother, birth mother definition, birth mother expenses by state, birth mother letters, dear birth mother letters, epigenetics donor egg birth mother, birth mothers rights after adoption, birth mother rights after adoption

The restoration of Da Lat’s abandoned monastery

March 5, 2021 by tuoitrenews.vn

Residents and tourists alike have shared their disappointment over the removal of large portions of the Franciscaines Misionnaires de Marie – an abandoned monastery in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat – during the site’s renovation.

Spanning more than seven hectares, the chapel and residential quarters of Franciscaines Misionnaires de Marie sit between Tran Quang Dieu and Hung Vuong Streets in Da Lat, which is the capital of Lam Dong Province.

For years, the iconic chapel has been an inspiration for Vietnamese artists and photographers, being reimagined in countless works of art.

The mission is located in an area surrounded by pine trees near Da Lat’s City Center. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

The mission is located in an area surrounded by pine trees near the center of Da Lat. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

A ruined complex

According to writer Nguyen Vinh Nguyen, the Benedictine complex was designed and built by French architects Alexandre Leonard and Paul Veysseyre in the late 30s and early 40s, marking the onset of Benedictine missionaries from the West making their way to Vietnam.

In 1954, these missionaries left the complex in the hands of Franciscans nuns before moving to Hue in the central region to set up the Thien An Monastery.

In the following years, the nuns enlisted Vietnamese architect Pham Khanh Chu to design additional classrooms behind the existing complex.

According to Tran Ngoc Trac, former head of Lam Dong Province Arts and Literature Association, the mission was known as Viet Nu Commercial School in 1969.

In 1979, the seven-hectare complex was handed over to the government.

Machines are brought to the mission to remove severely destroyed ares. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

Machines are brought to the mission to remove severely destroyed areas. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

Over the following decades, the school’s two classroom blocks and residential building served as the province’s supplementary school, then as the Lam Vien Hotel, and eventually Tran Phu High School.

In the 1980s, another building was built between the two blocks.

The chapel and monastery were next used as a warehouse, sports hall, and residential structure.

It was eventually abandoned for several years before becoming a campus of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture.

At one point, nearly 20 families illegally occupied the chapel but were eventually forced out by local authorities.

Inside the main chapel. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

Inside the main chapel. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

Pulling out all the stops

The Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, which currently manages the complex, said it has plans to restore the site.

“We are doing our best to preserve the monastery’s artistic value,” said the school’s representative.

“We expect it to be a landmark of the university’s Da Lat campus in which potential architects from the Central Highlands and neighbouring areas are trained.”

Plans on the renovation include a new amphitheater being built in the complex and the restoration of dilapidated structures.

The chapel will be transformed into a library and meeting hall which will host architecture and art workshops, while the residential structures will be used as boarding houses for lecturers.

The residential building’s roof is removed for restoration. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

The residential building’s roof is removed for restoration. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

“We decided to restore the existing constructions of the chapel and residential structure though they are not listed in the government’s compulsory reservation scheme,” the university told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

“We see the complex as a meaningful and valuable heritage site.

“Restoring costs much more than rebuilding but we must protect this significant landmark.”

The monastery’s façade has been reimagined in many pieces of art. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

The monastery’s façade has been reimagined in many pieces of art. Photo: Duc Tho / Tuoi Tre

The right decision

Although the monastery is not classified as a relic or included in the list of reserved buildings by the government, it is highly appreciated by architects for its architectural value, according to architect Le Tu, head of Lam Dong Province Association of Architects.

On a purely legal basis, it is permissible to demolish the complex built atop the land, yet the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture chose a much more challenging and noteworthy solution.

It is too early to comment on the project’s impact, yet it does open the door for discussions on how Da Lat’s old villas should be managed and used to preserve the old town’s atmosphere.

As Tu sees it, if all precious villas are lost or investors wait for them to be severely ruined as an excuse to tear them down, Da Lat’s heritage will slip away.

Restoring old villas is difficult.

Therefore, besides goodwill, investors must have plans in place to prevent unwanted incidents and ensure safety.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Vietnam Life - The restoration of Da Lat’s abandoned monastery, TTNTAG restoration, TTNTAG Da Lat, TTNTAG monastery, da lat vietnam, da lat hotel, Ana Mandara Da Lat, da lat weather, da lat hoang hon lyric, da lat map, Da Lat Nha Trang, rung hoa da lat, ho chi minh to da lat, Sai Gon Da Lat, Festival Hoa Da Lat, TTC Hotel Premium Da Lat

Áo Dài Week 2021 opens

March 6, 2021 by vietnamnews.vn

A special exhibition of two collections of áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) by renowned designers will open at the Áo Dài Museum in Long Thuận Garden, District 9, on Monday. It is part of the city’s cultural activities to celebrate Áo Dài Week 2021 launched by Việt Nam Women Union. (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

HCM CITY — A series of cultural activities celebrating Áo Dài Week 2021 will be organised this weekend in HCM City to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8).

A special exhibition of two collections of áo dài (Vietnamese traditional dress) by renowned designers will open at the Áo Dài Museum in Long Thuận Garden in District 9 on Sunday.

It includes áo dài owned by outstanding women working in politics, culture and arts, such as Dr Trjnh Thị Hoà, former director of the HCM City History Museum, and veteran soldier Đặng Hồng Nhựt, who have encouraged young women to study and develop their careers as well as live more independently.

The musuem displays áo dài owned by Nguyễn Thị Định, the first woman major general to serve in the Việt Nam People’s Army, former vice State president Nguyễn Thị Bình, and HCM City’s well-known c ả i lương ( reformed opera) artists, including Kim Cương and Bạch Tuyết.

The Việt Nam Women Union, organiser of Áo Dài Week 2021, encourages women to wear áo dài during March to show the charm and elegant beauty of the clothes. Photo courtesy of the organiser

A photo exhibition featuring Vietnamese women in áo dài will also be organised. Vietnamese culture and lifestyles are also captured through the lenses of artists.

The two exhibitions will open at 206/19/30 Long Thuận Street and will close at the end of the month.

The museum’s owner, fashion designer Sĩ Hoàng, said Áo Dài Week 2021 promotes traditional cultural identity and the image of Vietnamese women.

Hoàng spent 12 years to establish the museum thanks to his love for the traditional attire. “The long robes have aesthetic, historic and cultural value,” he said.

A series of cultural activities will be organised nationwide on Sunday (March 7) to celebrate Áo Dài Week 2021 (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

The Việt Nam Women’s Union, organiser of Áo Dài Week 2021, encourages women to wear áo dài during March to show the charm and elegant beauty of the dress.

In Hà Nội, the union and Museum of Vietnamese Women have worked together to open a photo exhibition of 358 images featuring Vietnamese women, their place and contributions to the country.

Highlighted works portray women and their heroic activities in the anti-French and American wars. The photos were captured by veteran artist Đinh Quang Thành, who worked for the Vietnam News Agency. — VNS

Filed Under: Uncategorized Vietnam News, Politics, Business, Economy, Society, Life, Sports, Environment, Your Say, English Through the News, Magazine, vietnam war, current news, ...

Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — March 6

March 6, 2021 by tuoitrenews.vn

Check out news you should not miss today:

Society

— Vietnam on Saturday morning reported seven new cases of COVID-19, including six locally-transmitted cases in the northern province of Hai Duong and one imported in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, increasing the country’s tally to 2,501, according to the Ministry of Health.

— A total of 367 volunteers including 30 aged over 60 have been injected with Nano Covax, Vietnam’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine candidate, in the second phase of its human trials, according to the Military Medical University, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday.

— Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Planning and Investment is seeking approval from the municipal People’s Council for a project to dredge, build infrastructure, and improve local environment along the 8.2km long Xuyen Tam canal which flows through Binh Thanh and Go Vap Districts with a total investment of VND9,352 billion (US$405 million).

— Many streets in Hanoi on Friday suffered heavy traffic congestion from early afternoon to around 7:00 pm due to a drizzle.

Business

— The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is discussing with the Vietnam Tourism Association to gradually open the international tourism market to specific groups of tourists and countries basing on numerous criteria.

Lifestyle

— An exhibition featuring photos of Vietnamese women taken by 15 local photographers will open from March 8 to April 11 at the Institute for Cultural Exchange with France in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, the French Institute in Vietnam announced in a press release on Friday.

— “Vi” (Taste) directed by Le Bao has become the only Vietnamese movie to join the 71st Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which takes place in two stages, from March 1 to 5 and from June 9 to 20, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday.

Education

— Students from Fulbright University Vietnam on Friday met online with Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg who gave them advices on what they need to prepare themselves to adapt with a future that is forecasted to be volatile.

— The Dai Viet Saigon College in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday morning donated VND219 million (US$9,491) to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper’s crowdfunding campaign for COVID-19 vaccination.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Vietnam Life - Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — March 6, TTNTAG breakfast, 5 dong tac suoi nguon tuoi tre, nang dong tuoi tre, tuoi tre newspaper, tuoi tre online hom nay, tuoi tre tin nong 24h, facebook tuoi tre cuoi, zing tuoi tre, tuoi tre zing mp3, phong su dieu tra bao tuoi tre, tuoi tre the thao, on tuoi tre newspaper, tuoi tre online english

Exhibition of female portrait celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

March 6, 2021 by sggpnews.org.vn

Pictures were taken by 15 young artists in three-day workshops which were organized in HCMC and Hue City in January.
The authors present to viewers portraits of female members in their families in daily activities as well as emphasize the women’s role in daily life. The exhibits are expected to touch the hearts of audiences.
The exhibition will run until April 11.
The display is one of activities celebrating International Women’s Day (on March 8) organized by the French Institute in HCMC at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF), including a discussion on gender equality titled “Vietnamese women today” with the participation of representatives of the French NGO organization Planète Enfants & Développement (PE&D) in Vietnam, Mexican Ambassador Sara Valdes Bolano, psychologist Ly Thi Mai, and Le Thi Hong Anh, head of Human Resources of Sanofi Vietnam.
Some pictures in the exhibition:
Exhibition of female portrait celebrates Int’l Women’s Day ảnh 1 “Women in Bo Ho  alley” by  Nguyen Anh Tuan
Exhibition of female portrait celebrates Int’l Women’s Day ảnh 2 “Women and paper flower craft” by  Nguyen Dinh Chien
Exhibition of female portrait celebrates Int’l Women’s Day ảnh 3 “Hien Luong Pagoda” by Le Thi Mong Thu

By Thu Huong – Translated by Kim Khanh

Filed Under: Uncategorized Exhibition, female portrait, Int’l Women’s Day, Institute of Cultural Exchange with France, IDECAF, Culture/art, Int’l..., celebrate womens day, celebrating womens day, how to celebrate womens day, int womens day, why celebrate womens day, celebrating international womens day, how to celebrate international womens day, womens day celebrations

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