ASSURICH VIET NAM

The People’s Committee of Thua Thien-Hue Province has approved an allocation of VND105 billion (USD5 million) to restore the tomb of King Tu Duc.   The funds, partially from the state budget will go towards restoration of many of the architectural works within the complex, located in Hue. At the end of 2013, the Hue Ancient Capital Preservation Centre completed the restoration of three of the pavilions namely Xung Khiem Ta, Du Khiem Ta and Khiem Cung Mon, at a cost of VND26 billion. Tu Duc's Tomb is considered one of the most beautiful architectural works in Hue, but has suffered damage due to weather and war over the years. 

An old wooden house in Quang Nam Province has become known for its great value after the owner got many offers, some as much as a million dollars, and he refused to sell. Because of its architecture and age, the house of Nguyen Dinh Hoan in Loc Yen Village, Tien Canh Commune has been visited by many historians and researchers. Hoan's father told him that the house was built in around 1850. It took three years to complete, and was built with the wood of jackfruit trees. It was built in the typical style of the period, with a screen walls in the front and following the rules of fengshui. The house is especially well-known for the carvings on the wooden pillars and walls. Detailed depictions of flowers, fruits and pheasant are carved on the beams. From generation to generation, Hoan's family has kept and preserved the home, and so to him it is priceless. Hoan said his father refused an offer from Ngo Dinh Diem in 1939. His father pointed to the words on the beams which rea...

Iran and six world powers looked set to miss Monday's deadline for resolving a 12-year stand-off over Tehran's nuclear ambitions and are already looking at a possible extension of the negotiations.   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L), Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (R) and EU envoy Catherine Ashton pose for photographers before a meeting in Vienna November 22, 2014. The talks in Vienna aim for a deal that could transform the Middle East, open the door to ending economic sanctions on Iran and start to bring a nation of 76 million people in from the cold after decades of hostility with the West. The cost of failure to reach a deal could be high. Iran's regional foes Israel and Saudi Arabia are watching the Vienna talks nervously. Both fear a weak deal that fails to curtail Tehran's nuclear ambitions, while a collapse of the negotiations would encourage Iran to become a threshold nuclear weapon state, something Israel has said it would never allow. It beca...

The Vietnam National Museum of History opened an exhibition on Novemb er 18  displaying one of the biggest, most intact collections of bronze Dong Son drums to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the culture's discovery. Heavy metal: A collection of bronze drums, a symbol of Dong Son culture that reflects the intelligence and skills of the ancient people.  The history museum collaborated with local museums in Hanoi, Lao Cai, Hung Yen, Thanh Hoa, Yen Bai and Nghe An to organise a special exhibition called Dong Son Culture. It aims to show viewers the beauty, history and culture within the 272 artefacts on display, some of which have been recognised as national treasures. The show will run until April. "Dong Son culture plays an important role in the development of Vietnamese history," said Nguyen Van Doan, vice director of the museum. "It proved to be a foundation for the establishment of the first kingdom in ancient Vietnam. The research on Dong Son culture i...

National Geographic has named Vietnamese dish Bun Cha as top 10 world’s best street food. Bún Chả is made from rice noodles with barbecue pork, often combined with Nem (spring rolls).  It demands a special fish sauce with sliced green papaya and fresh herbs. Among other delicious cuisines include momos of Nepal, baozi of China, Doubles cake of Thailand, Dahi Vada (deep fried fritters soaked in savory yogurt) of India,  Donuts with spiced honey of peru, and Balut of the Philippines. momos of Nepal baozi of China Doubles cake of Thailand Dahi Vada (deep fried fritters soaked in savory yogurt) of India Donuts with spiced honey of Peru Balut of the Philippines

Vietnam Television (VTV) was fined VND30 million for broadcasting an animated film about a bad-mannered teacher on Teachers' Day, November 20. The decision to fine the station was made by the Ministry of Information and Communications after strong public reaction to the cartoon “Nhat Xuong Cho Thay” or “Helping Teacher Gather Bones”.   A scene of the cartoon The film tells a story of a teacher who is hired by a family to tutor their little boy. On the first day, the teacher is invited to a specially-prepared meal with the family. But, the teacher, being over-polite, refuses the most luxurious dishes like fish and chicken. This causes a misunderstanding with the family, who, during future meals, stop preparing sumptuous food. Later, the teacher misses those dishes, and in order to be served them again, asks to take his meals separately with the boy. This surprises the student when the teacher takes all the good dishes with fish or chicken and leaves their bones for him, bu...

More than 80 Vietnamese rice industry professionals representing nearly 50 rice growing, processing and exporting businesses and associations are attending the sixth World Rice Conference in Cambodia on November 19-20.  At the opening ceremony on November 19, Cambodian Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol called on rice exporters to develop a rice trade strategy to ensure food security and legitimate rights of consumers, businesses and farmers. Participants from 40 countries and territories initiated by the industry trade publication  The Rice Trader  discuss measures to improve the efficiency of rice production and export, ensure the sustainability of rice cultivation, and handle obstacles in export activities as well as trends and challenges facing rice exports in 2015. The conference will present the World Best Rice Award to the most delicious rice. Secretary General of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) Huynh Minh Hue said the event provides a good chance...