Photos recalling 70 years of patriotic movements on display

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (centre) cuts a ribbon to launch a photo exhibition on 70 years of patriotic emulation movements in Hanoi on May 28. 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh cut a ribbon to launch a photo exhibition on 70 years of patriotic emulation movements in Hanoi on May 28.

The exhibition is hosted by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) to mark the 70th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s call for patriotic work emulation on June 11, 1948.

Opening the event, VNA Director General Nguyen Duc Loi said as an important and reliable news agency of the State and Party, the VNA has made contributions to national building and protection and the country’s industrialisation and modernisation.

VNA journalists have captured numerous photos showing the fervent atmosphere of patriotic emulation among Vietnamese soldiers and people during the anti-French and anti-US wars and when the country began international integration and development, he noted.

On display at the exhibition are a collection of 100 black and white photographs reminding people of large-scale movements during the national struggle for independence against the French and American, including “Hu gao khang chien” (Rice jar for the Resistance), “Diet giac doi, Diet giac dot, Diet giac ngoai xam” (Kill the hunger, Kill illiteracy, Kill invaders), “Thanh nien Ba san sang” (the youth ready for three tasks), “Phu nu Ba dam dang” (Women with three responsibilities) and more.

The photos also tell stories about other patriotic movements during the renewal period, for example, people building new-style rural areas or paying tribute to those who served the nation.

The exhibition will run through June 3.

Seven decades ago, in the spring of 1948, the country was struggling as it waged its resistance war against the French. To encourage the nation to contribute to the war, President Ho Chi Minh made an appeal for patriotic work emulation on June 11, 1948.

Opening the appeal he wrote: “The purpose of patriotic work emulation is to eliminate poverty and hunger and illiteracy and foreign aggressors. It means our entire people have enough rice to eat and clothing to wear. The entire population will know how to read and to write. The soldiers will have enough food and weapons to defeat the foreign aggressors. These are aimed to unite the entire nation. Thus we will have an independent nation, free civil rights and happy welfare of the people."

Seventy years have passed, but the appeal he made in June 1948 as the country fought to defeat the French while building a stable future, always promotes work emulation of every Vietnamese.

Famous film director dies at 90

Director Nguyễn Huy Thành, winner of many Golden Lotus awards, has died. He was 90. – Photo laodong.vn

Director Nguyễn Huy Thành, who rose to fame after winning the Golden Lotus Award for Nổi Gió (The Wind Rises) in 1970, passed away while visiting his children in France on May 22. He was 90.

Thành was born in Đà Nẵng in 1929. He joined the military in 1945 and then moved to the North after 1954.

In 1959, he studied directing at the Việt Nam Cinematography University (now the Hà Nội University of Theatre and Cinematography).

Thành’s first film Làng Nổi (Floating Village) in 1965 was much-acclaimed.

In 1970, he won the Golden Lotus award for Best Feature Film for Nổi Gió (The Wind Rises), given by the Department of Cinematography.

He received the Golden Lotus awards for Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay for Về Nơi Gió Cát (Return to the Land of Wind and Sands) in 1983, and Best Feature Film and Best Director for Xa và Gần (Far and Near) in 1985.

In honour of his contribution to cinematography, Thành was awarded the titles of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist in 2007. He was also given State swards for Literature and Arts in the same year.

The HCM City Film Association is preparing a memorial ceremony for Thành, and his funeral will be held in HCM City.

Irrigation systems need repairs

The 2400ha Pá Khoang Lake within the Pá Khoang tourism site in the northwestern province of Điện Biên. The province’s irrigation systems have been prepared to deal with the upcoming flood season. 

Nearly 900 irrigation systems in the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên will be reinforced in preparation for the upcoming flood season.

Among those systems are 13 reservoirs, two electrical pumping stations and more than 880 spillways and temporary dams. Two other reservoirs are under construction, including Ảng Cang in Mường Ảng District and Nậm Khẩu Hu in Điện Biên District. Damaged constructions pose severe threats to people who live in downstream or riverside areas.

According to Nguyễn Văn Định, head of Điện Biên Province Department of Water Management, the agency tasked reservoir owners to evaluate the construction’s conditions to draw up plans of flood prevention and resilience. Forest protection and better communication between reservoir owners and local authorities were stressed as essential.

Nguyễn Văn Duyên, director of Điện Biên Irrigation Management Company, told Vietnam News Agency that since April 2018, the company had inspected 12 reservoirs and dams that it reinforced for extreme weather events.

Điện Biên Province has several irrigation systems located in isolated areas which pose difficulties for search and rescue operations. Moreover, some reservoirs such as Bản Ban, Na Hươm and Sái Lượng are inaccessible in the flood season due.

Meanwhile, the breakwater project along Quảng Thái Beach in the central province of Thanh Hoá is being postponed, exposing locals to danger when the storm season approaches.

The project, which was invested with more than VNĐ180 billion (US$7.9 million) and was expected to be completed this month, is currently halted due to slow disbursement.

At the same time, the casuarina forest playing the role of a natural breakwater was completely felled, letting waves directly hit the shore.

Phạm Trung Tuấn, deputy head of Quảng Thái Commune People’s Committee, said that if a powerful storm hit the area, 300 local families would face severe damage.

“Because of the postponed project, the landscape is negatively affected, fishing boats have no place to be moored and local fishing is ruined,” he said. — VNS

Hanoi celebrates 590 years since King Le Thai To’s coronation

The palanquin procession marks 590 years since the coronation day of King Le Thai To on May 27 

A ceremony was held by Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on May 27 (13th day of the fourth lunar month) to mark 590 years since the coronation day of King Le Thai To, the founder of the Le so Dynasty (1428 – 1527).

In 1416, Le Loi, posthumously known by his temple name Le Thai To, and prominent figures gathered at the Lung Nhai Oath Ceremony in the land which is now Thanh Hoa province to vow to liberate the country from the rule of the Chinese Ming invaders, who attacked the country in 1407.

He launched the Lam Son Uprising in 1418 and it came to success in 1427, after 10 years of countless hardships and many resounding victories, forcing the Ming invaders to retreat.

On the 15th day of the fourth lunar month in 1428, Le Loi came to the throne under the name Thuan Thien at Kinh Thien Palace in Dong Quan Fortress (now Hanoi), and renamed the country Dai Viet, a name used to exist from 1054 to 1400.

The ceremony marking his coronation featured a palanquin procession with the participation of over 1,000 people and the incense offering at the King Le Thai To Statue relic site.

A representative of the administration of Hoan Kiem district said the ceremony aimed to commemorate the great merit of Le Loi during the 10-year uprising against the foreign invaders. It was also meant to help preserve and uphold traditional spiritual cultural values and educate people about tribute to ancestors.

Greetings extended to Buddhists on Buddha’s birthday

Most Venerable Danh Lung presents gift to Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Ngo Sach Thuc 

A delegation led by Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Ngo Sach Thuc visited and extended greetings to Buddhist dignitaries and followers in Ho Chi Minh City on May 27 on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2562nd birthday.

Visiting Most Venerable Thich Duc Nghiep, Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)'s Patronage Council and dignitaries in Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Thuc stressed that Buddhism always stays side by side with the nation and makes numerous contributions to the national development.

Visiting dignitaries of Khmer Nam Tong (Theravada ) Buddhism sect in Candaransi Pagoda, Thuc acknowledged that together with Buddhist work, the VBS has actively participated in emulation movements and social welfare activities as well as making efforts to protect the environment, adapt to climate change and ensure food safety and traffic safety.

Most Venerable Danh Lung stated that Buddhist dignitaries and followers continue promoting the good tradition of Buddhism, actively responding to the patriotic emulation movement and other campaigns initiated by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and maintain contributions to the national great unity.

On the day, the delegation also visited Most Venerable Thich Giac Toan, Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council, who represents the Khat si Vietnam Nam (Mendicant Buddhist) Sect; Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, Vice President of the VBS’s Executive Council and head of the Kinh Nam Tong Sect, and Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)'s Patronage Council and head of the Executive Council of the VBS’s Ho Chi Minh City chapter.

OV intellectuals in France, Belgium meet for national building

AVSE Global members, including many overseas Vietnamese intellectuals in France, met with Vietnamese specialists and businessmen living in Belgium in a gathering on May 27.

Members of the Association of Vietnamese Specialists and Scientists (AVSE Global), including many overseas Vietnamese intellectuals in France, met with Vietnamese specialists and businessmen living in Belgium in a Brussels gathering on May 27.

The AVSE held the gathering to connect Vietnamese intellectuals in the two countries and called on Vietnamese people living in Belgium and the Europe at large to together turn their hearts to the homeland and make contributions to the national building.

In his remarks at the meeting, AVSE President Nguyen Duc Khuong said the meeting aims to provide overseas Vietnamese people and organisations in Vietnam, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and other countries with information and chances to take part in seminars, projects and training programmes the AVSE Global is carrying out.

Present at the event, Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Vu Anh Quang highly valued contributions made by the Vietnamese communities overseas, especially intellectuals, to the national building. He expected the Vietnamese intellectuals and businessmen in Belgium will look into the possibility to set up an association like AVSE in France.

During the meeting, the AVSE gave the participants an overview of training courses, seminars, forums and projects it has been implementing. The participants then discussed opportunities to expand relations between the AVSE and organisations and individuals in Belgium and to take part in projects and programmes in Vietnam.

Founded in 2011 in Paris, France, the AVSE brings together prestigious Vietnamese intellectuals, scientists and specialists who reside both at home and overseas. The group aims to contribute to the prosperous development of the country.

Pho Hien set to be new tourism hub

The Xich Dang Temple of Literature, built in the 17th century in Xich Dang Commune. The temple worships Chu Van An (1292-1370), a revered teacher in the Trần Dynasty. It is among the 16 historical relics in the Pho Hien complex recognised as special heritage sites 

The northern province of Hung Yen is branding itself as the gateway to Hanoi city, in an effort to attract tourists and market its cultural sites and products.

In its tourism development plan, recently approved by the provincial authorities, the ancient Pho Hien (Hien Street) relic complex and the Hong (Red) River eco-travelling lodge have been listed as trademarks of Hung Yen tourism.

The province has set a goal to develop tourism industry as a key sector for economic development. The province seeks to tap the abundance of local products, as well as improve facilities, and promote its cultural identity.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duy Hung said the province has set out a variety of basic targets for development, in which priority was given to the development of the tourism industry; facilities and products that appeal to tourists; and particularly the protection of natural resources and the environment.

The province also directed local tourism authorities to focus on improving transport infrastructure and urged the business sector to invest in this field, said Hung.

He said, on the one hand, the province will focus on domestic markets, mainly attracting tourists from Hanoi and other provinces in the Red River Delta as well as other provinces in the country.

On the other hand, he added, it will expand to international markets including those in Europe, Australia, and North America.

Those in Northeast Asia and ASEAN member countries will also be considered, according to Hung.

Hung Yen has, for several years, undertaken measures to preserve the ancient Pho Hien relic complex, which is recognised as a special national heritage site.

Numerous projects have been implemented in the locality since 1997 to restore Pho Hien, in a bid to protect its cultural and historic value. Repairs have been made to the Xich Dang Temple of Literature, the Chuong Pagoda, the Mau (Goddess) Temple, and the Dong Do Quang Hoi and Hien Pagodas, among others.

Now the province has cordoned off nearly 2,000 hectares of land to carry out a master plan to preserve ancient Pho Hien in line with local tourism development.

Furthermore, the province has paid consistent attention to restoring Pho Hien traditional cultural festivals in order to maximise the tourism potential of the locality. Worshipping places in the complex remain particularly popular among domestic tourists.

The Pho Hien relic complex contains countless pagodas and temples built in Vietnamese, Chinese and western architectural styles. A Catholic church boasting a gothic architectural style was built in Pho Hien during the 17th century.

The complex was also once a bustling commercial port on the Red River, reaching its heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pho Hien was second only to the imperial capital city of Thang Long as a trading point. It was well-known among foreign traders, especially those from China, the Netherlands, Japan and France.

VFF President visits Buddhists in Soc Trang, Dong Nai provinces

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man (front, right) visits Buddhists in Soc Trang province at Prek On Dot Pagoda on May 27 

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man has congratulated Buddhists in the southern provinces of Soc Trang and Dong Nai on Lord Buddha’s 2,562nd birth anniversary (15th day of the fourth lunar month, or May 29 this year).

Visiting Prek On Dot (also called Can Duoc) Pagoda in Thanh Phu commune of Soc Trang’s My Xuyen district on May 27, he offered congratulations to Most Venerable Duong Nhon – Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), head of the provincial Association for Solidarity of Patriotic Buddhist Monks and head of Prek On Dot Pagoda; along with leaders of Thien Phuoc Pagoda in Xuan Hoa commune and Thien Thoi Pagoda in Thoi An Hoi commune of Ke Sach district.

Man informed local Buddhists about Vietnam’s recent achievements which were greatly contributed by Vietnamese Buddhists.

He extended greetings to all the Buddhists in Soc Trang, expressing his hope that they will continue encouraging dignitaries and followers to comply with the Party’s policies and the State’s law, including the Law on Belief and Religion, actively participate in social activities and patriotic emulation movements, and promote the great national unity bloc.

Most Venerable Thich Minh Hanh, member of the VBS’s Executive Council and head of Thien Thoi Pagoda, appreciated the Party, State and VFF’s attention, affirming that they will further encourage Buddhist followers to contribute to national development.

On May 26, the leader of the VFF Central Committee visited Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the VBS’s Patronage Council, at Thuong Chieu Monastery in Phuoc Thai commune of Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province.

He noted that the Law on Belief and Religion, which comes into force in 2018, will create more favourable conditions for all religions, including Buddhism. He asked Thuong Chieu Monastery and the VBS to build on the obtained achievements and contribute more to national development and protection.

Buddhists in HCM City congratulated on Lord Buddha’s birthday

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (fifth, left) visits Office II of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCM City on May 27 

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, visited and extended congratulations to some Buddhist establishments in Ho Chi Minh City on May 27 ahead of Lord Buddha’s 2562nd birthday.

Visiting Chairman of the VBS’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon and Buddhist monks, nuns and followers at Office II of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), she hailed the enormous contributions by Vietnamese Buddhists to national development throughout history.

The VBS has done a number of activities benefiting the religion and life while encouraging Buddhists nationwide to have good faith, adhere to the State’s law, fulfill citizens’ obligations, actively take part in charitable work, and contribute to poverty reduction.

She affirmed that the Party and State always respect and ensure people’s right to freedom of belief and religion, care for the socio-economic development of religious communities, and create favourable conditions for followers and dignitaries of different religious, including Buddhism, to practice their religions authentically and fulfill the obligations of a citizen.

Appreciating the Party and State leaders’ attention, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon said the VBS has been complying with Lord Buddha’s teachings to become a religion with humane values that is attached to humankind and generates good values for the life.

Over nearly two millennia, the Vietnamese Buddhism has continually been standing by the country and become an integral part of the nation’s history, he noted.

He pledged that the VBS will continue encouraging Buddhists to follow the State’s Constitution and law as well as the VBS’s policies and regulations, thus helping to develop the Vietnamese Buddhism sustainably and contributing to national development.

Also on May 27, NA Chairwoman Ngan visited the Executive Council of the Giao hoi Tinh do cu sy Phat hoi Viet Nam (Vietnam Pure Land Buddhist Association) Central Committee.

Talking to head of the association Nguyen Phuong Hieu, dignitaries, followers and members of the organisation, she spoke highly of their religious practices along with provision of free medical examinations and medicine and care for disadvantaged people, which have helped to build a more altruistic society.

She applauded their efforts to join people nationwide to create great strides for Vietnam and improve the country’s stature in the international arena. She asked the Vietnam Pure Land Buddhist Association to continue charitable work to help with national development.

Nguyen Phuong Hieu said all dignitaries, followers and members of the association always trust the State’s guidelines and policies on religions and beliefs. They have focused on their religious practices and strived to carry out charitable activities and develop the association.

The Executive Council will continue promoting their followers’ adherence to law and the organisation’s rules, along with charitable work, thereby helping to bring peace and happiness to all people, he added.

On May 26, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh also visited and sent congratulations on Lord Buddha’s birthday to Buddhists at Lam Son, Thien Minh and Bao Quoc pagodas in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Vietnam impresses Prague international art festival

Trong dance performed at 20th international art-cultural festival of national minorities in the Czech Republic

Vietnam’s traditional dances gained big applause at the 20th international art-cultural festival of national minorities in the Czech Republic held from May 24-28 under the theme “Prague-Heart of Nations”.

Vietnamese people living in the country brought to the festival three dances, and an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) show.

This was the first time a group dance from Vietnam, Trong dance (dance with drums), had been selected to be performed in the Gala Concert – the peak of the festival - in the stunning Vinohrady Theater on May 26.

Nguyen Duy Nhien, President of the Vietnamese People’s Association in the Czech Republic, said that Vietnam has attended the festival for nine times, with the purpose of showing friendship and introducing the country’s cultural beauty to international friends.

This year’s festival attracted the participation of 20 troupes from European, Asian, African and American nations.

The festival is the largest joint festival of national minorities in the Czech Republic, which has been held since 1999.

It features music & dance performances, costumeshows, exhibitions, demonstrations of old crafts, creative and dance workshops.