Hong Kong television captures aromas of Vietnamese coffee


The special aroma of Vietnamese coffee and Vietnam’s coffee drinking culture will be introduced in a 12-episode film produced by Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).

Photo: VOV
The film is the second part of a TVB programme called, “the aroma of coffee” which aims to introduce coffee and the culture of coffee drinking in well-known locations around the world. The first part was shot in Kenya, Taiwan, the US and Denmark.
During their stay in Vietnam from March 10-15, TVB filmmakers filmed beautiful images of vast coffee plantations in Buon Ma Thuot in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, and the hard-working farmers caring for coffee trees.
Ho Chi Minh City’s coffee culture was also a focus in the 36-minute film.
In addition to Vietnam, the film-making team will continue to explore Jamaica, Brazil, China and Australia.
The film sees the participation of famous Hong Kong actor Chen Hao and actress Ly Nha Ky of Vietnam.
Chen Hao said he had never been in such a surprising place as Buon Ma Thuot, where the farmers love coffee and devote their life to it.
He also said the filmmakers hope to tell Hong Kong citizens about coffee lovers in Vietnam, how coffee is produced there and how the country is now the second largest coffee exporter in the world.
After talking with Chen Hao about the Vietnamese coffee culture, Ky said that Chen Hao was excited to learn that Vietnamese use a filter to make coffee instead of a coffee machine, and that they will drink coffee anywhere.
Chen Hao said he would like to visit Vietnam again, because it is a peaceful and beautiful country with delicious food and very hospitable people.


Countdown to Earth Hour


Pham Vu Thieu Quang, the youngest Asian to conquer the South Pole, will be the honorary guest at an exchange and art performance on Saturday in the beach destination of Nha Trang.

During the programme aimed to support Earth Hour, a global environmental campaign , the 10-year-old boy will share what he learned during his expedition last month. The short documentary he filmed during the journey will also be shown.

Popular Vietnamese singers will perform at the event set to take place in the city's central square, April 2 (the square's name). Viet Nam Idol Uyen Linh and rockers Anh Khoa, Ho Ngoc Ha, Siu Black and Phuong Thanh are among the performers.

At 8.30pm lights around the city will be turned off, including those at the Khanh Hoa People's Committee, along the main road beside beach and in several big hotels.

Organisations and households in Nha Trang and Cam Ranh will also participate in the one-hour "turn off the lights" from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on Saturday night.

From now to March 26 various other environmental activities organised by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and sponsored by the the investment firm Ha Quang Land will be held throughout the province.

More than 300 youths will join a campaign to collect rubbish on the beach. At least 100 people will participate in the bicycle parades to support power saving and environmental protection efforts. About 10,000 T-shirts with the Earth Hour logo will be handed out for free to locals and tourists throughout the week.

"I hope the activities will encourage both locals and tourists to join the Earth Hour campaign, as well raise their awareness of the importance of saving power," said Le Xuan Than, deputy chairman of the Khanh Hoa People's Committee.

The programme will be broadcast live on VTV1.


Hue fashion show


On Saturday night in the ancient capital of Hue, a fashion show presenting the awarded creations of the fashion design contest Fashion and Climax Change will take place at the Nghinh Luong Dinh Court.

The contest has been launched previously for university and college students in the city to support the Earth Hour campaign. All design materials must be made from recycled or environmental-friendly products.

A bicycle parade likely to draw hundreds of local youths will also be held. Joining other cities and provinces across the country, Hue will turn off the lights on the famed Trang Tien Bridge, in the Imperial Palace and in other residential areas.


Earth ambassador


Van Mai Huong, the first runner-up of Viet Nam Idol 2010, has been appointed by the WWF to be this year's Ambassador of Earth Hour in Viet Nam.

"I will use my voice to encourage people to raise their voices together, and to take action for our common home," the Military Culture and Arts College student said.

As this year's Earth Hour asks people to turn off their lights as often as possible, the young singer has committed to doing three things: eating vegetarian food once a week, saying "no" to plastic bags, and using energy efficiently.

Members of the Viet Nam Green Generation Network – a network of youth organisations and individuals who share concerns and are willing to learn and take action for a sustainable way of life — held a bicycle parade yesterday morning.

Earlier, the network launched a photo contest, inviting all people interested in photography, who also care about energy saving and environmental protection, to compete. Entitled Earth Hour 2011 Moments, the contest will be ended tomorrow, March 22.

The network has also organised energy-themed seminars at the Public Health University and the Chu Van An High School. Several other activities to support the Earth Hour campaign will be held by the network in other cities, including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Phu Yen, Dac Lac and HCM City.


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