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Exploring Vietnamese Culture Through Water Puppetry: The German President’s Wife’s Journey

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During their state visit to Vietnam, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, visited the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Elke Büdenbender went behind the scenes and talked to the artists to gain a deeper understanding of the art of water puppetry and their work. As part of their visit to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, the first ladies of Vietnam and Germany received special gifts from the theatre. Water puppetry is a traditional art form in Vietnam that dates back to the 11th century. The shows depict scenes from rural life, including landscapes, bamboo trees, and traditional activities like fishing and rice cultivation. The wives of the Vietnamese and German Presidents posed for a photo with the artists at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1975 and elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2011. The year 2024 is significant as it leads up to the 50th anniver...

Vietnam President Welcomes German Counterpart with a Grand Ceremony

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President Vo Van Thuong invites German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to step on the podium while military bands play the national anthems of both nations. Vietnam and Germany first established diplomatic relations in 1975. The two countries lifted ties to strategic partnership in 2011. Germany is Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in Europe, and more than 350 German businesses are operating in Vietnam. As of May 2023, Germany had 444 valid projects worth over US$2.36 billion, ranking fourth from a total of 24 European countries investing in Vietnam. The two leaders inspect the guard of honour. This is the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the first high-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year – a pivotal year towards the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025. The two leaders hold talks immediately after the welcome ceremony. During two-day visit, German Presid...

World-renowned baritone to make debut performance in Vietnam

Sulimsky, one of the world’s leading singers, will join forces with the Sun Symphony Orchestra to present an extraordinary New Year concert. The concert will feature the delightful Carnival Overture of Dvořák and his beloved Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”, both composed during the same period as the Biblical Songs, representing a prolific era of masterpieces by the composer. In addition, Vietnamese soprano Dao To Loan will grace the stage, performing special songs composed by Van Cao. Sulimsky has achieved great international acclaim throughout his career. In 2010, he emerged as the winner of the International Giacomo Lauri-Volpi Competition in Italy. Notably, his portrayal of Prince Kurljatew in Tchaikovsky’s Charodeyka (Enchantress) in Christof Loy’s production at the Theater an der Wien in 2014 garnered significant attention. Since then, Sulimsky has continued to excel, making his debut at the Salzburg Festival in 2018 as Tomsky (Pique Dame) under the baton of Mariss Janso...

Vietnamese literature showcased in Brussels eatery

The restaurant also offers a selection of bilingual books in Vietnamese and French/English. This project, a joint initiative between YouTube channel Viet Happiness Station and the General Association of Vietnamese in Belgium (GAVB), aims to set up bookcases in Vietnamese restaurants. With over 300 book titles covering various genres, the bookcase has captured the interest of Vietnamese individuals from different generations, sparking meaningful discussions among them. Le Van Vong, a 75-year-old patron, expressed how these books have helped him and others who have lived abroad for many years to reinforce their Vietnamese language skills and expand their knowledge. Moreover, he emphasized that the project has also fostered closer connections among people. Kieu Bich Huong, the brains behind this project, revealed that there are future activities planned to further engage Vietnamese culture enthusiasts. These activities will allow individuals to borrow books and partake in exchanges w...

Indian specialists initiate survey to restore Nhan Tower in Vietnam

The expert team from the Archaeological Survey of India, under the Indian Ministry of Culture, has started surveying the tower in Tuy Hoa City, as the first step towards its preservation and refurbishment. This restoration plan was established based on a memorandum of understanding signed between the Vietnamese and Indian governments. On Sunday, the Indian experts measured the tower, used drones to capture the relic, and created 3D scans of the structures for data collection. Due to its deteriorated state over the years, the Tuy Hoa authorities have requested the Indian experts to propose suitable repair and recovery solutions. The team plans to replace damaged bricks, treat cracks, reinforce structures, remove harmful organisms, and clean up the inside of the tower. During the process, they will ensure that the sightseeing experience for visitors is not disrupted. The Nhan Tower holds great significance as a signature symbol of Tuy Hoa and Phu Yen. It was built between the late 11th a...

Vietnamese athletes win big at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship

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The duo initially dominated with impressive scores of 7-1, 9-3, and 15-5, but faced a challenge when Indian opponents Arjun Cheema and Rhythm Sangwan narrowed the gap with a 15-11 victory. Despite a strong performance from both Vietnamese athletes, they only managed to secure a narrow victory with a 0.2-point lead over their Indian rivals. While the gold medal is a promising start for the team at the Asian tournament, it does not count as an Olympic qualifier. Currently, Vietnam has earned only one spot for the Paris Games thanks to Trinh Thu Vinh, who achieved a fifth-place finish in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2023 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Azerbaijan last August. Vietnamese athletes Pham Quang Huy (R) and Trinh Thu Vinh (L) cheer with head coach Park Chung Gun after winning the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2024 in Indonesia, January 9, 2024. Photo: Nhung Nguyen / Tuoi Tre The ongoing ...

Promoting ASEAN as the Ultimate World Festival Destination

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The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 26 organized a workshop on ASEAN festival tourism, as reported by VNA. Vietnam is actively participating in and contributing to tourism cooperation activities within the ASEAN framework. Currently, Vietnam holds the Chair position of the Committee on Resources, Monitoring and Evaluation of ASEAN Tourism; and serves as the main coordinator of the project “Building ASEAN festival tourism products”. According to the organizing committee, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has stated that international tourism is on its path to recovery and is expected to reach about 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. Several destinations have already recovered, some even surpassing their pre-Covid-19 visitor numbers and revenue. Based on forecasts by tourism experts, the global tourism industry is projected to fully recover starting from 2024 onwards. Delegates discuss...