Gen. Giap’s book introduced in Italy

The second edition of the Italian language version of a book on revolutionary armed forces and building people’s army, written by Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, has been introduced in the Italian city of Venice.

As part of activities to mark the 37th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification, the event was jointly organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Italy – Vietnam Friendship Association in Veneto region (IVFA).

Addressing the event, IVFA President Angelo Tomaselli Vladi praised the heroic Vietnamese nation’s struggle for national liberation and reunification. He added the book spotlights outlook on people’s war and the successful resistance war against foreign invaders.

The publishing of the book aimed to share joy with Vietnamese people on the anniversary and Gen. Giap on the occasion of his 100th birthday, contributing to tightening solidarity, mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Vladi said.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy, Dang Khanh Thoai highly valued the significance of the event, saying Gen. Giap is one of the world’s military talents, who made significant contributions to leading the Vietnamese people to a full victory during resistance wars.

AmCham prepares to host networking festival
 
AmCham members and their friends are invited to a "fiesta" to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Friday, May 4, from 6-8.30pm at Don's, 16/27 Xuan Dieu Street. Although Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of Mexico's "Battle of Puebla" in 1862 when a fledgling Mexican army defeated the invading French forces as well as to celebrate Hispanic/Latino culture and tradition, the AmCham networking event will be a chance to enjoy Margaritas, Sangria, Nachos, Enchiladas, Tacos, Quesadillas, Tamales and much more. VND350,000 for unlimited food&drinks until 8.30pm, receive a VND100,000 discount by showing your AmCham card. Contact the AmCham Office at (04) 39342790 for more information.

Ha Noi Flea Market #2 set to delight shoppers
 
Ha Noi Flea Market (HFM) #2 will take place at the Football Field, 264 Au Co Street, on Sunday, May 6, from 9am-5pm, offering fashionistas a chance to find treasures or long looked-for items at reasonable prices, from just a few thousand dong to over a million dong. Visitors can also be part of many interesting activities such as live music, drawing, Tarot card readings, hair braiding in Hippie/Gypsy style… and many other games. The live music performance will start at 2pm.

To become a stallholder, email hanoifleamarket@gmail.com

Australian singer to perform in City showcase
 
Australian R&B singer Zaiya will perform in HCM City from May 10-15.

Having started singing at the age of 11, she has been training at the David Jaanz School of singing for eight years. She is also an accomplished songwriter.

Zaiya will perform at Hard Rock Cafe on May 10 and 11, Vasco's on May 12, Acoustic Bar on May 13, and Yoko on May 15.

HCMC to celebrate Mexican Cinco de Mayo

Hard Rock Cafe will celebrate Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) on Saturday, May 5, a day of Mexican pride to celebrate the historic battle in 1862 between Mexico and France.

The celebration will feature performances by the Latin band Warapo from Cuba, and special food and drinks from Mexico. The event will begin at 9pm at 39 Le Duan Street in District 1.

Plan to repair Rong house dismays locals

The Ba Na ethnic people in Kontum Kơnâm Village in Thong Nhat Ward, Kon Tum Province were disappointed to hear that their communal Rong house’s thatched roof will be replaced by tin, a type of metal, panels.

Built in 2006, the house is designed in the style of a traditional communal house and was built with dry vegetation such as straw, water reeds and palm leaves. However, in recent years, it has leaked and threatens to collapse.

Nong Hong Cong, chairman of Thong Nhat People’s Committee, said the locality has decided to use a tin roof since the traditional thatched roof is not durable.

“The house was built at a cost of VND350milion (US$17,500) over three months. A traditional thatched roof can only be used for just five to seven years,” he said.

According to Y Giut, head of the Kontum Kơnâm village, the locality had held meetings with locals to discuss the alteration and everyone agreed that the thatched roof should continue to be used. This plan encountered obstacles though since it’s no longer easy to find dry vegetation for the roof. “People have to travel for miles over weeks for the leaves, so no one wants to do it,” A Hu, a villager, said.

“A Rong house with a metal roof is not a traditional Ba Na communal house, but what else could we do? What a shame!” A Hiuh, another villager, shared.
 
VTV looks to provide Digital Broadcasting

VTV Broadcom has asked the Ministry of Information and Communications for permission to commercialise its Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service after a two-year trial run.

The company, a subsidiary of State-run Viet Nam Television (VTV), launched DMB in Ha Noi and HCM City in 2010 on 10 Very High Frequency (VHF) channels.

Nguyen Dung Trinh, VTV's deputy general director, said VTV Broadcom had successfully run the service and received positive feedback from customers.

VTV Broadcom said if it received permission, it would invest an initial VND50 billion (US$2.4 million) providing a DMB service in Ha Noi and HCM City. It said it expected to make a profit from the service within two years.

DMB, also called mobi TV, is a digital radio transmission technology first developed in South Korea for sending multimedia such as TV, radio and datacasting to mobile devices such as cellphones.

In addition to South Korea, which commercialised the service in 2005, DMB trials are currently taking place or planned in Germany, Norway, France and China.

Indian Zen master preaches in town

Local fashion designer Sy Hoang invites Zen master Mr Ram from India to the city to preach on ‘Overcoming misery’ at garden house Long Thuan 206/19/30 Long Thuan in Long Phuoc Ward in District 9.

The preacher will instruct audiences how to eradicate stress and control their worries and sadness to keep their soul balanced. Audiences will also have a chance to admire the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) collection themed Thien sen (Lotus mediation) which was presented to Hue Festival 2012.

After that, guests can enjoy a vegetarian meal in a meditation setting.

The organizer will pick up guests by car at Phan Dinh Phung Indoor Stadium in District 3. Admission is VND120,000 per adult and VND60,000 per child. Contact 0916 726 948 for reservations.