Oct
15
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Relaxing ride around town
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VietNamNet Bridge – Cyclos have become not only an inextricable part of Hanoi’s culture but also one of its “tourist attractions” for foreign visitors to the city.
The history of Vietnamese cyclos
First appearing in Vietnam in the 1940s when the country was under the French colonialist rule, cyclos were primarily used by senior French officials to show their status symbol of luxury and wealth.
During wartime, the humble cyclo became an indispensable means of transport to help bring injured people to clinics for emergence treatment as well as food, weapon and ammunition to the front line.
Things have changed a lot since Vietnam regained its independence. Some cyclos are redesigned to become more solid for a heavy load. They are capable of carrying up to 500 kilos.
In the new context of international integration, the cyclo reclaims its fascinating role as the Vietnamese “pedicab taxi” to meet the growing demand of foreign tourists.
Why do tourists prefer cyclos?
Hanoi has been recognised by UNESCO as a city for peace but it is not very friendly to road users. Only a few foreigners dare cross the road or ride on the back of a “xe om” (motorbike taxi) at rush hour.
So, the cyclo turns out to be an ideal solution for them to enjoy a relaxing ride around town. Modern cyclos, with golden parasols and drivers who radiate professional pride, are particularly popular with foreign tourists.
Matty, a UK student at Hanoi University, said that he will never forget the feeling when he first boarded a cyclo.
“The cyclo seemed to overturn when I got on,” he said. “The driver was too small to keep his vehicle upright”.
“Life is slower and quieter when you are sitting on it,” said Theresa Nguyen, a Danish girl of Vietnamese origin.
For older Vietnamese people and foreigners staying long in Vietnam, the sight of old cyclos moving slowly in the streets is comfortingly familiar.
Most of Hanoi’s cyclos are found in the Old Quarter, where foreign tourists gravitate. But their customers are not restricted to tourists—cyclos often feature prominently in wedding celebrations, and even locals can enjoy the novelty of a stress-free trip.
A cyclo ride around the Sword-Returned (Hoan Kiem) Lake costs around VND50,000-100,000 depending on one’s bargaining panache.
Cycloing – hard work for steady pay?
Touring the city on a weekend afternoon, you can see dozens of cyclo drivers and their beautifully decorated “taxis” waiting for customers on one side of the Opera House.
Due to the Hanoi administration’s decision to tighten inspections of the city’s cyclo operations, almost all drivers are now working for a company.
Lam, a sixty-year-old driver, said life has become harder for him.
“No company wants to hire me”, he said. “They think that I am too old to work”.
Tran, a cyclo driver from the suburban district of Thanh Tri claimed to have done the job for over ten years.
“Everyday I make five or six trips around the lake or in side the Old Quarter,” he said. “It is hard work but gives me a fixed income to support my family”.
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Oct
15
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Review the $2.8mil movie for Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary
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VietNamNet Bridge – With total investment of VND56 billion ($2.8 million), the 30-episode “Tran Thu Do” television film project was kicked off in 2009 to celebrate Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary but two years after the anniversary, the film has not been aired yet.
The project, funded by the Hanoi People's Committee, was assigned to director Dao Duy Phuc and the Feature Film Studio I (now the Feature Film JS Company I).
The project was kicked off in 2009 and was expected to be aired in October 2010 to celebrate Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary. However, at this moment, the film is still an unknown. Both the Hanoi People's Committee and the Feature Film JS Company I refused to answer the question about the "fate" of this film.
In March 2012, “Tran Thu Do” was sent to the Golden Kite Awards, the annual award of the Vietnam Cinema Association but it was disqualified because the film had not been aired on any TV channels. At that time, many people questioned about the "fate" of the movie.
A scene from the movie.
Producer Tat Binh and director Dao Duy Phuc told Dan Tri online newswire that that the Feature Film JS Company I is only responsible for production. The firm handed over the 30-episode movie to its “client” - the Hanoi People's Committee.
Dan Tri newspaper said that the only answer they had received from the Hanoi People's Committee is “When the schedule is set, the film will be aired".
Two years have passed but the historical film with a huge amount of investment is still somewhere. And at this moment, no one wants to ask and nor answer about this movie.
What has really happened to the expensive movie of Hanoi's millennial celebration?
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Oct
15
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City museum with 200 photographers’ works
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VietNamNet Bridge – The stunning and emotional works of 200 photographers are currently on display at the HCMC Fine Arts Museum group exhibition until October 17.
A visitor inspects photos at the HCMC Fine Arts Museum in HCMC’s District 1.
The 263 exhibits were chosen from 6839 works by 1155 photographers nationwide in a national photo contest launched this summer.
The two winners of gold medals worth VND20 million each, namely Mai Thanh Chuong from Quang Nam for his colored photo ‘Under the rain’ and Vo Thi Bach Yen from Ben Tre with black-and-white effort ‘Economic potential’.
There are also four winners of silver medals worth VND15 million each, six winners of bronze medals worth VND10 million and ten consolation prizes worth VND5 million each.
Works depict the comprehensive views of society, landscapes and people around Vietnam. Some photos bring profound thoughts, causing much emotion for viewers.
Through the exhibition, tourists will have a chance to take a journey around the country as they reflect fully typical culture, history and scenery through the three regions of Northern, Southern and Central Vietnam. “Photos not only catch beautiful moments but also present the creativity, ideas and metaphoric meanings inside, I really like to sense the hidden voices of the photos,” said Hoang Le, a visitor to the opening of the exhibition yesterday.
*‘Hanoi’s Days and Nights in 1972’ photo exhibition will be held from today until November 9 at the French Cultural Center, L’Escape, in Hanoi.
The event, organized by the French Institute of Oriental Studies’ Professor Olivier Tessier, will showcase images of Hanoi taken during the 1972 US B52’s prolonged aerial bombardment of the city.
The exhibition thoroughly details the campaign, introducing each stage of the battle based on a timeline including targets and strategies, air force statistics, material and human losses, and the eventual negotiation process. On display are images of Hanoi’s soldiers and residents during the barbaric B52 bombings.
Tessier, one of the leading researchers on the Thang Long Royal Palace, was honored with the 2012 Bui Xuan Phai - For the Love of Hanoi Award. He also collects photos and ancient maps of Hanoi from the 19th and 20th centuries.
As part of the exhibition, there will be a workshop ‘1972 - key year of the clash of Vietnam and the U.S.’ lectured by Tessier at 6 p.m. today. The workshop will be also attended by Professor Nguyen Xuang Nang and historian Pierre Journoud.
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The first Vietnamese action-fantasy is created by Dustin Nguyen
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15/10/2012 08:31:18
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Hanoi host African Film Festival
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15/10/2012 08:19:42
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Norway to help Myanmar manage tourist
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15/10/2012 08:18:08
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Discover Lu ethnic culture features
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13/10/2012 08:45:12
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Tourism promotion in Asia is concentrated
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13/10/2012 08:43:35
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New shows for tourists are opened in HCM city
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13/10/2012 08:42:08
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Special beauty of Ang Village in Northwerstern mountains
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13/10/2012 08:40:55
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Chi Hamlet in Ha Giang province
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13/10/2012 08:36:52
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Hanoi autumn in the eyes of Mrs. World 2012
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13/10/2012 08:35:21
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