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Six years long central rule is beginning to yield diminishing returns. Largely, because this arrangement, even if run efficiently, lacks legitimate representative character. However, restoration of peace and normal routine of daily life, compared to the past, stands out as its most significant achievement. It is after a long time that various spheres of public and social life in the state, in general, and the Valley in particular, are back to normal routine without disruption. Sense of relief on that account is palpable. But, at another level, that is not enough nor a substitute for a normal democratic setup at the helm. Denial of popular, representative power structure for too long has its own inherent negative implications. Not only in Kashmir and Jammu regions but also in (separated) UT Ladakh region too law of diminishing returns is becoming more palpable with each passing day. Whenever the assembly polls are held, its outcome would essentially be the first popular v

When it comes to street food, Vietnam offers a wide range of flavorful dishes. According to the Australian website delicious.com.au, here are the top 10 things to eat and drink in Vietnam. First on the list is Banh mi. While the French introduced baguettes to Vietnam, banh mi is a unique Vietnamese creation. Roasted Pork Banh Mi. “Different vendors have their own take on this globally loved sandwich, but the general concept includes a fresh baguette stuffed with pate, pork floss, pork belly, cucumber, and pickled vegetables. It’s crunchy, soft, and incredibly tasty,” wrote the article on the website. Second on the list is Pho (rice noodle soup with beef or chicken), a must-try dish. Pho was developed in the north of Vietnam during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The obsession with pho spread to the south in the 1950s when millions of north Vietnamese brought their soup recipe with them. December 12 is celebrated as the Day of Pho in Vietnam. A bowl

Fansipan – the Roof of Indochina. Photo: Le Viet Khanh Vietnam may not possess a single majestic mountain that rivals the iconic Mount Fuji of Japan or the Matterhorn of Switzerland. Nevertheless, if there is a mountain that the Vietnamese people can wholeheartedly take pride in, it unquestionably is Mount Fansipan – the loftiest summit throughout the former French Indochina, comprising Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It is certainly no coincidence that the Vietnamese culture embraces the proverbial expression, ‘Everyone has their own Fansipan to climb,’ metaphorically representing one’s most cherished aspirations in life. The Allure of Fansipan: A Familiar Stranger Fansipan, also known as Hủa Xi Pan in the local language, is a mountain in the northwestern region of Vietnam. It is named after its meaning in the local language, which translates to ‘the tottering giant rock.’ This majestic granite rock rose from deep within the earth over 250 million years ago, as documented

The opening ceremony for the lantern festival took place on August 24 in the German town. The event showcased a 110sq.m display of lanterns, created with the help of artisans from Hoi An City and Wernigerode. The purpose of this display was to introduce a piece of Hoi An’s UNESCO-recognised world heritage to local residents and visitors from Europe. This lantern festival serves as an opportunity to promote the value of the craft that has been preserved by Hoi An for centuries. It also aims to boost the tourism potential of Hoi An in Europe. During the festival, local craftsmen from Hoi An will showcase lantern decorations in Wernigerode, as well as perform art demonstrations and display lantern-making skills. Additionally, a collection of 20 driftwood sculptures is on display at the park for the duration of the two-day festival. Furthermore, Hoi An and Wernigerode have agreed to collaborate on the construction of an eco-road or “green” street in Hoi An starting next year. This

Envoy of Friendship A logo featuring the Vietnamese lotus and Singaporean orchid has garnered interest at the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore, held in Vietnam in 2023. The logo, designed by Le Thanh Hong and worn by the Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam, was the winner of a contest organized by the Vietnamese Student Association in Singapore and the Singapore Global Network. It was supported by the Vietnamese Embassy to Singapore, the Singapore Embassy to Vietnam, Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, and Vietnam – Singapore Friendship Association. Le Thanh Hong with the logo she designed. Le Thanh Hong, the winner of the logo design contest, expressed her surprise and delight at winning the first prize. She dedicated a significant amount of time to perfecting the logo, aiming to strike a balance between aesthetics and the importance of the event. The logo s

The winner of the Miss Ocean Vietnam pageant, Uyen, was crowned “OCEAN HARMONY” and received valuable prizes. She also won the Miss Bikini sub-contest. Uyen will now be actively engaged in various social activities to promote the protection of the environment and sea resources throughout the country. Uyen, a 23-year-old woman, stands at 1.74 meters tall with body measurements of 82-64-92cm. In 2019, she reached the Top 39 in the Miss World Vietnam beauty pageant. She also participated in the Miss Supranational Vietnam 2022 but did not win any titles. Lam Kieu Anh from the United States and Vu Duong Quynh Nhu from Binh Duong province were awarded the first and second runner-up titles, respectively, at the 2023 Miss Ocean Vietnam pageant. The third and fourth runner-up titles went to Vo Thi Tuyet Nhi from Kien Giang province and Thai Dao Truc Giang from Ho Chi Minh City. The organizing board also presented sub-awards to other contestants, including Miss Ao Dai for Mai Hieu Ngan

The crown awarded to the winner is crafted with the utmost craftsmanship, featuring 24-karat gold and adorned with an exquisite arrangement of 872 zirconia stones, carefully selected to simulate the brilliance of diamonds. Additionally, the crown is embellished with 380 yellow citrines and 255 emeralds of various sizes, adding a stunning touch of color and elegance. The artists have skillfully incorporated iconic Vietnamese symbols, such as rice plants, pigeon wings, and lotus flowers, onto the crown. Their intention is to honor the nation’s deep-rooted traditional values. The team worked tirelessly and dedicated a cumulative total of 1,080 hours to meticulously crafting the crown. The runners-up are honored with four exquisitely designed tiaras. These tiaras are crafted with the finest 24-karat gold and embellished with a stunning collection of 2,400 precious gemstones. The intricate detailing and luxurious materials make these tiaras a true symbol of elegance and achievement. Cr

On display are 112 sketches, featuring typical images of Vietnam, from the buffaloes and bamboo trees to the gate of the Hung Kings Temple and Hanoi’s Flag Tower. The exhibition also displays the originals of more than 100 pencil and colour drawings of the national emblem. Some 15 sketches were submitted to the Government in October 1954 for consideration, and President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree on January 14, 1956 to publicise the official emblem of Vietnam. A portrait of the late artist Bui Trang Chuoc Sketches of the national emblem of Vietnam drawn by Bui Trang Chuoc are on display at the exhibition. The original pencil drawings of the national emblem are introduced at the exhibition. A sketch of the national emblem features the One-Pillar Pagoda and Vietnamese rice. Sketches introduce Vietnamese history and traditional culture to both locals and tourists. Painter Bui Trang Chuoc, born in 1915 in Hanoi, gradu

Vietnam News Today: Notable Headlines (August 30) Vietnam and China are scheduled to hold the 8th Border Defense Friendship Exchange in September. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, is scheduled to visit Vietnam next month. Twinning Relations between Localities in Vietnam and Algeria We are pleased to announce the establishment of twinning relations between municipalities in Vietnam and Algeria. This exciting initiative aims to foster cultural exchange, enhance economic development, and promote cooperation between the two regions. Twinning, also known as sister city or twin town relationships, is a concept that has been widely embraced globally. It involves forming formal partnerships between cities or towns from different countries or regions. Through these relationships, localities can learn from one another, share best practices, and develop mutually beneficial collaborations. The twinning relations between Vietnamese and Algerian localities will serve as a

Luong Phan Cu, president of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association. According to Luong Phan Cu, president of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association, bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan gradually developed strongly in many fields on the basis of equal cooperation and mutual benefit. Within the framework of the signed Memorandum of Understanding, the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association and the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association cooperated to promote people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries. Two publications of the friendship associations, the work “Prison Diary” of President Ho Chi Minh translated into Uzbek and the song “Tashkent – Hanoi, Hanoi – Tashkent” were sent by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to participate in the National External Information Service 2023 launched by the Central Steering Committee for External Information Service. In September 2023, there will be a delegation of the Vietnam-U

A culinary artist named Hoang Thi Anh Tuyet from the HTCHEF Vocational Training School created a model on June 5 to celebrate the Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023. The bread tower, standing at 3.2 meters tall and 6 meters long, was made using over 800 loaves of thick bread with dimensions of 60cm by 10cm each. The bread loaves were expertly crafted by Pham Dinh Tien, who has more than 40 years of experience in bread making in Nha Trang. The Vietnam Records Organization (Vietkings) recognized this incredible piece as the largest bread tower model in the country. In Nha Trang, bánh mì (bread) is a beloved daily dish known for its unique flavor, enjoyed by both locals and tourists. It features a crispy, stretchy, dense, non-fatty, and buttery crust with the natural aroma of flour. Visitors to Nha Trang can easily find bread stalls along major roads or tucked away in small alleys. The dish is sometimes sold in well-established shops and humble roadside bread cabinets. T

Hue, the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945), known as Phu Xuan, holds historical significance. Archaeological findings from a 200 sq.m. area have revealed changes in the palace foundation, reflecting the various restoration periods since its construction under King Gia Long (1762 – 1820). Can Chanh Palace, located on a potentially unstable geological background, was reinforced multiple times throughout history. The palace underwent 11 rehabilitations of different levels during its existence from 1804 to 1947. Experts have suggested restoring the palace to its former glory during the reign of King Khai Dinh (1885 – 1925), considering it one of the most exquisite architectural structures of the Nguyen Dynasty. Conducting archaeological studies is an essential step in restoring historical sites, and this recent excavation has provided valuable scientific data for the restoration of Can Chanh Palace. The long-term research on Can Chanh Palace, spanning over

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga extends congratulations to Ambassador Samina Naz for her successful tenure in Vietnam. The President of VUFO highly appreciates Ambassador Samina Naz’s active and effective contributions in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Bangladesh. Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (R) receives Ambassador Samina Naz (Photo: Thu Ha). Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga acknowledges the strong engagement and support received from the Bangladesh Embassy during Ambassador Samina Naz’s tenure. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, both sides collaborated on various activities. Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga highlights Bangladesh as an exemplary nation in poverty reduction and development. Many Vietnamese businesses and NGOs are keen on learning from Bangladesh’s experiences in microcredit, rural housing, and education programs. Given the similarities between the two countries, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga believes that Vietna

Booking.com, a prominent global travel brand, has recently provided travel insights on popular destinations among locals for Vietnam’s impending National Holiday, scheduled from September 1st to September 4th. Tourist Destinations Near Hanoi that are a Must-Visit A flower vendor on Hanoi street. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi  Based on the accommodation booking platform, Vietnamese travelers are eagerly preparing to embark on trips via road or air during the upcoming Independence Day holiday. This long weekend marks the final opportunity of the year for them to fully indulge in their travel desires. This event offers an ideal opportunity for family bonding, strategically scheduled right before the start of the school year. According to Varun Grover, the Country Head of Booking.com in Vietnam, long weekends provide an excellent chance to temporarily escape from our daily routines and experience a refreshing getaway for relaxation. Additionally, he notes that there has been an incr