Queen of Sauce creates English revolution

Đào Thị Hằng, known as the “Queen of Sauce”, is a prominent name on the domestic market with her brand of the product. But she has also become known for her revolutionary teaching methods - banning the use of mobile phones and the internet six days a week while students study her English courses in the isolation of the northern mountains.

VN Khmers preserve 2,000 years of culture

In recent years, provincial authorities have paid attention to reducing poverty among the southern Khmer people, while preserving and upholding the diversity of their traditional culture. Ngọc Diệp writes.

The nunchaku and a young man’s path of career

Endless effort and passion has enabled Lại Xuân Huy to succeed at a deadly form of martial arts. He even quit university to learn more about the ancient art from Okinawa, the home of nunchaku, two sticks joined by a short chain. Trung Hiếu reports.

 

Reviving folk art becomes a passion

Folk art not only provides a modest income for many Vietnamese, it has often been considered a national treasure. However, as modern art styles become popular, the old paintings are starting to fade away.

Historic school celebrates a milestone

A school with some of the prettiest - and toughest - students in North Việt Nam recently celebrated its 100th birthday. One of its pupils was Lê Thi, later to become a professor. She was one of  two girls who hoisted the National Flag at Việt Nam’s first independence day at Ba Đình historical square on September 2,1945. 
 
 
 
 

Young architect shows her love for mountain people

Old, makeshift dormitories for ethnic students in the northern mountains were sometimes formed by putting timber panels together. Now the shacks have been replaced with stable buildings, made by solid construction materials - and love. The love comes from  Lê Thu Huyền, 30, the founder of  a four-year-old project called Nabe.Arc (Natural Beauty in Architecture). 

 

Deaf, mute youths gain skillls at House of Youth

Where is modern youth heading and what does it find meaningful? Each person has a different answer, but the House of Youth in Đà Lạt City in the central province of Lâm Đồng provides some surprising insights for everyone.

Old-time herbalist believes in pedal power

For the last 25 years, Đinh Công Bảy has offered free health check-ups and treatment in pagodas. His patients are mostly poor people suffering from chronic or
incurable diseases. On top of his free clinics, Bảy finds the time to write books on healthy eating and traditional medicine. Trần Nguyễn Anh reports.

 

Việt Nam’s answer to the NBA

Vietnam’s very own basketball league, the VBA League, is now into its second year. Young fans regularly pack out the stadiums, enthralled by the country’s latest sporting trend. Peter Cowan reports.

Boosting children’s 'face value', confidence

Facing the World is a British-based charity group which aims to give new life to severely disfigured children. The charity Voluntary CEO and Trustee Katrin Kandel will travel to Việt Nam this month to raise donations to train doctors, provide equipment and perform life-changing operations for children.

Beach city hosts waves of development

Đà Nẵng’s amazing transformation from an abandoned US military station in 1975 to the most liveable city in the country hosting the APEC 2017 summit is a story that goes back centuries, writes Bùi Hoài Nam.

Tailors boost Hội An’s reputation

Hội An, said to be one of the top 10 romantic cities in the world, has ‘down-to-earth’ attractions like tailoring and shoe making that will attract even those determined not to engage in any shopping. Bùi Quỳnh Hoa writes.

A café for contributors

On the first Saturday of every month, reporters and journalists in the central province of Quảng Ngãi gather for a familiar activity – drinking coffee, contributing to the charity fund of a programme called “A cup of coffee worth VNĐ50,000.

Young talent sows joy on nationwide trip

In September, a group of  16 young and talented artists and students began a journey across the nation to bring art closer to different community groups through a project titled Gieo (Sowing). They wanted to prove that art connects people - and that art can heal everyone.

Thái women in Nghệ An learn to promote community-based tourism

The ethnic Thais in Nghệ An belong to an old branch of the original Thai people settled in the mountains of northern Việt Nam. With the help of Japanese advice, some villagers are now turning to home-stay tourism to provide extra income and to preserve their ancient culture.    

Male teachers stay the course on a difficult road

Since its establishment in 1982, no female teacher has worked at a primary school in the central province of Nghệ An because the working conditions are very difficult. The dedication of male teachers saves the day, Minh Đức reports.

 

A market for broken heart mementos

While many people keep old flames burning in their hearts while nursing scarred souls, there are others stuck with physical objects - jewelry, books, clothes or other souvenirs - painful reminders that they’d rather not have around. Now there’s a place to get these vestiges out of one’s life forever.  An Vũ  reports.

Mountain fire walkers talk to the gods

Fire dancing by the Red Dao ethnic group is a special cultural feature in Hà Giang Province. Strong and courageous men with bare feet shuffle around on burning coals, surprising tourists unaware that the rare practice exists in Việt Nam. Lê Hương and Hồng Vân explores the custom.

E-paper