Vietnam Deel 2

[FredVN]

Opvallend

Southern Vietnam's longest expressway to take longer - VnExpress International
Goh...


Ma Bo - Ma Noi: A new trail in south central Vietnam for adventurous souls
Leuke trip. En soms gaat het mis. Zie de laatste foto.

 

[FredVN]

Street, sidewalk encroachment remains rife in Ho Chi Minh City (1)

Street vendors and parked vehicles encroach on Dang Van Sam Street in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Minh Duy / Tuoi Tre



Street vendors displaying their wares on road surfaces and sidewalks has been a commonplace occurrence across Ho Chi Minh City despite it causing a nuisance for commuters and residents.

Not only the street hawkers and their sidewalk eateries but people parking vehicles onto driving lanes have also added to the woes.

Many people from the newly-launched Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in District 1, Dang Van Sam Street in Go Vap District, and To Huu and Nguyen Co Thach Street in Thu Duc City complained to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper about their annoyance caused by the unbridled issue.

Ngo Ngoc Trang, a resident of Binh Thanh District, said that signs banning street vending has proved futile along Dang Van Sam Street stretching through Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District, where she often visits for physical training, as street vendors have blatantly displayed their wares on both the sidewalks and road surfaces.

“It makes me feel like the road surface was originally a food street,” Trang said.

“The encroachment leads to traffic gridlock and unsafe driving."

Street vendors encroach on Dang Van Sam Street in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

People enjoy beverages at a stall illegally planted on the sidewalk of D1 Street in Thu Thiem Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Minh Duy / Tuoi Tre

People illegally park their motorbikes on the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

 

[FredVN]

Opvallend

Party advised to discipline former HCMC chairman - VnExpress International
Goh, Phong ook al? Maar wat hij nu precies heeft misdaan…
Een jaar geleden presenteerde hij nog zijn actieplan voor zijn tweede termijn. Zie Vietnam Deel 2
Zouden ze toch mijn (best wel milde) commentaar hebben gelezen?


Ho Chi Minh City racks up $344,200 loss from on-street car parking fee collection
Misschien is dit ook Phong’s schuld?


Surgical robots left idle at Hanoi, HCMC hospitals - VnExpress International
Dit vast niet, maar ongetwijfeld vergelijkbaar.


Nha Trang suspends scuba tours to protect coral reefs - VnExpress International
Het zullen niet de duikers zijn, die het koraal aantasten, maar de boten, waar ze blind een anker over boord flikkeren. Dus m.i. wel een logische beslissing.

 

[FredVN]

Voor de derde keer binnen een week hebben we de gehele dag zonder prik gezeten. Ze zullen het hier wel nooit leren om werkzaamheden op een fatsoenlijke manier te plannen.

Hoewel, er zit een lichte verbetering in. De vorige twee keren werd het eerst afgesloten en toen een bericht rondgestuurd. Dit keer werd het bericht maar liefst vijf volle minuten tevoren gestuurd. Niet dat je daar ook maar iets aan hebt...

 

[FredVN]

Street, sidewalk encroachment remains rife in Ho Chi Minh City (2)

A candy street vendor and people illegally park their motorbikes on the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

People enjoy beverages at a cart illegally placed on the road surface of Dang Van Sam Street in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Minh Duy / Tuoi Tre

A balloon street vendor and a woman unlawfully park their motorbikes on Hoang Minh Giam Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

A man illicitly parks his motorbike while his friend takes a selfie on the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre


Bron: Street, sidewalk encroachment remains rife in Ho Chi Minh City

 

[FredVN]

‘On-canal swimming pool’ brings safety to thousands of students in Vietnam’s central province

This image shows PE teacher Nguyen Viet Tuoc teaching a child to swim in the ‘swimming pool’ created on an irrigation canal in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Quoc Nam / Tuoi Tre



A gymnastic teacher in Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, has been offering free swimming lessons to more than 1,600 local kids for the past decade in a ‘swimming pool’ simply set up on a canal, significantly contributing to the prevention of drowning among children.



Nguyen Viet Tuoc, a physical education teacher at Hai Vinh Elementary and Middle School in the province’s low-lying Hai Lang District, has long used a section of the irrigation canal in the district as a ‘swimming pool,’ where he provides free swimming courses for the school’s students as well as other local children.

The 47-year-old teacher erected a hut along the canal bank and spent his money on equipping the makeshift swimming pool with all facilities necessary for children to practice swimming safely.

Tuoc teaches the kids swimming techniques and skills to give first aid to drowning victims.

Every summer, the teacher usually spends six hours per day in the natural swimming pool with local children.

To date, Tuoc has taught more than 1,600 children, whose parents are willing to pay the teacher, but he always turns them down politely.

“I just hope that after such swimming courses, they will be skillful in swimming to keep them safe in rivers so that there will be no more heartbroken cases of drowning among children,” Tuoc said.

“Tuoc’s teaching efforts have brought safety to thousands of students when they wade across rivers or face floods. His heart is boundless,” said Vo Van Minh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Education and Training.

Children practice swimming in a makeshift swimming pool created by their PE teacher Nguyen Viet Tuoc on a canal in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Quoc Nam / Tuoi Tre

Children practice swimming in a makeshift swimming pool created by their PE teacher Nguyen Viet Tuoc on a canal in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Quoc Nam / Tuoi Tre

PE teacher Nguyen Viet Tuoc is seen repairing a part of his swimming pool on a canal in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Quoc Nam / Tuoi


Bron: ‘On-canal swimming pool’ brings safety to thousands of students in Vietnam’s central province


Geweldig idee. Er zijn hier ook een aantal van dat soort kanalen. Ik heb hier foto’s geplaatst met zwemmende eenden en vissende mannen erin. Kinderen erbij zou het plaatje wel compleet maken.

Maar dan moet er wel interesse zijn om iets van zwemlessen voor de kinderen op te zetten. En daar merk ik niets van in mijn omgeving. Zoals een paar dagen geleden in Vietnam Deel 2 weer overduidelijk bleek.

Hé, misschien met een paar karaokeboxen langs de kant…?

 

[FredVN]

Heatwave forces thousands to central beaches

With temperatures in northern and central Vietnam reaching 35-38 degrees Celsius, beaches are packed with both locals and tourists seeking reprieve from the heat.

On Friday afternoon, crowds of people could be seen along a beach in Thanh Hoa's Sam Son Town.

Central Vietnam's Thanh Hoa Province, like other localities in the region, is experiencing a severe heatwave. Students who've just finished their exams often go to the beach with their family.

Lifeguards stand on the shore to warn people not to go too far into the water.

Besides Sam Son, other beaches in Thanh Hoa like Hai Tien, Hai Hoa and Quang Xuong, are also packed.

Towards the end of this month, Sam Son has received around four million visitors, tripling the numbers recorded in the same period last year. Revenues reached VND3.45 trillion ($148.3 million), about 2.5 times the amount recorded in 2021.

Along a beach in Nghe An's Cua Lo Town, many people could be seen playing in the water and with sand amid the early dusk.

Nguyen Van Quan, 40, along with his wife and two kids, went to Cua Lo from Hai Duong for a three-day vacation.

"This is our first time coming here, so we were excited to see the beautiful beach. It's still hot and sunny in the afternoon, but we swim anyway," he said.

More and more people go to the beach towards the end of the afternoon. Restaurants nearby are also jammed with customers.

Hoang Thanh Son, head of the culture and information department of Cua Lo, said around 13,000-15,000 people have come to the town to hit the beach, roughly the numbers recorded in pre-Covid times.

On Saturday morning, people can be seen swarming the beaches of Da Nang. The beaches are most packed from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., when the morning sun has yet to turn harsh.

Two tourists pose for a photo.

Meanwhile in Quang Nam, people flock to the Bai Rang beach to relieve themselves amid a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.

It's still bright out even at 6 p.m.

The sheer number of beachgoers has overloaded parking spaces in Quang Nam. The province, with a coastline spanning 125 kilometers, boasts several beaches for tourists to enjoy.

Central Vietnam have experienced high temperatures and sunny days since the beginning of this month. Temperatures from Thanh Hoa to Binh Dinh are often around 37-38 degrees Celsius, with certain mountainous regions, like Nghe An's Tuong Duong District or Ha Tinh's Huong Khe District, recording temperatures about one to two degrees higher.


Bron: https/e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/heatwave-forces-thousands-to-central-beaches-4480183.html


Het is hier buiten op dit moment 32,4 gr. volgens mijn weerstation. Zal nog wel fors oplopen.

Over de laatste foto: daar is toezicht. Vietnamezen zetten hun motor niet zo netjes neer.

 

[FredVN]

'Quán’: A secret superhero of ‘real’ fast food in Ho Chi Minh City (1)

Bowls of bún bò Huế (Hue spicy beef noodle soup) are served at a quán in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



Editor’s note:This story by Ray Kuschert is about quán, a type of small food outlet which is very popular in Vietnam in general and in Ho Chi Minh City in particular. Kuschert has been living in Ho Chi Minh City for the past ten years.



Mention 'street food' to any traveler and people all over the world instantly turn their minds to the amazing, cheap, and available street food in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is the street food megacity of Vietnam with almost every type of Vietnamese food imaginable available around the city.

However, hidden within this gem is a secret superhero that has been feeding locals and tourists for generations.

People eating bò né (Vietnamese-style beefsteak) at a quán in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre



Often confused with street food, the small business known as a quán is the very heart and soul of culinary culture.

Such small food outlets specialize in one dish and are the places to go for a sit-down meal or takeaway food for the family. Ho Chi Minh City is best known for the thousands of quán selling cơm tấm (broken rice topped with grilled gribs) and phở (Vietnamese beef noodle soup).

Phở dishes are displayed on the menu at a quán in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



It is difficult to set an exact English translation of quán. Whilst the best translation is 'shop,' they are not street food and not a restaurant.

The quán food outlet is actually more common and more popular than street food in Ho Chi Minh City, plus it offers good quality, low priced meals at any time of the day and night.

Unlike most street food vendors that operate during a set period of the day, the local quán will almost always trade from early morning, to serve breakfast, until late at night, and sometimes you will find them open 24 hours a day. They are reliable and efficient places to buy good quality, safe, and fast food.

Your choice of food in Ho Chi Minh City is not limited to local options such as com tam. It is quite easy to find food from the countryside and the north being sold in Ho Chi Minh City.

From bánh khọt (Vietnamese mini savory pancakes), a specialty of the neighboring city of Vung Tau, to bún bò Huế (Hue spicy beef noodle soup) from the central city of Hue, and the famous bún chả (rice noodles with barbecue pork) from Hanoi, are just a few of the specialty foods that are available in every street around Ho Chi Minh City, and are there to serve local people who eat these amazing dishes almost daily.

A set of nem nướng Nha Trang' (Nha Trang-style grilled pork skewers) is served at a quán in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre


Xin Loi, foto 3 weigerde om te draaien.
In het Word-document stond de foto netjes portrait, maar bij selectie was het kader landscape. Nog nooit meegemaakt.

 

[FredVN]

Opvallend

Tay Ninh beauty crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2022
Met teveel foto’s voor een post. Dus even wat zelfwerkzaamheid.


Vietnam’s Mekong Delta likely to have up to 500km of expressways by 2026: transport minister
“…will possibly be available for use in the Mekong Delta region by 2026, when he ends his five-year term.”


https/e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/120-year-old-hanoi-bridge-burdened-by-time-heavy-traffic-4479960.html
Hoe lang blijft dat nog goed gaan? Zie de foto’s.

 

[FredVN]

'Quán’: A secret superhero of ‘real’ fast food in Ho Chi Minh City (2)

I recall, fondly, my first visit to Ho Chi Minh City a decade ago. I was taken to eat pho at a quán in Go Vap District. It was a hot morning and the sun was beaming down on the roadway. We stopped our motorbike outside the small place with six tables inside and two on the street. As I entered the shop, my Vietnamese friend asked if I wanted raw or cooked beef. In my confusion I had no reply, so she ordered for me. Then we sat at a table that had just been vacated by a family.

Within 90 seconds, a lady had removed all the dirty dishes, cleaned the table, restocked the bowl of fresh herbs and salad, and our steaming hot bowls of phở had arrived at the table. I was in a state of shock as I watched the operation work so fast and so efficiently. For the same food in my home country, I would expect to wait five to ten minutes for it to arrive. I probably would have cleaned the table myself.

A bowl of phở is ready to serve at a quán in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



This is the true meaning of fast food. Whether it is bánh xèo (Vietnamese savory crepe), phở, cơm tấm or any other Vietnamese dish, the speed at which food is delivered at a quán is equally as important as the freshness and taste.

The online world is awash with videos speculating on 'Street Food in Ho Chi Minh City versus the Fast-Food Industry.' The global giants of the fast-food industry have struggled for years to gain a major share in the local food market. Some believe their two biggest assets, speed and taste, are no match to the street food available in Vietnam.

It is the quán food service that is the real superhero in this area. Food that takes hours to prepare is on your table in minutes, sometimes seconds, of you entering the quán food store. This is real fast food.

A woman prepares orders for customers at a chè (sweet dessert) quán in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre



Just like street food options, the quán will also serve you from the street. All you do is ride up on your bike and place and order. Without even turning off your engine, the staff will present you with a total meal, in a carry bag, within a minute or two, and you are on your way home with a dinner for yourself or the family.

Home delivery services, also, have scored a major victory with the support of these local businesses. Whilst they offer delivery of all styles of food, the speed and cost difference between quán’sprepared food and the global competitors is obvious.

Drivers are in and out of the quán in a flash, having collected the meal, and are on the way to your home within minutes of you placing the order on an app. This is something that Western fast-food outlets are still struggling with in the local market, not to mention it is often more than 50 percent cheaper than many of those burger options.

A delivery worker takes portions of frog porridge from a quán in Phu Nhuan District before bringing them to customers who placed orders through app-based services in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Bong Mai / Tuoi Tre



There can be no faster service anywhere in the world, not even the American drive-thru can offer this speed.

In Western countries, the speed of fast food is usually measured in minutes. A drive-thru restaurant may aim to serve you within five to seven minutes, a pizza restaurant will cook your pizza in as little as 15 minutes or the local Thai or Indian takeaway will be happy to get your food to you in about 20 minutes, if you wait at the store.

Add another 15 to 20 minutes to your wait time if you are using a food delivery service and it's clear that the definition of fast food in most Western countries is 30 minutes to an hour from ordering to eating.

The quán is the real superhero in the fabric of Vietnamese cuisine. Cooks start their day well before sunrise to prepare the perfect tasting food that allows people to stop for breakfast, lunch, dinner or something in between, and every time they get a fresh and delicious meal at a fraction of the cost of Western fast food.

But more so, every quán is an experience, with food that is made with love and holds the reputation of an entire family or village on its quality and taste.

People eat noodles at a quán in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre



I have been eating at quán for the past 10 years or more and never once gave them a passing thought.

It is common to see whole families buy a morning breakfast at the same location five or six days a week. People eat this food daily because it is often cheaper than cooking at home.

They are not street food vendors and they are not restaurants. They are like being invited into the family home for a meal made with passion that will put a smile on your face and have you coming back again and again.





'Quán’: A secret superhero of ‘real’ fast food in Ho Chi Minh City

 

[FredVN]

Racebaan (1)

Deze speeltjes staan in het gebouw, waarin ook één van de grootste supermarkten van Nha Trang is gevestigd: vroeger de Big C, nu GO!

Terwijl Minh de boodschappen deed, wandelde ik wat rond.

En vond deze wel grappig.

Geprobeerd om met de dames een babbeltje te maken. Eentje weigerde categorisch elk contact, de andere probeerde nog wel iets maar sprak ook geen Engels.

Dan maar de speeltjes…

…en de coureurs.

Maar na veel drammen wilde de actieve dame dan eindelijk toch op de foto.

 

[FredVN]

Opvallend

https/tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20220626/english-language-teacher-accused-of-sexu ally-assaulting-sixth-grader-in-vietnam/67807.html
Het houdt hier maar niet op…


Ho Chi Minh City reports sharp rise in dengue fever cases
Zoals eerder zullen de buren dit wel weer als flauwekul bestempelen en roepen dat dengue niet bestaat.


Vietnam leaps up global quality of life ranking - VnExpress International
Laat ik mijn bevooroordeelde grote mond maar houden. Maar gebaseerd op de genoemde 10 punten begrijp ik er niet veel van. Jawel, te dom voor zoiets.

 

[FredVN]

Racebaan (2)

Voor VND 20.000 mogen de kinderen 5 minuten rondjes rijden.

Deze probeert een wat groter rondje.

En na de ritten worden de raceauto’s weer netjes opgesteld.

En vooruit, omdat ik er zoveel moeite voor moest doen, nog eentje dan.

 

[FredVN]

Opvallend

Hanoi jails vigilantes for stopping, detaining sand thieves - VnExpress International
Ik heb het verhaal hoofdschuddend zitten lezen. Laat ik ook nu mijn bevooroordeelde grote mond maar houden. Oordeel zelf. Let vooral op wie wat of zelfs helemaal niets deed.


Conference reviews 10-year anti-corruption fight - VnExpress International
Als ik zie wie de afgelopen tijd zijn gepakt en waarvoor is deze organisatie voorlopig nog niet werkeloos. Integendeel.


Doctor shortage among reasons for HCMC's high dengue fatality rate - VnExpress International
Zorgwekkend.

 

[FredVN]

Stop seeing Ho Chi Minh City and start living it (1)

A street vendor sells bamboo household appliances on Pasteur Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



The most disappointing thing about tourism in Vietnam is that most travelers visit this amazing country and see it, but rarely get to feel and experience the true heart of this country.

But showing travelers the real Vietnam, and the culture of Ho Chi Minh City, is possible if you step outside the tourist routes and take a moment to explore and immerse yourself into the local culture.

In the 2002 movie, the Quiet American, Michael Caine opened the movie with a monologue that had two lines in it that really tells the story of this great country. “They say you come to Vietnam and you learn a lot in a few minutes. But the rest has got to be lived”. Such a true statement that was written over 70 years ago and still so true today.

When you visit Vietnam, you need to spend at least a week in Ho Chi Minh City. The history and hidden experiences are everywhere, but you just can’t see them as a visitor.

Often, tourists are either not aware of the experiences available, or are just too apprehensive to take the risk because of the language barrier and lack of local knowledge. But the people in Ho Chi Minh City are among the friendliest people in the world, and when you let yourself go just a little, you will find an experience that is often life changing.

Here are a few things you can experience when you visit Ho Chi Minh City:



Suction Cup Massage
It has a history dating back well before modern medicine. The suction cup massage is said to be a cure for all ailments and offers great health benefits, but I am not so sure.

The process involves glass cups and fire. The massage therapist heats the air inside the cup then quickly places it on your back, neck and shoulders. As the air cools it sucks to your skin and draws the blood to the surface. It usually feels rather good but can get uncomfortable towards the end. But it is an amazing experience and you must try it, either on the street or in a spa.



Hair Cut
This one is especially for the boys, but the ladies can also experience it. Hot toc (haircut) in Vietnam is a cheap and unique experience. At a local salon, it is possible to get your haircut, face shaved, ears cleaned (ray tai) and hair washed, all for around US$10.

There are different types of hot toc shops available in Ho Chi Minh City. At the top end are the famous, and expensive city salons but don’t go there because it’s designed to service tourists and the very rich and is not reflective of the local community.

A barber washes a customer's hair at Dong Tay mobile barbershop in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre



The new fashion in Vietnam is the “barber shop”. A very modern and trendy hair service for men. Then there is the more traditional hot toc where they have a man to cut your hair and ladies to shave your face and give you ray tai and are my choice for quality service.

And if you want the cheapest service there is, the famous street haircut is also a must try when you visit Saigon.

A little planning and advice should be all you need to find a good shop in the suburbs. Most will not speak any English but simply pointing and a translation app will get you through it ok. Make sure you give them a decent tip also. The cheaper your service, the more you should give. They work hard for very low wages.



Try the strange food
There is a range of different foods that you really don’t find in the tourist areas that local Vietnamese eat every day. Food like bun dau mam tom (vermicelli served with fried tofu and shrimp paste), hot vit lon (balut) and oc (snail) are just a few of the unique foods available in Ho Chi Minh City.

Hire a tour guide for an afternoon or evening and ask them to take you out to the suburbs like Phu Nhuan District, District 12 or Go Vap District and experience a local restaurant. It is an experience you will hold in your heart forever.

Whilst restaurants and street food in District 1 are good, it is not the same as experiencing food at places where local people eat every day. The secret is to get out of the city center and the further out you go, the better the experience.

An stall selling snail dishes at Vuon Chuoi market in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



Hire a bicycle
I am sure most of you have never considered roaming the streets of Saigon on a bicycle. Well, it is rather safe, and it is the best way to explore the suburbs of the city. Bicycles can be easily rented from a number of bicycle shops. A simple Internet search will locate them or ask your hotel or tour guide.

If you do get out on a bike, make sure you have a local sim card in your phone in order to use a maps app. With maps, you can get lost in Ho Chi Minh City and explore, then easily find your way home.

Young residents try out the city's bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre



Riding a bicycle around Ho Chi Minh City is surprisingly easy also. Due to the enormous number of motorcycles, the risk of being hit by a car is greatly reduced. Slower moving motorcycles give you a more communal form of transport.

There are drink and food stores every 100m, so you don’t need to carry anything more than a drink bottle and a raincoat. But make sure you cover your body from head to toe because the daytime sun is very hot all year round.

 

[FredVN]

Stop seeing Ho Chi Minh City and start living it (2)

Rent a motorbike
If you are out for an adventure, you may want to rent a motorbike to explore Saigon and neighboring provinces.

Commuters travel by motorbikes on Hoang Van Thu Street in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



Whilst this is possible, it does come with a few warnings. Firstly, the law does require you to have a Vietnamese license. Also, your travel insurance may not cover you should you have an accident whilst riding a motorcycle without a license.

It’s also advisable to have some experience riding a motorbike before riding in Vietnam. For some western tourists, driving on the opposite side of the road can be a real challenge so be sure you are prepared and covered if you plan to rent a motorbike.

Motorbikes can be easily rented from your hotel or local shop in the city for around $10 a day. Renting from your hotel is often the safest choice as they will assist you with everything you need.

With a motorbike you can get out to the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An, as well as seeing the outer districts like Thu Duc and Binh Chanh. Just ride, look, take pictures and whenever you want, stop and have a coffee or some food.

Again, a local sim card and a maps app will greatly assist you in getting lost in the suburbs then finding your way back home.

Make a plan to visit locations of interest and you will have a fantastic day in the city and provinces.



Visit a pagoda
With your bicycle or motorbike, make a point of visiting a big pagoda and spend some time taking in the feeling of the spirit of Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of the world’s biggest pagodas are located in this region. A little research and you will find some of the most popular pagodas located within 20 or 30 kilometers of the city center in places like District 9 and District 12. They are a special experience.



Museums
There are a few very popular museums in Ho Chi Minh City that showcase the history and values of Vietnam. However, unknown to many are a variety of small museums that have been preserved by local groups to honor the history and culture of the region.

Many of these small museums are privately run and might be found at the back of a café or above a food store. Some research before you travel will uncover some amazing little places that you can visit that are rarely seen by tourists.

A collection of old banknotes at Lua Sai Gon Café in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre News



Visit a local market
In every travel guide for Vietnam it says to visit Ben Thanh Market in District 1, but this is very much an international marketplace. True local markets are totally different because they focus on food and servicing the local community for their daily needs.

You won’t find a million T-shirts or any souvenirs. What you will find are amazing hard-working people delivering food in a traditional way that may shock some westerners, but it’s a photographer’s dream.

Also, most local markets will have food available to eat, so make sure you skip breakfast in order to experience local noodle or rice dishes offered at a local market. Most dishes in local markets range from $1 to $2.

A fresh fish stall at a local wet market in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News



The greatest disappointment as an expat is seeing people visiting Ho Chi Minh City and seeing them in a bus looking out the window and missing all the local culture. They spend a few days in the city center and take a day trip to some nearby attractions, like Cu Chi Tunnels.

Most of what they see is through a bus window and they never have the opportunity to stop and experience the real Ho Chi Minh City.

Southern Vietnam is now a much more interactive and accepting culture. More people speak English and more local shop owners are welcoming of foreigners who don’t speak the local language.

There has never been a better time to live Ho Chi Minh City rather than just seeing it. Plan your experience, get some help and allow enough time to feel the beauty of this amazing region. Live Ho Chi Minh City and the memories of your experience will forever sit in your heart.


Bron: Stop seeing Ho Chi Minh City and start living it

 

[Buellbloke]

Is dit het een-op-een Vietnamees dagblad knip- en plak topic?

 

[FredVN]

Bijna goed!

Hier in the middle of nowhere van Vietnam kennen we geen dag-, week- of maandbladen en zijn we dus aangewezen op internet en een tweetal Vietnamese nieuwssites in de Engelse taal.

Dus dit is het twee-op-een Vietnamese website knip- en plak topic!

Interessant?

 

[FredVN]

Vietnam transport ministry requires rectification following thousands of flight delays

Passenger await check-in at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, June 4, 2022. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre



The Vietnamese Ministry of Transport has requested that airlines improve their punctuality after more than 5,600 flights were delayed in June.

Vietnamese airlines operated 30,808 flights between May 19 and June 18, a jump of 528.7 percent and 18 percent compared to the same period in 2021 and last month, respectively, according to statistics of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).

During this period, the overall punctuality of the entire industry was 81.8 percent, with only 25,206 flights taking off on time, down 15.9 percentage points and 9.4 percentage percentage points compared to the same period last year and in May, respectively.

As many as 5,602 flights were delayed, about 18.2 percent, an increase of 15.9 percentage points and 9.4 percentage points year on year and from last month’s figure, respectively.

Airlines canceled 65 flights, or 0.2 percent of the total flight number, up 4.8 percentage points, over the same period last year, but down 0.1 percentage point month on month.

The main reasons for flight delays included late return flights, poor management, and issues with equipment and airport services.

The Ministry of Transport sent a dispatch on Wednesday to request that the CAAV strengthen its monitoring of airline operations and ensure that flights are punctual and that delays and cancelations are rectified.

In the first six months of 2022, passenger traffic at Vietnam’s airports reached 43.35 million, a spike of 65.5 percent compared to the first six months of 2021, but a decline of 24.6 percent over the same period in 2019, according to the CAAV.

Vietnamese airlines carried about 21.4 million passengers, including 20.8 million domestic ones, up 62.4 percent and 57.3 percent over the same period in 2021, respectively.

Domestic travel has rebounded to the pre-pandemic level, posting 10.5-percent growth in traffic volume against the same period in 2019.

On average, over 900 domestic flights carried 150,000 passengers each day.


Bron: Vietnam transport ministry requires rectification following thousands of flight delays


Daarom zeg ik ook altijd: “boek nooit een binnenlandse en een internationale vlucht achter elkaar. Dat gaat heel vaak fout. Neem voor alle zekerheid altijd een hotelovernachting in de plaats waar de internationale vlucht begint.”

Mijn dochter had ooit een enorme vertraging op haar vlucht van Nha Trang naar HCM. Ik dacht iets van 9 uur. Ze kwam ergens over enen ’s nachts in het hotel aan. Heel veel medereizigers misten hun aansluitende vlucht en hadden dus grote problemen.

Voor mijn gevoel is het percentage ook veel hoger. Ik kan me bij binnenlandse vluchten eigenlijk niet herinneren dat we op tijd vertrokken. Vaak is de vertraging niet zo groot (1/2 – 1 uur) maar wel degelijk aanwezig.

Het hangt mogelijk ook van de maatschappij af. Men heeft mij wel eens verteld dat vluchten van Vietnam airlines, de staatsmaatschappij, voorrang hebben boven de particuliere prijsvechters. Geen idee of het waar is, maar het klinkt aannemelijk.

 

[FredVN]

Nearly 1,000 children take free swimming lessons in south-central Vietnam

Children take a free swimming lesson in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre



A free swimming course sponsored by a local man has benefited about 1,000 children from seven to 15 years old in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City under the south-central Vietnamese province of Ninh Thuan.

Le Nguyen Le Vi, a resident of the city, is the sponsor of the swimming program, which has taken place at the swimming pool of Hoa Sen Ninh Thuan Kindergarten - Elementary School from Monday to Friday every week.

Children participating in the course are taught basic skills, such as swimming on their stomach, breaststroke, breathing underwater, and saving themselves from drowning.

More than 2,000 children aged under 16 years in Vietnam lose their lives every year due to drowning, the World Health Organization cited an estimate in 2020.

Many participants have said the course is helpful as it enables them to swim and improve their swimming safety skills.

Below are photos of the free swimming course for children in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province:

Children take a free swimming lesson in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

A teacher gives instructions to children during a free swimming lesson in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Children take a free swimming lesson in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre

Children pose for a photo during a free swimming lesson in Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Duy Ngoc / Tuoi Tre


Bron: Nearly 1,000 children take free swimming lessons in south-central Vietnam


Goed initiatief! Maar helaas weer, als bijna altijd, particulier.

 

[FredVN]

Opvallend

Fixing corruption consequences should take precedence over criminal charges: prosecutor - VnExpress International
Tja… Zou ik nu geld terug kunnen vragen? Alles bij elkaar best een leuk bedrag.


Spain arrests two Vietnamese over alleged sexual assault on British teenager - VnExpress International
Tja: 's lands wijs, 's lands eer. (D.w.z. ieder land heeft zijn bijzondere zeden en gewoonten, die men geoorloofd en welvoeglijk acht )


Vietnamese man gets 9-month flight ban for smoking on plane
Zoals ik hierboven al zei…

 

[FredVN]

Thanh

Thanh is één van Minh’s leerlingen bij de Engelse les. Ze is model geweest bij een foto-shoot:
Vietnam Deel 2
en is een tekentalent:
Vietnam Deel 2

Ik had nog een blok met A3-papier liggen waar ik eigenlijk niets mee deed. Dus aan Thanh gegeven, onder de voorwaarde, dat ze speciaal voor mij een tekening zou maken.

Afgelopen zondag had ze die bij zich.

Ik heb tegen haar gezegd, dat ik hem zuinig zal bewaren tot ze een beroemd tekenaar is en dan kan ik hem voor veel geld verkopen.

 

[FredVN]

Vocational school students present recycled items at environmental protection event in Da Nang

Vocational school students present recycled items at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre



Hundreds of unique recycled products created by vocational school students were presented at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Saturday.

Taking place at the Da Nang Vocational Training College, the event was organized for the first time by the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training under the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs.

Its goal was to promote a green lifestyle and students’ roles in environmental protection, contribute to the establishment of green schools, and limit plastic waste at vocational education institutions.

Students introduce handicrafts made from recyclable materials at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre



The event was joined by nearly 2,000 students of vocational schools in Da Nang and nearby provinces.

The participants presented a variety of recycled products, namely handbags sewn from used tarpaulin, ornaments made from plastic cups and spoons, and tables and chairs made from discarded tires.

Products made from recyclable materials are displayed at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre



Using recycled items is no longer a trend, Kieu Loan, 19, stated, adding that it has become a habit of many young people, showing their love for and awareness of the environment.

"This event puts forward a lot of good ideas for recycling discarded items in our daily life," said Minh Toai, 24.

It also featured a photo exhibition and a game with about 100 players, centered around environmental protection, climate change, and plastic waste.

A student holds a bag made from used tarpaulin at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

A wall clock made from plastic spoons is presented at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Le Tan Dung (R), Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, attends an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

A photo gallery on environmental protection at an environmental protection event in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 2, 2022. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre


Bron: Vocational school students present recycled items at environmental protection event in Da Nang

 

[cardiobiker]

Wat geweldig leuk om te lezen Fred! Ik begin steeds meer interesse te krijgen in Vietnam. Vond destijds Thailand al een heel avontuur.....

 

[FredVN]

Gewoon gaan. Bedenk, dat je als toerist weinig last zal hebben van de meeste problemen, die ik beschrijf. Behalve misschien de herrie, als je het verkeerde hotel in de verkeerde buurt hebt.
Oordoppen mee!