New novel rebuts Western perspective on American war

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, a PhD scholar in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, will publish her second book in  English, Searching for Earth Cakes and Sky Cakes, in 2018 with Benchmark Education while her debut novel in English, The Mountains Sing, is due for release in spring 2019 by prestigious publisher Algonquin. She spoke to Lê Hương about her work.

Cookbooks a recipe for cultural understanding

Andrea Nguyễn has authored many English books featuring Vietnamese cuisine that are more than cook books, offering glimpses into national history, culture and traditional customs.  She speaks to Minh Thu about the motivation and inspiration for her culinary stories.

Scientist pioneers regenerative medicine research

Dr Nguyễn Thị Hiệp, a 36 year-old lecturer has conducted research for more than 10 years on the use of biomaterials in regenerative medicine and tissue cells. For her research on using homecare solutions, Hiệp won the top prize at the third annual ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2017.

 

Prolific director shows no sign of stopping

Director Lưu Trọng Ninh, 61, has created dozens of films and TV series on different themes – romance, history and war.  He tells Minh Thu about a new television serial.

Curves and hands point to the naked truth

HCM City-based Trần Hạo Nhiên recently made headlines by becoming the first ever photographer in the country to get permission from local cultural authorities to open an exhibition of 50 black and white nude photos. He spoke to Thúy Hằng about the journey to Tạo Tác (Nature’s Artifact), which held at the HCM City Fine Arts Association.

Book publisher opens up on her passion

ReBooks, the first online book exchange in Việt Nam, was recently been created by R Books Co Ltd and Phoenix Global Wealth Management. It aims to introduce more foreign books to Việt Nam and domestic books to the world.

Poetry in the veins of live blood bank founder

Prof, Dr Nguyễn Anh Trí, director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT), is the founder of the live blood bank, one of big blood donors in Việt Nam. He talks with Linh Giang about his work and his wish.
 

Star chef brings Vietnamese cuisine to world stage

Vietnamese-Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyễn is overseeing the rebirth of the newly renovated Vietnam House in the heart of HCM City, offering a new twist on old favorites. He speaks to Mỹ Duyên.  

Tea hunter travels through time for a drink

In the last 20 years, Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn has travelled across Việt Nam looking for famous teas that have been lost in the past and tried his best to develop them. He shares with Vương Bạch Liên  his passion for tea.

Freelancer cameraman is hard to please

Phạm Hà Duy Linh, or Linh Phạm as he is simply known, is a co-founder of the Matca (Fisheye) project which aims to create a display space to inspire Vietnamese photographers and visual artists.

 

Vietnamese designer to open New York fashion week

Designer Đỗ Trịnh Hoài Nam will open the 26th Couture Fashion Week New York with his Golden Lotus Áo Dài Collection on September 8. Nam talks about his latest collection, becoming famous, and his love for the áo dài.

 

Brand ambassador spreads the love for Vietnamese cuisine

As an icon of Việt Nam’s culinary scene, celebrity chef Phan Tôn Tịnh Hải has been selected to be the brand ambassador for Big Bowl, a phở-based restaurant chain. Hải talks to reporter Bồ Xuân Hiệp.  

 

Athlete seeks to kick, punch his way to gold

Born into a family with a four-generation tradition of martial arts in Lâm Đồng, seven-time world champion Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất has been called “The loner who seeks defeat” in Muay Thai. Nhất shares with Bùi Quỳnh Hoa his passion for the sport and his strong desire to secure a victory for the country at the upcoming SEA Games 29 in Malaysia.

VN culture's the source of endless inspiration

Theatre director Việt Tú, whose art shows are big hits in Việt Nam, has continued his run of successes with his latest show Thủa Ấy Xứ Đoài or The Quintessence of Tonkin. Inspired by the traditional art form of water puppetry, more than 100 real farmers and villagers are part of the show that has won rave reviews from critics. Director Tú spoke to Thúy Hằng about his work and inspiration.

Need for smart, clean toilets a no-brainer

Lê Văn Hiệp, director of the Kim Hoàng Hiệp Trading, Service and Environment Limited Company, has installed some trial-free smart toilets at public areas in Bình Dương. He has active solutions to change the quality of toilets throughout the country. Lê Hương explores his interest in toilets.

 

Doctor ups grassroots healthcare standards

Dr Nguyễn Minh Quân has brought advanced technologies normally used at city- or central-level hospitals to an outlying district, Thủ Đức, in HCM City. He spoke to Gia Lộc about his work.

 

French director tells story of love in war

Oscar-nominated French screenwriter and film director Olivier Lorelle was in Việt Nam this week for the premiere of his film Ciel Rouge (Red Sky). This is the fourth film made by a French director and entirely shot in Việt Nam.

Have passion and self-respect in everything you do

Hứa Thanh Bình is the deputy director of the HCM City Museum of Fine Arts. He sits down and talks with An Vũ about his passion for art, how he runs the museum and his plans for the future of the museum.

Healing hands for Vietnamese feet

Ha Nguyen spoke with Mike Strauss, who has joined eight others from the US, Netherlands, Australia and Turkey as well as 170 Vietnamese surgeons to perform surgeries on 100 disadvantaged patients suffering foot and ankle deformities in seven northern localities.

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