Vietnamese model among top five at Asian Fashion Awards

Vietnamese supermodel Lan Khue was listed among the top five at the Asian Fashion Awards 2013, in Chengdu, China.

Selected by the Asia Fashion Federation, the award winners also include Vietnamese make-up artist Thong Bao, who was among the top five in the category of Asian Top Fashion Make-up Artists.

Asian Fashion Awards is considered the Oscar Award for Asia’s fashion industry which is organized annually by the Asian Fashion Federation to honor individuals for outstanding achievement in the local fashion industry as well as in the Asian fashion industry.

Vietnam was represented by model Lan Khue, make-up artist Thong Bao and designer Quynh Paris. Model Lan Khue is well known in Vietnam among the younger generation. She had won the third prize in the Asian Supermodel contest in 2012 and the Golden Award for Vietnam Model in 2013.

Thong Bao is a leading make-up artist in Vietnam. He is a favorite of many famous artists, models and beauty queens such as Truong Tri Truc Diem, Lai Huong Thao, Hoang Oanh, model Hoang Thuy, actress Hong Anh. For many years he has been a make-up artist at HCMC Television.

The final awards ceremony will take place in Hangzhou in China on October 30 and will be broadcast live on China television and 50 other local channels.

Vietnamese model among top five at Asian Fashion Awards

Sinh traditional painting village prepare for upcoming Tet holiday

The paintings of Sinh Village in Huong Tra Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province, are very simple with plain glyphs and traditional colours, reflecting people’s innermost feelings, wishes and simple dreams. Sinh village, a traditional craft village is known as paper pictures for ritual ornamental purposes.

Unlike the painting genres of Dong Ho in Bac Ninh Province and Hang Trong in Hanoi, the paintings of Sinh Village in Huong Tra Dist, Thua Thien Hue Province, are very simple with plain glyphs and traditional colours, reflecting people’s innermost feelings, wishes and simple dreams. The trade village about painting served for worship of local people.

Sinh paints are mainly serving belief. It can be divided into 3 types. The paints about characters are mainly Guan Yin Statue. Other paints are called “con anh” including two types: woman and man paints, boy and girl paints. Sinh Village’s paintings are very simple in lines and traditional colours of red, green, yellow and black.

The paintings are made using just one printing-board which is created from jack wood. It is durable, worm resistant and easy to carve to create the drawing lines and black shapes. After being printed in black, the work is sometimes completed with embellishments made with colourful lines. Some paintings are still printed on rustic paper. Many Vietnamese also keep the old tradition of Mau (Mother) worshipping and devote an altar to this purpose. Pictures of Mau, like other ritual pictures, are replaced once a year on the threshold of Tet. Many Vietnamese also keep the old tradition of Mau (Mother) worshipping and devote an altar to this purpose. Pictures of Mau, like other ritual pictures, are replaced once a year on the threshold of Tet.

Sinh village, built in the 15th century on the bank of the Perfume River, once supplied 50 different types of pictures.

Sinh traditional painting village prepare for upcoming Tet holiday

Photo Contest - "I love my city - my people"

The photo contest “I love my city, my people” held by Galaxy Publications and the French cultural centre L’Espace in Hanoi in the framework French Year in Vietnam and Vietnamese Year in France from 2013-2014.

The contest is open to talented photographers aged 15–35 and currently residing and working in Vietnam. The topic focuses on anything that expresses your passion for an area in Viet Nam where you were born, grew up or live, or your feelings for your love of the land. The contest included three phases.

The first phase is the online photo contest (from December 01- 07). Each entrant can submit 12 photos responding to the contest’s theme, captured using anything from the latest digital camera equipment to humble cell phones. Awards will be announced on December 10.

The second phase, called the 48h Project in ho Chi Minh city (from December 13- 14) with four award winners joining 20 professionals, including French photographers, who will be part of four teams taking photos in HCM City.

In the third phase from December 20-22, an exhibition of the best shots will take place at the Galaxy Cinema on 116 Nguyen Du Street in District 1.

Photo Contest - "I love my city - my people"

Tay Ninh Shrimp Salt

When mentioning the cuisines of Tay Ninh, many people usually think of Trang Bang Rice Paper, or Trang Bang Soup, etc. However, there is another speciality that every tourist enjoys in this region. That speciality is nothing else but the famous Shrimp Salt which has been gaining a worldwide popularity in the recent years.

Even though Tay Ninh Province has neither a coastline nor the best type of shrimp, Shrimp Salt there is still one of the most famous specialities.

To make a full pan of Shrimp Salt, the cook has to follow an incredibly complex procedure. He must first choose the freshest and spiciest chilies which have a naturally red color. Together with salt, garlics and radishes, these chilies are put into the mixer before shrimps, meat and the seasoning powder can be added. All of these ingredients must be measured according to a suitable ratio. For instance, to make 1 kg of Shrimp Salt, we need 500gr salt, and 100gr radishes, shrimps, meats, etc. The next step is to fry this mixture on a hot pan without adding chemical substance. The cook must be really cautious not to make the final product too dried or too wet. When finished,the Shrimp Salt can be used as a companion of many dishes such as fresh fruits, or rice cake, rice paper wrap, etc.

Tay Ninh Shrimp Salt

TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT HO CHI MINH CITY DURING TET

Lunar New Year, or more commonly known as Tet, is a wondrous and prosperous time in Vietnam, and

is an event that is anticipated throughout the year! It is coming soon within a month! Its marks the arrival of spring, a brand new start for many of life’s endeavours, and is a time to

appreciate and spend time with family. If you are considering traveling to Vietnam during Tet, here are the top 5 reasons to be a part of this joyous celebration in Ho Chi Minh City.

1. Spectacular Sights

– Ho Chi Minh City is incredibly festive on the days leading up to Tet. Magical is the best way to describe the city during this time! Imagine an entire street closed off to traffic and dedicated to flower displays and fascinating works of art created entirely by lights!

Tet is such a special time of year for the Vietnamese people and the country spares no effort or expense in creating a beautiful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. It is definitely a sight to see!

2. Special Tet Food

Certain foods and treats are only served during Tet and are considered auspicious and significant for a multitude of reasons. For instance, one of the items you will see at food stalls during Tet is Banh Chung or Banh Tet.

It’s a mixture of glutinous rice, mung beans and pork covered with banana leaves and moulded into a square shape.

The ingredients and the colour of Banh Tet symbolize the offerings of the Earth, and this treat is offered at shrines or temples in order to pray for health and prosperity in the new year. Be sure to give it a try!

3. Less Traffic

– people generally visit their families either in their hometowns or in the cities, so you will hardly see people out and about! The hoards of motorcycles and the usual hustle and bustle of the city are at a minimum. It’s a great time to cross the street without fearing the worst! The area at the entrance of Ben Thanh market is one of the major intersections in Ho Chi Minh City. During Tet, all the traffic almost disappears for about 3-4 days!

4. Hotel Availability

Traveling within the country is generally a little difficult during Tet due to the lack of

transportation options or expensive prices. Hotels, on the other hand, are more available because tourists tend to just stay where they are for Tet. Some smaller hostels and bed and breakfasts may close for a few days but most hotels are open through Tet and have ample availability.

5. Pleasant Weather

– late January to February is a great time to visit Ho Chi Minh City because the

weather is mild.

Of course, Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical climate so it never really gets cold but the heat is more bearable than during other times of the year, and it is still within the dry season. The nights get cooler too and you may even get a pleasant evening breeze! The cooler weather coupled with less traffic make for a great opportunity to wander the streets peacefully and enjoy the sights during Tet!

TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT HO CHI MINH CITY DURING TET

Vietnam ASEAN-UNESCO Heritage Festival changes a organizing schedule

The UNESCO Viet Nam-ASEAN Heritage Festival in a form of the Da Lat Culture-Tourism Festival has been postponed to change an organizing schedule

The festival will be rescheduled to allow for more extensive preparations by local authorities and ASEAN countries. The festival is co-sponsored by Lam Dong province and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As planned at the first time, the UNESCO Viet Nam- ASEAN Heritage Festival was celebrated along with the Da Lat Culture-Tourism Festival from December 27 to 31, 2013. In spite of the postponement, the Da Lat Culture-Tourism Festival 2013 will still offer visitors many ways to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the city’s founding, as well as a flower festival and events marking National Tourism Year 2014, in which with the central highlands and Da Lat will be key destinations.

Vietnam ASEAN-UNESCO Heritage Festival changes a organizing schedule

Why Travel To Vietnam

Most people still think of Vietnam as a battle field, in fact, HOWEVER, that old history has all gone for long, giving place to a brand new era when peace and safety reside! These days, instead, you may often hear CNN, BBC, or many other prestigious channels talking about something like “Vietnam – a safe destination of the new millennium”, or “Vietnam – the Hidden Charm” , etc. Yes, it’s now opening to the world as a friendly and exotic place on earth! You’re curious? Oh, so why don’t you think of coming? Here are some of the reasons why you should visit “her” – the charming-like-a-girl Vietnam:

1. “She” is a new place.

It’s not touristy like in Thailand and many places you go, people got stunned by your appearance.

2. “She” is safe and friendly.

The majority of people in Vietnam are farmers, pure farmers. Many of them have never learnt of much apart from the village they were born in. Naturally, they’re almost all friendly and safe to be around. Moreover, the communist government does a good job in ensuring securities all over the country. Nothing of a crime has happened to tourists for the last decades.

3. “She” has lots to see: A thin country stretching for thousands of Km from North to South. It has beautiful mountains with colorful and rich culture hill tribes. It has beaches and many of those are considered best in the world but still, they’re not touristy. Sound cool enough? Not end yet, she’s home to 7 UNESCO World Heritages. Almost anywhere you go, you’re stumble on a World Heritage.

4. “She” is marvelous, but money-saving.

If you want to, then 1 US dollar could buy you a basic lunch or dinner. Wandering around and you want to find somewhere to sit and drink? Normally, you don’t have to pay more than one dollar for it. Cheap accommodations and services are everywhere around the Old Quarter in Hanoi and Pham Ngu Lao street or Bui Vien street – Sai Gon (if you’re traveling on a tight budget). If yours is not a tight budget? Never mind! You can also find the world top hotels and resorts in here.

5. Is travel here convenient?

Sure, many companies operate the open bus (good quality in general) and they run almost to every capital cities in the country. Moving around is very easy. If ya want to take it easier? Well, lots of tour companies everywhere you go. You don’t have to work on where to go when you wake up 2morrow.

6. After all, traveling is to experience the difference. And Vietnam is different from any place that you have been!

So, Vietnam? Why not!

Why Travel To Vietnam