Category: Lifestyle

Representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium participated in the annual Manifiesta (Solidarity) Festival of the Workers’ Party of Belgium held in Ostende city from September 9-10.

Deputy Ambassador Vu Thu Thuy said that the embassy brought a set of photos, books and publications to popularise to international friends about Vietnam and its people as well as life and career of President Ho Chi Minh.

The event is an opportunity to present to friends around the world about the cause of national liberation, construction and international integration of Vietnam, she added.

The Vietnamese stall attracted a great attention of international friends, from those who have been to Vietnam, supported the country in the national liberation movements, to those who only know it through books, newspapers, and documentary films.

Manifiesta is held annually to tighten solidarity among left-wing parties and workers’ movements from all over the world. The two-day event featured hundreds of pavilions, music performances, games, and debates related to global issues, including gender equality, vulnerable groups, racial discrimination, information and technology.

Launched for the first time in 2010, Manifiesta is shaped to address pressing topics such as workplace rights of health personnel and the climate crisis, while also emphasising the significance of feminism, peace advocacy, and solidarity./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Jambi (ANTARA) – Merangin Geopark in Jambi won the Best Practices Award 2023 of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) Awards held in Morocco.eneral Manager of the Merangin Geopark Management Agency Agus Zainuddin, in a statement received here on Monday, stated that the Best Practices Award 2023 was an achievement and an award for the dedication of the entire Merangin Geopark team and the people of Jambi. “Merangin District in Jambi, Indonesia, really caught the world’s attention at the event. Merangin’s name, in particular, was raised at the international conference,” he remarked. Zainuddin said that the team of the Merangin Geopark had struggled to make the Merangin Geopark known to the world. He also thanked the Serampas customary people, who have supported the development of Merangin Geopark. “Thank you, Serampas customary people,” he stated. He believes the achievement is truly extraordinary. He recalled that in 2014, the attempt to propose Merangin as a geopark recognized by UNESCO had met with a roadblock. W
ith the long journey, Merangin Geopark in Jambi is currently part of the UGG. Furthermore, Zainuddin also expressed his gratitude for the efforts and roles of related parties that have assisted Rantau Kermas Village, customary villages, renewable energy villages, and energy-independent villages in carrying out good practices. These villages are models of sustainable development conducted by the community, he highlighted. He affirmed that this achievement belongs to all Indonesian people, the people of Jambi Province, and especially all communities in Merangin District. For this reason, he invited the local community to continue to welcome and embrace all local wisdom. He expressed optimism that the Merangin Geopark, as a UNESCO-recognized geopark and local tourism asset, would provide economic benefits to the community.

Source: Antara News Agency

A Vietnamese Festival was held in Yokohama, the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan on September 9, drawing a large number of visitors.

Addressing the event, Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa Yuji highlighted the meaning of the event, marking the complete recovery of exchange and cooperation activities between the people of Vietnam and Japan in general and Kanagawa in particular after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu underlined that the festival is one of many activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Themed “Connecting for future,” the event aims to encourage people of the two countries to foster their connectivity under the motto of “Vietnam and Japan head to the future together and rise to the world”.

The diplomat said he hopes the Kanagawa Festival in Vietnam slated for November will be a success

First held in 2015, the Vietnamese Festival in Kanagawa has become an annual event, contributing to strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding between people of the locality and Japan with Vietnam.

This year, the festival was held in the framework of the Vietnam Day in Kanagawa, which also includes various investment and tourism promotion activities.

More than 80 booths at the festival introduced the cuisine and traditional arts of Vietnam to Japanese. Intensive programmes on Vietnam tourism and culture exploration were also organised, along with a Japanese speech contest for international students in Kanagawa.

Located south of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture has an area of 2,415 sq.m2 and a population of more than 9.2 million people, the second most populous in Japan. In recent years, the number of Vietnamese people living and working in Kanagawa has continuously increased, making Vietnamese the second largest foreign community out of 30,000 people from more than 170 countries/territories living here.

The festival will last through September 10./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

In addition to being happy to be one of the Thai people who participated in the fashion show at Seoul Fashion Week, held in Seoul, South Korea, “DJ Matum Techin” also felt proud. So cool that we bring “TESIT student uniforms” Thai brand clothes. Sewing skills by a new and energetic Thai designer. Go walk and show your aura of perfection on a world-class runway. which received praise from people at the event as well as foreign media who came to interview about the outfit in droves.

“DJ Matoom” posted to share this proud story via his personal Instagram @dj_matoom with a message stating, “Seoul fashion week #day3 for today’s first gate look, Matoom thought for a long time about what to wear. Which brand is better, high-end or a foreign brand? Finally, Bael was chosen. “TSIT Student Uniform” is a genuine Thai children’s brand. Tailored by a new and energetic designer. @chaytoninblack I admit that I made the right decision because everyone looked at this outfit and admired it very much. Plus, foreign media asked for an interview about this set and the Thai brand as well.

Source: Thai News Agency

The first large-scale Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival in Japan opened in Saitama prefecture on September 1 evening.

Themed “Hello Saitama”, the festival is one among activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said that the bilateral relationship is at the best stage of development, with economic and cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges promoted.

In that context, Vietnamese festivals in Japan have become cultural exchange events that are expected and welcomed by many Japanese friends and the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The three-day festival is showcasing star lanterns, lion dance performances, and mooncakes. More than 60 booths were also set up to popularise the unique Vietnamese cuisine, and handicrafts.

Earlier on August 31, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka held an event to celebrate the 78th National Day of Vietnam./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

After the final of AFF U23 Championship on August 26 in Thailand, while Thai media expressed their admiration for the U23 Vietnam’s victory in the tournament, the Indonesian press expressed regret when Indonesian players lost in the penalty shootout.

U23 Vietnam entered the final match with an all-win record from the group stage. After a goalless 120 minutes, the match had to be decided on penalties, with keeper Quan Van Chuan proving to be the hero saving a penalty from Ernando Ari.

In a recent article, Thailand’s Siam Sport newspaper said that U23 Vietnam has proved its top position in Southeast Asia when successfully defending the championship title after defeating U23 Indonesia with a score of 6-5 on penalties.

CNN Indonesia version expressed regret when Indonesia’s U23 team became the runner-up of this year’s tournament.

According to the news, coach Shin Tae-yong’s team played defensively and pulled Vietnam U23 into penalties.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Republika online newspaper quoted Indonesian Football Federation President Erick Thohir’s encouragement as saying that the Indonesian squad overcame difficulties and played bravely in this tournament.

Erick said that although the results were below Indonesian fans’ expectations but he believed this championship would provide motivation and mentality for the players to get even better./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Supermarkets and wet markets are now busy as the Vu Lan festival is only three days away.

The festival, dedicated to both parents who are living and those who passed away, will fall on August 30 or the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

In traditional markets in Hanoi, prices of fruits, flowers and food have increased slightly by 5-10% from the usual days. Vegetarian food offerings are becoming a trend for many families during this time.

The votive paper market has also entered its busiest period of the year.

Vu Thi Vui, a small business owner selling various types of ritual items at Mo market, said eco-friendly incenses, candles and other products are more favoured.

Amid economic downturn, the number of customers has increased but their level of spending decreased, she added.

The festival is based on the legend of Maudgalyayana (known as Muc Kien Lien in Vietnam), a chief disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha, who was unable to alleviate the suffering of his mother in the realm of hungry ghosts.

He was told that the only way to deliver his mother from the pains of suffering is to rely upon the strength of monastics of all directions in their cultivation of meritorious virtues.

The merits could liberate the deceased from the three suffering realms and allow them to enjoy a life of abundance, good fortune and longevity.

Therefore, by observing the practice, all Buddhists can deliver their parents from the miseries of the three suffering realms.

From this, many Buddhist countries have developed their own custom of offering food, clothing, and other items to hungry spirits in the seventh lunar month.

This festival has been widely celebrated in Vietnam to express respect, love and honour towards parents./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam’s Nakama Yosakoi dance group performed at the 21st Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi which opened in Tokyo, Japan, on August 26.

On the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – Japan diplomatic ties, Nakama Yosakoi is the only foreign team invited to perform at the festival along with more than 100 local groups.

Nakama Yosakoi is a dance group sponsored by the UNESCO Information Centre under the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations. It was set up to create a playground for Yosakoi enthusiasts in Vietnam, as well as contribute to the enhancement of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The 24-strong group performed a dance named “Irodori” (Colouring), which was inspired by the Vietnamese fairy tale “Cong va Qua” (A peacock and a crow), at the festival and won the applause of the audience.

The group attended the 15th Harajuku Omotesandou Super Yosakoi Genki Matsuri Festival in 2015 and won the “Outstanding Newcomer” Award.

The Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi is held annually in Tokyo to honour the traditional Yosakoi dance of Kochi prefecture. This year, it features more than 100 teams with over 5,000 dancers and is expected to attract nearly 1 million visitors./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency