VietNamNet Bridge – Japanese writer Hiramatsu Tomoko on Monday received the Medal for Peace and Friendship from the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Associations for her enthusiasm and devotion to the Vietnamese people.

Photo: Internet
When Tomoko was a student in Japan, she used to march in protest of the American War in Viet Nam. She has worked as a member of the Japan – Viet Nam Council for Peace and Friendship (JVPF) since 2005.

Tomoko took part in cultural exchange activities between the two countries and presented scholarships to ethnic boarding school students in Ha Noi's outlying district of Ba Vi and the northern province of Phu Tho.

As head of the JVPF delegation in Saitama prefecture, she participated in a campaign to help Agent Orange victims in Viet Nam, especially those in the badly affected central province of Quang Nam.

* Buddhist architectural traces uncovered

A 13th-15th century piece of Buddhist architecture has just been unearthed in a garden in the north-western province of Yen Bai.

Atop two hills in the province's Van Chan District, archaeologists have found various remnants of stone, brick, tile and ceramic decoration in the form of lotus flowers. These floral motifs appear similar to ones used in Buddhist buildings of Tran dynasty (1225-1400).

On the Pu Chia Chua Hill, bricks and tiles have been uncovered just below a 35-40cm layer of soil. Experts suggested that the area served as a workshop for producing materials for a nearby Buddhist structure.

The excavation team have asked permission from local authorities to enlarge the area of investigation, hoping to find a Buddhist architectural complex from the Tran era.

If they are right, the building would be the only remnant of Tran Buddhist architecture ever found in the west of the province.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News