Oct
30
|
Money lost in translation
|
|
VietNamNet Bridge – The demand for Vietnamese language versions of foreign titles is growing rapidly among young readers.
However, cumbersome procedures in the publication sector have raised prices of such books, making it difficult for the youth, especially students, to buy them. For instance, there is considerable interest in Tai Chinh Quoc Te, the Vietnamese language version of Jeff Madura's International Financial Management which has been advertised widely in colleges and universities around HCM City.
"The book is necessary for us students. It contains interesting facts about international finance and the global financial crisis.
"But it's very expensive at VND460,000 (US$22), " said Nguyen Truc Giang, a third-year-student of HCM City's Economics College.
International Financial Management was translated into Vietnamese by a group of teachers of the economics and law universities in HCM City.
The translation was sent to Singapore for printing and the Vietnamese edition imported into Viet Nam for distribution.
The book is distributed by Fahasa, the city's Book Distribution Company at its bookstores around the country.
Tai Chinh Quoc Te is just one of many Vietnamese editions of foreign books that readers have to buy at high prices.
"Export and import fees have raised the prices of Vietnamese language versions," said Le Van Tron, president of HCM City's Printing Association.
He said printing technologies in Viet Nam were not inferior to other countries in the region, but "cumbersome regulations in printing publications have limited the chance of co-operation between domestic and foreign companies".
According to Minh Phuong, an official of the city's Information and Telecommunications Department, only three domestic printing companies in HCM City have applied for licences to print foreign publications this year.
"Publishers can buy copyrights of foreign books, translate them into Vietnamese and print the books in Viet Nam. Even then, the book will be expensive because of copyright fees," said Pham Minh Thuan, Fahasa director.
"Prices can be lowered if foreign companies sign contracts with a domestic business to print the Vietnamese version of a book in Viet Nam and is authorised to sell it in the local market," Thuan said.
The Publication Law, which is now being amended, stipulates that 100 per cent of publications that a domestic business prints under contracts signed with a foreign company must be exported.
However, stiff regulations have hindered foreign companies from signing contracts with domestic companies to print publications in Viet Nam, according to representatives of publication agencies at a recent meeting in HCM City.
|
|
|
|
Oct
30
|
Drums of war reminds 18th-century emperor
|
|
VietNamNet Bridge – Breathtaking views of the East Sea from the rolling Ba Na Hills, brick-tower relics from the ancient Hindu-Buddhist Cham culture that once ruled powerful sea-trading city-states – and traditional martial-arts villages draw many visitors to the central province of Binh Dinh
But history buffs also know that the province was once home to one of the most revered national heroes in Viet Nam, Nguyen Hue (1756-92), also known as Emperor Quang Trung.
Nguyen Hue was a leader of a peasant rebellion that conquered Viet Nam, uniting it for 100 years until the French conquest in 1885. People today can reflect on the influence of this dynasty and its ways of thinking on modern society. It was the last independent Viet Nam before colonialism.
Quang Trung Museum in Phu Phong Town, 45km from Quy Nhon City, dedicated to Nguyen Hue. He, together with his two brothers, Nguyen Nhac and Nguyen Lu, led the Tay Son rebels to overthrow corrupt feudalism.
They also defeated the Qing (Chinese) invaders in 1789. Hue led a great force advancing from Phu Xuan in central Hue City to Thang Long (Ha Noi), defeating a Chinese force of 290,000 troops.
His home village, Kien My Village in Binh Dinh, was not only the place where the three brothers were born and grew up, but also the first place they raised an insurgent army.
Booming: A drum performance by Vo Thi Thuan, whose family has played
for nine generations. — Photo courtesy Quang Trung Museum
Quang Trung Museum was built 35 years ago on the site of the Emperor's old family home. In the museum, there is a 200-year-old shrine devoted to the three peasant leaders. It has become a pilgrimage site for tens of thousands of Vietnamese. Nguyen Hue is in the centre, Nguyen Nhac on the left and Nguyen Lu on the right.
In the garden, there is a tamarind tree said to have been grown by their father, Ho Phi Phuc. The tree is still green and is said to bear fruit.
On the right of the shrine, there is a well full of fresh, clean water. It is also said to have existed in the early days of the three heroes. Its water refreshed the souls and patriotism of many followers.
Inside the museum, there are more than 11,000 original documents and objects relating to Quang Trung and hundreds of restored items relating to the Tay Son peasant movement.
Deputy director of the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, Dinh Khac Dien, said the museum was one of the few in Viet Nam with such a complete and diversified collection relating to one of the nation's most revered leaders.
Inside the museum there is even a war drum covered with elephant skin. It was made and contributed by the people from the Central Highlands region when they joined the insurgent's forces.
Still clear; A well from the Tay Son dynasty was used by
the brothers Nguyen Hue, Nguyen Nhac and Nguyen Lu. — Photos Viet Nam Pictorial
Other items include the Emperor's seal, documents conferring titles on members of the royal family and mandarins, family annals, and bronze pagoda bells.
Many of the displayed items were given by local people and those from other provinces, said Dien.
He said museum director Tran Dinh Ky had immersed himself in the period, collecting and contributing a mass of original materials.
Dien said visitors could still hear the war drum and see the well and tamarind tree.
Another aspect of Emperor Quang Trung and his brothers was their devotion to martial arts. This has left the region with a unique form of martial arts.
The combination of martial arts and drum beating is so awesome that audiences are not sure whether to describe the performers as fighters or dancers or musicians.
Vo Thi Thuan, a drummer in the museum troupe, was born into a family who have played the Tay Son war drum for nine generations.
Nguyen Minh Thanh, an overseas Vietnamese youth from Ukraine, said that martial art shows on television did not compare with the museum's live show.
"I see many simple weapons in the museum and hear stories about the Tay Son brothers and their rebellion. I'm moved and admire those who devoted their lives for the country's peace," he said.
Another performer, Phan Thi Mai, in her early twenties, is being taught by Thuan on how to preserve the ancient drum heritage.
Visitors say that the martial arts and drumming stir their blood. "It helps us feel the spirit of heroic times," Dien said.
|
|
|
|
|
Oct
30
|
Vietnam - Airlines flights were canceled due to storm
|
|
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has decided to cancel some flights at four airports in the central provinces of Danang, Hue, Dong Hoi and Vinh on October 27-28 because of storm Son Tinh.
Accordingly, VNA will cancel 14 flights to and from Danang, Hue and Dong Hoi departing between 5.50am to 12.25am on October 28.
Vietnam Airlines will continue to ground 10 flights departing between 7.15am to 12.10am to and from Vinh and Dong Hoi on October 28.
Flights will be rearranged at the earliest possible time for an estimated 2,400 passengers booked on the grounded flights./.
|
|
|
|
|
30th anniversary of HCMC Cinematography Association is attracted by people
|
|
30/10/2012 08:21:23
|
|
|
|
Hanoi welcomes Luala concert back
|
|
30/10/2012 08:15:59
|
|
|
|
Cultural Heritage Day and diversified activities
|
|
30/10/2012 08:14:30
|
|
|
|
Hoi An becomes one of top ten Asian tourist destinations
|
|
29/10/2012 09:07:00
|
|
|
|
Keo pagoda is awarded special national relic
|
|
29/10/2012 09:01:59
|
|
|
|
More and more charity tours will be launched by travel firms
|
|
29/10/2012 09:00:12
|
|
|
|
The imagine of tourism for peace
|
|
29/10/2012 08:54:54
|
|
|
|
Lagoon known for seafood
|
|
29/10/2012 08:48:49
|
|
|
|
Study Vietnam Hotel Booking Online Tips
|
|
29/10/2012 08:46:47
|
|
|
|