Category: Lifestyle

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

“Taste of Australia”, a festival introducing the country’s cuisine, was held by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi on late August 22.

The event was among activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and the official visit to Vietnam by Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.

In her remarks, Minister Wong said food can bring people closer together. Vietnam owns a developed culinary culture while the development history of Australia is the confluence of many cultures and religions, so the Australian cuisine is the harmony and quintessence of various culinary traditions.

She added that the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, an event not only marking the close-knit ties between the two Governments but also reflecting the strong people-to-people links.

“Taste of Australia” was an occasion to introduce the identities of Australian cuisine to Vietnamese people and international friends, and also affirm the strong bonds between the countries over the last 50 years.

Famous Vietnamese-Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Nguyen was in charge of the menu at the festival./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on August 19 visited and extended greetings to leaders of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of the Vu Lan Festival.

The festival, which falls on the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, is a Buddhist tradition as well as a cultural activity aimed at honouring and showing gratitude to parents, and those who died for the peace of life.

Quang said that this practice has become a good cultural tradition of the Vietnamese people, demonstrating the harmonious connection between religion and life.

He expressed his belief that the VBS will continue leading and directing monks and nuns and Buddhist followers to actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, charity and social welfare activities, for the peace of each family, and contributing to the building of the society and the country.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Supreme Patriarch of the VBS Patronage Council, said that thanks to the sound leadership and support of Party and State leaders and the solidarity of monks, nuns and Buddhists, Vietnamese Buddhism has gained many great achievements, making contributions to the country./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Two Vietnamese films – “Yellow Flowers on Green Grass” and “Yen’s Life” – are competing in the first ASEAN Film Festival in Hong Kong (China).

The festival, taking place from August 4-19, is organised by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Association, the Consulates General of ASEAN countries in Hong Kong, and partners.

The cultural event aims to introduce the diverse beauty in culture and customs of the ASEAN community to Hong Kong audiences through stories in the film, and help them further understand Southeast Asian culture, thus promoting cultural exchanges and deepening cultural and economic ties between the two sides.

A total of 14 works from eight ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore are screened at M Cinema, The Sky và The Miller Theatre (Asia Society Hong Kong).

Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Pham Binh Dam said that the participation of Vietnamese films in the festival is an effort to implement cultural diplomacy and promote the country and people of Vietnam. The films will inspire people to visit Vietnam for tourism or business.

“Yellow Flowers on Green Grass” was directed by Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu and “Yen’s Life” by Dinh Tuan Vu./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A festival is underway in Portugal’s Porto city, aiming to promote the beauty of Vietnam and its Ho Chi Minh City, and enhance economic ties between the two cities.

The event, from July 28-30, is held by the HCM City People’s Committee in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in France and Portugal, and Porto authorities.

It is the biggest trade, investment, tourism and culture promotion even launched by HCM City in Europe this year, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc said in his opening remarks, informing that HCM City and Porto have just signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing friendship and cooperation.

The festival is expected to be held annually to bring Vietnam’s southern metropolis closer to international friends, and tighten the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular with countries worldwide, including Portugal, he added.

Porto Mayor Rui Moreira highlighted the potential for Vietnam and Portugal to intensify their cooperation, as well as their good will in strengthening the bilateral trade ties.

The official expressed his hope that the festival will contribute to consolidating the relations between Porto and Vietnamese localities, while promoting new strengths in the areas that have great economic, scientific and environmental potential.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France and Portugal Dinh Toan Thang said festival goers should use the occasion to establish new partnerships, consolidate existing relations and build long-term friendship.

The highlight of the festival was an economic cooperation forum organised by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, with the participation of more than 100 business representatives from HCM City, Porto and neighbouring European countries, along with Vietnamese trade counselors.

The participants looked into the business environment in the two cities, raised proposals to their leaders, and explored cooperation opportunities.

Apart from various performances by Vietnamese and Portuguese artists, the festival also introduces Vietnamese agricultural products, handicrafts, traditional costumes and folk games, and features a photo exhibition capturing HCM City’s development and integration./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

“Oun Rangsit” quarreled with his wife and returned to Korea. Seeing the woman’s side panting for a real fleeing child! Oh sorry, I don’t want to quit

A parade to send encouragement to the actor, father of one child, “Oun Rangsit” after he came out to record a clip telling about problems that occur in the family, having problems with “Nong Mamuang”, his Korean wife. They argue so violently that they expel the woman to return to Korea. It appears that the other party actually did it. Take the baby and run away with it. Until having to come out to apologize and reconcile through the media.

Source: Thai News Agency