Việt Nam News

Cẩm Nam Commune has been known by several names: Cồn Hến, meaning mussel islet, and Cồn Bắp, maize islet. The commune, 3km south of Hội An ancient town, has now become an eco-tourism destination with tranquil rural scenery and traditional farming on the river banks.

American Navy nurse Susan Schnall was dismissed from service and sentenced to six months of hard labour for protesting against the American war in Việt Nam in 1969. In March she visited Việt Nam for a fifth time with other 22 American veterans. They took part in a commemoration of the Mỹ Lai Massacre and the opening of an exhibition called Waging Peace at the War Remnants Museum in HCM City to display for the first time the newspapers, photographs, posters and films circulated underground by the GI peace movement. Việt Nam News spoke with Susan.

Fending off 26 competitors from different parts of the world, Nguyễn Hương Giang from Hà Nội was crowned this year’s “Miss International Queen” in Thailand at one of the world’s top beauty pageants for transgender women. Bồ Xuân Hiệp speaks to Giang in Bangkok about her plan to fight for the LGBT community in Việt Nam.

On March 19, a special exhibition commemorating an important element of the US movement against the American war in Việt Nam will open in Hồ Chí Minh City. The exhibit will feature details that have been “missing in action” from public memory about antiwar activities that arose within the military itself.

Realising that the key force in preserving this national heritage are young people, Gia Lai cultural authority has attached great importance to engaging children and teenagers in gong sessions, as well as traditional folk singing and dancing classes.

with chef Nguyễn Văn Tuân from Fortuna Hanoi Hotel

Phạm Thị Hồng Ánh has returned to the silver screen after a long time working as director, businesswoman and producer. She talks to Minh Thu about the emotion and inspiration in acting.

Đinh Quang Hiếu expressed his concern for the environment, in his essay applying for a scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and emerged victorious.

The Pullman Vung Tau Hotel & Resort, and its Riviera Restaurant, offer a splendid stay by the seaside and a sumptuous dining experience.

Forget about a night at the museum. To some tourists visiting the city, one hour at the Fine Arts Museum takes them through an art tour from ancient times to contemporary periods.

A team of researchers, including Trần Hậu Yên Thế, Nguyễn Đức Hòa and Hồ Hữu Long, have published a book on the nghê, a sacred animal that guards ancient temples and communal houses. Lê Hương spoke with Trần Hậu Yên Thế, chief editor of the book.

The HCM City Hát Bội Theatre has launched its new free programme offering hát bội or tuồng (classical drama) performances for primary school studentsas part of the theatre’s efforts to attract young audiences.  

These days, if you are a vegetarian living in the biggest city in Vietnam, you are in luck as there is no shortage of vegetarian restaurants around, thanks to the increasing number of people who like to eat more healthy food. For The Nomad Quynh, Biogarten is one of the favorites.

Mutton curry is a popular Indian curry dish that is prepared from mutton and vegetables. It originated in Bengal. It tastes better when prepared in a pressure cooker and pairs perfectly with basmati rice.  

Eight lively replicas have been installed in Hướng Phùng school premises to educate the students about history and culture.

Private museums in HCM City have changed their ways of doing business and are pulling more customers away from theatres and cinemas.

Trịnh Văn Binh and his troupe members, aged between 60 and 87, belong to Đục Khê Village, Hương Sơn Commune in Hà Nội’s suburban Mỹ Đức District. They have performed at many festivals in the northern region of the country and are much loved as the troupe of old dancers.

Many eateries in Hà Nội now feature realistic paintings of villages, mountains and dreamland of flowers, rivers and sky.  Đỗ Phương Linh sampled strangely decorated Bồng Lai Quán (Wonderland Restaurant) at 184 Triệu Việt Vương street.