Tieng Viet lovers club [Archive] - Page 8 - The Asian Commercial Sex Scene

jackbl

18-01-2009, 12:51 AM

HCMC entertainment spots could be fire death traps: police
================================================== ====

Some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most popular entertainment venues violated fire safety regulations, an inspection by city police revealed Wednesday.

The city Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting Police found 151 violations after inspecting 55 bars, dance halls, theaters and cinemas in 11 downtown and outlying districts.

The violations related to narrow or no exits, ineffective and inadequate firefighting tools, and unsafe electrical devices.

At several bars, there was evidence of burning incense sticks and fire extinguishers stashed in boxes out of easy reach, the police said.

The dimly lit bars were small but often packed with people, had narrow exits and inflammable decorations that could give off toxic smoke if burnt, the department said.

Tran Thanh Chau, the department deputy head, said the bars used high wattage amplifiers and other devices that could easily short out and cause fires.

“Some of the owners are aware of the danger but won’t fix it as they don’t want to spend more money,” Chau said.

Music at a 100 square meter first floor bar on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street was so loud that nobody would be able to hear the fire alarm and one set of stairs provided the only fire escape, police said.

The department suspended Caesar dance hall at An Dong Market in District 5 during the investigation, after fining it VND21 million (US$1,200).

The hall’s fire exit was usually blocked, a department officer said adding that a fire would cause a large death toll and extensive damage with employees alone at the club numbering around 200.

Diamond Cinema was fined VND5 million ($287), Megastar Hung Vuong Plaza VND2 million ($115), and Galaxy Nguyen Du and Hoa Binh Theater VND600,000 ($34) each.

Reported by Dam Huy

Reaper

18-01-2009, 04:24 AM

HCMC entertainment spots could be fire death traps: police
================================================== ====

The whole of HCMC is a fire trap. I have been here for 3 years and I have seen ONLY 1 external fire escape route on a building about 6 stories high.

lhhuy1

18-01-2009, 07:22 AM

The whole of HCMC is a fire trap. I have been here for 3 years and I have seen ONLY 1 external fire escape route on a building about 6 stories high.

Not to mention the firetruck has to wade through hundreds of scooters and bikes before it gets to its destination.

jackbl

18-01-2009, 10:20 AM

Hi huy, can u help to explain the meaning of the highlighted words? i may not have the correct translation. thanks

e dao nay lam sao day gap toan khach am binh kg a buon qua.

Yes, something like that. Always lousy customers, I am sad.

jackbl

18-01-2009, 10:57 AM

Can you intro the viet sex forum to us? maybe give us the link, hihi

I have been to hcmc a few times.. are u going back to hcmc to "an tet"?

I know this forum from a viet sex forum. Next month I'll be heading to Malaysia to study and have a little fun while I am there so this forum may help me. I was from HCM.

lhhuy1

18-01-2009, 11:02 AM

Hi huy, can u help to explain the meaning of the highlighted words? i may not have the correct translation. thanks

e dao nay lam sao day gap toan khach am binh kg a buon qua.

toan = always
if she meant "âm binh" then direct translation is someone from ghost/underworld. But it makes more sense if you just think as "customers that are no good".

lhhuy1

18-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Can you intro the viet sex forum to us? maybe give us the link, hihi

I have been to hcmc a few times.. are u going back to hcmc to "an tet"?

If you want to know then just do a google search for "sex viet". I know one website that used to be popular, but it got closed down by the authority. I have been back to HCMC a few times, but not this year because I'll be heading to Malaysia instead; need to save money :D.

Times around tet were not fun for me because mostly everywhere was closed and my wallet got very thin for giving away "li xi". But it's ok if you have someone to be there with you and have sexy times.

jackbl

18-01-2009, 11:16 AM

The normal people are so good to the teachers.

$120,000 donated to teachers for Tet
===============================

The call for help for teachers on Tet by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has had a great response, with VND1.9 billion ($120,000) contributed by businesses and individuals in the past two days.

The military telecom corporation, Viettel, offered VND600 million to teachers in five Central Highlands provinces – Lam Dong, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Gia Lai – and seven other provinces, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Bac Giang, Phu Yen, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh.

The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has given VND500 million to ten provinces: Phu Tho, Ninh Thuan, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, An Giang and Ca Mau.

Another VND500 million also went to ten provinces: Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Hoa Binh.

Notably, Mr. Le Van Kiem, a veteran and a Labor Hero, has donated VND300 million to six provinces: Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Binh Thuan, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri and Quang Binh.

Yesterday evening donations were transferred to their respective provinces, said Tran Quang Quy, Chief of the Secretariat of the Ministry of Education and Training.

The Ministry authorized directors of local departments of education and training to deliver the financial support to teachers before Tet.

By Anh Nhi - Translated by Mai Thao

Nearly 1mil teachers with no Tet bonus
===========================

(Source: Dan tri)

jackbl

18-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Heard that over at vn, not married also must give LI XI right? for sgp, not married no need give... Other than that, most of the customs for the same ;)

Times around tet were not fun for me because mostly everywhere was closed and my wallet got very thin for giving away "li xi". But it's ok if you have someone to be there with you and have sexy times.

lhhuy1

18-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Heard that over at vn, not married also must give LI XI right? for sgp, not married no need give... Other than that, most of the customs for the same ;)

Well, if the girl or the family is nice, they won't ask you for it. But, still, they might not be pleased inside if you don't give. If they are poorer than you then they might expect something, since you are the boyfriend and from a wealthier background than them. Just don't come and greet them empty handed, especially during tet. A gift basket wrapped with goodies is OK, I guess. And be prepared for some red packets for the children at least.

This is what I have to put up with when I go visit my relatives in vietnam.

Enjoy your stay. Should be fun if the girl can take you to places with her scooter. If you are brave then use the scooter yourself, not that hard. Just be careful and not cause an accident or run into cops.

jackbl

18-01-2009, 05:31 PM

Viet Nam has 92.6 telephones/100 people
================================

Viet Nam has a teledensity of 92.6 telephones, the Ministry of Information and Communications has reported.

There are 79.1 million telephones in the country, of which mobile phones account for 66 million, or 83.5 percent.

By the end of last November, more than 13,700 new base transceiver stations had been installed to serve mobile phone services.

Over 20.67 million people, or almost a quarter of the population, use the Internet, two million of them broadband.

More than 90,000 .vn Internet domains and 4,156 Vietnamese domains have been registered.

The country has 18,215 post offices.

By T. Binh – Translated by Hoang Yen

Subscriber surge jamming cell-phone networks
===============================

With the number of users skyrocketing, network jams of the sort that usually occur only on festive days have plagued major cell-phone service providers over the last two months.

Reported by Truong Son

jackbl

19-01-2009, 02:02 AM

Offerings for “Kitchen God”
===================

VietNamNet Bridge - On December 23rd of the Lunar Calendar (which falls on January 18 this year), Vietnamese families arebusy preparing rituals and votive paper for the Kitchen God (Tao Quan) to ascend to Heaven.

The shops that sell votive objects and other items of worship in Hang Ma, Luong Van Can, Hang Bong and Hang Dao streets are crowded. The best-selling goods include money, cars, motorbikes, and villas made of paper.

The sellers in these streets say there’s nothing different from last year except that the prices have increased by 10-15 percent. A set of three hats, three sets of clothes and three pairs of shoes are priced at about VND25,000-50,000. Other commodities such as cars, motorbikes, and electric cookers, can cost up to VND1 million.

As well as paper carp, many families buy real fish in the hope of helping the Kitchen God to return to Heaven. Many shops offer yellow and red Japanese carp; two red carp with scales are priced at VND20,000-25,000. Japanese carp with silver-colour scales sell for VND80,000-100,000.

jackbl

19-01-2009, 02:38 AM

Hi anyone can help me to translate the below highlighted words? thanks a lot
"Du sao di chang nua dc quen anh em rat vui"

jackbl

19-01-2009, 10:12 AM

HCMC deluxe hotels reduce rates 50 percent
=================================

Some luxurious hotels in HCM City have promised to cut their rates by 30 to 50 percent in order to stimulate travel demand.

Many tourism companies and hotels Friday signed a commitment to implement a promotional campaign that runs from January to September.

There are 19 international tour companies and 12 three to five star hotels in the city joining the stimulus program.

Source: SGGP

Honey Boon

19-01-2009, 01:19 PM

LI XI sounds like cantonese version of "利市“。。。。

I realised many viet words have the direct translation of cantonese, like immigration, lawyer, commerical advertisement, and many more ;)

Heard that over at vn, not married also must give LI XI right? for sgp, not married no need give... Other than that, most of the customs for the same ;)

Honey Boon

19-01-2009, 01:22 PM

bro, which part of Malaysia you are heading to? are u going there to study? ;)

If you want to know then just do a google search for "sex viet". I know one website that used to be popular, but it got closed down by the authority. I have been back to HCMC a few times, but not this year because I'll be heading to Malaysia instead; need to save money :D.

Times around tet were not fun for me because mostly everywhere was closed and my wallet got very thin for giving away "li xi". But it's ok if you have someone to be there with you and have sexy times.

jackbl

19-01-2009, 01:41 PM

casannova03

19-01-2009, 02:16 PM

I realised many viet words have the direct translation of cantonese, like immigration, lawyer, commerical advertisement, and many more ;)

Not only cantonese...there are similar pronunciations linked to mandarin and hokkien as well..

I.e

(English = Mandarin = Hokkien = Vietnamese)
Prepare = Zhun Bei = Chun Bi = Chuan Bi

(English = Mandarin = Hokkien = Vietnamese)
Husband = Zhang Fu = Ang Sai = Ong Xa (pronounced "Arm" Xa)

(English = Mandarin (PRC's context) = Vietnamese)
Police = Kong An = Cong an (pronounced "Gom" An)

(English = Mandarin = Vietnamese)
Make-up = Hua zhuang = Hoa trang
(almost same as mandarin pronounciation except a bit of difference in tonation)

(English = Mandarin = Vietnamese)
History = Li Shi = Lich Su ( pronounced as "lit" "ser")

So as you can see, Vietnamese is a bit of rojak of everything. The language itself does not have as deep a history as other languages. I did not read up the history but i think i read somewhere that it was created by an emperor after unification of land in his time and he made use of references to a few langauges to create a new language in Vietnamese.

So maybe you can say Vietnamese is an improvisation of a few other languages...(my opinion...those who have the history of the language, pls share and enlighten me/us here!):D

jackbl

19-01-2009, 02:24 PM

Vietnam’s int’l call charges are region’s lowest
==================================
VietNamNet Bridge – Thanks to the 50 percent discount offered by the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) last September, international call charges from Vietnam are lower than any other country in the region.

The group’s 2008 revenue increased 19 percent against over 2007, at more than 55 trillion VND (3.2 billion USD), even in the face of the current financial difficulties that are affecting the economy.

These figures were announced on Jan. 16 during a press conference in Hanoi by Bui Quoc Viet, director of the VNPT’s Information Centre.

During 2008, VNPT added 22 million subscribers to its list of phone users, increasing the number of its subscribers to 49 million.

The launch of Viet Nam ’s first satellite, Vinasat-1, into orbit in April 2008 was a breakthrough improvement in telecommunications infrastructure, helping local service providers, including VNPT, to expand their networks and services.

The telecommunications sector is expected to experience even tougher competition in 2009 when Vietnam opens the industry to foreign service providers, in line with its WTO commitments.

However, VNPT plans to increase its revenue during 2009 to around 60 trillion VND whilst making further reductions to call charges.

(Source: VNA)

Viet Nam has 92.6 telephones/100 people
================================

lhhuy1

19-01-2009, 06:55 PM

Hi anyone can help me to translate the below highlighted words? thanks a lot
"Du sao di chang nua dc quen anh em rat vui"

I don't know the correct translation of the word chăng.

đi = to go

From my understanding of the whole sentence, it is: "Anyway, at least I got to know you. I am very happy.

bro, which part of Malaysia you are heading to? are u going there to study? ;)

I am heading to Monash in Sunway. I need to get a map.

Bro, i check dictionary

hóa trang = to camouflage; to disguise oneself

BTW, do the ppl here found that since yesterd, the system time become hay-wired? Look at bro casa's post..how can i post before him if i have not read his posting, his posting time is 2.16pm..i post at 1.41pm

I got problem accessing too.

casannova03

19-01-2009, 07:38 PM

Bro, i check dictionary

hóa trang = to camouflage; to disguise oneself

BTW, do the ppl here found that since yesterd, the system time become hay-wired? Look at bro casa's post..how can i post before him if i have not read his posting, his posting time is 2.16pm..i post at 1.41pm

Yap some system syncro fault...BOSS said so in another thread!
http://www.sammyboyforum.com/matters-heart/111472-possible-help-fl-quit-trade.html

Hoa trang is also make-up lei..my wife say one..:D.but i guess it makes sense la... in order to camou, you need to put make-up ma, right??

Where bro IHHUY1??
hoa trang la make-up phai ko?? :confused:

jackbl

20-01-2009, 12:37 AM

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 16/1
==================

Tour operators set for busiest time of year

HCM City tour operators will be busy as usual during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays since bookings for domestic and outbound travel have remained strong despite the global economic woes.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, head of Fiditourist’s public relations and communications department, said her company’s business has been great this year. She added that there have been many bookings from local travellers. Fiditourist aims to serve some 12,000 travellers over 13 days during Tet.

Vo Anh Tai, director of Saigontourist Travel Service Co, said tour prices have changed significantly when compared to other times during the year. He said some tours are being offered at lower prices in order to attract customers.

Culture festival to open in Ba Ria-Vung Tau

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will organise a cultural and tourism festival themed "Resounding Seaside Town" to attract more visitors on the first days of the Lunar New Year. The one-month festival, which will kick off on January 26, will be the biggest event ever to display the distinctive cultural and tourism features of the province.

The festival will include cannon shooting, performances imitating legendary ships of the anti-American war of resistance, spring flowers, wine, food, photo exhibitions, folk games, lion dance performances and canoe dances.

Nha Trang may host Miss Universe VN

The provincial authorities of Khanh Hoa have been given permission for the joint stock Hoan Cau (Universe) to host Miss Universe Viet Nam 2009 in Nha Trang City. The pageant will take place from April 21 to 30 at Diamond Bay, site of the 57th Miss Universe, held last July. The contest will find a beauty queen to represent Viet Nam in the Miss Universe 2009 competition.

Khanh Hoa People’s Committee also asked Hoan Cau to report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and to request a license for the event.

Australian speaker votes for Ha Long Bay

During his visit to the northern province of Quang Ninh last Saturday, Harry Jenkins, the Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, voted for Ha Long Bay as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

At the meeting with the provincial authority, Jenkins said he was happy about the province’s development but expressed his concern about the preservation and promotion of the World Cultural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay.

Saigontourist greets 450 New Year tourists

Saigontourist Travel Service Company welcomed 450 foreign tourists on board the five-star cruise ship Columbus.

The tourists, most of which are German, visited HCM City on Monday.

This is the second cruise liner received by Saigontourist during the first half of this month. The cruise tourists went on a city tour of HCM City and a tour of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta on Monday and Tuesday.

After HCM City, the Columbus weighed anchor at Nha Trang port in Khanh Hoa province on Wednesday and Tien Sa port in Da Nang yesterday.

Tour company launches new scenic tour

The HCM City-based Ben Thanh Tourist has launched a four-day tour which takes tourists to the most beautiful beaches in Binh Thuan and the great mountains of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Atrractions in Binh Thuan include a stop by Ta Cu Resort to enjoy the mountainous scenery. One can also take a cable car to visit Linh Son-Truong Tho Pagoda. In Phan Thiet tourists can enjoy such splended scenes such as Fairy Tale Spring and Posanu Cham Tower in addition to sand dunes and beaches.

In Lam Dong, tourists can tour Damb’ri Waterfalls in Bao Loc District. Emperor Bao Dai Palace, Truc Lam Monastery, Tuyen Lam Lake, Love Valley and the Great Wall replica in Da Lat City.

Five-star, luxury Hoi An resort cuts rates

The five-star luxury resort The Nam Hai in the ancient town of Hoi An is inviting local residents on a luxurious getaway at a special rate. On weekdays (Sunday through Thursday) guests will pay US$260 for their first night at a one-bedroom villa and $160 for the second night. For a weekend stay from Friday to Saturday, the rate is $330 for the first night and $190 for the second night.

The promotion, which is valid for those with Vietnamese identification, Vietnamese local residence card, or six-month Vietnamese visa holders, is valid through March 31.

A special package is also offered for the Lunar New Year: the $270 package includes a two-night stay for one guest, breakfast, one two-course lunch, one three-course set dinner, early check-in, late check out and other amenities. The Tet package is valid from January 23-31.

(Source: VNS)

jackbl

20-01-2009, 02:08 AM

Ben tre is famous for its coconut!

Coconut festival opens in Ben Tre
=========================

The first Coconut Festival opened on January 13 in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, promising to bring tourists a taste of various local coconut products.

The seven-day festival held by the provincial People’s Committee, marks the 49th year of the Ben Tre Uprising against the US aggression and celebrates the inauguration of Rach Mieu Bridge, connecting Ben Tre to Tien Giang province.

Coming to the festival, visitors will have a chance to sample traditional food and explore the mysteries of the “coconut culture”, organisers say.

It will also offer businessmen and investors an opportunity to access the economic potential of Ben Tre for eco-tourism, historical and cultural relics, and particularly, for coconut products.

More than 250 booths are showcasing products made from coconut as well as techniques in coconut breeding, harvesting and processing.

A contest will be held where artisans will compete to make cakes, jams and food from coconut. Another contest will see local craftsmen make handicraft items, such as knitting baskets made out of coconut blades, and spinning and weaving carpets out of coconut fibre.

Do Minh Triet, of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that a number of coconut-related records will be set.

For instance, the biggest carpet made from coconut fibre will be showcased at the festival. The carpet measures 6m long and 3m wide and was crafted by artisan Pham Minh Tam, a resident of Chau Thanh district.

Additionally, a 3 m high teapot made from coconut shells will also be featured. The teapot was created by Nguyen Thanh Liem of Mo Cay town.

Dong A Company, owned by Pham Thi To will display a 600-kg coconut candy measuring 1.06m long, 0.6m wide and 0.8m thick.

Other unique products by famous artisans will also be on show, such as a pair of life-sized buffaloes made entirely of coconut by animal bonsai artisan Nguyen Van Cong, a resident of Cho Lach district.(VNA)

jackbl

20-01-2009, 09:23 AM

A mosaic of Tet festivals
=========================

HANOI – Spring Exhibition 2009 (Vietnam Exhibition Center, through Friday)

Tran Van Tan, director of the Vietnam Exhibition Center, says this year’s Spring Exhibition will be the largest in its 17-year history, with 500 businesses showcasing products from around the national at some 800 stalls.

Visitors to the Hanoi event can try various specialty products from several provinces, including ruou can Hoa Binh (local rice wine from Hoa Binh Province in the north), Nam Roi grapefruits from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, as well as products from craft villages in Hanoi and Ha Tay Province.

A new section displaying flowers and ornamental plants has been added to this year’s festival, which will also feature both traditional and modern theater performances as well as rock and hip hop dance and music shows.

HANOI – Hanoi-Thang Long Spring Festival 2009 (from January 29 to February 1)

Hanoi will open its Hanoi-Thang Long Spring Festival in Ly Thai To Park and the Hoan Kiem Lake area with a celebration of the capital’s 999th birthday on January 29.

On the same day in Thanh Tri District, a festival commemorating the 220th anniversary of the battle of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da, in which General Nguyen Hue crushed a Chinese invasion, will be launched.

At the intersection of Dinh Tien Hoang and Hang Khay streets, an exhibition titled “Images of Hanoi 2009” will feature photographs of the historic capital.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony will include traditional musical shows and a lantern ceremony at Thien Quang Lake in which lit lotus-shaped lanterns – the symbol of Hanoi – are placed in the lake.

BA RIA-VUNG TAU – Flower Festival (Bai Truoc Park in the town of Vung Tau from January 22 to February 4)

The VND1 billion flower festival, titled “Converging Spring,” will be the largest the province has ever seen.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, deputy director of festival organizer Lam Vien Green Plants, said an area of 17,000 square meters in Bai Truoc Park would be filled with flowers and plants, along with 20,000 crates of fruit.

The festival’s featured flower arrangement portrays a small river flowing from the land to the sea carrying a boat filled with fish.

A 15-meter-high flower sculpture will depict the Hai Dang Lighthouse, the symbol of the town.

A large area will be dedicated to the life-like reconstruction of the southern countryside, including bamboo houses, fishing ponds, bamboo bridges and a garden of specialty southern fruits.

Ho Si Tien, an official from Lam Vien Green Plants, said the flowers would arrive tomorrow, so they’ll stay cool and fresh throughout the festival.

A calligraphy and photography exhibition and a tourism exhibit featuring Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s nine premier tourism projects – such as the Ho Tram Strip and the Atlantics Resort Center – will also be on display.

The flower festival is part of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Culture Festival, which begins on January 26, lasting until February 4.

BEN TRE – The First Coconut Festival (Ben Tre Cultural Center, ends tomorrow)

The First Coconut Festival in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre celebrates tomorrow’s opening of Rach Mieu Bridge, which connects Ho Chi Minh City with Ben Tre Province.

The festival showcases investment opportunities in Ben Tre Province and features coconut-related games and an awards ceremony to honor Vietnam’s outstanding craft villages.

Some 250 stalls have been set up to showcase coconut-related products.

The festival also features several hands-on activities: knitting bags and carpets from coconut leaves and cooking with coconuts.

BINH THUAN – The Phan Thiet-Ham Tan Fireworks Show (January 25)

Two 15-minute fireworks displays at two locations in Phan Thiet – one near Le Hong Phong Bridge on Trung Nhi Street and one in Ham Tan District – will light up the night sky on January 25 to welcome the Lunar New Year.

HO CHI MINH CITY – Flower Markets (beginning today, ending January 25)

Three Tet flower markets are taking over the city’s three major parks: September 23rd Park, Gia Dinh Park and Le Van Tam Park.

September 23rd Park, across the roundabout from Ben Thanh Market, will be the city’s main flower market.

In District 7’s Phu My Hung area, the Wonderland Park flower market will close this Saturday.

HO CHI MINH CITY – Nguyen Hue Flower Street and Banh Tet Festival (from January 21 until January 28)

Tran Hung Viet, head of the organizing committee, said unlike previous festivals, this year’s event would not feature a giant pair of banh tet, which in the past had set a Vietnamese record.

Instead, organizers will host banh tet making contests – open to both individuals and organizations – throughout the city on January 21. The selected entries that make it through the qualifying rounds will compete in a final round at Dam Sen Park the next morning.

The first-prize winner will receive the honor of offering the cake at worshiping ceremonies at the Hung Kings (legendary founders of Vietnam) temple, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Ton Duc Thang Museum on January 25.

Organizers will also donate thousands of traditional cakes to disadvantaged people around the city to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The HCMC government said it views the Tet Festival as a special occasion for both residents and international visitors. The Saigontourist Holding Company has been the main organizer of the festival since 2004.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street, to open from January 23-28, will feature an array of flowers and ornamental plants, including many from the Central Highlands town of Da Lat. During the week, the scenic boulevard in front of the HCMC government office will be closed to all vehicles.

The festival will also include a parade and musical show featuring Vietnamese traditional folk and contemporary music.

Fireworks shows will be held at six venues around the city on the Lunar New Year Eve, which falls on January 25, the organizing committee said.

HO CHI MINH CITY – Tao Dan Park Flower Festival (From Tuesday to January 31)

Hundreds of booths will offer visitors the chance to experience the best of Vietnam’s Tet customs: writing cau doi (parallel poem lines), calligraphy, Vietnamese tea ceremonies, puppet shows and even an area for visitors and tourists to learn how to make Vietnam’s banh tet (a traditional rice cake).

On the morning of January 23, some 300 ex-soldiers – as well as local students and young people – will carry out a re-creation of the legendary Truong Son Road, known in the west as “The Ho Chi Minh Trail.”

Reported by Thuy Tien – Thuy Linh

Hurricane88

20-01-2009, 10:46 AM

Hi anyone can help me to translate the below highlighted words? thanks a lot
"Du sao di chang nua dc quen anh em rat vui"

Du sao di chang nua dc quen anh em rat vui = no matter how i am very happy to know you

no matter how = du sao di chang nua

Honey Boon

20-01-2009, 11:04 AM

make sure you visit Sunway Lagoon, the theme park and the resort there .... :D

I am heading to Monash in Sunway. I need to get a map.

jackbl

20-01-2009, 02:03 PM

Thanks for your help.... 平地一声雷

Du sao di chang nua dc quen anh em rat vui = no matter how i am very happy to know you

no matter how = du sao di chang nua

lhhuy1

20-01-2009, 04:38 PM

make sure you visit Sunway Lagoon, the theme park and the resort there .... :D

Thanks. I am not very much interested in theme park, resort or scenery. I am looking for something else......such as bars and girls. :)

Honey Boon

20-01-2009, 05:29 PM

then I am sure you know where to head to? just ask the taxi man :D

Thanks. I am not very much interested in theme park, resort or scenery. I am looking for something else......such as bars and girls. :)

lhhuy1

20-01-2009, 07:38 PM

Yeah. I am sure I will have no problem going about in such a nice city.

jackbl

20-01-2009, 11:53 PM

City sings, dances and blossoms for Tet
================================

The Youth Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City has a full schedule of traditional events to celebrate Tet that will go on until the fifth day of the new year.

The Tet Viet Ky Suu 2009 (2009 Vietnamese Lunar New Year of the Buffalo) festival opened last Thursday with displays of pictures and calligraphy that are also for sale.

It also features lion dancing and a contest between don ca tai tu (traditional southern folk music) groups.

A “calligraphy street” has been set up in front of the house in Pham Ngoc Thach Street, and opens until January 25. It has calligraphers showing off their skills, exhibitions and sales of their works.

Also, a photography exhibition will trace Vietnam’s development through the years, and a weeklong tea festival opening today will showcase the nation’s tea-drinking culture.

A tourist looks at calligraphy on display in front of the HCMC Youth Cultural House in District 1

On Friday, three days before Tet, visitors will be taught how to make banh tet (round glutinous cake), which will be given later that day to 2,000 orphans along with li xi (lucky money given to children for Tet).

Traditional Vietnamese martial arts and co nguoi (human Chinese chess) performances will begin on January 27 until the 30th.

The city is also blooming with Tet flower markets to mark the holiday, with the largest flower market, the Tet Flower Market at September 23rd Park, opening on Sunday in District 1.

The park is vibrant with the colors of peach blossoms from the north, kumquats from the Mekong Delta, and ochnas from Binh Dinh and Ben Tre provinces.

A seller from northern Hai Duong Province said peach blossoms were more expensive this year due to higher workers’ wages and transportation costs.

An eight-year-old peach blossom tree is priced VND1.5 million (US$86) while smaller ones sell for around VND600,000.

For the first time ever, strawberry trees from the Central Highlands’ Lam Dong Province are being sold at the market for VND80,000 and many cool-temperature flower varieties, such as lilies, are available.

In addition, the Nguyen Hue Flower Street will open in downtown this Friday as the epicenter of all the city’s Tet seasonal celebrations. The street fair, including hundreds of booths and live outdoor performances, will take place on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in District 1.

Three other large Tet flower markets are currently open at District 1’s Le Van Tam Park, Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District and the Phu My Hung New Urban Area in District 7.

Reported by Da Ly – Mai Vong

jackbl

21-01-2009, 08:54 AM

Will be easier for ppl in BEN TRE travelling to HCMC now!!! Bro SV...

Major southern bridge opens to traffic
==========================

The VND1.4 trillion (US$80 million) Rach Mieu Bridge connecting Ben Tre and Tien Giang provinces opened to traffic January 19 after construction began in April 2002.

It has been built over the Tien River along National Road 60, around 70 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

The bridge is vital for Ben Tre residents, facilitating not only transport but also socio-economic development in the province and the Mekong Delta.

Unlike the modern My Thuan, Can Tho, and Bai Chay suspension bridges, Rach Mieu was designed and built by Vietnamese with Swiss technical assistance.

With the Can Tho bridge still under construction, it is the second suspension bridge in the delta.

The first, the My Thuan Bridge, connects Vinh Long Province with the city of Can Tho, was finished in 2000.

Rach Mieu is 2.87 kilometers long. Its suspended portion is 504 meters long while it has a clearance of 37.5 meters.

It was built under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract by CIENCO 1, 5 and 6 at a cost of VND988 billion (US$59 million). Of this amount VND571 billion came from the Government and the rest from CIENCO.

The bridge toll will be the same as the ferry charge now collected.

Happy occasion

With the ferry system a thing of the past following the bridge completion, the delta is expected to attract more investment.

While it used to take around 25 minutes to cross the river by ferry, it only takes five minutes now.

Farmer Nguyen Van Hai, 65, of Ben Tre Province’s Giong Trom District, said “This is the bridge of our dreams. My wife and I have always dreamed of a bridge to connect the two banks of the Tien River. We are very happy.”

“My children who live and work in Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City will no longer have a long wait for a ferry when they return home for Tet,” he added.

Opportunities for Ben Tre

The Rach Mieu Bridge will not just facilitate transportation in the region, but also Ben Tre Province’s economic and tourism development.

When the bridge was under construction, many foreign and domestic investors visited the province to study its potential.

Nguyen Thai Xuan, chairman of the Ben Tre People’s Committee, said foreign investment into the province has soared in the last three years.

The province has now drawn up fresh socio-economic plans, he said.

It is seeking investment in existing industrial parks like An Hiep and Giao Long, with seafood and export of fruit getting priority, Mr. Xuan added.

By staff writers – Translated by Hoang Thi

jackbl

21-01-2009, 09:16 AM

Hi ppl, anyone know how to translate this? A greeting from fren wishing a safety return trip....
"Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan"

Carrot007

21-01-2009, 09:46 AM

Hoa trang is also make-up lei..my wife say one..:D.but i guess it makes sense la... in order to camou, you need to put make-up ma, right??

Another commonly used word for make-up is 'trang điểm'

trang điểm = hoá trang = make-up

jackbl

21-01-2009, 01:20 PM

Thanks, I normal used the words trang điểm for make up..... "Today u no make up also pretty lei ... " :D

Another commonly used word for make-up is 'trang điểm'

trang điểm = hoá trang = make-up

jackbl

21-01-2009, 01:35 PM

1) Chuc Mung Nam Moi = Cung chúc tân xuân = Happy New Year

2) Cung hỉ phát tài = "Congratulations and be Prosperous" 恭喜发财

3) Van su nhu y = 萬事如意

4) mã đáo thành công = 马到成功

Lunar New Year Greetings:

jackbl

21-01-2009, 02:18 PM

The needle and the art done
=================================

A local artist is pushing to make tattoos more tolerated in Vietnam.

Nguyen Dang Thien had a rebellious streak in him from a young age.

By 16, his love for rock music, still barely accepted in Vietnam at that time, had lead to a passion for tattoo art.

He began studying body art on his own in high school.

But tattoos in Vietnam are stigmatized as belonging only to convicts, gang members or ex-soldiers in the former Saigon regime’s army – none of which are looked upon fondly by the general public.

But young Vietnamese have been getting more tattoos these days, including famous singers, actors and musicians.

Thien says local Vietnamese are slowly dissolving the taboos and stereotypes associated with tattoos here by steering clear of themes often represented by prison and army tattoos and focusing instead on philosophy and personal passions.

“Tattoos have been accepted by groups of Vietnamese youth and have become a part of their everyday lives in a very healthy way,” says Thien.

After graduating from the College of Fine Arts in 2001 with a degree in graphic design, the artist taught himself tattoo methods by reading, surfing the Internet and attending tattoo conventions in Thailand and Singapore.

He opened a small tattoo shop in Phu Nhuan District as soon as he graduated, despite the strong protests of his family. But he quickly decided he wanted formal training so he enrolled in classes in Thailand.

Upon returning home, Thien opened a bigger tattoo parlor, Saigon Ink, in District 10 last June.

“Tattoo is an art. It has no limits,” he says.

“Tatoos can express beauty and charm or they can also be simple good luck charms or religious symbols of spiritual value.”

Thien’s customers include both Vietnamese and foreigners, as well as some local celebrities.

Pop star Thuy Tien has acquired her fifth tattoo, a seraph good luck image on her neck, at Saigon Ink.

Charlie Nguyen, director of Dong mau anh hung (The Rebel), got his first tattoo, which memorialized the date he began shooting the film, at Thien’s parlor.

The average price of a Saigon Ink tattoo depends on the type of image, but it usually ranges between US$50- 100 per hour or per small tattoo.

All of Saigon Ink’s equipment, inks and catalogs are from Thailand, the US, China, Singapore and Japan, Thien says.

After the Tet holiday, he plans to open a second shop located in HCMC’s backpacker area.

“My ambition is to develop a tattoo service and build an official tattoo career in Vietnam. I hope to help rub out the bias against tattooing so that an original Vietnamese tattoo culture can begin to take shape.”

By Kim

Hurricane88

21-01-2009, 02:45 PM

Hi ppl, anyone know how to translate this? A greeting from fren wishing a safety return trip....
"Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan"

Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan = congratulation you come back home town to greeting new year

don mung xuan = greeting new year

lhhuy1

21-01-2009, 04:42 PM

Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan = congratulation you come back home town to greeting new year

don mung xuan = greeting new year

Or in other words.....

đón = To go meet

mừng = happy

xuân = spring

Thanks, I normal used the words trang điểm for make up..... "Today u no make up also pretty lei ... " :D

Yeah, my girl used to ask if I liked her with or without make-up. The answer was always no make-up, but I know she's just lazy putting it on and needed to ask for approval. So I am always walking around with an ugly girl.

jackbl

21-01-2009, 11:18 PM

Lately, I found that your translation is quite good hor.... Keep up the good work!!! ;)

Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan = congratulation you come back home town to greeting new year

don mung xuan = greeting new year

jackbl

21-01-2009, 11:34 PM

Tet shopping begins in earnest
=========================

With Tet shoppers out in full force, Ho Chi Minh City supermarkets are operating at full stretch.

Purchases of cooking oil, processed and frozen foods, beverages, and confectionery have soared as usual.

Supermarkets said they would increase stocks of fresh fruit, food, and meat on days just before Tet.

Bui Duy Duc, general director of Vissan Corporation, said his company slaughters 2,500 pigs a day, 700 more than on normal days, adding that pig prices remain unchanged.

Prices remain stable at supermarkets while they have risen unexpectedly at retail shops and markets.

At Tan Dinh market in District 3, shrimp, squid, and fish prices have increased by VND5,000-8,000 for a kilogram, pork by VND3,000, and chicken by VND10,000.

Beer is becoming costlier by the day, with a case of Heineken going up a further VND5,000-10,000 and 333 beer by VND2,000 on January 19. But they remain unchanged at supermarkets.

Supermarkets are also remaining open longer and having more checkouts to make it more convenient for shoppers.

They plan to remain open until noon on New Year’s Eve and stock sufficient fresh foods.

Fashion shops and gift shops too have been crowded and are remaining open longer.

Source: Tuoi Tre, translated by Minh Anh

jackbl

21-01-2009, 11:58 PM

Tet market waking up suddenly and stirring
===============================

VietNamNet Bridge – Supermarts have become overloaded these days with long queues at checkout counters. Demand has increased by 100-500%. Retailers now can breath a sigh of relief after a month of worrying.

Analysts have said that the Tet market has woken up suddenly and has been bustling the last few days with demand skyrocketing. It is expected that the market will be even hotter on the December 27 and 28 of Lunar Year.

Demand skyrocketing

Nguyen Thai Dung, Deputy General Director of Big C Thang Long, said that sales soared by 50% last weekend.

“The market is heating up. Demand will even increase in some days with the highest peak to be seen on 27 and 28 December of Lunar Year,” Dung said.

Dung hopes that the targeted VND120bil worth of sales for Tet will be realised.

Owning a chain of 19 supermarts and nearly 140 convenience stores, Hapro said that it has prepared VND570bil worth of commodities for selling on Tet, mostly rice, food, fresh meat and processed food which Hapro commits to sell at competitive prices.

Tran Manh Canh, Deputy General Director of Hapro, said that the chain’s sales in the last few days have increased by many times over last week.

The Hanoi Food Company has sales of VND3.5bil a day, or four times more than ordinary days. Hanoi Supermart Company has reported sales up by 2.5 times, reaching VND1.2bil per day. Long Bien Online Trading Company has reported sales of VND1bil per day, while the figure is just VND300mil per day on ordinary days.

Vu Thi Hau from Nhat Nam Company, which owns Fivimarts, also said that demand has increased by five fold, and believes it will continue to increase.

When asked why the Tet market has just heated up in the last few days, retailers say that labourers have just got Tet bonuses from employers.

Domestic commodities the first choice

It is clear that most consumers have shifted to use Vietnam-made products instead of imports and they prefer purchasing commodities at supermarts instead of traditional markets.

For the first time, supermarts prove to be competitive with traditional markets in terms of pricing. It is because supermarts all have well prepared since the third quarter of 2008.

Canh said that Hapro has shaken hands with suppliers to stabilise sale prices.

“The brewery tax rates are expected to increase, but we have asked producers not to raise sale prices sharply,” he said.

However, though the market has woken up, retailers remain unhappy.

Even Dung, an optimist, forecasts that demand will be lower this Tet than last Tet. He said Big C is expected to see sales up by 25-30% as Big C has increased its sale area by 30% and increased the counter number by 40%. However, the demand increase will still be lower than the 35% increase of last year.

Phan Hung

jackbl

22-01-2009, 12:18 AM

Thank you all!!!

There is another greeting from the same fren:
"Chuc ban ben canh BX 1ngay cuoi tuan an lanh"

I only figured out as "Wish fren beside BX 1 day X X safe happy". Anyone can help out with the missing words? Thanks!

Or in other words.....

đón = To go meet

mừng = happy

xuân = spring

Chuc ban ve nuoc don mung xuan = congratulation you come back home town to greeting new year

don mung xuan = greeting new year

lhhuy1

22-01-2009, 04:58 AM

jackbl

22-01-2009, 09:22 AM

Lion, dragon displays welcome the new year
===================================

VietNamNet Bridge – The festive atmosphere associated with Tet (Lunar New Year) has arrived sooner than usual this year.

Fighting lions: Members of the Thanh Nghia Duong Lan Su Rong team perform a lion dance to welcome the new year.

A festival to highlight the traditional activities that Vietnamese often enjoy during the three days of Tet commence tomorrow night, and will last until February 3, the ninth day of the Lunar New Year..

The festival presents an opportunity for the younger generation to learn Vietnamese cultural values formed thousands of years ago.

The festival, hosted for the second time by the Youth Cultural House, is expected to bring both tourists and local citizens a taste of spring.

One of the festival’s most exciting activities is the dancing by more than 15 of the strongest Lan Su Rong (kylin-lion-dragon) teams in the city.

Besides the major festival, a series of mini-festivals which showcase different aspects of Vietnamese culture are being held.

For instance, Banh Tet – Li Xi (Cylindrical Glutinous Cakes – Lucky Money) will offer money and cakes to disadvantaged children.

And the Quang Trung festival commemorates the springtime victory of the emperor 220 years ago.

Another festival features Tieng Tre Xanh (the sound of green bamboo), a cai luong (reformed opera) performance. It also contains a tea show by the Tra Viet Club, kungfu, human chess and traditional dancing.

Calligraphy

One of the most attractive aspects of the festival for visitors is the display of red parallel sentences written in Chinese and Vietnamese calligraphy.

The calligraphy is drawn by more than 30 calligraphers in front of the Youth Cultural House.

The image of many ong do (old time teachers) in traditional ao dai (long dress) with red paper and Chinese ink writing Vietnamese or Chinese calligraphy serves as a reminder of the Vietnamese people’s traditional lifestyle.

In parallel

The old time teachers also practice their craft in front of Tao Dan Park, as well as Truong Dinh and Dien Bien Phu streets. People can buy the calligraphic work and display it at their homes.

The Vietnamese tradition is to hang, carve or paint parallel calligraphic sentences on pillars, walls or altars. This is a mark of ancestral worship and is thought to bring happiness and good luck to one’s house and family.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

jackbl

22-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Southern Vietnam to have good weather during Tet, cold snap in north
================================================== ====

Ho Chi Minh City and the rest of the southern region will remain dry with daytime temperatures ranging from 29 to 31 degrees Celsius, allowing people to travel during Tet, the Southern Regional Hydro-meteorological Center has said.

But the north and north-central regions would be in the grip of a cold snap from January 22 to 25, the weather bureau said, predicting frost and scattered showers there.

The minimum temperature in Ha Noi would be around 10 degree celcius with light rains. The northern mountains would see temperatures going below 5 degree celcius.

The central provinces of Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue would have rain and temperatures at 14-16 degree celcius, while Da Nang and Nha Trang would have good weather.

Dak Lak Province in the central highlands and Da Lat would have temperatures of 7-10 degree celcius but the weather would otherwise be good for traveling.

The Southern Meteorology and Hydrology Forecasting Center warned people not to travel to Phu Quy Island off Binh Thuan Province and the Truong Sa archipelago because of strong winds. It said ship owners must keep an eye on the weather.

Some city districts face a threat of flooding and local officials must ensure embankments are holding for people to have a safe Tet, the center said.

By Tieu Ha - Translated by Anh Dao

jackbl

23-01-2009, 02:13 AM

Calmette Bridge opens to traffic
=========================

City leaders ceremoniously cut the ribbon, declaring Calmette Bridge open to traffic January 20.

The 300m long, 22-m wide, six-lane Calmette Bridge has been built over the Ben Nghe Canal to reduce the pressure of traffic on Ham Nghi and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Streets. Its four remaining secondary sections, leading to east-west highway, will be completed in March.

Attending the function was Nguyen Van Dua, Permanent Deputy Secretary of HCM City Party Committee, Pham Phuong Thao, chairwoman of HCM City People’s Council, Nguyen Thanh Tai, vice-chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, and other agency representatives.

The East-West Highway and Water Environment Project, the contractor for the bridge project, told the ceremony of another bridge, Khanh Hoi, which will have a load of 30 tons.

The bridge helps the transportation of goods from ships on Sai Gon River across Ben Chuong Duong Road to Ton Duc Thang Street in district 1 instead of Ho Tung Mau Street.

Both the Nguyen Van Cu bridge, connecting downtown districts and districts 4, 8, and the Nam Sai Gon New Town will be finished before the lunar New Year.

Chu Y and Cha Va bridges will be completed in March.

By Q. Hung - Translated by Bao Chau

jackbl

23-01-2009, 09:26 AM

Family time at Tet
====================

VietNamNet Bridge - Tet is fast approaching and Vietnamese households are busy sprucing up their homes and preparing festive feasts to welcome the Lunar New Year, which falls next Monday.

Despite the financial crisis, the Overseas Vietnamese Committee estimate there are hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese expatriates returning to their motherland to celebrate Tet this year.

A Vietnamese friend of mine, Duong Quang Phong, who lives in the US, emailed me to say that he and eight members of his family, including his 73-year-old mother Tran Thi Di, will spend Tet in their homeland in the northern province of Cao Bang, which they left almost 30 years ago.

Di says she is very excited to be coming home after so long to reunite with old friends and family. "I’m looking forward to making banh chung (square glutinous rice cake with green beans and pork) with them. I have very happy memories of chatting away to everyone as we boiled the cake. We would chat all night until the next morning!" she said.

Phong’s mother will stay at home to take part in the cung giao thua (New Year Eve) ritual, which involves giving offerings to the ancestors to say goodbye to the old year, and cung mong mot, a similar ritual which is held on the first day of the new year.

While she is busy doing that, Phong will take his wife, three children and two younger sisters to Pac Bo Cave in Ha Quang District – the famous place where President Ho Chi Minh worked and lived in 1944 before leading Viet Nam to victory against the French. They will also stop off at Ban Gioc Water Fall in Trung Khanh District near the Chinese border. "My children are very excited to be spending their Tet holidays in Viet Nam," says Phong.

Further away from home, Vietnamese communities in Los Angeles, Paris or Moscow may have added some local flavour to their Tet celebrations, but all perform cung giao thua on the eve of the new year and invite their friends to festive parties.

Hanoians are also busy filling up their calendars with activities. After family celebrations, hundreds of young people converge in the city centre, especially Hoan Kiem Lake, to watch the annual fireworks display.

In the past, it was traditional for young people to pick a branch from a tree as a symbol of spring, but local authorities banned the practice to protect the city beauty. Today Hanoians buy fresh sugar canes as a cay loc (symbol of good luck) to take home. People believe that having a cay loc, or budding branch, in the home ensures good health and luck for the coming year.

One of the most important Tet traditions is xong dat: welcoming the first guest to your home on the first morning of the new year. The custom has been around for thousands of years.

These days, people plan their first visitors very carefully. If the head of the house was born in the Year of the Horse, he must choose a man (a young and healthy one) who was born in the Year of the Goat. Inviting the right guest will bring good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.

Tet is a time for everyone to enjoy, especially children. Kids get given crisp new notes (tien mung tuoi) and new clothes for the new year. " Last Tet, I got VND5 million as lucky money which I spent on textbooks and short stories," said 10-year-old student Hoang Thai Van.

The Lunar New Year is also 80-year old Nguyen Van Cuc’s favourite time of year. "Tet is when all my family meet together, including my sons and grandsons from HCM City and Sydney. I miss them very much when they are not here so this time is really special for all of us."

(Source: VNS)

Hurricane88

23-01-2009, 11:03 AM

Lately, I found that your translation is quite good hor.... Keep up the good work!!! ;)

Not mine la...my fren is good...:)

Carrot007

23-01-2009, 12:05 PM

This an easy one.

cuoi tuan = end of the week

To add-on, some useful related words :

đầu tuần = begining of the week
giữa tuần = middle of the week
cuối tuần = end of the week

Sames applies for month (tháng) or year (năm).

jackbl

23-01-2009, 01:23 PM

Keep up your good work! These 2 weeks u have been very active helping me/ppl to translate... Our level will improve everyday!!!

I wanna organise a session at HM today leh...but u all mostly late owl... :(:o

I can reach by 7 liao...

To add-on, some useful related words :

đầu tuần = begining of the week
giữa tuần = middle of the week
cuối tuần = end of the week

Sames applies for month (tháng) or year (năm).

jackbl

23-01-2009, 01:24 PM

U meant ur fren a local? Vietnamese level is good??

Not mine la...my fren is good...:)

jackbl

23-01-2009, 01:25 PM

VNPT to invest US $1 billion in broadband network
=======================================

VNPT will invest $1 billion in broadband networks to develop multimedia services in 2009.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) said this year it will invest $1 billion in broadband networks to develop multimedia services like online movie, data sharing, etc.

VNPT’s subsidiary Vietnam Data Company (VDC) in late December 2008 put into use an additional of 12.5 Gbps Internet channel, raising the total international transmission channel of VNPT to 32 Gbps, the largest capacity in Vietnam.

VNPT’s spokesman Bui Quoc Viet said the group’s investment to raise the international transmission line to 32 Gbps is among significant landmarks of development of VNPT.

Following this upgrade, VNPT will offer new added value services in 2009, for example watching movie on mobile phones (Mega Movie), data sharing (Mega Data), and website for everyone (Mega Web).

VDC has worked out its plan to expand the international Internet channel by double.

(Source: TP)

jackbl

23-01-2009, 02:02 PM

Hi anyone knows this? "Ha lo bo kang"?

I wish a person "Thuong lo binh an" and the person replied me the above :confused:

Hurricane88

23-01-2009, 06:58 PM

U meant ur fren a local? Vietnamese level is good??

Fren is Vn gal la...

lhhuy1

23-01-2009, 08:52 PM

Hi anyone knows this? "Ha lo bo kang"?

I wish a person "Thuong lo binh an" and the person replied me the above :confused:

This is a difficult one. It doesn't make sense to me with any word. Kang is not even a vietnamese word; I am pretty sure of that. In vietnamese language, I don't think you can use the letter "k" in front of the vowel "a", but only "c" can. I could be wrong and I don't have a dictionary near me.

Next time you don't understand then ask the person with "anh khong hieu em muon noi gi het".

lhhuy1

23-01-2009, 08:59 PM

jackbl

24-01-2009, 12:25 AM

I'm in sgp. HM is the name of a pub in sgp... :D

Where are you (city)?

KangTuo

24-01-2009, 04:24 AM

Today got a call and 1 sms from my recent gal before she fly back to vn...
This sms comes after the call... a sad sms to read. :(

Tieng Viet: Dien a lan nay la lan cuoi ok...
English: Call you this time is last time ok...

điện = Electricity
But in this context điện = gọi = call
Why?

lần = time
nay = now
cuối = last
so i presume:
lần nay = this time
lần cuối = last time
Correct?

KangTuo

24-01-2009, 04:31 AM

another sms from another gal

Bye. e dang ngoi tren may bay.

ngồi trên = to sit over
máy bay = airplane

why sit over an airplane? :confused:

When I go vn to visit my girlfriend, I always write:

A ở may bay roi.

jackbl

24-01-2009, 07:45 AM

telephone = điện thoại

so when they say dien or dt or goi, also meaning "CALL"...

Tieng Viet: Dien a lan nay la lan cuoi ok...
English: Call you this time is last time ok...

điện = Electricity
But in this context điện = gọi = call
Why?

jackbl

24-01-2009, 07:55 AM

trên =
adv
upper, on, over

Maybe she wants to say "I am sitting on the plane now"

another sms from another gal

Bye. e dang ngoi tren may bay.

ngồi trên = to sit over
máy bay = airplane

why sit over an airplane? :confused:

When I go vn to visit my girlfriend, I always write:

A ở may bay roi.

jackbl

24-01-2009, 08:25 AM

LIFESTYLE IN BRIEF 23/1
============================

Millions of flowers bloom in HCM City markets

The Lunar New Year atmosphere is literally blooming across HCM City with its myriad streets and flower-markets overflowing with millions of different kinds of flowers as the festival inches ever closer.

The city’s largest flower market, Ho Thi Ky in District 10, has seen a large influx of fresh flowers from Da Lat and some provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta.

The Dam Sen Flower Market in District 11 is handling a flower flow that is three times the normal. The market is teeming with popular flowers like sweet-briar buds, lilies, orchids and roses.

On display along Thanh Thai Street in District 10 are orchid and chrysanthemum pots priced over VND400,000 each. This year has also seen big pots of ornamental dragon fruits emerge as a new Tet decoration.

Youth Cultural House celebrates Tet holiday

The Youth Cultural House in HCM City has a full schedule of traditional events to celebrate Tet. The Tet Viet Ky Suu 2009 (Vietnamese Lunar New Year of the Buffalo 2009) festival opened last Thursday with displays of pictures and calligraphy that are also for sale. It also features lion dancing and a contest between don ca tai tu (traditional southern folk music) groups.

A "calligraphy street" has been set up in front of the house in Pham Ngoc Thach Street, which will remain open until Sunday. It has calligraphers showing off their skills, exhibitions and sales of their art works. A photography exhibition will trace Viet Nam’s development through the years, and a week-long tea festival opening today will showcase different facets of the nation’s tea-drinking culture.

Three days before Tet, visitors will be taught how to make banh tet (round glutinous cake), which will be given later that day to 2,000 orphans along with li xi (lucky money given to children for Tet).

Khanh Hoa resort offers special Tet package

The White Sand Doc Let Resort & Spa in Khanh Hoa Province has launched a special package for the Tet holidays. The three-day tour to the resort, which includes a two-night stay at a superior or Deluxe room in the resort, two lunches and two BBQ dinners, free sea-bath and shuttle bus services between Cam Ranh Airport and Nha Trang Railway Station to the resort, is priced US$155 per guest.

Travel firm slashes package tour prices

To support the "Impressive Viet Nam" promotion campaign launched by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, HCM City-based Vietravel has reduced its tour prices. Under a new plan, the company will slash US$180 from its nine-day tour of Australia, standing at $2,999 per guest; a seven-day tour of Malaysia will enjoy a $140/tourist discount, to $459 per visitor. Meanwhile, domestic tours will also enjoy discounts.

Vietravel’s tour of northern provinces will cost VND700,000 less per person; its package tour to Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An will cost VND500,000 less per person; and that to Phu Quoc will fall by VND200,000 per person.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

lhhuy1

24-01-2009, 09:01 AM

điện = Electricity
But in this context điện = gọi = call
Why?

lần = time
nay = now
cuối = last
so i presume:
lần nay = this time
lần cuối = last time
Correct?

trên =
adv
upper, on, over

Maybe she wants to say "I am sitting on the plane now"

Yes, correct. I impressed. Everybody's viet language is very good. But how well can you converse,verbally, in vietnamese?

Same deal goes when you say in English. Do you say I am sitting "on" the plane or sitting "in" the plane?

jackbl

24-01-2009, 09:12 AM

In term of conversation, we will be way off cos our mother tongue is not vietnamese... ppl here learnt vietnamese for abt 1-3 years so conversational vietnamese is not as good as small children back in viet but our written one could be as good if not better.

Should be "sitting in the plane", maybe she wants to mean that she is up there in the plane so she used trên.

Can you list out more Lunar New Year (TET) greetings for us? I have listed out a few but the more the merrier... Thanks!

Yes, correct. I impressed. Everybody's viet language is very good. But how well can you converse,verbally, in vietnamese?

Same deal goes when you say in English. Do you say I am sitting "on" the plane or sitting "in" the plane?

casannova03

24-01-2009, 12:41 PM

When I go vn to visit my girlfriend, I always write:

A ở may bay roi.

I think "o" refers mostly to "at".....

So your sentence will be saying " I at aeroplane already"

I used to nhan tin my wife or my wife's sister like you... then they told me its not exactly correct grammatically (vietnamese ). Its like we are using the wrong preposition (on, in, at, etc etc)

But i dunno which word to replace at that time...so what i'll do is to construct my sentences around words i know and have about the same meaning...:D

I.e.

"Anh o san bay roi. Bay gio moi len may bay"

"I at airport already. Now just go up the plane"

Haha so i guess i managed to give the same meaning as "i'm in the plane now":D

Well, as long as they are able to understand our meaning then i guess it's fine...but of course in a bid to improve our language ability, we'll have to find out the correct word(s) to use so that we will get better...;)

casannova03

24-01-2009, 01:11 PM

Yes, correct. I impressed. Everybody's viet language is very good. But how well can you converse,verbally, in vietnamese?

Same deal goes when you say in English. Do you say I am sitting "on" the plane or sitting "in" the plane?

Well, you cannot really say we are very good:) In fact there is a lot of things i dun know yet....haha, i guess we "look good" only because we are a bit better than most people who dun know the language..and the fact that we're not vietnamese makes us look better in your eyes.....

In terms of verbally, i would say pronounciation is a problem...sometimes the tone with which i use for certain words may sound like another word to native Vietnamese. But i guess overall, i can still get my ideas across...:D

For english, i guess it depends on how you construct your sentence as well....

(my not so good level of english...hope you dun mind...:D)

Technically speaking, you do not say "I'm sitting on the plane"....because its vague and ambiguious... and in the English language, there is a problem with the "before" and "after" rule here... the word "sitting" is a specific (adjective) action word that requires a preposition and a nuon (place/where) {i.e sitting +(preposition)+ (where)} So "sitting on the plane or sitting in the plane" are very strictly, grammatically incorrect.

You can say (with the word sitting)" I'm sitting on the plane's seat" ; "I'm sitting on the seat of the plane" ; "I'm sitting on the seat beside the aisle" ; "I'm sitting in the last row of seats" ; "I'm sitting in row 12 of the plane".....etc. etc.

or

(without the word sitting) "I'm in the plane now" ; "I'm on the plane now"

hope you get what i mean ....:D

jackbl

24-01-2009, 01:22 PM

He teaches vietnamese while u teach english here ok?? :D

For english, i guess it depends on how you construct your sentence as well....

(my not so good level of english...hope you dun mind...:D)

hope you get what i mean ....:D

casannova03

24-01-2009, 01:50 PM

He teaches vietnamese while u teach english here ok?? :D

No la...haha....my level of the language only enough to "bluff" primary sch kids last time..hahaha... teach adults??? maybe you all know more than me lor...paiseh la!!!:D

jackbl

24-01-2009, 02:05 PM

So when u can teach some english to the vietnamese coming to sgp for a little "tour"? Maybe other bros here are interested to see that :D

No la...haha....my level of the language only enough to "bluff" primary sch kids last time..hahaha... teach adults??? maybe you all know more than me lor...paiseh la!!!:D

lhhuy1

24-01-2009, 02:05 PM

Technically speaking, you do not say "I'm sitting on the plane"....because its vague and ambiguious... and in the English language, there is a problem with the "before" and "after" rule here... the word "sitting" is a specific (adjective) action word that requires a preposition and a nuon (place/where) {i.e sitting +(preposition)+ (where)} So "sitting on the plane or sitting in the plane" are very strictly, grammatically incorrect.

You can say (with the word sitting)" I'm sitting on the plane's seat" ; "I'm sitting on the seat of the plane" ; "I'm sitting on the seat beside the aisle" ; "I'm sitting in the last row of seats" ; "I'm sitting in row 12 of the plane".....etc. etc.

or

(without the word sitting) "I'm in the plane now" ; "I'm on the plane now"

hope you get what i mean ....:D

It's 'ambiguous' by the way.

Grammatically right or not, it's not vague and ambiguous like you said. I get what you trying to get at, but saying, "sitting on [any vehicle]", to any English native speaker and they will understand you perfectly.

jackbl

24-01-2009, 03:30 PM

Hi, anyone knows the meaning of "khong dang long"? is it something like 舍不得?

jackbl

24-01-2009, 03:47 PM

Tiền vô như nước = Money flow in like water??? :D

Saigon River to hit alarm levels during Tet: official
=====================================

The Saigon River may rise above alarm levels to flood several neighborhoods during the Tet holiday, said an official, meaning that several neighborhoods could experience floods.
On the other hand, most of the southern region will enjoy good weather during the ten-day holiday starting January 26, said Le Thi Xuan Lan, deputy head of the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center’s Forecast Department, said.

Lows in the south will stand at 16 – 17 degrees Celsius, while the highs will be at 30-31 degrees.

The central region, including the resort town of Da Lat, will have cold weather with light rains for Tet. Temperatures there will range from 13 to 26 degrees.

The northern region may see a cold spell from January 24 – 27, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorology Forecast.

Temperatures may drop as low as 5-8 degrees in mountainous areas, where rains were also expected, according to the center.

Reported by Mai Vong

rjrj

24-01-2009, 04:12 PM

I'm in sgp. HM is the name of a pub in sgp... :D

u serious? where is that HM pub? i wanna check it out :)

jackbl

24-01-2009, 04:32 PM

HM pub is at GL lor 15, opposite Milk KTV... if u go tonite, try to be as early as 7pm. Got 1 time, I go at 7.30pm, no table :mad:

u serious? where is that HM pub? i wanna check it out :)

jackbl

24-01-2009, 08:25 PM

1) Chuc Mung Nam Moi = Cung chúc tân xuân = Happy New Year

2) Cung hỉ phát tài = "Congratulations and be Prosperous" 恭喜发财

3) Van su nhu y = 萬事如意

4) mã đáo thành công = 马到成功

5) Tiền vô như nước = Money flow in like water

TET GREETINGS

jackbl

25-01-2009, 08:40 AM

Police on the beat over Tet
========================

VietNamNet Bridge - Hundreds of police have been mobilised to ensure order and security in Ha Noi for the Tet festival, especially the lunar New Year’s eve, Sunday night.

Police and security guards would be on duty at all "hot" spots to ensure security and prevent the lighting of illegal firecrackers, particularly around Hoan Kiem Lake, said deputy Hoan Kiem police commander Pham Van Thoi.

The number of people and vehicles at the lake for the official fireworks display was expected to number tens of thousands and this would heighten the risk of illegal firecracker sales and explosions, he said.

Illegal motorcycle races were also likely to create social disorder, particularly on the favoured routes around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngo Quyen, Trang Tien and Trang Thi streets.

Vehicles are banned from Hoan Kiem Lake precinct from between 8pm and 11 pm New Year’s Eve.

Street vendors are also banned.

The police would be stationed in five groups in five major locations and would be held responsible for any failure of order and security in their designated zones, the deputy commander said.

Punishment

Traffic police will also be mobilised in HCM City for the festival.

Traffic police team No 6 commander Tran Nhu Si said all his officers would be on duty around the clock, particularly New Year’s Eve.

"All violations of the traffic rules and acts that endanger others will be severely punished," he said.

The senior officer also wants the HCM City Police Road Traffic Department to summarily punish any drivers of buses, coaches and trucks caught breaking the traffic rules in order to help reduce accidents.

The team’s "beat" includes District 12 and the Thu Duc District.

Road Traffic Department deputy chief of the HCM City Vo Van Van said supervision and inspections to punish traffic infringements would be intensified.

Excessive speed and motorcycle riders without helmets would be major targets, he said.

(Source: VNS)

Hurricane88

25-01-2009, 11:10 AM

Chuc mung nam moi....tai phat...phat tai....huat ah.

jackbl

25-01-2009, 01:59 PM

HCM City hotels get into the Tet swing of things
==========================================

VietNamNet Bridge - Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most impor tant festival in Viet Nam. It is a time for family unions and reunions as people travel from far and wide to be with their loved ones in their homeland. It is also a time when everyone enjoys sumptuous traditional Tet’s specialties. Leading hotels nationwide have also got into the act, offering special buffets and events to welcome the Year of the Buffalo. A HCM City sampling follows.

Duxton Hotel Sai Gon

The Duxton Hotel Sai Gon has prepared a special buffet to serve diners from 23-29 January, and an extra special one on the Lunar New Year Day (which falls next Monday). There will also be a traditional lion dance at the hotel from 8am – 10am.

The lion dance is an important tradition believed to bring good luck and happiness. The dance will have 40 people to become four 3m kylins, wearing green, red, yellow and white, representing Tu Qui Hung Long, meaning four seasons of prosperous business, and Binh An Vo Su, which roughly means safe and sound. A 20m dragon, two lions and Ong Dia (Earth God) who will lead the lions and the kylins into the hotel, and group of musicians with drums, cymbals and gongs will set off the festivities.

Tet at the Duxton grill will include Chinese barbecue, an oyster hot pot and Chinatown lap mei fun, apart from a wide variety of noodles, seafood and other meats.

There will be also a li xi dip from which diners can draw lots to win prizes including a cash voucher, hamper and cakes.

Rex Hotel

Welcoming Spring Drum is a traditional music performance at Rex Hotel on the first and second days of the Lunar New Year at 9-9.30am and 15-15.30pm. There are two big Tay Son group drums which will participate in a chamber music composition named Ngu Loi (Five Thunders). It symbolises five main elements creating a peaceful earth and prosperous life. This will be followed by a variety entertainment show.

Renaissance Riverside

Next Monday, the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Sai Gon will open its Vietnamese traditional Tet celebrations with a spectacular lion dance performance in front of the hotel.

The dance will be performed by the famous Nhon Nghia Duong acrobat troop. Guests and associates will gather in the hotel lobby at 10am to witness the the traditional Tet event. After the lion dance performance, the management team will distribute red envelopes with best wishes and lucky money for every guest in the hotel.

Equatorial Hotel

"Yee Sang" will be the signature dish for this Lunar New Year’s festival at the Equatorial Hotel. It is a colourful dish with many different vegetables and fruits that will form a hill in the centre of the hotel’s lobby, decorated with thousands of tiny red lights and numerous lanterns. Besides the ‘mountain of food’ is placed a big salmon.

When the cerebrations begin, the chef will drizzle some spices and oil as well as fillet salmon to mix the food. Diners will use big chopsticks to toss the food as high as they can. The belief is that the diverse colours and aromatic flavours will bring good luck and natural bounty in the Year of the Buffalo.

Legend Hotel

The Legend Hotel Sai Gon is well festooned for Tet celebrations with red lanterns, bonsai, miniature kumquat bushes, ochna plants and peach blossoms. Next Monday, the first day of the new lunar year, a grand lion dance will start the day (8.00-9.30am), followed by a ceremony to present offerings to express appreciation to heaven, earth, deities and ancestors. The lions will also go through the entire hotel, visiting each restaurant and bar. From 25th to 28th January, the hotel’s Atrium Cafe will feature a Tet Buffet that will add traditional Tet specials and authentic Vietnamese delicacies from the north, centre and south to the restaurant’s international buffet. Visitors can leisurely enjoy banh chung, banh tet (sticky rice cake), thit kho tau (braised pork), gio thu (pig’s head paste), dua hanh (pickled welsh onion) and cu kieu (pickled scallion heads.)

Caravelle’s set menu

The Caravelle Hotel welcomes the Year of the Buffalo from January 25-28 with a buffet at its award-winning "Ninteen" restaurant that seeks to entrench its leading position.

At Nineteen’s ‘action stations,’ whole fish is steamed in soy sauce Chinese style and the leg of lamb is roasted with mustard and thyme. Then there’s roasted beef chuck eye roll in a red wine sauce, oyster with spinach and a Hollandaise sauce and banh xeo. For appetisers, take your fill of Vietnamese beef salad, an assortment of sushi and sashimi on ice, rock lobster salad and, of course, banh chung.

Sofitel Sai Gon Plaza

For the festive occasion, the hotel will have traditional decorations featuring yellow ochna blossoms in the lobby area and red lanterns hung over the ceiling of the entrance to invite good luck. All guests are invited to join the hotel’s festivities on the first day of Lunar New Year next Monday. From 1 pm – 1.30 pm, kylin and dragon dances will be performed and lucky gifts presented to guests by Ong Dia (The Earth God)

Majestic Hotel

Diners can welcome Tet at the Rooftop Bar, the Prima Ballroom and Breeze Sky Bar with a great view of the fireworks display on the Lunar New Year. Other entertainments will include a Vietnamese water puppet performance, lion and kylin dances and calligraphy exhibition.

A variety music performance including pop music by the APO Group, a band from the Philippines and Vietnamese traditional music will be interspersed with a magic show, kungfu performance, lantern floating ceremony and the offering of lucky money by the three Gods of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity.

(Source: VNS)

casannova03

25-01-2009, 02:50 PM

It's 'ambiguous' by the way.

Grammatically right or not, it's not vague and ambiguous like you said. I get what you trying to get at, but saying, "sitting on [any vehicle]", to any English native speaker and they will understand you perfectly.

Yeah! thanks for the correction!....

Thats the problem with languages i guess...haha...you'll always have the standard written form which must be so called "grammatically correct" and the spoken form where "anything goes(as long as the other party gets what you are trying to say:D)

jackbl

25-01-2009, 04:10 PM

Tet: playing, watching, and tasting food
==============================

VietNamNet Bridge – Myriad entertaining cultural activities are being prepared throughout the country for the coming Tet.

Around 4 million visitors are expected to visit Yen Tu (Quang Ninh Province) this Tet festival.

Hanoi: traditional festivals

The 220th anniversary of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory will take place in the morning on the fifth day of the first lunar month at Dong Da Park, Hanoi.

The anniversary will be kicked off by an incense offering ceremony at the Boc and Dong Quang pagodas, the two significant relics in the Dong Da relic complex. This year’s festival will be more special than last year’s, with a 40-minute play featuring national hero King Quang Trung and his soldiers, arranged by famous writer Nguyen Khac Phuc.

The Thang Long citadel festival will open at 12 Nguyen Tri Phuong and 9 Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh district.

The Huong Pagoda and Co Loa will begin on the sixth day of the first lunar month.

Also in the evening on that day, the Returning to the Roots 2009 tourism programme, held by the northern mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai and Phu Tho, will open at the Hung Kings Temple.

Southern entertainment centres expected to be crowded

The Deputy General Director of Suoi Tien Cultural-Tourism Park, Huynh Dong Tuan, said last year the park welcomed 1 million visitors during last year’s 10-day Tet festival and he expects the figure will be higher this year.

Suoi Tien Park invested around VND100 billion in new works like a spinning tower, phoenix palace, dolphin stage, etc. Tickets are still VND45,000/adult and VND25,000/child, the same as last year’s level.

Dam Sen Park of the Phu Tho Tourism Joint Stock Company spent VND20 million for its flower gardens, which have rare flower varieties; waterway fighting and games for children between the ages of 3-10. This Tet, children will have a chance to play with characters from fairy tales and modern stories, played by the Smile puppet troupe of IDECAF Centre.

The park’s director, Nguyen Huu Trung, hopes that the number of visitors this Tet will be equivalent to that of last year, around 700,000. Tickets are VND40,000/adult and VND30,000/child.

Around 40km from HCM City’s centre, the Lac Canh Dai Nam Van Hien, or Dai Nam Park, in Binh Duong province is a big rival of Dam Sen and Suoi Tien. Around 70% of the work in this huge park has been completed and it has been open to tourists since September 2008.

Dai Nam will inaugurate its largest artificial sea in Southeast Asia this Tet. Offering free buses from HCM City to the park, Dai Nam expects to welcome over 50,000 visitors per day.

On Le Duan road, a special music show entitled “Tet in the South” will gather famous singers and artists. The show will run from 10pm through New Year’s Eve.

Stages in the city will be fully booked with various shows all Tet days. New plays will go to the stage this occasion, including “Murder in bikini”, “Quang Thich becomes king”, “Playing with balls”, “Seeking lover” at IDECAF centre; “Money, money”, “Desert house”, “Skills to marry a foreigner” at Phu Nhuan Stage; “Sudden happiness” at the HCM City Theatre, “150 minutes of adventure”, “If I love” at the 5B Theatre; “Supermodel madly in love”, “Lucky angle”, at the Saigon Theatre.

Lam Dong: adventuring in forest and mountain

Many visitors have booked tours to welcome the New Year on Lang Biang Mountain, the highest in the southern part of the Central Highlands, where Yersin discovered Da Lat.

From Lang Biang peak, visitors can look on the whole of Da Lat city. They can go to villages of ethnic minority groups to witness their Yang worshiping ceremony and immerse themselves in the sound of gong and taste roasted meat and ruou can (wine drunk out of a jar through pipe).

If you like hunting, register for a hunting tour in Bang Ba forest under the guidance of a former commando who is now the director of the Phuong Nam Ecological Tourism JS Company, Nguyen Duc Phuc.

Quang Ninh: where to play this Tet?

The local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said this Tet the province will broadcast live an exchange between Ha Long city and Mong Cai city.

Fireworks will be shot off at three sites, Bai Chay Ferry, Worker Square, and Mong Cai city.

A New Year’s welcome ceremony will be organised at the Royal Park in Ha Long city on New Year’s Eve, in the presence of top provincial leaders and tourists.

Hai Phong

The local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will organise a photo exhibition about the city’s socio-economic activities in 2008, painting exhibitions, a nightingale contest, and a newspaper and book exhibition in the city’s hub.

Box offices will serve local audiences with some famous Vietnamese movies. Some music shows will be held in districts. Two mobile film screening groups will work through the whole Tet holiday in rural areas.

On the first and second days of the lunar New Year, chess, martial art and dancing contests will take place at the city’s square and the Vietnam-Czech Cultural Palace.

PV

jackbl

25-01-2009, 10:23 PM

Ho Chi Minh City, the country's economic "locomotive"
==============================================

Nhan Dan - With a population of over eight million people and more than 100,000 enterprises of different economic sectors, accounting for over 30% of the country's total enterprises, and some 3,000 representative offices for foreign companies from 60 countries and territories, Ho Chi Minh City has become an economic "locomotive" of the whole country on the way of development and world economic integration. Bang Chau writes.

In 2008, Vietnam's economy in general and Ho Chi Minh City's economy in particular was affected by the world financial crisis. The city's consumer price index in the first half of the year was the highest in the country. In the second half of the year, the purchasing power reduced. Many enterprises had to adjust their investment and business plans. Prices of almost all stocks listed at the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange dropped sharply. The VN-Index hit the lowest record in three years.

Despite difficulties, the city continued to maintain economic growth. Seven out of the total 20 fundamental targets set for 2008 were exceeded. State budget collection target was fulfilled two months ahead of schedule. Total export turnover hit over US$24.8 billion, up 24.3% compared to 2007. Total mobilised investment capital for social development hit VND 114.5 trillion, accounting for 39.6% of GDP and up 20.4% against 2007.

According to Nguyen Hoang Quan, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the above-said results were attributed to the positive impacts through the admission into the World Trade Organisation and vigorous foreign investment flow, thus accelerating the strong development of such sectors as services, tourism, post and telecommunications, information technology and transport.

In addition, the city's authorities had also promoted the progarmme to practise thrift and fight against wastefulness.

Ho Chi Minh City targets to become a modern, civilised city of deep national identity and sustainable development in 2025. Priotised programmes have been worked out to achieve the objectives including building economic establishments, upgrading the urban infrastructural system, buiding new urban areas and protecting the environment. Especially, the city will spend US$6.7 billion to build over 700,000 apartments for the local people.

2009 has been predicted to be a difficult year for Ho Chi Minh City due to the global economic recession.

However, Ho Chi Minh City targets to pool efforts to achieve a two-digit economic growth and curb price hike.

Priority will be given to strengthening the development of four major industries: engineering, electronics and information technology, chemicals and food and foodstuff processing industries which have high added value.

In addition, the city also aims to pour investment to develop infrastructural facilities to link with localities in the southern key economic region, the Mekong delta and the Central Highlands, striving to become the centre for the whole region and promote international economic integration.

The people in Ho Chi Minh City are making their efforts to seize opportunities, overcome difficulties to maintain its position as the economic "locomotive" of the country.

jackbl

26-01-2009, 12:00 AM

To all bro here:

财源滚滚 , 招财进宝
鸿图大展 , 心想事成
万事如意 , 牛转钱坤

Hurricane88

26-01-2009, 11:02 AM

Gong Xi Fa Cai....Chuc Mung Nam Moi...Tai Phat...

jackbl

27-01-2009, 12:58 AM

Staying Healthy and Safe in Tet Holiday 2009: WHO
======================================

Tet is a time of celebration, but the World Health Organization’s Viet Nam office is also warning people of the increased risks associated with the holiday.

Of most concern is the increased chance of exposure to the avian influenza virus, food poisoning and road traffic injuries.

“WHO’s aim is to ensure that all Vietnamese people are aware of these heightened risks, and take appropriate action to stay safe and healthy,” said Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé, WHO Representative in Viet Nam.

"Tet is a time of happiness and a celebration of life. It should not be a time of illness or mourning the loss of life. I urge all people to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their family this holiday season.”

Avian Influenza

With the surge in the sale and slaughter of poultry for family feasts at Tet, there is a corresponding escalation in the risk of avian influenza.

This is exacerbated is by low winter temperatures in the north of the country, as this weather seems to be conducive to the spread of the virus.

Dr. Olivé also introduced some key actions such as: avoiding contact with sick or dead poultry, reporting sick or dead poultry immediately to the authorities, slaughtering all poultry safely (wear masks and gloves and use disinfectant), cooking poultry thoroughly (do not eat pink meat, runny eggs or raw duck blood) to protect the community from this very serious threat.

Food safety

Food poisoning is a serious health issue in Viet Nam. It can cause severe illness and even death.

Many instances of severe food poisoning occur at family feasts or mass celebrations. This usually happens because of a lack of hygiene and sanitation.

To avoid food poisoning, Dr. Olivé gave some simple practices such as: always washing your hands after going to the toilet and before preparing food, separating raw and cooked food, cooking food thoroughly, keeping food at safe temperatures and using only clean water and safe foods.

Road safety

In the next week millions of people will travel on Viet Nam’s roads to be with family and friends.

Congested roads increase the chances of a serious traffic accident.

Road traffic injury is a leading cause of death and disability in Viet Nam, with an average of 35 people dying every day on the country’s roads. Many more are seriously hurt and require lifelong care.

Almost all these deaths and injuries are preventable.

“Wearing a high-quality, fastened helmet is in fact THE single most effective way of reducing head injuries and deaths resulting from motorcycle crashes,” Dr Olivé said.

“Put a helmet on yourself and on your children and make sure they are fastened properly.

“We have heard too many stories of a parent surviving a crash because they were wearing a helmet, while their unprotected child died unnecessarily from terrible head injuries.

“Please never allow this to happen to your family – especially this Tet,” he said.

Drink Driving

Driving or riding after drinking alcohol (even very small amounts) significantly increases the risk of a road traffic crash.

Alcohol consumption in Viet Nam is very high, especially amongst men and particularly during Tet celebrations.

Statistics show that many accidents and deaths on Viet Nam’s road are associated with alcohol consumption.

“If you drink and drive you risk not only killing yourself, but other innocent people,” Dr Olivé said.

“Be responsible. Do not let your family or friends drive a motorcycle or car after drinking alcohol.

Source: CPV

jackbl

27-01-2009, 06:24 AM

Nha Trang, the city of passion
============================

Nhan Dan- Nha Trang, in the old language of the Cham ethnic group, means the river of reeds. The City that stands beside the river is named after the beautiful river. Phong Nguyen tells more

Nha Trang is a peaceful city, from its weather to its people. It has been an attraction in central Vietnam for a long time, with a growth rate in the number of tourists arriving of around 16% a year in recent years.

People often dubbed Nha Trang “the City of beauty” or “the City of Misses”, because it has hosted various beauty contests, national and international. They are the Vietnam Beauty Contest 2006, The Beauty Contest for Vietnamese worldwide 2007, Miss Universe - Earth 2007, Miss Universe Vietnam 2008. Despite various difficulties in organizing big events, all the contests have been successful. The city is preparing to host the Miss World 2010, the biggest event of this kind globally.

Not just the land for the beauty, Nha Trang has various other things to offer. Many other national events are being held here, ranging from conferences, cultural and sporting events, campaigns, etc.

Scuba diving in Nha Trang, one of the highlights when you travel to Nha Trang Vietnam.

The Nha Trang Sea Festival is one such event. Held every 2 year, the event is considered as a major festival by the locals. In 2009, local authority is planning for such a festival, and they have already planned to invite art troupes from various countries and territories to exchange with local art troupes, to give audience a feast of art.

Nha Trang has great potential for MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) tourism. Therefore, the city is upgrading its infrastructure in order to best realize its potential. Ports, airports, roads, telecommunications, banking systems, etc., are all being upgraded to international standards. The local authority is gaining more and more experience in hosting big events, while the local people are getting used to welcoming tourists. In 10 years’ time, the city envisions to be the centre for economics, science, and education for the south central and central highlands region, and is a tourism hub. It will also serve as a hub for the whole central region, and be a focal economic and transportation point.

The provincial authority will focus all human and material resources to develop the city faster so that it can integrate itself better in the regional economy. At the same time, the city should preserve its own culture, nature and traditions so as to be a tourism hub in the central region. Besides, it has also developed solutions to increase the people’s awareness in urban development and environment, to keep the city clean, civilised and friendly.

The city is adjusting itself to make it better, and to make any travelling experience to the city a memorable one.

jackbl

27-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Da Nang - A great place to go
============================

VietNamNet Bridge - Da Nang, a coastal city in the central region, is a place where you can relax and visit many beautiful places. With all the hills, mountains, islands and sea, Da Nang is always filled with fresh air.

The city of Da Nang is located close to plains, hills, mountains, islands, and the sea. Its climate is temperate and there are many historical and cultural sites in and around the city. The tourism sector of Da Nang offers a variety of tourism products.

Approximately 13km east from the center of Da Nang is the large Son Tra Peninsula.

From a distance, the peninsula looks like a mushroom that sits 693m over the water. The cap of this mushroom is the Son Tra Mountain, and the stem is the Son Tra Beach with smooth, white sand - an ideal place to play sports and enjoy fishing or swimming.

The Son Tra Peninsula is a national park where many species of wild animals and plant varieties are preserved and fresh water is available.

On the Son Tra Peninsula there’s a 4,370ha primeval forest. With the green of forest trees and the blue color of seawater, the Son Tra Peninsula has a romantic but imposing beauty.

On the Son Tra Peninsula, one can enjoy the fresh air and contemplate the wonderful natural landscape of this place, and learn about the lives of fishermen here. They can also enjoy various kinds of seafood.

Not very far from the Son Tra Peninsula to the south is the Ngu Hanh Son mountain range, which is a special attraction of the entire central region.

The Ngu Hanh Son mountain range consists of six limestone mountains, each with its own name. The legend is that there was a sea dragon that flew to the seashore and laid some eggs. After 1,000 days the eggs hatched and out of one came a beautiful girl. The egg shell became the five mountains, which were then named by Nguyen Lord after the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, earth.

The northern-most mountain is called Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the one to the east is Moc Son (Wood Mountain), to the west Kim Son (Metal Mountain), to the south is Hoa Son (Fire Mountain) and in the middle is Tho Son (Earth Mountain).

Hoa Son is actually two small mountains, Duong Hai Son and Am Hoa Son. So, you can say that the Ngu Hanh Son mountain range consists of six mountains - your choice. But regardless, it also has many caves.

At Ngu Hanh Son there is also a famous pagoda, named Chua Khong, and the Tang Chon Cave. The six Ngu Hanh Son mountains are adjacent to the Non Nuoc Beach, one of the six most beautiful beaches in the world.

Not far to the west of Da Nang is a large mountainous area that is adjacent to the Truong Son mountain range. In this area there are primeval forests with various animals and plants. There are also old houses built in the French style.

In the area of the Ba Na Mountain Range there are adequate tourist facilities, including villas, restaurants and a modern cable car to take visitors from Vong Nguyet Hill to the highest mountain, 1,400m above the sea. From the top of this mountain one gets a panorama view of Da Nang - the city on the banks of the charming Han River.

When it’s not raining at the Ba Na mountaintop, one can perhaps watch it raining below. At the Ba Na mountaintop, the weather keeps changing so that people can see and feel the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, all within one day.

The Museum of Cham Sculpture, in the center of Da Nang, is enjoyed by almost every visitor to the city. This museum was built in 1915. It preserves and has on display thousands of Cham sculptures that are from between the seventh and the 15th centuries.

Leaving the center of Da Nang and going to the north one can see Hai Van Pass - an imposing picture created by nature. From the top of the Hai Van Pass one can see an overview of Da Nang - a young city that is changing everyday.

(Source: VEN)

zhu star

27-01-2009, 03:09 PM

happy niu year to all bros!!!:)

jackbl

28-01-2009, 03:05 AM

Foreigners impressed by Vietnam's Tet festivities
===================================

“Unique”, “Pleasureful”, “Exciting”, “Beautiful”, “Different”, “Great”. These are all words used by foreign visitors to describe their impressions of the festivities of Vietnam's Tet Holiday, even if they have only been staying in Vietnam for a very short time, or are just in Vietnam for a short business trip or holiday.

Chameston, from Australia, who spent the past 8 days in Vietnam on holiday says: “Hanoi has a great atmosphere, a great variety of food, and lots of things to see and do.” Although he has never seen Tet before, and does not know much about the traditions of Tet, he affirmed that it is indeed a pleasure to be in Vietnam during such a special time.

“The people seem to be friendly and peaceful,” he added. “They are also very enterprising, industrious and welcoming. I look forward to seeing more of your country, people and traditions.”

Before the arrival of Tet, Vietnamese people often spend a great deal of time preparing for it, including cleaning and decorating their houses, in order to welcome in the Lunar New Year, with the hope of bringing good luck and happiness for the rest of the year. The many decoration impressed Lei Kan, from China, who just arrived in Vietnam only two days ago.

“I have not had the opportunity to see inside a Vietnamese house that has been prepared for Tet, but I’ve seen many booths and street sellers selling the materials to decorate people's houses,” he said.

Some of the traditional and typical materials used for decoration in Vietnamese houses during Tet are kumquat, cherry blossoms (more common in the North) and apricot blossoms (more common in the South). “I find the tradition of giving flowers and fruit trees very interesting, especially the special significance placed on the color, shape and number of petals of the flowers, and the shape of the tree and its branches,” said Michael Betz, an American and online newspaper sub-editor, who has been in Vietnam for nearly one year. “This giving of flowers and fruit trees, and the long and special history behind it, is very unique to Vietnam, and can be seen nowhere else in the world,” he added.

Tet is also a chance for family gatherings and enjoying special food, including traditional sticky rice cakes. That is why, when being interviewed, Ruard Brouwer, from the Netherlands, who has been on holiday in Vietnam for 4 days, said that his strongest impressions on Tet so far is the food and the many parties. “I like most all the gatherings and drinking with others during Tet,” he said.

Sharing part of Ruard Bouwer’s feelings, Yang Shu Jun, from China, who has worked in engineering management for five years in Vietnam, said that he was impressed with the fact that during Tet, all members of a family get together at their home and have special meals together. “It is a very happy and speical thing. Every house has a fresh appearance with the red couplets posted on the gate, and people in new clothes smiling here and there.”

Lei Kan again said: “I do not have any plans to spend Tet in Vietnam at this time. But if I have a chance in future, I would like to do it with a Vietnamese family, and experience the family atmosphere and see how they celebrate Tet.” He also said he liked the many celebrations, family get-togethers and the speical Tet food.

Tet is also unforgettable to people even after they have left the country for a very long time. “This Tet is the first Tet that I will celebrate again, as I am coming back here after 30 years away, since I left Vietnam in 1979,” said Thong Huynh, from the UK, who has been in Vietnam for 3 weeks. “I am very excited to see my relatives and have Vietnamese food, especially “banh chung” (sticky rice cakes). I feel quite happy, as I can spend Tet with my family for the first time in a long, long while.”

He also said he liked the dragon and lion dances which are held on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Tet is not only the most important annual festival for Vietnamese people, it also creates lasting impressions and brings out strong feelings in foreigners who stay and travel in Vietnam during Tet.

Source: CPV

jackbl

28-01-2009, 12:13 PM

Is trickery their way of LIFE????!!!

Shady buses prey on passengers going home for Tet
======================================

Workers from Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in HCMC on a bus back to their hometowns for Tet
A woman named Man and her son were found crying by the roadside last Saturday after a bus company took their fare but kicked them off the bus only halfway to their destination.

Stranded at the edge of the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park outside the central city of Da Nang, Man and her son had no way of getting home. Their hopes for a happy Tet (Lunar New Year) faded away quickly.

They are not the only ones. Every holiday season, unscrupulous bus companies cheat passengers for profit in an opportunistic blitz of intimidation and even threats.

As travel demand increases drastically before the Tet holiday, which falls on January 26 this year, droves of passengers have reported being conned, swindled and outright robbed of hard-earned money by gang-like bus companies.

The groups competing in the racket overload their buses, disobey traffic laws and don’t hesitate to use coercion and even force when they don’t get what they want from their passengers.

Thuggery

Extortion is rife on the Tet bus circuit.

A passenger who intended to take a bus from the southern province of Binh Duong to Thua Thien–Hue Province in the central region last week said he was lucky to escape after the bus driver and his collaborators demanded that he pay money without taking him to his destination.

He said he managed to escape when they opened the bus to take another passenger.

A xe om (motorbike taxi) driver in Binh Duong Province said many people had been extorted on buses in the area.

Residents near Suoi Tien Theme Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 9 said they knew of recent cases in which 16-seat buses had taken passengers to remote areas to extort them.

On Monday, passengers on a bus traveling from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long to HCMC had a terrifying experience when their driver threatened a competitor with a sword in competition for roadside passengers.

The bus was then stopped by Tien Giang Province police, who seized the sword and a one-meter iron pipe.

Overcharged, overloaded

Many workers from HCMC and nearby provinces going back to their hometowns in the north for Tet said they had endured overloaded buses that often drove around for hours picking up extra passengers before starting their actual journey.

The fare, which is always taken in cash instead of by ticket bought at bus stations as regulated, is always jacked-up during the holiday period.

A worker named Thao from the Song Than Industrial Park in HCMC’s Thu Duc District said she took a bus headed north from the Mien Dong Bus Station last Wednesday.

She said she had to wait for two hours while the bus waited for more passengers at a gas station.

The 52-seat vehicle then carried 65 passengers north for a period before suddenly turning back to the gas station to continue waiting.

Half a seat on that bus, the only choice besides standing, cost VND400,000 (US$23) to get to Quang Binh Province in central Vietnam.

A driver’s assistant on another bus en route from HCMC to Hanoi insulted several passengers and pushed them off the bus after they asked to get off while the bus circled the area in search of more passengers.

Bus companies often have their employees sit in the bus while it waits for passengers, tricking would-be customers into thinking that the bus is almost full and ready to go. As soon as the new passengers board, the employees get off the bus and wait for others to fill their seats.

Passengers in the central provinces say even luxury express buses have been overloading passengers, charging higher fares, and recklessly speeding.

A high-end bus from Kien Giang Province in the south to Thai Binh Province in the north was fined by traffic police last Saturday for carrying too many passengers through central Binh Dinh Province. Binh Dinh police said the driver had been previously fined once by police in Ha Tinh Province for the same breach.

Another bus from Quang Binh Province to Quang Nam Province was caught speeding at up to 120 kilometers per hour, more than twice the allowed speed on most parts of the route. The driver said he would “just take the ticket and continue the journey, even though my license and papers were confiscated.”

Police work

HCMC Traffic Police Division No.6 recently fined 447 buses for traffic violations during the first 10 days of January. Over 350 were fined for not dropping passengers at the correct places, while others had breached parking laws or failed to follow their registered routes.

Dozens of buses have been caught speeding and carrying too many passengers everyday in the central provinces.

Many traffic police have issued measures to take a bite out of shady bus companies. But fines, discharging passengers and revoking licenses haven’t done the trick.

Some law enforcement agencies simply don’t care.

Newspaper correspondents traveled from HCMC to northern Thai Binh Province by bus last week and reported that the vehicle passed several police “checkpoints” carrying 69 people in a 52-seat vehicle.

At a checkpoint near the Tan Phong crossroads in southern Dong Nai Province, police checked the driver’s license and counted the number of passengers before letting the bus go without any fine or ticket.

The bus was reprimanded only once when it was stopped later by police of Khanh Hoa Province. It received a fine for carrying 14 passengers too many. The passengers were moved to another bus.

On Saturday, a 44-seat bus traveling from the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong to Hanoi was carrying 67 people. It was stopped for the first time on National Road No.25, connecting Gia Lai and Phu Yen provinces, by a police officer who counted the number of passengers and allowed the bus to continue its journey without any fine.

The vehicle was then stopped by police in Da Nang City twice, but was still able to resume the journey after receiving a ticket.

Source: Tuoi Tre

jackbl

29-01-2009, 10:27 AM

Actually the culture of vietnamese is very similar to ours....:eek:

The dos and don’ts of Tet
========================

Many ethnic minority groups, such as Mong, Dao, Tay Nung and San Diu, do not sweep the house or empty out rubbish during the lunar New Year (Tet) festival. Cao Lan people do the same as they are afraid of disturbing the Fortune God’s slumber and that their luck may also be swept away.

Mong ethnic minority people do not eat vegetables on the New Year Day, since, if they do, they think that means they will have to eat nothing but vegetables for the whole year to come. Cu Duy Man in Dong Van in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, said that Mong people are told not to do many things during Tet. They should not blow out a flame for fear that storms will hit their region in the year. On New Year’s Day, people should not wake each other up to prevent insects from damaging crops.

Many ethnic groups through the countries, from the plains to mountainous regions, often bring water to their houses on the New Year Day as they believe that fortune will flow into their house as much as water. People of Chinese origin take water and fresh flowers on New Year’s Eve and put them on their ancestoral altar to pray for bumper crops. On New Year Day they water their body to pray for luck. Pu Peo people bring water to their house on New Year’s Eve and consider it “silver and gold water”.

Cung Chan Trang, a resident in Pho La, Dong Van, Ha Giang province, said people often use the water they take on this occasion to wash their children’s faces in the hope that they will be brighter and more intelligent. After washing, the water is poured around the inside of the house, as it symbolizes fortune, silver and gold, he added.

On the New’s Year Day, Thai ethnic people in Moc Chau in the north-western mountainous province of Son La, get up early and go to a stream to wash their faces and pick up a stone to pray for luck. Then they visit their relatives and extend Tet greetings. Meanwhile, Thai people in Quynh Nhai, Son La, organise a hair washing ceremony at 1pm on the day before New Year’s Eve in the hope that bad luck and hardship suffered in the old year will soon be washed away, and the new year will bring luck, happiness and bumper crops.

Meanwhile, Lo Lo people take things from other people’s houses which they think will bring luck, such as onions, garlic, pieces of firewood or vegetable plants. They believe that if they can take something into their house before New Year’s Eve, their family will be wealthy and happy. Vang Thi Thanh from Lo Lo ethnic group from Lung Cu, Dong Van, Ha Giang, said each year has 12 months, so she often takes 12 logs of firewood or 12 vegetable leaves. People often take the root of a garlic tree, however, it will be bad luck if someone fails to completely up root the tree, she explained.

On New Year’s Day, the Phu La people get up early to bring water home and boil it to drink or boil it with leaves to bath for good health. Other ethnic groups also follow suit. Perhaps, water is an indispensable part of life in an agricultural country like Vietnam.

Source: VOV

GTOKING

29-01-2009, 10:38 AM

happy 牛 year to all the bro here:D

jackbl

29-01-2009, 04:12 PM

Off the tourist track
===================
Phung Hiep Floating Market in Hau Giang Province is situated on the confluence of seven small rivers
Little known Hau Giang Province has great sights to see for Mekong Delta visitors.

Between Soc Trang Province and Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta, attractive Hau Giang Province is a relative newcomer to tourism.

For people ready to take the detour away from the usual destinations, Nga Bay Floating Market, Tay Do Ecotourism Park, and Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve in Hau Giang will make the trip worthwhile.

Nga Bay Floating Market, also called Phung Hiep Floating Market, is in the heart of Phung Hiep District’s Phung Hiep Town, about 30 kilometers south of Can Tho. The trading post is located at the meeting point of seven small rivers. Operations at this market begin early in the morning, with hundreds of boats arriving with farm produce from every direction. Visitors can catch a boat and take in the early Mekong morning, shopping for fresh fruit and produce.

Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, which is also located in the district, has more than 500 species of plants and animals including many rare ones. Covering nearly 300,000 hectares and extending from the western bank of the Hau River to U Minh National Park in Kien Giang Province, the reserve is considered the “green lung” of the Mekong Delta.

Tourists can explore the forest by boat, climb up the “watch tower” to see birds and animals or sit in the shade of trees to fish. Cooks are ready to make dishes from the fish they catch.

Tay Do Ecotourist Park, also in Phung Hiep, covers 20 hectares of land and offers accommodation. There are live shows of southern traditional music in the shade of fruit trees, fishing, and a bonsai garden. It deserves an overnight stay for visitors to Hau Giang.

Other places of interest include Vi Thuy Cajuput Forest Ecotourism Park, and Tam Vu Ecotourist Park.

With its tourism potential, Hau Giang is expected to become a popular destination in the delta.

Reported by Diem Thu

jackbl

30-01-2009, 09:59 AM

Learning the language
======================

Students and teachers of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in the Republic of Korea during their performance of a play in Vietnamese late last month.
More foreigners are speaking Vietnamese fluently than ever before - for reasons both educational and economic.

In just over a year, Park Ki Young from the South Korea has learnt to speak Vietnamese fluently.

Park’s motivation for taking the four-year Vietnamese studies course at the Ho Chi Minh City-based University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) is simple.

“In Rok it is very hard to get a job, so I study Vietnamese in the hope that I can find a job here,” Park says. “Maybe I will live for a long time in Vietnam.”

Park has 149 other foreign students for company in his bachelor degree course at the USSH.

For short-term courses, there are more than 600 foreign students, says USSH’s Vietnamese Studies Department Head Nguyen Van Hue.

More than 4,000 people have registered for the courses annually in recent years, double that of 2005, Hue says, adding that more than half of them are Korean, followed by Japanese and Americans.

This school year, the USSH opened its first postgraduate Vietnamese Studies program with 20 students.

The HCMC University of Education, meanwhile, has been offering graduate and postgraduate programs in Vietnamese for about 10 foreign students every year, says Associate Professor Du Ngoc Ngan.

The number of students for short-term courses is from 20-60, she says, adding that the figure has increased sharply compared to the last 10 years.

While some like Park learn Vietnamese for working and living in Vietnam, others learn the language for the purpose of researching and understanding Vietnamese culture, people and the country.

Thibaut Nguyen, an overseas Vietnamese from France, for example, learns Vietnamese for research purposes.

The sociology major says he will learn Vietnamese in HCMC for around four months before continuing his trip to other places like Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hanoi and Sa Pa.

Some take very short courses just for touring, like David and his friend from the US. During their five-day trip to HCMC, they registered for a one-hour course in Vietnamese to learn all the greetings, the names of main food dishes, and correct ways to pronounce the different places they wanted to visit.

Overseas classes

The number of students learning Vietnamese has also increased at overseas colleges.

A Vietnamese instructor in the South Korea says about 100 people are studying

Vietnamese at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and every year, around 30 apply for the course.

The Pusan University of Foreign Studies, meanwhile, admits 50 students for its Vietnamese program annually, says its instructor who wishes to be unnamed.

“Korean students study Vietnamese very hard,” says one instructor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. “They compete to score high marks which is very important for them to look for a job after graduating.”

Although the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies admits only 20 students to its annual Vietnamese course, their entrance score is now the highest amongst those opting for Southeast Asian language courses, says Hue, who has taught Vietnamese for five years in Japan.

In 1991, the score was lower than that of those choosing to study Thai, he adds.

The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Fukuoka City can teach six Vietnamese classes with a total of 130 students, according to Hue.

Japanese students who graduate from universities with Vietnamese as their major have opportunities to work for corporate giants like Toyota, Honda and Yamaha, Hue says.

“So they invest much into their studies. During holidays, they often visit Vietnam for seeing the country and practicing their Vietnamese.”

Even to prepare for a festival week at home, they come to Vietnam to buy clothes, food and other necessary things to perform plays, recite poems, sing, make wallpapers, and set up food stalls, he adds.

Hurricane88

30-01-2009, 12:30 PM

Cell phone operators warn users to rely on landlines during Tet

Major mobile network providers have told customers to prepare for network blockages on the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, which begins on January 26.

Phone networks had already experienced overloads, about a week before the holiday.

Users of VinaPhone and MobiFone networks have complained about being unable to contact other network users including Viettel subscribers.

Many MobiFone subscribers said their cell phones had informed them of a “connection error” when they tried to call over the last few days.

In previous years, mobile network jams only occurred on the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and a couple of days leading up to it.

Some phone users are carrying three different types of SIM cards so they can switch networks if there are problems.

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) provides both MobiFone and VinaPhone network services while Viettel Telecom under the Military Telecommunications Corporation provides the Viettel network.

Despite hopes that networks would stay clear, the providers have been advising customers to keep landline and Internet phone services available for use.

MobiFone has set up an extra 20,000 transceivers and improved its 20 mobile switching centers (MSC) nationwide.

It has also boosted capacity to cope with four to five times the normal demand for calling and texting.

Viettel Telecom said it set up 15,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) last year while VinaPhone BTS’s 6,000 would be increased to 10,000 by Tet.

All providers, however, were struggling to keep pace with the skyrocketing number of subscribers.

Bui Quoc Viet, director of VNPT’s Communications and Public Relations Center, told a press conference on Friday that subscribers should be prepared to use landlines in case of overloads especially on Lunar New Year’s Eve (January 25).

Reported by Tran Hung

rjrj

31-01-2009, 12:25 AM

HM pub is at GL lor 15, opposite Milk KTV... if u go tonite, try to be as early as 7pm. Got 1 time, I go at 7.30pm, no table :mad:

is the place usually that crowded on sunday? and how about the standard of girls there compared to others like mask? :)

KangTuo

31-01-2009, 01:36 PM

Posted by ensign2000 in th Understanding Vietnamese Life Partner thread

hi bros, mind helping in translation? I wanna learn Vietnamese.
hân hạnh được làm wen! chúc 1 ngày vui vẻ và may mắn
E ten huyen , o sg , neu ranh a goi cho e minh se noi chuyen nhiu hon nhe
vi e it len mang lam

Rat vui dc lam wen voi a

hân hạnh được làm wen = Honoured to know you.
chúc 1 ngày vui vẻ và may mắn = wish you everyday happy and lucky
E ten huyen , o sg , neu ranh a goi cho e = My name is Huyen, in sillypore, if free you call me
minh se noi chuyen nhiu hon nhe = I will talk more than now
vi e it len mang lam = because I seldom log in to internet.
Rat vui dc lam wen voi a = Very happy can know you

jackbl

31-01-2009, 01:39 PM

The place is early crowd, sometime 7.30 u go also no table liao. The standard is so-so. Large quantities but if they hv no customers they will start to go off at abt 9.

is the place usually that crowded on sunday? and how about the standard of girls there compared to others like mask? :)

KangTuo

31-01-2009, 01:39 PM

is the place usually that crowded on sunday? and how about the standard of girls there compared to others like mask? :)

Standard of gals working in Mask is definitely better.

Reaper

31-01-2009, 03:57 PM

lhhuy1

31-01-2009, 06:47 PM

KangTuo...

SG may also mean Saigon. ;):p:D

Yes, it's Saigon.

jackbl

01-02-2009, 04:45 AM

Hospitals treat 28,000 emergencies during Tet
=====================================

Emergency rooms in hospitals nationwide admitted nearly 28,000 patients over the first three days of the Lunar New Year this week, the Ministry of Health said Friday.

Nearly 15,400 of the emergency cases from Monday to Wednesday were caused by traffic accidents, the ministry said, compiling reports from 21 hospitals and 42 healthcare facilities nationwide.

The total number of people who died at hospitals in the three days exceeded 300, the ministry said, adding 125 of these were in traffic accidents, 17.8 percent less than the same period last year.

The ministry also noted that no more cases of bird flu had been reported over the first three days of the Year of the Buffalo from January 26-29.

Reported by Nam Son-Thuy Anh

jackbl

01-02-2009, 04:53 AM

Education is the only way out of poverty!

Free school teaches hope
=========================

A group of students sits in front of a school’s locked doors around 6 a.m. in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh District.

Busy doing his math homework with a notebook on his knees, 14-yearold Hung looks sleepy.

He says every night he walks over four kilometers from his boarding house to Binh Quoi Resort to work collecting balls at a tennis court.

“It’s always really late when I come back from work,” Hung says. “I have to go to school very early in the morning for extra tutoring from my classmates before school begins.”

Like Hung, the other 91 students at the Ward 25 Compulsory School of Love are studying and working at the same time.

The school’s 100 students receive all their books, notebooks and uniforms for free.

Each student has a unique story, teacher Pham Thi Ngoc Doan says.

Some are orphans, while others are without personal identification having recently-migrated from rural Khmer. Most of them are older than normal school children, according to Doan.

At 14, Tien should have been in the eighth grade, but he is now just learning to read the alphabet. Doan’s first-grade class has 22 students, only four of whom have parents. Three of them are aged 26 to 28, she says.

Twelve-year-old Hoang, a third-grade student, has been working as a lottery ticket seller for three years. Every afternoon he wanders District 2 streets after a morning at the school.

“I have to study because my mother is illiterate. She can’t find a job,” the boy says, adding that some of his classmates work the same job as him.

However, Doan says not all her students seem to understand the value of school like Hoang does.

She says it’s too easy for them to fall in with the wrong crowd on the streets.

Keeping kids off the streets is one of the reasons the school was established 10 years ago.

In 1999, Doan’s uncle, who was then a teacher, wanted to provide free schooling for local children as the district was home to a large number of immigrants who couldn’t afford an education, she says.

A group of Ward 25 citizens then sponsored the construction of the school. Doan, meanwhile, spent six months visiting students’ homes in wards 21 and 25 to convince them to go to school.

The first course was opened with 170 students, Doan says, adding that six of the first students are now in grade 12 and are set to take university entrance exams this year.

“We want to create an environment in which the students can play and be taught right from wrong in their life as well as their work,” the teacher says.

Keeping hope

Teacher Le Thi Ngoc Khanh, who is in charge of the school’s third-grade class, says one of her secrets to keeping students in school is to do what she promises them.

She says 11-year-old Thoa asked her single mother to buy a bicycle for her after seeing that the school gave a bicycle to a student who lived far away.

Thoa’s mother promised to buy it, but couldn’t afford to keep the promise. Thoa then quit studying.

But Khanh stepped in and gave Thoa her old bike.

Though Khanh cautions that mentors must be wary of overindulging the children, she says the promises of adults often sow hopes and dreams in the children’s minds and failing to keep those promises could lead children to lose hope.

Doan, meanwhile, says it is necessary to make school life enjoyable for the children.

“I often tell my students to invite their friends to play with us at school,” she says. “Once they enjoy it here, they’ll be more likely to register for school on their own.”

The school now has five classes ranging from the first grade to fifth grade with three teachers, including Doan.

With help from the Binh Thanh District Department of Training and Education, students who complete the fifth grade at Ward 25 Compulsory School of Love can go on to study at regular public schools.

Source: TN, TT

jackbl

01-02-2009, 01:51 PM

Hope 1 day can visit these places ..... ;)

TRAVEL IN BRIEF 31/1
========================

Cruise ship passengers enjoy Ha Long visit during Tet

Three cruise ships carrying nearly 1,700 foreign guests docked at Ha Long Bay on the second and third days of the Lunar New Year (on Tuesday and Wednesday). The Azamara Quest brought with it 660 tourists from France, the US, the Netherlands and Canada. The ship anchored at Cai Lan Port while Costa Allegra and Minh Hoa Princess cruise ships took more than 1,000 passengers to the bay.

Before Ha Long Bay, these cruise ships docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Saigontourist Travel Service Co. took these guests to world heritage sites at Hoi An, My Son Cham Tower complex and Hue. The Da Nang tourism authority said they received more than 4,500 foreign cruise ship tourists in January 2009.

Row your own sampan at Mekong Delta’s Gao Giong Park

One of the largest tourist sites in the Mekong Delta, the 1,700-ha Gao Giong Ecotourist Park is an area of natural beauty and tranquillity. The park offers visitors the chance to relax in hammocks under the shade of cajuput trees or to catch fish from nearby canals. Tourists can also take a quiet stroll through the woods or climb a watchtower standing 18m tall for a spectacular panoramic view of the area.

Boat trips are also available in a sampan, a type of rowboat. Guided sampan tours last around 45 minutes accompanied by a female guide wearing a traditional ao ba ba (a type of blouse). Tourists can try rowing the boat themselves.

Situated about 20km from Cao Lanh Town, Gao Giong becomes a "green oasis" from August until October every year when the Mekong River floods the region. People visiting the park at this time will experience this unique weather and have an opportunity to enjoy specialties such as ca linh (a species of freshwater fish).

Chinese visitors keep northern border gates busy on first day of lunar year

Some 700 Chinese tourists entered Viet Nam through a border gate in Lao Cai Province on the first day of the Lunar Year (on Monday). The Lao Cai-based Binh Minh Travel Agency said they organised tours for more than 3,000 Chinese tourists who entered Viet Nam through border gates in the north on the first four days of the Lunar New Year.

HCM City receives fewer visitors over Tet as tour prices rise

Visitors to HCM City during the Tet holidays dropped by 20 to 25 per cent this year compared with 2008. Meanwhile, tour prices increased by 20 per cent over other times of the year, according to figures from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper.

The Dam Sen Park in District 11 received some 250,000 visitors during the first three days of the Lunar New Years (from Monday to Wednesday). Suoi Tien Tourism Park in District 9 welcomed some 300,000 visitors, including Overseas Vietnamese from Thailand, Cambodia and India, over the same period. This equalled last year’s figures.

VietNamNet/VNS

jackbl

01-02-2009, 03:10 PM

Festivals held nationwide
===================

VietNamNet Bridge - There are a variety of festivals that take place during the Tet holiday nationwide.

As usual, millions of residents in the northern mountainous provinces are eager to take part in a traditional festival “Xuong dong”, or, “Entering paddy field” - their biggest festival of the year.

The festival with different names takes place on the fourth day of January according to the lunar calendar. Ethnic minorities in northern villages such as Son La, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Bac Kan, enjoy participating in traditional games like throwing balls, climbing pillars, hide-and-seek, see-saw, as well as dancing and singing. The festival lasts all the way to the fifteenth of the lunar month in some places.

In the northwest of the country, some villages in Lao Cai Province make sure to keep the traditional character of the festival. An iflux of tourists visited the popular haunt of Sa Pa Bac Ha Muong Khuong during the second and third day of the lunar year to take part in the festival, according to Lao Cai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The buffalo fights that draw such huge crowds have been a long-standing tradition. Thousands of people across the country flock to Do Son village in northern Hai Phong Province to see the peaceable water buffalo transformed into a fearsome fighter on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month.

The small village of Hai Luu, which lies along the Lo River in Lap Thach commune in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, holds the fights before and after the Tet holiday.

On the 27th and 28th of December (of the lunar calendar), the qualifying rounds take place and the winners enter the next and the final round on the 16th and 17th of January.

The chosen buffalos are covered with red cloth and have red bands around their horns. They are taken to the fighting ring by 24 young men from two teams, also dressed in red. The young men dance and wave flags as the two teams take their positions in the arena.

A pair of buffalos is then led into the fighting circle, whereupon they lock horns as the audience beats drums and gongs and emit full-throated yells to spur the contestants on.

In the central province of Quang Tri, a unique festival is held on the third and fourth day to show gratitude to one's parents. The festival plays an important role in the life of residents there. The elderly and their descendants of 14 family names gather together to worship before the altar of the forefather.

In addition to the festival, a worship festival is held to seek good weather, a bountiful catch, prosperity and happiness for the whole community.

VietNamNet/SGGP

ensign2000

01-02-2009, 05:59 PM

KangTuo

01-02-2009, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the translation bro. BTW, do you teach the language?:)

I am not up to the standard yet... give me 10 years also unable to teach :p
I learn my Tieng Viet in a cc for 2 months than I practice my Tieng Viet in JC and GL :D

jackbl

01-02-2009, 06:54 PM

Dun be modest! At least u completed a full course.

I saw 1 gal in m51 area, looks 80% like ah xuan, did u saw?

I am not up to the standard yet... give me 10 years also unable to teach :p
I learn my Tieng Viet in a cc for 2 months than I practice my Tieng Viet in JC and GL :D

ensign2000

01-02-2009, 09:18 PM

I am not up to the standard yet... give me 10 years also unable to teach :p
I learn my Tieng Viet in a cc for 2 months than I practice my Tieng Viet in JC and GL :D

Mind telling me which CC?:)

jackbl

01-02-2009, 09:28 PM

U can go to People's Association website to find out whether they conduct vietnamese language course or not... If not u can consult bro Technofreak how to go about taking the course. He took at Spring Language School. Go to its website to find out more...

Spring Language School (http://www.spring.edu.sg/index.html)

Mind telling me which CC?:)

KangTuo

01-02-2009, 11:05 PM

Dun be modest! At least u completed a full course.

I saw 1 gal in m51 area, looks 80% like ah xuan, did u saw?

yes.. saw her few times. 1st time see her back view, i tot she is my hm gal.
this gal sat with YS friend, Matxxxx before. He upped her at $80/shot.

jackbl

01-02-2009, 11:59 PM

I sat with her once, her mandarin not bad. Seeing her look to similar to ah xuan make me felt a bit strange....

As for her working attitude, I wil not "RTF"... told me go out a while then I wait 1.5hr... I am wondering why these gals cant think of "customers service". She get the better of the 1st $20 but she will lost potential customer. If she did well in the 1st $20 then there will be many many $20 coming.... :D

yes.. saw her few times. 1st time see her back view, i tot she is my hm gal.
this gal sat with YS friend, Matxxxx before. He upped her at $80/shot.

jackbl

02-02-2009, 01:39 AM

In bad times, support the local products to support the countrymen and keep their jobs....

Promoting goods made in Vietnam
===========================

The progamme “Vietnamese people use Vietnamese goods” launched by the Ministry of Industry and Trade has attracted due attention from a large number of businesses and consumers.

This is an effective measure to help businesses restore production and promote consumption, especially those having goods in stock as their market share has declined.

Catering for consumer taste

To promote domestic consumption of products made in Vietnam, businesses and distributors have to supply high-quality products and good services. They should diversify the design of goods, increase quality, stabilise production costs and focus on after-sales service. Furthermore, it is important to have a good understanding of Vietnamese consumer taste and culture. Tran Quy Thanh, general director and chairman of administration board of the Tan Hiep Phat group, said that his company conducted surveys on consumer demand and set up a department for product research and development to meet local consumer demand. “We aim to cater for consumer taste that other competitive rivals cannot meet,” Mr Thanh added.

Meanwhile, Tran Quoc Viet, deputy executive director of the southern Kinh Do joint stock company, said that his company has a market research department which provide consultancy for the administrative board on both product design and distribution services, with the aim of supplying better products and services to consumers. For example, the company added some flavours such as lotus to their line of confections that were identified as popular in Vietnamese rural areas in order to serve the northern region. These products became popular among consumers in the region.

Apart from increasing the quality of products and renewing product patterns, expanding distribution and retail networks is also a key factor in the successful implementation of the “Vietnamese people use Vietnamese goods” progamme.

Focusing on the rural market

Vietnam now has a total population of more than 86 million, with over 70 percent of them are living in rural areas. Rural people’s income has increased in recent years, especially in areas which are urbanizing, thus increasing demand for goods. A survey of the rural market by the TNS market research company showed that 95 percent of rural households want to buy TV sets and 92 percent can afford to buy electric or gas cookers. About 33 percent of rural families can buy radio receivers and other music centres, 30 percent can buy refrigerators and 9 percent want to buy computers, according to the survey.

Nevertheless, rural market has not received due attention from local businesses. Most products in rural areas are of low quality or not labelled. No large promotion campaigns and advertisement programmes have been launched in these areas. According to Mr Viet, it’s time for businesses to explore the rural market. Previously, businesses concentrated on developing high-quality products or products having high added value to earn bigger profits. However, they are now changing business operation, which focuses on consumption volume.

In fact, no multi-national groups have entered Vietnam’s rural market for fear that rural consumers cannot afford their products. Therefore, local businesses should grasp this opportunity to expand their market share in such areas. At present, the Government is intensifying consumption promotion measures, and rural people are enjoying the benefit of this. Local businesses should purchase stock and promote goods consumption in order to ensure an adequate supply for the rural market. It is necessary to send promotion teams to villages to sell products in order to consolidate consumer trust.

Source: VOV

KangTuo

02-02-2009, 02:22 AM

I sat with her once, her mandarin not bad. Seeing her look to similar to ah xuan make me felt a bit strange....

As for her working attitude, I wil not "RTF"... told me go out a while then I wait 1.5hr... I am wondering why these gals cant think of "customers service". She get the better of the 1st $20 but she will lost potential customer. If she did well in the 1st $20 then there will be many many $20 coming.... :D

She go out awhile... can earn more.
1.5 hrs... sure go lam tinh.
I think $20 is nothing as compare to $80/$100 for a shot.
she got the look and eyes to hook guys for ST :D
1 night go ST twice and a booking for LT is enuff liao.

Not my style to pay and fcuk... so she is out of my list as she don't seems an easy target for me.

jackbl

02-02-2009, 02:22 AM

The best CC for learning and practical is still "little vietnam"

Mind telling me which CC?:)

KangTuo

02-02-2009, 02:25 AM

Mind telling me which CC?:)

I doubt the cc got anymore viet classes. u may try jackbl recommendation below.

U can go to People's Association website to find out whether they conduct vietnamese language course or not... If not u can consult bro Technofreak how to go about taking the course. He took at Spring Language School. Go to its website to find out more...

Spring Language School (http://www.spring.edu.sg/index.html)

jackbl

02-02-2009, 02:32 AM

I saw the teacher when i go to national stadium to watch spore vs vietnam on Dec. Saw her with her sons... Today u so good boy, no go out to find targetsssssssss?

I doubt the cc got anymore viet classes. u may try jackbl recommendation below.

KangTuo

02-02-2009, 02:44 AM

Today u so good boy, no go out to find targetsssssssss?

Everyday i also good boy mah... :D
No target. Need your recommendation :p

jackbl

02-02-2009, 03:01 AM

KangTuo

02-02-2009, 03:17 AM

I will recommend u some from HM ok?! :D I like to go there as there the party starts early, 7. Mask starts later 10. After drink, 11pm go home sleep, to have a better lifestyle than mask :p

thanks bro... in fact I dun really like karaoke pub. Been to few karaoke pubs to try out but feel boring. I like disco music... make me awake when cheonging.

Not only gals. Environment also is a factor for me to determone whether I wanna cheong that place or not.

Maybe when Xuan come back... I will go there once :D
Anyway me and Xuan are not on good terms as before liao... :(

jackbl

02-02-2009, 08:02 AM

Maybe u can befriend 1 gal there and when xuan is back u can give her a surprise :D

I will organise 1 "early bird" party very soon :p

Maybe when Xuan come back... I will go there once :D
Anyway me and Xuan are not on good terms as before liao... :(

jackbl

02-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Always these type of thing happened.... :mad:

Tet travelers left stranded, fares increase
==============================

As usual, there are a large number of passengers after Tet with many unable to catch a return coach to HCM City or southern areas. As a result, fares have been pushed up on many routes.

On January 29 (the fourth day of the lunar new year) Sai Gon Giai Phong reporters, on the Highway 1A section between Da Nang and Quang Nam, witnessed hundreds of people failing to get a coach to HCM City and other southern provinces, such as Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai.

Particularly, luxury coaches have become scarce due to the sudden rise of travelers during Tet.

“We have stood here waiting for a coach to HCM City for around 5 hours but have failed to get one,” complained one man, who was traveling with his wife and two children, at Vinh Dien town, Quang Nam Province.

“During Tet, large transport firms, such as Mai Linh, Thuan Thao, Phi Hiep and Phuong Trang, have sold all their tickets in advance. So no seats are left,” said Truong Thi Ha, deputy director of Da Nang Bus Station Management and Transport Joint Stock Co.

Along with large numbers of passengers, some coach owners have raised fares by 20 – 30 percent. For example, the Da Nang – HCM City route costs VND400,000-500,000 ($23-29) per passenger, an increase of up to VND200,000.

Due to sub-charges applied by the Ha Noi Bus Station, fares from Ha Noi to southern areas have also increased by 35-40 percent. A seat on a luxury coach from Ha Noi to HCM City costs VND800,000 up by VND550,000 from normal prices. Similarly, fares from Hanoi to Buon Ma Thuot have been increased to VND480,000 from VND370,000.

Meanwhile, passengers traveling from the southern province of Can Tho to HCM City and such provinces as Binh Duong and Dong Nai have also paid fares of VND150,000 – 200,000, an increase of 40 percent.

Coaches have not only been inundated, trains have also been in high demand. At the Da Nang terminal on January 29, hundreds of passengers were disappointed when they could not get a ticket to southern provinces and cities.

“All tickets have been bought in advance for journeys which will start as far as February 6,” said Do Thai Lam, deputy head of the Da Nang Railway Station. “We could meet the needs for only 70 percent of passengers who want to return to southern areas,” he added.

By staff writers – Translated by Minh Tam

Sha_Gua75

02-02-2009, 05:11 PM

sorry hor. side track abit

New Up Coming Game, pls contribute ideas!

1) GameSurge >> Chat (http://www.gamesurge.net/chat/)
2) Type /join #Sinners

For Those Who Prefer Java Chat then go to :
1) GameSurge >> Chat (http://www.gamesurge.net/javachat/)
2) If cannot connect then type /server irc.gamesurge.net
3) Type /join #Sinners

Pls all brother help to go in the chatroom and from there U will see where u can contribute ideas!!

Thom07

02-02-2009, 10:16 PM

yes.. saw her few times. 1st time see her back view, i tot she is my hm gal.
this gal sat with YS friend, Matxxxx before. He upped her at $80/shot.

Wah new gal. :D

jackbl

03-02-2009, 07:55 AM

Vietnamese teenagers living ‘freely’?
=================================

Young people in a night club.

VietNamNet Bridge – Young Vietnamese people’s thinking and lifestyle are becoming open and free, which worries their parents, particularly with regards to the trends of living together and having sexual relations before marriage.

Some statistics support their concerns: A recent survey conducted by a group of students shows that 70.2% of 3,600 male students believe that couples should live together on a trial basis and have sexual relations before marriage. The figure is 61.1% for schoolgirls. Vietnam is also a country with a high number of abortion cases, averaging over 70,000/year.

Chief of the Cultural Research Department of the HCM City Institute for Research and Development, Dr. Dinh Van Lien, said things that were taboos ten years ago are currently very normal, for example living together without marriage or having sex before marriage.

Lien said the young are living very freely, but they do not have enough knowledge to prevent unexpected consequences. Students and workers in big cities, who come from the countryside, are the two groups reported to be most familiar with living together without marriage. The reason is that they live far from home and need someone to share their lives with, and more importantly, there is no control from their parents.

Experts say that besides educating them about safe sex and delivering condoms, it is very important to urge the young to ask themselves about their lifestyle.

Nguyen Dinh Toan, 26, at the HCM City University of Social Science and Humanities, said: “I think the senior generation is imposing their will on us. Today’s life is different than life several decades ago. We do not have to experience fierce wars or periods of deprivation, but we bear the pressure of integration and modernisation. And I do not agree with someone who says that having sex with prostitutes is uncultured.”

As more young people are openly thinking about sex, it is necessary to take a comprehensive look into youth’s psychophysiology and sexual knowledge, not just based on Oriental culture, to judge them.

“In the past people went through puberty at the age of 17-18, and it is now 13-14 years old. The marriage age was 17-18 in the past and it is 24-25 now. This means that in the past, people experienced the family life together with the age of having sexual needs. The present young people have over 10 free years, while the sexual desire is real,” said Le Thi Thanh Nha from the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

On the other hand, a recent survey by experts from the Southern Sustainable Development Institute revealed that 80% of young people say they live together before marriage for love.

Assisting young people to have solid knowledge, acknowledge responsibility for their actions, and be able to deal with difficulties is the most important thing, not simply preventing them from doing this or doing that, experts say.

(Source: DT, TP)

VietnamLover

03-02-2009, 03:12 PM

E ten huyen , o sg , neu ranh a goi cho e = My name is Huyen, in sillypore, if free you call me

I don't think sg means Singapore. Huyen is refering it to 'Saigon'. A lot of Vietnamese people term 'Saigon' as Sg.

jackbl

04-02-2009, 02:38 AM

And i think alot term Singapore as sgp

I don't think sg means Singapore. Huyen is refering it to 'Saigon'. A lot of Vietnamese people term 'Saigon' as Sg.

Hurricane88

04-02-2009, 12:30 PM

Taxis take airport customers for a ride

Cabbies and taxi touts target a customer at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport Monday
A cab driver shook his head when a passenger gave the address of the First Hotel on Hoang Viet Street, just two kilometers away from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

“[The trip] is too short,” the driver said.

Another cabbie said he would only make the trip if the passenger agreed to pay VND80,000 (US$4.58). If the meter was on, the trip would cost about VND30,000 ($1.72).

Phuong, who had just flown into Ho Chi Minh City from central Da Nang City, was offered a VND120,000 ($6.88) fare to her place in District 10 by a Saigontourist taxi driver. The meter fee is usually between VND80,000 to VND90,000.

“If you want to go to Vung Tau [Town], I would switch on the meter,” the cabbie told Phuong. “If you just want go to somewhere around the city, you have to pay unmetered fares.”

When asked why the fare was not metered, the driver said: “You accept that fare or find another cab.”

Such practices are common at the airport, passenger Son told Thanh Nien.

“Just ask any cabbie in the airport, they all would say you have to pay unmetered fares,” Son said.

“This has happened for a long time at the airport but authorities have taken no action,” he added.

Arriving at Tan Son Nhat Airport Monday, Thanh Nien found many taxi drivers were badgering passengers.

At Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, the situation is similar.

Monopoly fallout

In 2007, Thanh Nien had exposed the taxi monopoly at Tan Son Nhat Airport where only a select few taxi operators were allowed to pick up – and fleece – customers.

Before 2007, only Airport and Sasco taxis from Saigon Airport Shareholding Company – half owned by the Southern Airport Authority, a state agency monitoring air traffic in southern Vietnam – had access to the airport.

Taxis belonging to other firms had to be content with waiting far from the exit door. If they wandered into the “forbidden” zone, they were immediately chased away by Sasco and Airport drivers.

After the Thanh Nien articles, other taxi operators were allowed to go to the airport to pick up passengers.

But the end of the monopoly has apparently created more headaches for those arriving at the airport.

Practice illegal, say authorities

Le Hong Viet, deputy director of the HCMC Transport Department, said only one VIP taxi operator was allowed to negotiate fares with passengers.

Other taxis at public places like the Tan Son Nhat Airport would have to charge customers whatever was on the taxi meter, Viet said.

He said all unmetered fares were illegal. But Viet said the department had to seek approval from airport authorities to inspect taxis waiting at the airport.

Ta Long Hy, director of Vinasun taxi operator, said his firm would punish drivers found carrying passengers without the meter on.

Dang Hoang Son, general director of Sai Gon Hoang Long taxi firm, said any driver overcharging customers would be fired.

He asked customers to report any problem to the company hotline on (08) 38336868.

ADDRESSING THE TAXI RIP- OFF

Make sure you get a metered taxi.

If your destination is somewhere other than the airport or a major hotel, it might help to write the name and/or address on paper beforehand.

Carry small change and bills for paying fares, since drivers often pretend to be short of change.

If you get stung by a dodgy taxi driver, meter or not, you can refuse to pay. This might lead to a heated situation, but eventually he has to take what you offer.

Make sure you get the taxi number and report it to its operator or the police if you think you have been fleeced.

Ask hotels for recommendation of creditable taxis.

Hotels also provide city maps with the names of company taxis on the back. They are distinguishable from private taxis by the phone number on the side which is much longer.

(Source: Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com))

Reported by Trung Bao – Nguyen Dinh Muoi

jackbl

05-02-2009, 12:36 AM

Visitors say Vietnam’s largest tourism spot a rip-off
==========================================

Visitors are increasingly frustrated with the services and facilities at the country’s biggest tourism spot, Dai Nam tourist area in Binh Duong Province.
Many complained about having to walk nearly two kilometers from the ticket booth to reach the main gate.

The administration seems to be unprepared for handling a large number of visitors. There are not enough buses to transport them though Dai Nam is a large area involving long distances, visitors said.

They had to queue for food, which is poor but is sold at unreasonable prices.

There is a shortage of shaded areas to rest and signs indicating routes, they said.

Unfinished and slipshod work mars the landscape, rubble and rubbish are strewn everywhere, and roads are flooded, they said.

The 450-hectare Dai Nam tourist area, which opened in 2007 in Thu Dau Mot town, has a zoo, mountains, a pagoda, and beaches.

By Vinh Phu – Translated by Thuy Doan

jackbl

05-02-2009, 02:12 AM

Parents having headaches over black webs
==============================

VietNamNet Bridge – A couple in Hanoi had to invite a psychiatrist to their home on the third day of the first lunar month to encourage their daughter to leave her room after the girl was detected by her parents as having spent hours on sex webs. This case has stirred up further concern about the harmful effects of black webs on youngsters

“The thing I worry most about is my daughter’s changes since she was discovered as visiting black webs, not her visiting sex webs,” said Dan, the father of the high-school girl.

Dan said his daughter recently revealed some strange manifestations. She didn’t share her thinking or talk with her parents like before.

“Mocxi was closed but there are others sex webs with similar contents. They are even better than mocxi,” the girl told the psychiatrist. after half an hour. She also mentioned the addresses of some sex webs. Searching on the Internet, the psychiatrist discovered that they are among 100 most-visited websites in Vietnam, ranked by Alexa.

Through the recommendation of the psychiatrist, we met with a boy named Hai, 18. Hai’s group has nearly ten members, both girls and boys. They often watched porno movies and photos on black webs together.

“I know many things from them (black webs) and my curiosity was stimulated. I couldn’t get out of it!” Hai said.

Hai said sex has become a popular topic during class breaks and he can’t avoid thinking about it during class.

“It is common to visit sex webs. All of my classmates watch them,” said Chi Dat, a high-school boy in Hanoi. Dat said he started visiting black webs when he was a ninth grade student. He said his parents didn’t know this fact because they are very poor at using computer.

Kien, a university student, revealed: “My friends at the dormitory visit sex webs together and pool money to try prostitutes.”

From trying, they spend all of their money on prostitution.

“In the age of information, it is impossible to prevent youngsters from visiting black webs. It is necessary to equip them with living skills and teach them what to do in different circumstances. Teaching living skills is still neglected at schools and families,” said Dr. Tran Tuan, Director of the Centre for Public Research and Development Centre, which treats young people who suffer from mental disorder related to sexual knowledge and behaviour.

VietNamNet Bridge/TP

jackbl

06-02-2009, 08:11 AM

Ba Ria – Vung Tau culture & tourism festival kicks off
============================================

VietNamNet Bridge - With the theme “Resounding Seaside Town”, the Ba Ria –Vung Tau Culture and Tourism Festival 2009 opened in Vung Tau City on February 2nd.

2009 is the third successive year Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province has hosted this event, with the expectation of attracting even more tourists as this is the Year of the Water Buffalo.

The event is expected to be the biggest event held so far to display the distinctive cultural and tourism features of the Province, as well one which will help tourists and local residents get an overall view of Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s land and its people.

The event will also include the firing of cannons, military re-enactments of legendary battles of the anti-American war of resistance, displays of spring flowers, wine, food, photo exhibitions, traditional games, lion dances and tradtional canoe races.

Chairman of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau People’s Committee Tran Minh Sang said that the event will be a chance to promote the Province’s natural beauty and its tourism potential, as well being a way to show off local hospitality to tourists.

A planned series of major cultural, tourism and sports events for 2009 were been announced at the opening ceremony of festival, all of which are designed to attract even more domestic and foreign tourists. In 2009, the Province will have 15 events, in particular the International Kite Festival, the International Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship and the Miss World Pageant.

VietNamNet/CPV

KangTuo

06-02-2009, 08:59 AM

KangTuo

06-02-2009, 09:16 AM

This is not the sms all like to see from a vn gal:

TV: neu a thuong em thi mai mot em wa sin a dong tien nha` cho em dcko roi` mai mot em ve a chi mua ve cho em thoi,, em chi mong a nhui do thoi ko can a j nhui dau a lam` dc ko tra loi that cho em bit em ko nhu nguoi tA mun a cho nhui` tien ve vn dau

English: If you love me dearly, than one day I come sillypore, can you pay for my housing rent. The other time I come, you only buy airticket for me. I only desire many items from you, don't need you anything, can you do it? Reply truely for me to know, I am not same as other wanting you give many money go back vietnam...

I don't understand what she means (highlighted)... probably i interprete wrongly. Any bro can help me.

Sharing with bro on how these sentence suddenly pop up...

This gal from HM whom I know is in vn and was about to come back sillypore this month. For the past 1.5 mths, we seldom contact (after I xao her in vn). Recently, she sms me, ask me go online to my yahoo chat. She has things to tell me.

While online, she start saying 'e nho a wa', 'thuong a nhieu'. and ask me whether I really love her dearly. I play along and say miss her and love her dearly. Next, she ask me to 'bao lanh' her to sillypore if i miss her and want to see her in sillypore. Of course i reject stating the reason that I got bad records with immigration and so cannot 'bao lanh' any gals or anyone. :)

she shows me :mad: icon, but in a short while, say miss me and love me so she 'het gian' easily. What next is the above message asking to pay rent. Again, I reject and she goes off line...

bro, be careful of all these trap set by the gals. All same pattern.

Hurricane88

06-02-2009, 12:19 PM

Honey Boon

06-02-2009, 01:14 PM

in short, kg co tien, kg co chim :D

Sharing with bro on how these sentence suddenly pop up...

This gal from HM whom I know is in vn and was about to come back sillypore this month. For the past 1.5 mths, we seldom contact (after I xao her in vn). Recently, she sms me, ask me go online to my yahoo chat. She has things to tell me.

While online, she start saying 'e nho a wa', 'thuong a nhieu'. and ask me whether I really love her dearly. I play along and say miss her and love her dearly. Next, she ask me to 'bao lanh' her to sillypore if i miss her and want to see her in sillypore. Of course i reject stating the reason that I got bad records with immigration and so cannot 'bao lanh' any gals or anyone. :)

she shows me :mad: icon, but in a short while, say miss me and love me so she 'het gian' easily. What next is the above message asking to pay rent. Again, I reject and she goes off line...

bro, be careful of all these trap set by the gals. All same pattern.

jackbl

07-02-2009, 02:07 AM

Youngsters and modern language
=============================

Bridge – Sometimes adults worry about the young’s language because of its constant creativeness and simplification – this “new”, mixed language perplexes them.

To see how Vietnamese language is changed in youngsters’ language, just visit chat rooms or blogs. There many new words are created, for example “khoan tac” (who advertises their concrete cutting and drilling service on every wall – ‘khoan’ means drilling, ‘tac’ means bad person), “dao boi” (training and fostering – ‘dao’ is the short for ‘dao tao’, meaning training, while ‘boi’ is short for ‘boi duong’, meaning fostering), and “mong tac” (those who stab injection needles in women’s rears – ‘mong’ means rear while ‘tac’ means bad person).

In chatting, youngsters shorten words, accordingly “yeu” becomes “iu” (love); “biet” – “bjt” (know), “vui ve” – “dzui ze” (joyful), “bao gio” – “bao h” (when), “Linh” – “ljnk” (a Vietnamese name), “ac ac” to show surprise, “anh” – “ank” (photo), etc.

This kind of language is understood by ‘professional’ chatters and also very popular among teenager bloggers.

“c0c^".....c0c^"...hA` pe()" ra nhAn^.QuA` cUA? tu"_xinK_jU naZ"...h`yhy`.....lu0n^ kut3 b ju naZ"....c0^" gaG" an it" th0i^..ch0 gay` b0T*' di,daG" thon thA? rui` th`i nhAnh2 c0' ng`.iu nhE"...dE^? c e min`h c0n` chjA sE? nuA`* cHU"....he^`he^`.....okie.................:x......:X.. .:x”

It is really difficult to decode the above paragraph but teenagers think that using these signs are very interesting in communication and can attract others to their blogs.

When this style of writing appeared, it created controversies about the impacts of it on the pure Vietnamese language, but it has been flourishing among Vietnamese teenage chatters.

“Ấy check cái phần test đó rồi send cho tớ, nếu thấy good thì sẽ request lại nhé” (please check that test and send it back to me. If it is good, I will request again). English has also become very popular and it is used in daily language of youth.

Even some teachers have become “infected” with this kind of language. A teacher told his students: “các em về nhà nhớ làm bài tập, có gì không hiểu thì phone (gọi)cho thầy. Mai chúng ta làm bài test (kiểm tra) nhé”. (Remember to do your homework. If you don’t understand, phone me. Tomorrow we are having a test).

Or “Các em về download bài test này và send vào email cho cô.” (Remember to download this test and send it to my email).

These English words may be very easy to understand among youngsters but they are really problems for elder people whose English is limited.

“Con đang online, phải làm slide để gửi cho thầy ngay”. (I’m online. I have to make slides to send to my teacher immediately). That’s the content of a text message that a student sent to her mother.

Some parents complained about this kind of mixed language but youngsters argue: “When I type text messages, I can replace three Vietnamese words with only one English word. I can write to my girlfriend “Hey, honey”. It is sweet and I only need to push 7 buttons. If I use Vietnamese language, it will be Nay, em than yeu, with 12 button pushes”.

The language of teenagers changes monthly and quarterly. However, let’s hope that bad language will never take root.

VietNamNet Bridge/TP

jackbl

08-02-2009, 12:40 AM

The lecture hall’s services
========================

VietNamNet Bridge – As more and more Vietnamese students prefer pleasure to work, they have to hire other students to learn for them. The services of doing home exercises and essays for others, therefore, have been developing well.

Doing exercises

When Le Hoang Tung, a second year student of the HCM City Open University, showed off the 9.5 mark he got for technical drawing subject, his friends all were very surprised because they never saw Tung going to class before.

“I did not do the drawing. I asked a friend of mine to do the exercise, and I had to pay him VND 30,000,” Tung said honestly.

He added that previously, his friend just helped him with the exercises free of charge. However, as there have been more and more exercises, Tung now has to pay for the work.

As such, Tung just has to spend money to learn and pass the subject of technical drawing. “VND 20,000 and more for home exercises, and VND 10,000 for class exercises,” Tung said.

Tung is not the only student, who hires others students to learn for them. A lot of students have been relying on ‘services’ to follow their training courses. A lot of students especially hire people to go to class for them. The duty of the people is just saying ‘yes’ when lecturers take roll-call.

Ha Van Dao, Nguyen Binh Nguyen, and Le Trung Tuan, students of Hong Bang University also related that they had to prepare a presentation for their political economy class. They heard that some members of the class could ‘provide services’ of making slides with PowerPoint and decided to hire the members to do the presentations for them.

“It cost VND 100,000,” Nguyen said.

“We always played truant, so we did not know what to do with the presentation. As this is a very important exercise, we had to spend VND 100,000 to get good marks,” he added.

At first, the service providers just required cups of coffee or meals for the help, but then they set higher requirements, and even money in return for the services.

“I have to spend a lot of time and effort to do exercises for them. They are too lazy to do their homework so they get their just deserts,” said Nguyen Tuan Anh, a student of Hong Bang University, one of the ‘service providers.

Anh revealed that he could earn a lot of money a month, as there are too many ‘orders’ from lazy students.

Tuyet Han, a student from Ton Duc Thang, also said that the lazy students have to accept any prices she asks for because the students do not want a mark of zero which will force them to repeat the grade.

“I have received an order from a classmate who asked help write an introduction about yourself in English,” Han said, revealing that she will get VND 100,000 for the job.

“The job proves to be very profitable, as students nowadays prove to be very lazy,” Huynh Thi Bao Chau, a student of the HCM City Open University noted.

VietNamNet/Tien phong

MicroTommy

08-02-2009, 01:00 AM

well vietnamese can tend to be abit lazy...that's is why they need such a service...but i wonder what will happen to them when they go to the outside world??....when especially their boss ask them to some project and they unable to do it??

jackbl

08-02-2009, 12:04 PM

For bro in hcmc...:p

Three steps to a perfect Valentine night
================================

For those who have yet to come up with a plan for the upcoming Valentine’s Day and are confused with the various options on offer, SGGP offers some recommendations to make an unforgettable Valentine night for their love.

Gifts:

For him: Wrap one of the newest ties from any Salvatore Ferragamo and surprise him on your precious Valentine’s night. The design by Salvatore Ferragamo, available in Vietnam this season, is promising to not only make the users comfortable while wearing a tie, but also make the wearer look elegant. A package of body care or wallets by Ferragamo is also highly recommended thanks to their quality.

For her: Help your wallet and buy smart by going for gifts from any Clinique outlet during their February only promotions. Purchase any Clinique moisturizer or make-up foundation to receive one free sample of lip gloss or take home one free additional fashion bag for any order over VND3 million ($172).

Several options are available for you on this occasion.

Take the sweet Love Menu – including complimentary Cupid cocktails, a small bottle of sparkling wine and two ‘Cupid Chocolate & Rose’ at $79 per couple at Hotel Majestic Saigon, district 1.

One can also enjoy an old-fashioned romantic buffet dinner, including fresh and baked oysters, roasted US beef, grilled lobster, and mouth-watering desserts at the Grill restaurant in Hotel Duxton Saigon, district 1, at $26. On this special occasion, this is probably not a bad idea.

If possible, upgrade your dinner to two luxurious hotels in city, Legend Hotel Saigon and New World Hotel Saigon, both in district 1.

Let's say “Be my Valentine” in a relaxing atmosphere with Parkview’s special themed buffet at $45. All couples will receive a red rose and a box of homemade pralines. For an extra $20 couples can enjoy the worldwide popular Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.

Otherwise, book seats for you and your other half at the Valentine’s Dinner Buffet prepared by executive chef Romeo Bantiling and his team at Atrium Café of Legend Hotel Saigon. The sumptuous buffet will be served with an array of seafood, a lavish spread of gourmet dishes and a selection of irresistible desserts. Wines, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea will be free flowing. Available at $26.

Entertainment:

Deeply in love with the Valentine’s Salsa in the Saigon Saigon Bar of the Caravelle Hotel in district 1, together you can practice the language of Latin fusion with the Cuban band Warapo, who quickly rose to fame by collaborating with world music stars, like Chucho Valdés, Van Van, César Portillo de la Luz, Pancho Céspedes, Elena Burke and José Luis Cortés và David Álvarez.

Another must-visit place on Valentine night is Seventeen, with its Valentine music and fashion concert. Several activities will be held during this concert, including, music performances by Chilli band, a game show for guests, fashion show and dancing group. Open from 9pm to 1am. Gifts from Seventeen are available to the first 50 guests.

By Truong Son

jackbl

08-02-2009, 12:12 PM

After the incident I dun think HM is your forbidden pub anymore right?! Why not chiong with me there, hihihi ;);):p

she shows me :mad: icon, but in a short while, say miss me and love me so she 'het gian' easily. What next is the above message asking to pay rent. Again, I reject and she goes off line...

bro, be careful of all these trap set by the gals. All same pattern.

jackbl

08-02-2009, 12:18 PM

Bro, pardon me if i say sth wrong here..... 1 mth rent maybe abt $12*30=$360. If she cant get her extension, u no need to buy an extra ticket for her ;)

When she is here, u can have many "wonderful times" with her, it may worth more than the $$$ spend :D:p

English: If you love me dearly, than one day I come sillypore, can you pay for my housing rent. The other time I come, you only buy airticket for me. I only desire many items from you, don't need you anything, can you do it? Reply truely for me to know, I am not same as other wanting you give many money go back vietnam...

jackbl

08-02-2009, 12:23 PM

This sentence is always true... there's no FREE meal. I felt that the gal asked just the min from bro KT liao.... If he has feeling for her, why not? :D

If u are that gal, what do u expect from man sgp?

in short, kg co tien, kg co chim :D

lhhuy1

08-02-2009, 12:52 PM

she shows me :mad: icon, but in a short while, say miss me and love me so she 'het gian' easily. What next is the above message asking to pay rent. Again, I reject and she goes off line...

God, this crap is annoying. We may have better shit doing than waste time on this.
These girls only deserve attention for a fling then leave after.

KangTuo

08-02-2009, 01:04 PM

After the incident I dun think HM is your forbidden pub anymore right?! Why not chiong with me there, hihihi

sure, after valentine day week, you jio me, i go. This week planned 1 big event at Aurora KTV with my friends than follow by my VN trip on 14Feb.

I got to be tactical when cheoning at J51 and M51 liao... last friday go J51 for awhile, I was caught by my galfriend's friend and was reported back to vietnam. That night got to sweet talk her on the phone for very long time :(
She got too many spies in sillypore whom either I forget their face or never see before.

Bro, pardon me if i say sth wrong here..... 1 mth rent maybe abt $12*30=$360. If she cant get her extension, u no need to buy an extra ticket for her

When she is here, u can have many "wonderful times" with her, it may worth more than the $$$ spend

Her last 2 trip, I extended for her twice, pay her air ticket twice and much more unseen money and time. I think it is enuff of Kc-ing her. If i need to pay more for her stuff to enjoy wonderful times, I rather spend in VN for my galfriend.

Actually She is one gal who i pay for air ticket and do extention. The rest of the gals whom i KC, I only bring them out for sightseeing, treat time dinner, bring them to beach when they are sad...

Got to move on, there alot more gals out there and very tiring to KC few gals at a time :p. But if she ever offer herself free of charge to me, I will defintely bonk :D

This sentence is always true... there's no FREE meal. I felt that the gal asked just the min from bro KT liao.... If he has feeling for her, why not?

If u are that gal, what do u expect from man sgp?

I ever have free meal before, ever have cheap meal before. If the meal is too expensive, I just dun eat lor...
I just dun like gal asking for $ directly from me.

Feeling for her? Nope.
Feeling only for my galfriend in VN.

retsoor

08-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Need to prepare for the upcoming valentines day...here are some of my favorite pick up lines:

Em xinh nhu con tinh tinh.
You're pretty like a chimpanzee.

Cute girls are so used to people saying things like Em nhin dep gai qua, so I like to say something different and tease them a little.

Here's a more romantic one:

Em oi, minh co gap lan nao chua? Phai roi, anh gap em trong giac mo cua anh.
Hey, have me met before? That's right, I met you in my dream.

At a later stage...this one can work nicely as well:

Em oi, anh mat bup be cua anh, thi em ngu voi anh duoc khong?
I lost my teddy bear, would you sleep with me then?

For gals who understand the concept of heaven, this one could work as well, although I have never tried it:

Luc em rot suon thien dang, em co dau khong?
Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?

So brothers, in the spirit of sharing, what's your favorite line?

jackbl

08-02-2009, 02:20 PM

HCM City named in the world’s top 10 dynamic cities
==========================================

VietNamNet Bridge - The US Magazine Business Week has named 10 cities which will play an important role in helping their countries develop. Of this, Ho Chi Minh City ranked fourth, following Cebu (the Philippines), and Beijing and Shanghai (China).

As the world economic crisis worsens, international corporations and organizations are increasingly moving both their capital and their workforces to not only the most-effective urban destinations, but also ones with a young and skilled population who are willing to work for cheap wages, and who will also provide quality commodities production and services.

Business Week ranked HCMC at the fourth because of its emerging information-technology and product development sectors, its very large reserve of low wage young human resources and high-quality educational establishments.

FPT, IBM and Luxoft Group were listed as outstanding service providers, while HCMC National University and the HCMC Technique Teaching University were honored in the description of HCMC in the magazine.

The fifth to tenth cities listed by Business Week were Krakow (Poland), Kolkata (India), Cairo (Egypt), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Shenzhen (China).

Almost all cities listed by Business Week have the advantage of young and skillful workers, and all are places where English is widely as second language.

VietNamNet/TP

Honey Boon

09-02-2009, 11:47 AM

if can get extension, that will be another 360 plus one way ticket, could be another $100... i am sure, food wise? i see coffeeship selling vietnam food, our prawn noodles, $3, their pho what is like $5 plus here and there, not cheap la. I experienced before.

in this case, spot charter of the vessels is much cheaper than time charter :D

Bro, pardon me if i say sth wrong here..... 1 mth rent maybe abt $12*30=$360. If she cant get her extension, u no need to buy an extra ticket for her ;)

When she is here, u can have many "wonderful times" with her, it may worth more than the $$$ spend :D:p

Honey Boon

09-02-2009, 11:48 AM

a long term meal ticket ...... :eek::D

If u are that gal, what do u expect from man sgp?

asiancigar

09-02-2009, 12:14 PM

Another interesting and must read thread for Viet lovers.....

Cheerz
AC

Hurricane88

09-02-2009, 01:21 PM

‘Cabbies, play fair and spare the nation’s blushes’

When I wanted to go from Tan Son Nhat airport to my home in District 8 last November, a taxi driver asked for VND200,000 (US$11.47).

Cabbies pricing their trips beyond the meter seems to be a phenomenon only in Vietnam. It sullies the atmosphere at the airport, where things are supposed to be clear and bright.

This has been happening in Vietnam for many years and no one knows when it will stop.

Many Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) and foreigners have been astonished with the practice, making them feel they are at a market where they have to bargain.

At international airports in China, Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore, people can choose from among many means of public transport.

In Vietnam, a taxi is their only choice if they don’t want to sit inconveniently on motorbikes.

Maybe that’s the cause of the taxi rip-off.

In other countries, cabbies are rarely picky about long or short journeys.

There is such thing as fair play that many taxi drivers at the Tan Son Nhat Airport seem to lack, giving a bad name to the airport.

As customers, we should insist on metered trips to help improve the airport taxi environment. We should even be ready to accept some discomfort and travel home by other means till the cabbies change their ways.

I’d also like to tell Tan Son Nhat Airport officials and cab drivers that the airport is like the first face of a nation, and whether it’s welcoming or not depends on your attitude and professionalism.

By Doan Xuan Hai

KangTuo

09-02-2009, 01:39 PM

a long term meal ticket ......

Not all gals look for long term meal ticket.
Just kana one who really need money to pay for rent.

Got to know this gal in M51, bring her out sightseeing and dinner for 4 days. Feel that she kana KC liao. Thought will makan her soon, but somehow, her sisters brian-washed her and she wanna stop seeing me. :(

Her sisters called me to ask for money to pay rent but i rejected. Thier perception is 'kg co tien, kg yeu dc'. :mad: BO THAY!!

Now this gal always say 'e sap ve vn roi, e phai kiem tien ve vn, chi cua e kg cho e di choi voi a roi'

Had this arguement/negotiation with them. The sisters ask me to bring this gal to hotel at $100/hr if want to see her.
I agreed and negotiated "$100 di ks 2ti, e phai lam cho a ra 2lan"
but later they rejected. "A nghi $100 anh nhieu qua ha voi toi $100 chi la so nho."
so i eductaed them this "A kg nghi $100 la nhieu. Nhung $100 dc tim gai vn di ks roi. $50, $80 cung co gai muon di. E hieu kg?"

They think their chim made of gold. :mad:

jackbl

10-02-2009, 12:25 AM

Another extension, another 30 days to get back the "interest", hahaha... :D The gal never ask Bro KT for food ma.

if can get extension, that will be another 360 plus one way ticket, could be another $100... i am sure, food wise? i see coffeeship selling vietnam food, our prawn noodles, $3, their pho what is like $5 plus here and there, not cheap la. I experienced before.

in this case, spot charter of the vessels is much cheaper than time charter :D

KangTuo

10-02-2009, 01:26 AM

Another extension, another 30 days to get back the "interest", hahaha... :D The gal never ask Bro KT for food ma.

Never ask does not mean no need....
She expect me to treat her meal as well. :eek:

jackbl

10-02-2009, 01:45 AM

But u normally go pick her to work and thats it right?! OR u just say "My mum got cook at home so not bringing u to eat..." :D

U can easily find alot of excuses ma...

Never ask does not mean no need....
She expect me to treat her meal as well. :eek:

jackbl

10-02-2009, 01:47 AM

U must have tasted alot of chim water so now your tieng viet also not bad liao ha :D

I agreed and negotiated "$100 di ks 2ti, e phai lam cho a ra 2lan"
but later they rejected. "A nghi $100 anh nhieu qua ha voi toi $100 chi la so nho."
so i eductaed them this "A kg nghi $100 la nhieu. Nhung $100 dc tim gai vn di ks roi. $50, $80 cung co gai muon di. E hieu kg?"

They think their chim made of gold. :mad:

KangTuo

10-02-2009, 01:59 AM

U must have tasted alot of chim water so now your tieng viet also not bad liao ha :D

Troi oi, a chi uong nuoc mieng cua con gai, kg uong nuoc chim :p

Honey Boon

10-02-2009, 11:40 AM

haha.... when the food and drinks arrive, you ever see them take out money to pay first? :eek::mad::D

Another extension, another 30 days to get back the "interest", hahaha... :D The gal never ask Bro KT for food ma.

Hurricane88

10-02-2009, 11:46 AM

haha.... when the food and drinks arrive, you ever see them take out money to pay first? :eek:mad:

hahaha...wait long until santa claus come and gone also will not happen la....:)

In HCM, I dun pay but I will always ask my gal to pay all bills on my behalf...:)

Thom07

10-02-2009, 09:02 PM

Her sisters called me to ask for money to pay rent but i rejected. Thier perception is 'kg co tien, kg yeu dc'. :mad: BO THAY!!

Now this gal always say 'e sap ve vn roi, e phai kiem tien ve vn, chi cua e kg cho e di choi voi a roi'

Had this arguement/negotiation with them. The sisters ask me to bring this gal to hotel at $100/hr if want to see her.
I agreed and negotiated "$100 di ks 2ti, e phai lam cho a ra 2lan"
but later they rejected. "A nghi $100 anh nhieu qua ha voi toi $100 chi la so nho."
so i eductaed them this "A kg nghi $100 la nhieu. Nhung $100 dc tim gai vn di ks roi. $50, $80 cung co gai muon di. E hieu kg?"

Buon qua. Only understand <50%. :(

jackbl

11-02-2009, 02:19 AM

Who tell u always stay at home sleep???? got for viet tutorial ma :D

Buon qua. Only understand <50%. :(

dingding75

11-02-2009, 04:02 AM

Hurricane88

11-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Wow this thread is super thanks to bro jackbl recommend me here and some bros here actually can communicate in Vietnamese to each other... Power man!

Any bros here know any website that can pronoun in Vietnamese when u type in English? I got a VN GF for about a year liao and my Vietnamese still very poor, I think I too stupid liao forget thing too fast... cám ơn anh in advance!

You can try this website which is also on jackbl signature...:)

VDict.com - Vietnamese Dictionary and Translation - T? ?i?n và d?ch ti?ng Vi?t (http://www.vdict.com)

technofreak

11-02-2009, 11:13 AM

Her sisters called me to ask for money to pay rent but i rejected. Thier perception is 'kg co tien, kg yeu dc'.

Now this gal always say 'e sap ve vn roi, e phai kiem tien ve vn, chi cua e kg cho e di choi voi a roi'

Had this arguement/negotiation with them. The sisters ask me to bring this gal to hotel at $100/hr if want to see her.
I agreed and negotiated "$100 di ks 2ti, e phai lam cho a ra 2lan"
but later they rejected. "A nghi $100 anh nhieu qua ha voi toi $100 chi la so nho."
so i eductaed them this "A kg nghi $100 la nhieu. Nhung $100 dc tim gai vn di ks roi. $50, $80 cung co gai muon di. E hieu kg?"

They think their chim made of gold.

Hahaha...Their chim really made of gold sia...:rolleyes:

1tram ra 2lan still ok lah...1lan a no-no...:D

So u manage to get the number??

haha.... when the food and drinks arrive, you ever see them take out money to pay first?

Yup ever encountered 2 gals like that...So I let them foot the bill...N bonk them even harder, as they really deserved a good time. ;)

Buon qua. Only understand <50%.

Wah now ur playground shifted to Myanmar?? Calling Burmese gals ha?? :p

Honey Boon

11-02-2009, 11:39 AM

i lagi worse, only understand the figures :confused::confused::confused:

Buon qua. Only understand <50%. :(

asiancigar

11-02-2009, 12:20 PM

Am sure the words and phrases i have learnt so far from this thread will earn me some brownie points and hopefully fresh pussy..... hehehe

Much thanks to all the Brudders who been unselfish and put in so much effort....

Cheerz
AC

ps. i have to learn fast fast..... going to HCMC Feb 17 to 22 and have 2 new SYTs to savor..... kekeke

KangTuo

11-02-2009, 01:22 PM

So u manage to get the number??

No. Anyway the program is cancelled.
Thanks.

Tonite be an aimless soul in JC/GL again :D

jackbl

11-02-2009, 01:49 PM

KangTuo

11-02-2009, 02:57 PM

I also nowhere to go but GL still can... JC is quite a deadtown now :p

If no go HM, i will be 678... but GL42 a bit sian cos the gals will butterfly alot and the gal stay with me 30min per h, i can only get to see her 1.5 hr (8-11pm). If go HM, the gal seldom butterfly. Call me early if u wan meet me tonite (b4 5pm)

last mininute progrm on again. Going club century @ peral center.
Supporting Asst mummy Amy. Also long time no see her boobs liao.
Will post FR. :D

jackbl

11-02-2009, 03:07 PM

Amy nice meh? Boobs big bo?

I passby Century and saw a few viet gals going to work. not bad looking. wish u luck tonite :p

last mininute progrm on again. Going club century @ peral center.
Supporting Asst mummy Amy. Also long time no see her boobs liao.
Will post FR. :D

Tony Stark

11-02-2009, 03:23 PM

i see coffeeshop selling vietnam food, our prawn noodles, $3, their pho what is like $5 plus here and there, not cheap la. I experienced before.

These Viet coffeshops in GL and JC really the KNN. Overcharging just like the Viet girls. :mad:

Anh thich boom boom long time only. :D

jackbl

11-02-2009, 03:57 PM

Its like Phuket of thailand :p

Phu Quoc top destination among local holiday makers
========================================

Phu Quoc Island has been chosen as the best place to visit in the country in a poll conducted by the Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper.

The newspaper reported Sunday that the poll, conducted over five months, also selected favorite enterprises in all economic fields like trading, services, tourism, hotels, restaurants and resorts.

Nearly 8,000 readers and almost 1,000 consumers were interviewed at random for the survey.

The newspaper presented the “Vietnam Favorite Brandname” award to 43 enterprises at a ceremony held at the Gala Royale hall in HCMC’s District 1 Sunday.

Reported by Trung Bao

CuteBuns

11-02-2009, 05:25 PM

These Viet coffeshops in GL and JC really the KNN. Overcharging just like the Viet girls. :mad:

Anh thich boom boom long time only. :D

Its a demand and supply thingy. There's only that fewnumber of viet coffeeshops/eaterys. And they know most viet gals will bring their man/men to the coffeeshop. So who pays, yep, we guys ;)

Same with the viet gals now. With the fewer number nowadays, some of them beginning to think highly of their golden pussy. I even hear quotes of 150-200 for short time now. Add to the fact that there's so many men now, especially at the mask and 678 stretch of road. Go cheong there at 10 plus at nite no table liao.......

CuteBuns

11-02-2009, 05:32 PM

I also nowhere to go but GL still can... JC is quite a deadtown now :p

If no go HM, i will be 678... but GL42 a bit sian cos the gals will butterfly alot and the gal stay with me 30min per h, i can only get to see her 1.5 hr (8-11pm). If go HM, the gal seldom butterfly. Call me early if u wan meet me tonite (b4 5pm)

btw, where is HM? Is it between lorong 11 to 17 of GL ? Thought i saw it recently.....yep...agree, at mask51, my friends and I been gettin gals that butterfly like crazy or finding lame excuse to leave freakin early. One better still, stayed with my friend for 4 mins, then say need to leave for another pub. Ask for $20 somemore.....:mad:

naemlo

11-02-2009, 05:58 PM

I even hear quotes of 150-200 for short time now.

Ask her go let dog f. :D

One better still, stayed with my friend for 4 mins, then say need to leave for another pub. Ask for $20 somemore.....:mad:

This is 1 of the reason y I dun like Mask.... :rolleyes:

SammyHulk

11-02-2009, 07:04 PM

haha.... when the food and drinks arrive, you ever see them take out money to pay first?

Last day b4 she fly back to viet. The previous 9 days, i paid. So still counts rite?:D In hotel, she threw temper, said wanna go back home sleep instead of sleeping in the hotel rm cos i bochap her then, no need mi send her to airport, paid mi back the money i use to book the rm (supposed to be overnite stay but ended up left within 1.5 hrs). So not too bad rite?:p

jackbl

11-02-2009, 09:07 PM

HM is at 15, last time got the Chao Cheng Teo Chew Porridge, now moved away..... If stay 4 min, I will not even give any :mad:

btw, where is HM? Is it between lorong 11 to 17 of GL ? Thought i saw it recently.....yep...agree, at mask51, my friends and I been gettin gals that butterfly like crazy or finding lame excuse to leave freakin early. One better still, stayed with my friend for 4 mins, then say need to leave for another pub. Ask for $20 somemore.....:mad:

jackbl

11-02-2009, 09:14 PM

Dun tell me u take the $$$ she return u for hotel??? Such a cute gal u also bochap her :(

In hotel, she threw temper, said wanna go back home sleep instead of sleeping in the hotel rm cos i bochap her then, no need mi send her to airport, paid mi back the money i use to book the rm (supposed to be overnite stay but ended up left within 1.5 hrs). So not too bad rite?:p

dingding75

12-02-2009, 01:06 AM

You can try this website which is also on jackbl signature...:)

VDict.com - Vietnamese Dictionary and Translation - T? ?i?n và d?ch ti?ng Vi?t (http://www.vdict.com)

VDict.com already tried it only pronoun in English not Vietnamese leh :( any bros here know?

jackbl

12-02-2009, 01:51 AM

U go find something like this : LingvoSoft Suite 2008 English to Vietnamese. Its a software

VDict.com already tried it only pronoun in English not Vietnamese leh :( any bros here know?

jackbl

12-02-2009, 09:20 AM

Now its a good time to visit DaLat.......

Out-of-season flower feast in Da Lat
===================================

Mai anh dao (Prunus Cesacoides), a type of cherry blossom, bloomed late this year during the Tet festival, a source of inspiration for photographers in Da Lat.

Unusual weather has been a blessing in disguise for the Central Highlands’ resort town of Da Lat, where unseasonably cold rains forced the town’s famous cherry blossoms to bloom during Tet (Lunar New Year).

A late blooming of Da Lat’s unique Mai anh dao (Prunus Cesacoides) cherry blossoms – a hybrid of peach and ochna blossoms – made this year’s Tet Lunar New Year celebration all the more special.

Heavy rain and prolonged cold spells brought them out late for the first time this year, horticultural experts said.

Hundreds of soft pink mai anh dao lining Da Lat’s streets and the romantic Xuan Huong Lake in the center of town, both surprised and delighted Tet and after-Tet tourists as the plant usually blossoms only during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Tung and Thuy, a couple from the central city of Da Nang, said they felt lucky to have visited Da Lat at this time.

“It would have been a pity to miss this special event,” Thuy said.

Not only tourists but also local residents have been wandering around Xuan Huong Lake, where the blossoms are most prominent, to catch a glimpse of the phenomena.

Both professional and amateur photographers have been having a field day trying to capture the unusual beauty from every angle and via every means, from high-end SLRs to cell-phone cameras.

Renowned photographer Nguyen Van Phuoc, who goes by the name MPK, said the experience was the first of his life.

“Although the Tet holidays have passed, I still feel the essence of spring all around,” he said.

Though the spring season lasts several months, Vietnamese often refer to the Tet festival and the surrounding atmosphere as springtime.

“I don’t know how many pictures of the flowers I have taken,” said photographer Phan Van Em.

Nguyen Tao, head of the Lam Dong Province Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, said he would ask local businesses to donate funds to build a “cherry blossom park” around Xuan Huong Lake where an annual mai anh dao festival could be held.

“The flowers are a priceless Da Lat asset,” Tao said.

Horticulturalists said they expected the flowers to bloom for another three or four days before they begin to wither.

Reported by Gia Binh - Lam Vien

Hurricane88

12-02-2009, 02:18 PM

These Viet coffeshops in GL and JC really the KNN. Overcharging just like the Viet girls. :mad:

Anh thich boom boom long time only. :D

hahaha...one plate of fries charge SGD5....anything order minimum also SGD5...not surprise they will charge gst or service charge soon...:)

Same with the viet gals now. With the fewer number nowadays, some of them beginning to think highly of their golden pussy. I even hear quotes of 150-200 for short time now. Add to the fact that there's so many men now, especially at the mask and 678 stretch of road. Go cheong there at 10 plus at nite no table liao.......

This means not keen to go with you lah...:)

Honey Boon

12-02-2009, 04:29 PM

any thing they ordered, minimum $5, then not enuf, sometimes ordered some "ham", sometimes... the spring rolls (transparent type), sometimes, see our satay, want to try also..... here and there, you know how much liao.

sometimes better, tell tired of their own vietnam food, want to eat frog leg porridge, then order another plate of vege.... again :mad:

total add up, sometimes can be the total cost of my one week lunch.

These Viet coffeshops in GL and JC really the KNN. Overcharging just like the Viet girls. :mad:

Anh thich boom boom long time only. :D

asiancigar

12-02-2009, 04:36 PM

I totally agree.... just the other night i ordered 2 bowls of pho and a plate of gong gong from that coffee shop opposite Mdm Wongs' and had to pay S$24..... CCB...... where got so much

I think they are just being too much..... or maybe the girls that sit with us get a commission. Whatever it is.... i will never eat there again...... even Mdm Wongs' would not be charging so much....

Cheerz
AC

Honey Boon

12-02-2009, 04:41 PM

last time I kena one girl, also like dat. Checked into hotel and supposed to be overnight, but half way, told me scared to stay, always got "ghost" whenever she stays overnight in hotel... KNN.... then tell me earlier la, I could have just go for short time. Anyway, I suspect she got another last minute booking :mad:

Last day b4 she fly back to viet. The previous 9 days, i paid. So still counts rite?:D In hotel, she threw temper, said wanna go back home sleep instead of sleeping in the hotel rm cos i bochap her then, no need mi send her to airport, paid mi back the money i use to book the rm (supposed to be overnite stay but ended up left within 1.5 hrs). So not too bad rite?:p

asiancigar

12-02-2009, 04:42 PM

Another place NEVER to eat is the Teochew porridge stall opposite Mask51 GL.....

I had 1 bowl of porridge and ordered side dishes of a small fish, chye buay and minced meat......... KNN S$15....... if the food was good i can still accept but the fish was hard and cold... the chai buay was lousy and the minced meat tasted like it was left over from two days ago...... CCB

Avoid this place at all cost please.........

if really hungry.... the Pig Organ Soup next door is okay.....

Cheerz
AC

KangTuo

12-02-2009, 04:51 PM

hahaha...one plate of fries charge SGD5....anything order minimum also SGD5...not surprise they will charge gst or service charge soon..

any thing they ordered, minimum $5, then not enuf, sometimes ordered some "ham", sometimes... the spring rolls (transparent type), sometimes, see our satay, want to try also..... here and there, you know how much liao.

sometimes better, tell tired of their own vietnam food, want to eat frog leg porridge, then order another plate of vege.... again :mad:

total add up, sometimes can be the total cost of my one week lunch.

Think it is better to find viet gal who is a small eater.
I don't eat much also, so usually order 1 plate fried rice, 2 person share.
If the gal order Pho, hu tieu, bun... than bo bian, cannot share. Up to now, I have not order side dishes. :D

Usual spending:$8 - $13 per dinner at coffeeshop with the gals. $24+ if eat at viet resturant.

I ever see a guy treating 2 viet gals dinner at JC coffeeshop. the gals order the food like few days never eat.
Starter: 1 plate goi cuon each
Main dish: 2 bowl of hu tieu/pho each
Dessert: 1 plate of 'gong gong' each
Drinks: 1 can drink, 1 coconut each

The poor guy just drink 1 bottle of beer....never eat.

SammyHulk

12-02-2009, 08:50 PM

Think it is better to find viet gal who is a small eater.

Oh, the gal i encountered really a small eater...1 meal per day?:eek: Tats y i dun have to spend much on meals everytime we went out cos she either siad not hungry or we share.;)

last time I kena one girl, also like dat. Checked into hotel and supposed to be overnight, but half way, told me scared to stay, always got "ghost" whenever she stays overnight in hotel... KNN.... then tell me earlier la, I could have just go for short time. Anyway, I suspect she got another last minute booking :mad:

Mine was different, juz tat we had sum agruments and i gave 'cold war' which she fd meaningless and wanna left hotel n go back home.

Dun tell me u take the $$$ she return u for hotel??? Such a cute gal u also bochap her

I oni fd out the next day.....go hm go sleep straight away lor....Overall she really a nice gal but nothing will cum out of tis r/s. Might as well let her go b4 things start to turn messy.;)

dingding75

13-02-2009, 12:04 AM

U go find something like this : LingvoSoft Suite 2008 English to Vietnamese. Its a software

Thanks bro I will go search for this software :)

jackbl

13-02-2009, 01:10 AM

I agreed too!!! I will either go Lor 41 coffee shop to eat ZHU CHAO or the Pig Organ soup, hot and nice, the KONG BA is delicious ;)

Another place NEVER to eat is the Teochew porridge stall opposite Mask51 GL.....

Avoid this place at all cost please.........

if really hungry.... the Pig Organ Soup next door is okay.....

Cheerz
AC

jackbl

13-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Special gifts for Valentines
============================

With one day to go before Valentine’s Day the city is becoming excited with anticpation. More and more products and entertainment than ever before are being launched in city.

New Valentine range

Ms. Yen from the gift shop Hanah, said, “Several new gifts have been launched in the market for this Valentine for customers of all different age ranges. The most favorite items are chocolates, snow balls, heart pillows, accessories and jewelry. The items range from VND45,000 to VND300,000.”

Some shopkeepers at the Ho Thi Ky Flower Market also expect red roses to sell from VND5,000 to VND7,000.

The entertainment industry is ready for the lovers’ day

Many advertisements about upcoming Valentine events have already been posted. In particular, Close Up will hold a special night for 500 couples, ‘Da tiec tinh nhan’ (‘Banquet for lovers’), at Phan Dinh Phung Club, district 1 February 13. It will hold another event a day later at Hoa Binh Theatre, district 10, and will debut the love song concert, ‘Hat cho yeu thuong’ (‘Sing for the love’), by Anh Tuyet and the ATB band.

On the same night, the Lan Anh Music club, district 10, will revive ABBA music with a performance by the Australian ABBA tribute band, FABBA.

Dam Sen Park will also has hold various activities for couples, like ‘Gom tinh yeu’ (‘Terracotta of love’) and ‘Giai ma tinh yeu’ (‘Decode love password’) with the participation of various comedians like My Chi, Kim Ngoc, and Kieu Linh. There will also be a music show, ‘Valentine nong nan’ (‘Passionate Valentine’), by several of the city’s most popular singers, such as Nguyen Phi Hung, Ly Hai, Wanbi Tuan Anh, Nhat Tinh Anh, and Khong Tu Quynh.

The Sai Gon Cruise, through Binh Quoi Tourist Village, is preparing a romantic dinner, 'Da tiec Valentine' ('Valentine Banquet'), with violins and a scrumptious European and Asian buffet.

The theatres are busy, too. The HCMC Theatre Company will present the new comedy ‘Nhung cau chuyen tinh tuc cuoi 2’ (Funny love stories 2) with a discount of 50 percent for ladies and a lucky draw.

The 5B Theatre, district 3, will not only add one more session for its drama ‘Neu nhu yeu’ (‘If falling in love’) but revive the drama ‘Song thu’ (‘Try living as a family’).

The Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) theatre chose ‘Dua voi bong’ (‘Playing with the shadow’) as their main play for Valentine’s day.

The 'Meritorious Artiste' Hong Van keeps her three play program unchanged with ‘Ky nghe lay Tay’ (Skills to marry foreigners’), ‘Chuyen chung cu’ (Tenement’s story’) and ‘Tien oi lay tien’ (‘Oh money, money’) on her two stages Phu Nhuan at Phu Nhuan district and Kim Chau at district 1 during the Valentine season. The plays are sold out.

The ‘cai luong’ artistes cannot stay at home on Valentines day since most of them will participate in the series ‘Nhung doi tinh nhan tren san khau cai luong’ (‘Couples on cai luong stage’) which consist of various extracts from popular cai luong plays, like ‘Luong Son Ba – Chuc Anh Dai’, ‘Ben cau det lua’ (‘Weave silk on the bridge’) and ‘Giac mong dem xuan’ (‘Spring dreams’).

Currently cinemas are carrying out several promotions for their programs. The new movies are ‘Chuyen tinh xa xu’ (‘Untitled love story’), described as a romantic comedy set in modern day Saigon, Orange County in the US and 'The curious case of Benjamin Button' which tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

Megastar Cinema at CT Plaza, Tan Binh District, will offer 30 percent off and a free ball-point pen for any purchase of 2 tickets or more. The promotion continues until Valentine’s Day. In addition, the cinema will also have a free photo shoot for couples from 3pm to 9pm on Valentine’s Day.

Meanwhile, the two Galaxy cinemas in district 3 will offer 300 coupons for meals at Barbecue Garden for the first 300 guests over February 13-14.

Saigon Media will give free cake and ice-cream for any tickets for the movie ‘Dep den tung centimet’ (‘The beauty in every centimeter’) at Thang Long cinema, district 3.

Book lovers will also have some gift options as new books have been promoted. The publisher ‘Tre’ (‘Young’) will present a book collection, ‘Loi muon noi’ (‘The secret words need to be said’), with the slogan ‘something sensational for Valentine.’

Moreover, the publisher will publish the Vietnamese-translated, most-wanted novel ‘Sac, Gioi’ (Lust, caution), written by Chinese writer Eileen Chang. The book is the love story of a young student and former actress named Wang Chia-chih, acting as a spy, and the traitor Yee in Shanghai during the World War II.

Related article:
Market abuzz with Valentine’s Day offerings

By Staff Writers – Translated by Truong Son

Honey Boon

13-02-2009, 11:25 AM

I like to go Hong Kong Kia to eat the "smelly" taohu .... :D

I agreed too!!! I will either go Lor 41 coffee shop to eat ZHU CHAO or the Pig Organ soup, hot and nice, the KONG BA is delicious ;)

Hurricane88

13-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Nowadays only eat Vn food in HCM...cheap and good...:)

Dun want to pay exhorbitant price here....:mad:

jackbl

13-02-2009, 01:59 PM

Lidat which doctor want to work there????? :mad:

Ward clinics suffer as young doctors stay away
=======================================

A monthly income of US$143 at most plus few opportunities to gain experience, deter fresh medical graduates from working at ward-level public health clinics in Ho Chi Minh City.

An astonishing 65 of Ho Chi Minh City’s 322 ward health clinics were without any doctors at the end of 2008 and the others are struggling to keep the doctors they do have.

Nguyen Van Chau, director of the HCMC Department of Health, blames the “unreasonable” remuneration chiefly but adds that there are other reasons too.

Dr. Phan Thanh Phuoc, director of District 2’s Center for Preventive Medicine, says a fresh graduate working at a ward clinic gets a base monthly salary of VND1.26 million (US$72.44), and extras can bring this to VND2.5 million ($143.39).

“This is inadequate given the amount of work, especially during an outbreak,” Phuoc added.

One doctor who used to work in a ward clinic said, on condition of anonymity, that what concerned the graduates who were sent there was the lack of opportunities to gain practical knowledge.

These clinics only provide initial consultations and treatment as well as first aid, and they deliver babies if no complications are expected, so the doctors have little chance of coming into contact with more challenging conditions like in a major hospital.

A health worker who is trying to get into HCMC’s Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University is working at a ward clinic to learn more about medicine but will not return once she gets a diploma. “Everyone loves their job and the patients, but we cannot live on the pay and the working conditions are not good enough,” she said.

Nine of District 2’s 11 ward clinics have no doctors, Dr Phuoc says, and adds that doctors have to be sent to the clinics twice a month to perform health check-ups and vaccinate children.

The district’s Thanh My Loi Ward Health Station has no doctor either even though it is involved in national health programs, and so can only offer basic medical services, said Tran Thi Tuyet Mai, who runs the clinic.

Cat Lai Ward Health Station is stuck too as it sees 20 to 30 patients every month but no doctor is available, the clinic’s nurse Mai said.

In the past two years several young doctors were posted to Cat Lai yet every one of them quit after one month or even a couple of days, Mai said.

District 2 needs 14 doctors, including nine for its ward clinics. But, “even medical students who did their internship in the district don’t want to work at the clinics despite our every effort to convince and encourage them,” Phuoc said.

Many of the city’s 24 districts are in the same boat. District 11, for example, does not have doctors at 11 of its 16 ward clinics.

Dang Van Ty, who runs Ward 1 Health Station in District 11, has worked there for more than 24 years and has seen many doctors quit their jobs after a short spell.

Without doctors, the community’s health suffers and the public hospitals become even more crowded, Ty said.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Su, director of District 5’s Center for Preventive Medicine, said that staffing the local clinics was a long-standing problem and a real headache. Often the only answer is to employ retired doctors or bring in medicos from the provinces to man the clinics.

He pointed out that Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University was required to train community doctors, but very few graduates would agree to work at the ward clinics or, if they did, would only stay a short time before quitting.

To attract and keep doctors requires policy changes, Phuoc said. For example, by making it mandatory for new medical graduates to work at the clinics for two years.

“If we do not change the way things are run, they will keep going for the private hospitals and clinics, which pay more and have better working conditions all round,” he said.

Director Chau of the health department wants the Ministry of Health to let Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University train would-be doctors selected by the district authorities, who would subsidize training.

Source: Tuoi Tre

richie4

13-02-2009, 03:36 PM

fool80

14-02-2009, 01:23 AM

can someone help me to translate "Way. tai sao kg hieu.tai sao biet nhan tin vietnam. doc sao wa" Thanks in million

jackbl

14-02-2009, 04:13 PM

U may wan to try using the dict to translate:

Viet Dictionary:
http://www.informatik.uni-leipzig.de...ict/index.html

VDict.com - Vietnamese Dictionary and Translation - T? ?i?n và d?ch ti?ng Vi?t (http://vdict.com/)

can someone help me to translate "Way. tai sao kg hieu.tai sao biet nhan tin vietnam. doc sao wa" Thanks in million

jackbl

14-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Gold shoots well past VND19 mln
===========================
Gold soared to VND19.26 million per tael (37.5grams) in Ho Chi Minh City on February 12, VND300,000 up from a day earlier.

At the SJC Ha Noi, the metal gained VND320,000 to close at VND19.3 million.

At Bao Tin-Minh Chau Jewelry Company and the Vietnam Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development, the rates were similar.

In Ha Noi, people heavily sold the precious metal, which has risen from around VND18 million just a few weeks ago.

A Bao Tin-Minh Chau outlet on Tran Nhan Tong Street had to stop buying gold Thursday afternoon because of the crush.

A spokesperson said the company traded nearly 1,000 taels Thursday, with buying accounting for 99 percent. Of the remaining 1 percent it sold, most was in the form of jewelry, he said.

Gold dealers said gold prices have spurted on the world market to around US$937 per ounce (31.1 grams), VND500,000-600,000 per tael higher than in Viet Nam.

But despite the skyrocketing prices, dealers said there is not a big difference between buying and selling volumes. Many sold, but many others bought hoping for higher prices, they added.

Some analysts warned, however, that investors should not follow the crowd to trade gold because the prices are likely to remain highly volatile.

By Mai Thi, Nguyen Quan – Translated by Hoang Yen

lhhuy1

14-02-2009, 05:57 PM

Hi Bros,

Can help me to translate this,like very long msg..;)
Don't understand what it mean..
Is it good or bad ?

thank you

Lam nguoi sao mau thay doi qua e kg ngo la a doi xu ac voi e nhu vay .chung ta la con nguoi biet rung dong biet the nao la yeu the nao la dau kho .the nao la nuoc mat va ton trong tinh yeu cao dep thieng lieng .con a thi kg nhu vay .e nhan thay su thay doi o a qua nhieu. Khi moi yeu a lo lang e nhieu con bay gio thi khac bay gio e nhan ra a kg ton trong tinh yeu.thi lam sao a hieu tinh yeu la gi.khi trai tim a da thay doi.tinh thuong a danh cho e qua hoan hao.tha a noi voi e 2 tieng chia tay khi trai tim a kg con hinh bong e.e se sang sang chap nhan.cho du dau kho e cung phai chap nhan a la nguoi dau tien lam e dau kho va roi nhieu nuoc mat.a cha dap len tam chan tinh ma e danh cho a nhung e van luon cau chuc a song vui voi niem vui a dang co .

a oi nhieu luc e hua voi long minh la se quen a kg bao gio de a khi de e nua .nhung e lam kg duoc.noi nho a cu song mai trong e bong dem ve nhung nhung ngay hanh phuc ay da qua roi.a da quen het roi.va e da giet minh bang chinh tinh yeu e danh cho a trong tam trang dau don nghen loi nhu the nay .nuoc mat e cu tuon khien bo moi man dang.e se khoc 1lan nay nua thoi de roi sau do chon chat tinh yeu e danh cho a vao tan sau day long minh. se de no di vao di vang.ve se kg khoc de lam gi boi vi a kg dang de e roi nhieu nuoc mat.ma e chi khoc cho nhung ai biet nang niu quy trong.a chi xem tinh yeu la tro choi dem ra dua gion.a xem e nhu khach qua duong cua 1 chuyen du hanh cua a ma thoi.nhung loi quan tam cham soc gan gui do la su gia tao cua a ma thoi.

As human we change quickly. I wouldn't have suspected you to treat me cruelly like that. We are human that know to feel shocked, know what love is, know what suffering is, what teardrop is and respect for love that is very beautiful and sacred. You have changed. The care you have for me was much perfect. Better you have said to me two words, "break up", when your heart no longer have me. I will be ready to accept it. Despite the suffering I will accept you as my first whom caused me suffering and shed many tear drops. You have trampled on my sincere heartfelt feeling I have saved for you, but I will always wish you live with the happiness you have now.

Baby, a lot of times I promised myself I would forget you, never let you despise me again. But I can't do it. Feeling of missing you keeps on existing and reminds me of days of happiness that past by. You have forgotten all already. And I have killed myself by love I have saved for you in a circumstance of hurt like this. Tear drops keep on flowing that cause my lips salty. I will cry one more time now so later I can bury my love I have saved for you deep down in my heart - let it disappears in the past. And I won't cry because you don't deserve to cause me shed a lot tears. I will cry for whoever that knows care and appreciation. You only treat love like a game for playing. You treated me like a guest across the road (one night stand) during your trip only. Every word of care and intimacy are all fake and conjured up by you.

You bad boy, heart breaker you! I feel pain for the women back home. :mad:

jackbl

15-02-2009, 04:18 AM

If the gal put in effort in writing all her feelings for u in such a long letter/msg, I believed her part of story. U really make a gal sad :mad:

jackbl

15-02-2009, 10:27 AM

Business opportunities ....

Shoppers buying Valentine’s gifts increases
======================================

The number of customers flocking to stores nationwide to buy fresh flowers, cuddly toys, jewelry and chocolates as gifts for their Valentines increased sharply yesterday.

At the flower store Fresh Flower World on Tran Quang Dieu Street, District 3, the number of customers buying or ordering flowers via the store’s website is reported to have increased threefold compared with the previous year.

According to the store’s general director, Nguyen Thi Thuy Vu, many men were ready to spend millions of dong on special baskets of fresh flowers as gifts to their wives or lovers. She pointed out that by 5pm yesterday, the number of orders worth over VND1 million ($57) made up over 30 percent of their total turnover.

The price of fresh flowers, especially roses skyrocketed. At many flower shops, large Velvet roses were sold for VND30,000 each. A rose made of dyed cabbagehead leaves was even sold for VND100,000 ($6).

At the nationwide supermarkets of Big C, Co.op Mart and Vinatex, customers also bought chocolates specially designed for Valentine’ Day. Some smellies, like shampoos and shower cream, costing between VND40,000 and 50,000, sold like hot cakes. Customers were also buying cuddly toys with words like ‘kiss’ or ‘I love you’ on them.

Duong Thi Quynh Trang, communications director for Big C, accredited the sharp increase of shoppers at their supermarkets, compared with the same period last year, was due to the supermarket’s sales promotion, which offered 20 percent off on confectionary and cuddly toys.

Between 5pm and 10m, the chain stores of Phu Nhuan Jewelry in Ho Chi Minh City were crowded with customers.

Huynh Van Tan, communications director, revealed that the company sold more than 10,000 products during the day. Most were silver rings and necklaces, ranging from VND150,000 and 200,000.

In Hanoi, the price of fresh flowers also witnessed a hike yesterday afternoon. A bouquet of roses sold for between VND100,000 and 150,000 at small flower shops. At florists, the price for a bouquet of roses ranged from VND200,000 to 1 million.

At a store selling French cakes on Phan Dinh Phung Street, three kinds of cakes costing between VND40,000, VND130,000 and VND150,000 were on display, but the most expensive and delicious cakes sold out quickly. Many late shoppers could not hide their disappointment, as they had no choice but to buy the lower priced cakes, and of course lower quality.

In Hue, capital city of Thua Thien, during the afternoon, many makeshift stands selling mainly Da Lat roses began to spring up in front of the gates at the universities of Science, Education and Medicine. Individual roses sold for VND5,000 to 7,000.

Many customers also visited souvenir shops and bookstores on Hung Vuong and Tran Hung Dao Streets to pick up gifts for their partners.

Many young people were said to be going crazy, buying chocolate bars costing between VND5,000 and 10,000 while others chose cuddly bears or postcards.

By staff writers – Translated by Phuong Lan

jackbl

15-02-2009, 10:37 AM

A Vietnam Valentine
=====================

VietNamNet Bridge - Students and celebrities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City enjoy Valentine’s Day with gifts, trips, flowers and cards.

A well-coiffured young woman finesses her way through the crowd at a street-side shop where Valentine’s Day cards are practically flying off the shelves. She quickly snatches a card with a detachable heart.

“I’ve been looking for the right card for two days,” says Hanoi University student Nguyen Thu Ha after paying over VND100,000 (US$6) for the card. “I want to give my boyfriend a unique and meaningful gift for Valentine’s Day.”

Ha is one of many young people in Vietnam putting their hearts into Valentine’s Day.

A relatively recent western import, the international day of romance here looks similar to celebrations around the world as couples exchange roses, bouquets, boxes of Belgian chocolates and even drippy Hallmark greeting cards.

“Young people now have much wider access to information, particularly from the Internet,” says 45-year-old Hoang Lan Phuong, a teacher at a Hanoi secondary school. “They understand more about western culture and they’ve been changed by it.”

Phuong’s daughter Le Thuy Van says: “In my parents’ generation, people didn’t know about Valentine’s Day. They missed out.”

The 20-year-old is baking a chocolate cake for her boyfriend on the special day.

“I really hope he’ll like it!” she says excitedly.

St. Valentine’s Day Mass-accrue

But if young lovers who express their feelings in the right way win big on Valentine’s Day, flower shops and other merchants also come out on top.

Most shops are packed full of young people splurging for the holiday.

“Valentine’s Day is the most significant day for a couple,” says young shopper Nguyen Ngoc Ha. “The most important thing to do is get an interesting gift, no matter how much money you have to pay,” she says, adding that she had just spent $20 on a heart-shaped box of Belgian chocolates.

Every Valentine’s Day, vendors cash in on this willingness to spend by doubling and tripling their normal prices.

“Wholesale prices for roses tripled several days before Valentine’s Day, so we’ve also increased our prices,” says Nguyen Lan Anh, owner of the Hong Lan Anh flower shop in Hanoi. “The price hikes hit buyers and sellers at every shop, not just ours, so we’re still crowded.”

"We’re doing very well," says Le Quang Anh, owner of a Ho Chi Minh City souvenir shop chock full of Valentine’s Day stock. He says young people, mostly students, are paying $3 or more per card, equivalent to the average daily salary in Vietnam.

Heart smart

Though the global economic recession and high prices might have cast a small cloud over the holiday for some, eager celebrators without cash are finding ways around spending big bucks to show their love.

“Purchasing power is weaker than last year’s,” says Tam, owner of a card shop on Nguyen Du Street in HCMC. “Sales are down 50 percent and expensive and imported cards are only available at upscale bookstores.”

John Adams, an American English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City, said his Vietnamese wife wouldn’t let him buy her anything for Valentine’s Day.

“She’s worked up about the financial crisis and got angry that I spent so much on flowers last year,” he said.

“She says everything’s too expensive around Valentine’s Day, so she doesn’t want me to buy anything.”

And as John is working tonight and has a wedding to attend tomorrow, he says a romantic dinner is out of the question. “I’ll just have to write a love letter,” he says.

Van, an architecture student, says a handmade card was the best way to express one’s love anyway.

“Instead of buying something, I’m giving my girlfriend a big handmade card containing photos telling the story of our relationship. It’s like a movie in slow motion about our love,” he says.

“E-cards are another good idea, and cheap,” he says.

Celebrity love

While some of the country’s top celebrities say they’re looking for a private day or romantic night outside the glare of the spotlight, some jetsetters are eager to celebrate in big ways.

The winner of Vietnam’s Best Female Model 2008, Vu Thu Phuong, says she often receives enough Valentine’s Day roses to fill her whole house – but she’s got something bigger in mind this year.

“I have huge Valentine’s plans this year, but they’re a secret. Maybe I’ll celebrate abroad, with a surprising and satisfying gift for my sweetheart, who knows?” says Phuong.

Pop star My Le is celebrating her Valentine’s Day with a live concert, "My Le in Symphony.”

Singer Thu Minh is spending her Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend in America.

Model, singer and songwriter Nathan Lee says he enjoys Valentine’s Day, though he can’t spend it with his girlfriend this year as she’s working in America.

“I’m really busy right now, but I still go out with my friends. Though I can’t go out with my lover, to us, everyday is Valentine’s Day. So we have no worries.”

Vietnam’s Best Male Model 2008 Binh Minh is enjoying an old-fashioned and simple lover’s day with his wife Anh Tho.

“I’m taking her to a quiet and romantic restaurant to enjoy some time alone. Then we’ll go see Chuyen tinh xa xu (Passport to Love),” says Minh.

VietNamNet/TN

jackbl

16-02-2009, 12:25 AM

Not just monkeying around in Can Gio
===================================

The mud-packed coastlines of Can Gio do not compare to the sandy beaches of Phu Quoc, Mui Ne or Nha Trang, but the mangroves, monkeys and crocodiles make a trip here well worthwhile.

Since becoming Vietnam’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000, Ho Chi Minh City’s Can Gio District has become a popular getaway destination for local city-dwellers.

With a diversified 33,000 hectare ecosystem boasting more than 200 species of fauna and at least 50 species of flora, Can Gio – technically an island made by rivers – fits the biosphere mold to a T.

On the way

Driving to Can Gio by motorbike is one of the most pleasant parts of the trip. The main cable through Can Gio, and the only way to reach its tourist attractions, is a single-lane country road that gives way to the untouched swamps and lush mangrove forests the island is known for. Surrounded by rich greenery on both sides, you cross several small bridges where you can catch nice vistas of rivers heading toward the coast before they empty into the sea.

The beauty is incredible, particularly given the fact that much of the forests were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Don’t miss out on trying some of the roadside vendors’ delicious and refreshing brown water coconuts.

After passing several villages, the road ends at Can Gio Beach, where you can see the point at Vung Tau to the northeast on a clear day. While the muddy shores are not ideal for swimming – the water is very shallow – it’s an ideal spot for picnicking and indeed this is what most local tourists do. Grab a seat, order some clams, shrimp and crab for lunch, and relax after the journey by rewarding yourself with some beer or local rice wine.

Other local picnickers are likely to invite you to eat and drink at their tables.

Ecology and animal life

Can Gio’s mangrove forests now account for 75 percent of the island’s total area and its saline waters are home to hundred of species of crustaceans, frogs and insects, which make a balanced diet for the area’s thousands of famous long-tailed monkeys, Can Gio’s biggest tourist attraction.

At Lam Vien Can Gio (Can Gio Park) visitors can feed and even play with the monkeys in a questionably-safe tourist activity.

The omnivorous monkeys also regularly eat mangrove buds, leaves and fruits.

The “Monkey Island” at Lam Vien Can Gio is part of the Can Gio Ecotourism Park run by Saigontourist. The wild monkeys here are very familiar with tourists, so much that they might snatch food from your pocket or even a camera from around your neck.

Also on Monkey Island is the thrilling Saltwater Crocodile Sanctuary, home to some 80 saltwater crocodiles. The officially endangered reptile is no longer found in the wild around Can Gio. While cages protect the crocs from the threatening outside environment, it’s really the travelers that find this encounter frightening as the wooden planks used to walk above the crocodile pit don’t feel all that sturdy.

Vam Sat Park near Lam Vien also has a crocodile farm where things can get particularly exciting at feeding time when chunks of meat are thrown at the beasts and a feeding frenzy ensues. While experts here can teach travelers about the reptiles’ living and hunting habits, the farm also offers the nebulous tourism activity of “Crocodile fishing.” Vam Sat also offers crab fishing and boat trips to Dam Doi (Bat Marsh) where hundreds of fruit bats can be seen.

Another of Can Gio’s big attractions is bird watching as thousands of birds nest here every summer. Travelers can watch the birds in action at the Vam Sat Bird Sanctuary where they mate, breed, brood and tend their chicks.

Some 130 species of birds can be found in Can Gio, of which water birds account for over 39 percent.

Tourism and the environment

After the war, Can Gio went entirely undeveloped until 1998 when district authorities launched a campaign with Phu Tho Tourism and Services to transform the island into an ecotourism site and create new jobs for locals while raising public awareness about the importance of preserving the world’s biosphere reserve.

Tourism has since boosted employment in the area – which has often proved susceptible to water shortages, floods and storms – but environmentalists have said that Can Gio’s natural areas lack protection and conservation mechanisms and are poorly managed. They worry that tourism projects here aren’t sustainable and might do more harm than good in the long run.

Some say that anyone could have predicted that a flow of tourists to the island might create some environmental issues, and indeed several foreign travelers there have complained.

“The Monkey Island is an interesting place to visit, however, I think it’s time we started with educating people and introducing fines for feeding the monkeys with human food. Monkeys are smart and they learn that if they get fed they know how to make people feed them for more,” said Jack, an Australian tourist from Sydney.

Susanne from England said littering on Can Gio’s beaches really turned her off.

“I wish people could realize how valuable Can Gio and its biodiversity are,” she said.

Given the history of Can Gio, its global importance as recognized by UNESCO, and it’s miraculous resurrection from a war-torn badlands, one can only hope that the island, one of the southern Vietnamese coast’s only two mangrove forests, can sustain Vietnam’s rise to modernity and that the authorities will help it fend off the ill-effects of “development” as we know it.

GETTING THERE:

From downtown Ho Chi Minh City, taking the Khanh Hoi Bridge south from District 1 to District 4 puts you on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, which heads straight to the Tan Thuan Bridge into District 7. After the bridge, veer left to Huynh Tan Phat Street, which leads south into Nha Be District. After traveling through Nha Be for less than an hour, there is both a boat and a bridge at the end of the district that can take you to Binh Khanh in Can Gio District. The Binh Khanh Ferry closes at 7 p.m. Once off the ferry or the bridge, simply go straight and follow the main road through Can Gio.

Reported by Thuy Tien – Mai The

deptrai4u

16-02-2009, 10:08 AM

If the gal put in effort in writing all her feelings for u in such a long letter/msg, I believed her part of story. U really make a gal sad :mad:

Lets just not jump into conclusion so fast. I think the girl will not write such a letter if she knows that the guy does not read Tieng Viet. So this letter must be to someone else that got intercepted by our dear samster bro here and asked us to translate this love letter that he found hidden somewhere.

Hurricane88

16-02-2009, 01:58 PM

KangTuo

16-02-2009, 10:34 PM

Lets just not jump into conclusion so fast. I think the girl will not write such a letter if she knows that the guy does not read Tieng Viet. So this letter must be to someone else that got intercepted by our dear samster bro here and asked us to translate this love letter that he found hidden somewhere.

i tot it is some phrase from some songs :p

i also got a long sentence in Tieng Viet send to me via yahoo chat

e goi tang a do KT cua em

Lặng nhìn anh quay lưng bước đi bụi bay vào mắt chứ em đâu khóc đâu. Lần cuối chẳng muốn níu kéo trái tim người quay về. Nhìn đi anh ơi trời xa, từng cách chim nghiêng nghiêng cuối con đường. Ở nơi đó còn có 1 người mong anh. Lặng nhìn anh quay lưng bước đi bụi bay vào mắt chứ em đâu khóc đâu. Dù em đây yêu anh mãi đến từng tế bào. Bụi kia sao bay vào mắt làm khoé mi rưng rưng đến nghẹn ngào. Thì anh hôm nay và tình yêu của anh cũng là bụi trong mắt em thôi.

Em phải ước bao nhiêu câu và em phải nếm bao nhiêu đau. Để mím môi đón ánh mắt anh lời chia tay. Mà anh nào có lỗi, lỗi do em ko giữ được người, vẫy tay chào anh đường anh đi vắng em rồI

till now never interpret what it measn yet...

Honey Boon

17-02-2009, 12:57 PM

bro, I have seen longer than this many times la.... for them to write or talk like that, pieace of cake, they got study in their school before :D

copy and paste from some where la :p

If the gal put in effort in writing all her feelings for u in such a long letter/msg, I believed her part of story. U really make a gal sad :mad:

Hurricane88

17-02-2009, 01:07 PM

bro, I have seen longer than this many times la.... for them to write or talk like that, pieace of cake, they got study in their school before :D

copy and paste from some where la :p

If any gal bother to write so long meant something liao...only the characters in the picture will know what exactly how they feel...:)

jackbl

18-02-2009, 02:27 AM

Some Vietnamese youth have an attitude problem
============================================

They will not give up seats for the elderly and pregnant women on buses. They will not volunteer to keep the streets clean.

Tolerance, sacrifice and caring for the community are ranked at the bottom of their values.

Meet the youth of today.

Psychologist Huynh Ngoc Son made these discoveries in a survey of 873 college students in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Thi Oanh, a community development researcher, said at a conference on students’ attitudes towards ethics and morality on Wednesday that some students these days had “too big an ego. They place their interests above the community’s,” she said.

Nguyen Thi Tu, a psychologist from the HCMC University of Education, said loose relationships between parents and children today is one of the causes.

Many adults have become bad examples for children, she added.

Late psychologist To Thi Anh once remembered that about eight students gave up their seats to her on the bus when she was in the Czech Republic.

Oanh, more than 70 years old, remarked eight schoolgirls once ignored her on a bus in Vietnam.

What is most disheartening is the finding that most students showed no desire to change themselves.

So it is up to the adults, the parents to take the initiative.

By My Quyen

rjrj

18-02-2009, 01:08 PM

If any gal bother to write so long meant something liao...only the characters in the picture will know what exactly how they feel...:)

even if i were the character, i wouldnt trust it and might think she's better at acting than others..

jackbl

19-02-2009, 12:07 AM

A lesson on history....unfortunate its on chinese...

中越沉默度过边界战争30周年 (2009-02-18）

● 于泽远北京
昨天是中越战争30周年纪念日，中越官方都没有举行纪念活动。但官方的沉默并没有抚平那场血腥战争带给两国民众的伤痛和记忆。

　　中国外交部发言人姜瑜昨天在记者会上回答相关问题时，只用一句“中越之间有过一段不愉快的历史”轻轻带过。她强调，中越已经建立全面战略合作伙伴关系，两国领导人和两国人民都就开辟中越关系的美好未来达成广泛共识。

越南政府删除

网上反华言论

　　另据英国广播公司（BBC）报道，越南也在一种不寻常的平静中度过和中国边界战争30周年纪念。越南政府对媒体关于30年前那场战争的报道进行严格控制，一些出现在互联网上的反华言论遭到删除。

　　但30年前的那场战争造成双方10多万人伤亡，多个城镇被毁，中越之间亲密无间的“同志加兄弟”关系不复存在。直到今天，进入越南境内作战的中国军队的伤亡数字仍有多个版本。

　　对两国民众、尤其是战争的参加者和伤亡者的亲属来说，那场战争从根本上改变了他们对越南或中国的看法，曾经共同抗法抗美的战友变成面目可憎的敌人。

　　谈到对越南的看法，河南信阳市的王先生一连用了几个负面词汇表达他对这个国家的不屑。王先生的哥哥在3 0年前的战争中阵亡，虽然受到官方大力褒扬，但王先生和家人至今也忘不了哥哥的牺牲带来的悲恸，并一直认为那场战争起因于越南的“忘恩负义”。

　　在越南胡志明市的战争博物馆，本报记者询问一名年轻的导游：“越南如果有另一场战争，会与谁打？”这名导游很快回答说：“中国！”。

BBC引述前越南驻北京外交官杨铭怡说：“中越两国间有一个很深的创伤，只有两国人民致力于真诚地医治才能愈合。我们不想谈论那场战争是为了中越两国共同的利益，不是因为我们越南人害怕提及或是已经忘掉了那场战争。”
　　中共1949年建国后，一直大力援助胡志明领导的越南共产党进行抗法抗美战争。到1978年，中国对越南的援助总值达200亿美元（按当时国际市场价格计算），其中无偿援助占93.3%，另有4000多名中国军人在抗美援越战争伤亡。

　　1976年中共领袖毛泽东去世后，邓小平等中国领导人决定实施改革开放，开始与美国等西方国家改善关系，中越关系迅速恶化，越南完全倒向中国的对手苏联，驱赶华侨，并出兵占领了柬埔寨。

1979年2月17日，中国出动20万军队分别从广西、云南攻入越南北部边境，先后占领老街、高平、凉山、同登等越南北部重要城市，直逼越南首都河内。3月5日，中国政府宣布从越南撤军，3月16日，中国军队全部撤回国境线。

　　中越双方都宣称取得了战争的胜利。越南宣称中国军队伤亡6万多人，中国对外报道说伤亡4000人，内部统计则是牺牲6954人，受伤1万4800多人。

　　中越战争后，双方在边界的冲突一直持续了10年。1991年，中越关系开始正常化。1999年中越签署了边界条约。

　　中越战争加快了中国向西方靠拢的步伐。北京大学国际关系学院教授朱锋认为，中越战争使中国领导人真正意识到，在纷繁复杂的国际关系中意识形态不是一个靠得住的标准，最重要的是自己要强大，需要广交包括西方国家在内的朋友。从这个意义上说，这场战争更加坚定了邓小平推进改革开放的决心。

jackbl

19-02-2009, 12:57 AM

We got this at Orchid country club too..... :D

War games
==============

A new way to spend a day in the Mekong Delta doesn’t involve floating markets or a coconut candy factory.

The Paintball Club offers customers a chance to shoot and “kill” without all the bloodshed and tears.

The 70 x 30 meter battlefield, Vietnam’s first paintball venue, opened last month in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Players hide behind logs, empty gasoline barrels and tires while shooting each other in games of Capture the Flag.

Each team of between seven and 10 players has a flag that they place on their side of the battlefield.

The goal is to swipe the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to your own side without getting shot.

If you do get hit by a paintball, you’re “dead” or out. A referee keeps an eye on the game to make sure those who are hit step outside the field.

Paintball Club provides players with aluminum alloy paintball guns, paintballs, protective clothes and a mask.

Balls cost VND950 (5 cents) each and players can buy as many as they want.

Each round of combat lasts 30 minutes. Tickets cost VND30,000 (US$1.8) for one round, VND40,000 ($2.4) for two rounds or VND45,000 ($2.6) for three rounds.

There is also a firing range where shooters are only charged for balls.

To play, customers must be over 16 and register with the club by presenting photo I.D.

The Paintball Club is located at Military Zone 9 Stadium, 91A Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, An Thoi Ward, Can Tho City.

Reported by Diem Thu

jackbl

19-02-2009, 08:54 AM

Jetstar offers 50,000 cheap airline tickets
=====================================

From 6 am February 18, Jetstar Pacific Airline (JPA) offered 50,000 air tickets from as little as VND250,000 ($14) a ticket on its domestic flights.

A flight of Jetstar Pacific Airline
The promotion will run from 6 am February 18 and will finish midnight February 22, 2009.

The big promotion is in response to the government’s stimulation program.

The 50,000 tickets are for flights between March 3 and May 25, JPA said.

The price of ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang and Hue to Hanoi starts from VND250,000 a ticket. Ho Chi Minh City to Hano, Hai Phong and Vinh, and Hanoi to Can Tho is from VND500,000 a ticket.

Jetstar is Vietnam’s first low-cost carrier and offers both domestic and international flights.

By M.Hanh – Translated by Thanh Huong

Honey Boon

19-02-2009, 01:26 PM

didn't know Jetstar is from vietnam... all the while, I tot is a singapore based airline. :confused:

Hurricane88

19-02-2009, 02:47 PM

didn't know Jetstar is from vietnam... all the while, I tot is a singapore based airline. :confused:

Jetstar asia is base in singapore owned by Australia group. Jetstar bought Vn Pacific Airlines and renamed Jetstar Pacific airlines.

jackbl

20-02-2009, 08:53 AM

Sgp govt clever, knows how to earn more $$$, ppl go online gambling, govt cant tax them, so they legalise gambling so they can tax tax tax.... and control easier

Online casinos thrive in no-gambling state
==================================

Underground gambling has gone wireless to evade Vietnam’s strict anti-gaming laws.

At a Ho Chi Minh City café near the airport, a gambler who asked to be known only as T. points to a man concentrating on his laptop.

“He’s gambling now,” says T.

“He sold his luxury car and several motorbikes to pay debts he piled up after only three months of online gambling.”

The story is a common one.

With wifi technology allowing any gambler with a laptop to place bets any time or place, online racketeers appear to be one step ahead of Vietnam’s anti-gambling laws.

T. says he knows jewelry traders, property dealers, artists and wives of wealthy tycoons who all gamble online.

After opening an account at an Internet gambling website, players have to pay a deposit, says T.

Collectors come directly to customers’ doors to collect cash and distribute winnings.

T. says some privileged regular customers can play on credit, also warning that agency collectors don’t hesitate to swipe property if bills don’t get paid.

A recent report said the most popular online casino was operated by King’s Crown Casino in Cambodia, located near the border of southern Vietnam’s Tay Ninh Province.

New gamers have to ask influential gamblers in the city to introduce them over the phone to the manager of the online casino in Cambodia, who will ask employees in HCMC to collect a deposit of no less than US$500 to open an account, said the report.

The article cited a source as saying the casino had two shareholders in HCMC that managed accounts and employees in the southern hub and nearby provinces.

The story said the casino collected up to hundreds of thousands of US dollars per day from gamblers in districts 1, 5 and 10.

One gambler cited in the report said his friend lost nearly $10,000 to King’s Crown.

A police officer from the HCMC Police Department said a number of gamblers had reported being cheated.

Several gamblers said they had won big in their first games before they started losing even bigger.

Some reported that money would mysteriously vanish from their accounts and a few even said their accounts hadn’t ever been opened after paying the deposit.

Investigation

An official from the Ministry of Public Security said an investigation into online gambling rings in Vietnam would be launched.

He said the organizers of online gambling could face criminal charges.

A HCMC police officer said no Internet gambling organization had been caught in Vietnam as the medium was relatively new.

Truong Xuan Tam, deputy chairman of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province Bar Association, said gamblers could also face criminal charges if VND1 million ($57) or more was involved in the case.

An offense involving less than VND1 million would warrant a fine, he said.

He also said that while owners of the online gambling services might be abroad, locals on their payroll could face criminal charges if caught facilitating gambling in Vietnam.

Source: Tuoi Tre

jackbl

20-02-2009, 10:29 AM

Festive Da Nang: A must-see destination in March
=========================================

The south central coast port city of Da Nang is going to celebrate with a variety of festivals and events, the highlights are the international firework competition 2009 and the Bodhisattva festival in March.

The first event is Bodhisattva festival, which will last for 3 days from March 11 to 13.

On the opening day, the festival will include several activities at various venues, including a camp opening ceremony, traditional sports activities, inauguration of the calligraphy and tea exhibition, and a poet and music forum at Bodhisattva Temple.

There will also a competition to create ‘Non Nuoc,’ Vietnamese stone work art, at the western gate of the Marble Mountains, plus traditional music at Thuy Son Mountain.

The biggest event on the day is the debut of the painting ‘Da Nang – Thanh pho moi truong’ (Da Nang – Environmental city’) followed by the official inauguration of the whole festival

The two following days will continue with a variety of cultural activities, such as a traditional boat race and night festival complete with flower garlands and colored lanterns on Co Co River, a Vegetarian food contest, Dharma classes and a human chess competition at the Temple.

Another choice is to watch the show by Nguyen Hien Dinh Theatre, whose major is performing ‘tuong’. During the show, the guests will be able to enjoy some dances like ‘Trinh Tuong’, ‘Peacock’, and ‘ApSaRa’, a classical mix of the song ‘Viet Nam Que huong toi’ (‘Vietnam, my homeland’), an extract from the play ‘Manh Luong ra hang’ (‘Manh Luong get out of his cave’) and a performance combining music and dance, ‘Sac bua’.

The schedule is yet to be finalized but the organizers promised to offer much in March.

From March 23 to March 26, various activities will be carried out in welcoming the 2009 international fireworks competition over March 27-28.

The ‘Non Nuoc’ stones art arrangement exhibition on Bach Dang Street on March 23 will open the series of activities.

Two days later, the Ba Na Hills will inaugurate the first phase of its new cable car system. The system, which allows visitors to depart from the foot of Ba Na hills to arrive at Vong Nguyet Top, will participate in two world records: the world’s longest one-rope cable car system at 5,042.62 meters and as the world highest cable car at 1,291.81 meters above sea level.

On the cable car, visitors will see ‘Toc Tien’ (‘Fairy hair’) waterfall, Linh Ung temple, and also ‘dao chuong’ (‘En klanthus quinque fiorus lour’) flowers, a species special to Ba Na Hills.

On the same day, the Hai Chau Village Festival will be inaugurated at the village’s Communal House and remain open until March 27.

One day later, the fine arts exhibition will be opened over March 26-31 at the Old People’s Fine Art Club, while another exhibition presenting antique Champa terracotta will be inaugurated at the Champa Museum and remain open until April 5.

Other activities are the Food Festival, ‘Da vu thanh nien’ (‘Youth’s Banquet’) show to present music, classical dances and modern dances and a performance by an Indian group.

During the firework competition, the Han River will not only see the sparkling sky of various fireworks by China, Australia, Spain, Philippines and Vietnam but also will enjoy some cultural activities like the ‘flower boat’ parade and flower garlands and coloured lanterns.

Indochina Airlines promised to offer the lowest fare rate at VND1 million ($57) for a return ticket from Ha Noi/Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang. The promotion price is only available for tour packages during the festival.

By Truong Son

jackbl

21-02-2009, 12:36 AM

Culture, cuisine and craft festival kicks off in southern metro
=============================================

The fifth annual Ngay hoi que toi (My village’s festival) opens today at Van Thanh Theme Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh District.

A variety of specialty foods will be on offer from around the country and visitors are invited to peruse handmade crafts at market-style stalls. Traditional music will be performed throughout the cultural festival, including regional folk songs of ethnic groups from the central region.

Organized by the Saigontourist Holding Company, the three-day event also gives visitors the chance to learn how to make bamboo baskets, mats, leaf hats, pottery, brocade, rice paper, and even a variety of Vietnamese cocktails.

A special children’s area lets kids make their own toys from clay, banana-tree parts, coconuts and bamboo leaves.

The festival runs February 20-22 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Tickets can be purchased at the park entrance and cost VND140,000 (US$8) for adults and VND100,000 ($6) for children.

Reported by Ha Dinh Nguyen

jackbl

21-02-2009, 11:40 AM

The waterfalls of Dong Nai
========================

Barely an hour from Ho Chi Minh City by car, Dong Nai Province to the east is an ideal place for day-trippers who like waterfalls and the peaceful, stress-relieving scenery around them.

Dong Nai’s waterfalls are easy to reach as they are mostly located close to National Highway 20, the main road from HCMC to Da Lat in the Highlands.

One of the most popular waterfalls, and the closest, is Giang Dien some 50 kilometers from downtown HCMC via National Highway 1.

Here you can swim in the stream, lie on the grassy hillocks, enjoy the wildflowers and even spend the night camping.

Hiring a tent that can fit four adults costs a mere VND100,000 (less than US$6).

If you like hot springs, then Mai Waterfall near the confluence of the Dong Nai and La Nga rivers is the place to go.

Mai is located in a timber plantation in Tan Phu District and boasts pretty scenery and Da Ban Hot Springs, where you can soak your legs to unwind and boil eggs to eat.

The farthest away from HCMC are Ba Giot and Thuong waterfalls. They are about four kilometers apart but can be reached by the same route in Dinh Quan and Tan Phu districts.

Visiting both in one day is easily within the stamina of the average tourist.

The stream at Ba Giot Waterfall flows in rapids and pours over the edge in three falls, which are best viewed from upstream if you want to capture the full grandeur and beauty.

Thuong Waterfall, on the other hand, is milder and set amid green and gentle scenery. The cool stream swirls quietly past big rocks under evergreen trees and is excellent for soaking in and mucking about.

Pedal-boating on the quieter reaches of the water, as well as camping, are available at all these waterfalls.

The jungle of Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai boasts a few falls in more rugged settings and should be on the itinerary of every cascade lover. The park’s best-known waterfalls are Da Dung, Troi, and Mo Vet.

Each of the waterfalls in Dong Nai is special in its own way, and all are memorable.

Reported by Diem Thu

Thom07

21-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Who tell u always stay at home sleep???? got for viet tutorial ma

Now I think I must be a pig in my previous life. Got 1 month never step into M51 or that area already, I think. ;)

Wah now ur playground shifted to Myanmar?? Calling Burmese gals ha?? :p

Shhh. Secret. :p Know anyone who can help? :D

KangTuo

21-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Now I think I must be a pig in my previous life. Got 1 month never step into M51 or that area already, I think. ;)

So for 1 month you must be at penisular plaza area ... alot of Myanmar stuff. :D:p

jackbl

22-02-2009, 11:04 AM

City health department worried about bottled water quality
=============================================

The Ho Chi Minh City Health Department has expressed concern over the hygiene and safety of bottled water being sold by several small producers.

The department has called for more vigorous inspections of such producers and their facilities after recent tests showed groundwater contamination in some of the areas from which companies with small investments were sourcing their water.

Le Truong Giang, deputy director of the department, said its Food Safety and Hygiene Bureau will cooperate with district authorities this month to take samples at the bottling facilities. The department will release information about test results as well as action to be taken against offenders by March 15.

The department has identified more than 300 bottled water brands in the market, with several new brands, mostly of small-sized producers, sprouting over the past five years.

One producer who did not want to be identified said bottled water “is very easy to make.”

A production line would cost up to VND70 million (US$4,000) and underground water and tap water was virtually free.

Recent tests done by the city’s Preventive Health Center and Clean Water and Rural Environment Sanitation Center showed that underground water in areas being exploited for bottled drinking water had been severely contaminated.

More than half of the 107 water samples taken in six outlying districts – 9, Thu Duc, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Nha Be and Cu Chi – were found to contain the E.coli and coliform bacteria, indicating feces contamination of the water.

Most small producers dig wells to get the water and use a purifying process that uses coal, gravel and ultraviolet rays. It costs them a few hundred dong to produce a liter of bottled water.

The market price of a 20-liter bottle is between VND12,000 and VND22,000 ($0.69-1.26) but these producers sell it to wholesalers for just VND10,000 ($0.57) at most.

“Ethical producers cannot compete with that price,” said Nguyen Van Nam, deputy general director of Dai Phat Company which produces the Dapha brand of bottled water using the reverse osmosis (RO) filtration process.

To install RO equipment costs around VND1 billion ($57,400), Nam says. This is an investment most small producers cannot afford.

Nguyen Xuan Mai, vice chairman of the HCMC Institute of Public Health and Sanitation, said some small producers use an over-intensive filtering system that lowers the water’s mineral contents to unhealthy levels.

In November 2007, director of the OBM Environmental Technology Company Le Quoc Hung had said the quality of Vietnam’s bottled water was much lower than European tap water.

The amount of iron and manganese allowed in Vietnam’s bottled water is 0.5 milligrams per liter while European countries allow only 0.3 milligrams of iron and 0.1 milligram of manganese, he’d noted.

“Our standards can lead a bottle of water to change its color and produce moss at the bottom,” Hung said then, adding that water with a high concentration of manganese can damage children’s health.

“An individual can use a simple filter to separate sand from water and still achieve our standard,” he claimed.

The city’s Preventive Health Center found that in tests done between last April and October of 36 ice making plants and 77 bottled water producers, less than 40 percent met safety and hygiene standards.

More than 24 percent of the 351 producers tested by the centers in 24 districts in the same period also failed to meet the required standards.

Giang said the Health Department will carry out a general inspection of ice factories and bottled water plants across the city early next month.

The department’s food safety and hygiene officials are ranking these establishments based on the size of their operations.

The ranking and reports from the preventive health centers will assist the inspection process, he said.

But according to Giang, the reports’ figures don’t mean that the city’s ice factories and bottled water are of bad quality or that bottled water producers will be shut down.

The standards include many criteria and any producer who doesn’t meet one of them such as having a rusted container or one employee without a medical check up will be announced “not to meet safety and hygiene standards,” he said.

According to Giang, the upcoming inspections could spot the real violators of drinking water quality, who will be suspended. He added that the inspection was not an unexpected process, but one that had been prepared for a long time.

The Lao Dong newspaper has reported that several small producers of bottled water have been submitting the product of major companies as their own samples to be tested by the authorities.

Source: TN, Agencies

jackbl

22-02-2009, 04:41 PM

Temperatures soar early in southern Vietnam
=====================================

This year’s first hot spell in the south has come early, pushing the mercury up to 36.5 degrees Celsius in Ho Chi Minh City Saturday.

Temperatures in other southeastern areas also topped 36 degrees Celsius, with a high of 36.9 recorded in Dong Nai Province’s Long Khanh Town on Friday, said Le Thi Xuan Lan, deputy head of the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center’s Forecasting Department.

Lan said a cold front had pushed the hot low pressure from the northern region to the south, causing the early advent of hot weather.

The cold front has now weakened and moved to southeast China, so temperatures in HCMC and other southeastern provinces will remain about 36-37 degrees Celsius for the next few days, Lan said.

She said Mekong Delta temperatures will hover around 32-34 degrees Celsius.

She expected the current hot spell to be chased away by the end of next week by a cold front from the north.

However, subsequent hot spells in March will get hotter, reaching 38 degrees Celsius in HCMC, around 39 degrees Celsius in southeastern areas and 36-37 degrees Celsius for the Mekong Delta.

This year’s dry season will peak in March and April with at least two hot spells each month, Lan said.

Unseasonal rains and short chills will come between hot spells during this year’s dry season, making the weather less harsh temporarily, she added.

Heavy rains are likely to hit some areas like HCMC, Binh Phuoc Province, Dong Nai Province and Mekong Delta’s coastal provinces from tomorrow to February 26, Lan said.

Lan also said the La Niña phenomenon will be of average intensity this year, causing rains, tempests, thunder and whirlwinds in southeastern areas as well as the coastal provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

Reported by Mai Vong

Thom07

22-02-2009, 05:31 PM

So for 1 month you must be at penisular plaza area ... alot of Myanmar stuff. :D:p

Shhhh... :o Supposed to be a secret, you know. :D

jackbl

23-02-2009, 02:05 AM

The game room
========================

A Ho Chi Minh City café is as popular for its board games as it is for its ice-cream pizza.

Not even the most amazing new video games can beat the feeling of spending a day or an evening laughing around a game board with a group of friends.

And you can do just that at Ho Chi Minh City’s Rich House, a café, where a wide range of board games including Monopoly, I’m the Boss, and Life are available for customers to play.

Players socialize and compete everyday, racking their brains for the next move and struggling to come up with a team strategy against a formidable opponent.

“My friends and I just discovered this place and we’re addicted,” said Tuan, a local student.

“Risk is one of my favorite games here. It’s an engrossing experience. I’m a bit sharper playing against my friends in person than I am over the Internet on a computer game.”

Card games like Hali Gali, Uno and Qwick are also available.

Designed and decorated by young artists from the HCMC University of Fine Arts, Rich House is attracting a large number of youngsters in the city. Several volunteer groups and online communities hold their meetings here.

On special occasions like Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Women’s Day, Rich House offers gifts and holds game competitions with prizes for customers.

The café also has an appealing menu with unique specialties like the chocolate hot-pot and the ice-cream pizza, ranging from VND15,000 (US$0.85) to above VND50,000 ($2.84). Spend more than VND100,000 ($6.5) and receive a discount.

Rich House is located at 370 Cao Thang Street, District 10, HCMC.

Reported by Kim

Hurricane88

23-02-2009, 01:50 PM

Temperatures soar early in southern Vietnam
=====================================

Reported by Mai Vong

HCM weather was hot and humid recently...unpleasant to go out between 12pm to 3pm....:)

casannova03

23-02-2009, 02:38 PM

As human we change quickly. I wouldn't have suspected you to treat me cruelly like that. We are human that know to feel shocked, know what love is, know what suffering is, what teardrop is and respect for love that is very beautiful and sacred. You have changed. The care you have for me was much perfect. Better you have said to me two words, "break up", when your heart no longer have me. I will be ready to accept it. Despite the suffering I will accept you as my first whom caused me suffering and shed many tear drops. You have trampled on my sincere heartfelt feeling I have saved for you, but I will always wish you live with the happiness you have now.

Baby, a lot of times I promised myself I would forget you, never let you despise me again. But I can't do it. Feeling of missing you keeps on existing and reminds me of days of happiness that past by. You have forgotten all already. And I have killed myself by love I have saved for you in a circumstance of hurt like this. Tear drops keep on flowing that cause my lips salty. I will cry one more time now so later I can bury my love I have saved for you deep down in my heart - let it disappears in the past. And I won't cry because you don't deserve to cause me shed a lot tears. I will cry for whoever that knows care and appreciation. You only treat love like a game for playing. You treated me like a guest across the road (one night stand) during your trip only. Every word of care and intimacy are all fake and conjured up by you.

You bad boy, heart breaker you! I feel pain for the women back home. :mad:

So long never come in and see this....sigh!! to think i've always tried to say things from a woman's point of view...Now someone just posted his partner's scolding of him......See?? You think girls play the KC game with us and deserve anything untoward for their role? And we men deserve to always be sympathised and the victim??

Its just that there are'nt many cheated gals who can post their FRs here andhave thus contributed to a highly skewed and unbalanced view in here!!:rolleyes:

look what we have here!! Bro richie!!
Dun play with a women's feeling...no matter where or when you've met her! Getting into a Vietnamese gals heart is not easy and if you've done so, you must have said or done something to melt her heart....but you've failed to keep your side of a promise...if you must break up, do it like a man!!!... While we dun know what you've done, you seemed to have chosen the "run away" attitude after you've got what you want from her!!

Well,bro richie..... an advice from Casannova03....

"Do not do to others what you do not want other to do to you"

The world is a funnily small place....you'll never know when or where or how, your mis-deeds will come back to haunt you eventually....

I know because I used not to believe in these "bullshits"....until I tasted the bitterness of my own medicine!

There is such a thing called KARMA! whether you like it or not....

Peace!:cool:

jackbl

25-02-2009, 02:12 AM

The owner of the Standard Vietnamese Group
=================================

Many foreigners in Vietnam are familiar with the Standard Vietnamese Group which provides standard Vietnamese language classes to the foreign community in the city.

The owner of the company, Hoang Kieu Hoa, is also a student in her third year at university.

The idea to form the company came when Hoa taught Vietnamese to two foreigners in exchange for help in improving her English.

The Standard Vietnamese Group was founded in July, 2007 in Room 212, Building C, of the Hanoi National University.

The Standard Vietnamese Group now has 10 teachers, most of them are also students at Hanoi National University, and all of them must have International English Language Testing System scores from 7 upwards.

“From the very beginning of the company, we learned that we needed to build prestige and the trust with foreigners. The first thing to remember is to always be punctual,” said Hoa, aged 21.

The teachers at the company also have to learn about the history and cultures of the different areas of Vietnam in order to teach this to their learners.

Moreover, students at the company also go on field-trips to cultural significant places throughout Vietnam to learn more about the country.

Most of the students at the company are members of Non-Governmental Organisations, project researchers, foreign embassy staff or tourists. The majority of them come from Europe, Australia and the US.

Standard Vietnamese Group has become well know with foreigners in Hanoi, because many former students have introduced the company to their friends on the Lonely Planet’s website.

Source: Tien Phong

Translated by Ngoc Hung

jackbl

25-02-2009, 09:28 AM

Tasting typical dishes around the country in Dalat
=========================================

VietNamNet Bridge – Dalat, the city surrounded by mist and pine trees, is home for immigrants from the Central areas, such as Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, as well as from the North. Perhaps that's why tourists can see and taste many typical dishes from different regions in this small city.

Early one morning, strolling among the low hills and wandering through sinuous alleys, I found a small restaurant with the simple name: Banh da cua (drypancake with crab). Hot steam vaporized from the crab soup and pieces of tomato and soya-cake were on a plate of banana flower, rau muong (water spinach), chilly, lemon and fish sauce; the hot bowl of bank da cua seemed to dispel the cold weather of the city.

Banh can (also called banh khot) - a southern specialty of small, fried rice flour pancakes is also a favorite in Dalat. Cooked in small clay dishes over a low-heat coal pot, the rice cake is flavorless until it is added to diluted fish sauce, stir-fried with green onions, and tiny pieces of deep-fried pork fat bits. Then it gives your taste buds some excitement. Pick two cakes and dip them into a bowl of sauce, pile some green onions and fried fat atop the cakes and the cold weather of the misty land disappears to make room for tasty favors and new experience.

This dish is popular in South Central coastal provinces such as Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa. Locals often enjoy this dish with fish sauce in mix of garlic and chilies.

When wandering under the shade of pine trees tourists should stop for a hot banh trang nuong mo hanh (grilled girdle cake with onion oil). On the blazing cooking-fire, a thin griddle cake is grilled with onion oil and a layer of eggs or beef. Tourists also called it the "Pizza of Dalat".

"Visit Dalat at least once to discover splendid landscapes of waterfalls, hills and rivers; to contemplate the architecture of ancient houses and pagodas; and to experience the typical dishes of different regions.

VietNamNet/SGT

jackbl

25-02-2009, 01:58 PM

Discovering Vietnamese culture and culinary
================================

VietNamNet Bridge – In addition to pilgrimages and adventure tours, discovering culture through culinary festivals can be an interesting experience for travelers. The “My homeland festival”, an annual culinary and culture festival organized by Saigontourist Holding Company, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Binh Quoi Tourism Village, is an opportunity for tourists to learn about the significant features of Vietnamese cuisine.

This is the fourth time the festival has been held, and this year the focus on typical cultural activities and Vietnamese cuisine is stronger than ever. The festival will take place in Van Thanh Tourism Park, featuring traditional Vietnamese markets, folk games and folk music areas and culinary areas from each region.

At the event more than 100 outstanding dishes from the North, the South and center of Vietnam were introduced, including many traditional dishes from Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, to name a few.

Moreover, visitors to the park can enjoy more than 30 Vietnamese wines at Viet Wine House area, and see wine and cocktail making and bartending performances.

The art show is another attraction at the event. Artistic troupes from provinces around the country performed, including the five tones (of the traditional musical scale) band of Khmer people in Soc Trang Province, a performance on bamboo instruments from Buon Don District of Dak Lak Province, Cam dance and Paranung music from Ninh Thuan Province and a gongs troupe from Gia Lai upland province. There were also folk music performances, such as hat cheo, hat tuong (classical drama), Hue music and the South’s traditional music.

The atmosphere were colorful and animated, depicting the daily life of Vietnamese people in every region; for example there was a real market with street vendors wearing traditional costumes and calling out to attract passers-by. Visitors saw how toys are made from natural materials, such as paper boats and toys made from water coconut leaves and clay, and should not miss the folk games of the many regions. On display in the trade village area were examples of Vietnamese crafts such as basket weaving, ceramics, conical hats, brocade weaving, wine making and rice noodles, especially banh trang (griddle cake) Trang Bang and com dep (green rice) Tra Vinh.

The festival ran from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. last weekend, from Friday to Sunday, at Van Thanh Tourism Park. Tickets are priced at VND140,000 per adult and VND100,000 per child.

Van Thanh Tourism Park is located at 48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh District, HCMC. Tel: (08) 3512 3026.

VietNamNet/SGT

jackbl

26-02-2009, 09:07 AM

Singaporean school leaves Vietnamese students high and dry
==============================================
A visit by Thanh Nien on Sunday found the Britannia School building in Singapore has been leased by another tenant. The school closed without notice leaving two Vietnamese sisters thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Two Vietnamese students who paid nearly US$19,000 for a six-month course in Singapore may have lost their money after the school closed and the principal disappeared after only a month of study.

Sisters Dang Thuy Chi and Dang Thuy Linh from Ho Chi Minh City said the Britannia School of Education in Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar still owes them SGD9,425 ($6,176) each.

Singapore’s Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) has ordered school Director Zuliana Ibrahim to refund the girls SGD$9,425 each by February 16 for Chi and March 2 for Linh.

The pair had paid a total of more than SGD28,000 ($18,348) for the six-month English course they had signed up for last August.

They had only attended the course for about a month when they were shocked to find the school gates closed after they returned on January 5 from a two-week holiday.

The school, located at International Plaza, posted a notice that it would resume operation on February 2. But it is still closed.

Chi and Linh said they asked a friend in Singapore, Phuong, to help them get their money. They said Phuong met with Ibrahim to ask for the tuition fees to be refunded.

Ibrahim allegedly said she would return the money by the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (January 26) but instead of paying, she cut off her mobile phone service as well as the school phone and had her name removed from the Accounting and Corporate Regularity Singapore website.

It was not the first time the sisters had asked for a refund as they had tried to cancel their enrolment last October. At the time, Ibraham had also agreed to return their money but didn’t make good, the sisters said.

Court decision ignored

Desperate for their refund, Linh and Chi went to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) who advised them to make a claim through the SCT.

A judgment was passed in Ibrahim’s absence ordering her to refund the full amount.

Linh has returned to Vietnam but Chi is still in Singapore waiting for their money.

An SCT staff member Monday told Thanh Nien the sisters could petition the bailiff’s office, which would enforce the court’s decision.

Phuong said two students from China and the Philippines were also asking for a total refund of SGD5,329 ($3,492) while another 16 students, mostly from Indonesia, have returned home without incurring major losses as they were paying for the course per class.

One of many

It has been a year since a spate of unannounced school closures in Singapore, like the one at Britannia School of Education, put a thorn in Singapore's bid to become a hub for private schools. The Southeast Asian island had planned for 150,000 foreign students to be enrolled by 2015, the Singapore’s Straits Time newspaper reported Monday.

Froebel School of Education, which lost its license to operate in October 2007, was the last private school at the center of controversy following complaints by both students and staff, the newspaper reported.

The newspaper said several other private schools had shut down suddenly in recent years amid complaints about poorly qualified teachers, unsatisfactory teaching materials and programs.

Since July 2006, up to 32 private Singaporean schools have had their certification of quality revoked by CASE Trust for Education, closed or ejected from the organization, which was launched by CASE for Private Education Organizations.

Reported by Thuc Minh

jackbl

27-02-2009, 09:50 AM

Peace and quiet
=================
Tranquility is the name of the game where the swamp meets the sea at Khai Long Beach.

On the tip of the Ca Mau Cape, one of mainland Vietnam’s southernmost points, the twisted, curvy coastline of Khai Long is said to resemble a flying dragon’s tail.

Though the beach might not be as conventionally stunning as Nha Trang or Phan Thiet, it’s the wildness of the area that attracts travelers.

The untouched beach at the end of a swampy jungle is peaceful and soothing, the way a beach should be.

There’s no better place to enjoy a lunch of fresh clams, shrimp and crab than on Khai Long. When the afternoon breeze blows gently and the sea calms quietly, stillness and silence fall over the beach like a warm blanket.

The soft waves make Khai Long a good spot for swimming, with Khoai Islet lingering in the distance off shore.

Fishermen can be seen between the two pieces of land, casting their nets and hauling their catches onto old, brightly colored boats.

Khai Long’s three-kilometer beach extends to almost link with Khoai Islet during low tide. At times, the water is so shallow you can walk nearly all the way there.

Given the beach’s location the cape, the panoramic views of both east and west make this a rare spot where visitors can catch both the sunrise and the sunset.

The areas surrounding Khai Long, more than six hours from Ho Chi Minh City by car, are rich with lush fruit orchards lining the roads, so don’t hesitate to try homegrown local specialties. The adventurous can even reach the beach by boat.

The area’s Fish and Crab Festivals, which take place in April and August respectively, are also unique treats.

For those looking to stay the night at Khai Long, the Ly Thanh Long Tourist Resort has guest houses, camping options, its own beach, a restaurant, entertainment, trekking tours and an aquacultural farm.

Reported by Diem Thu

jackbl

28-02-2009, 11:24 AM

I tried the coffee before ....... :(

HCMC airport serves up pricey, mediocre food
==================================

Passengers complain that food prices are three or four times the normal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

A cup of coffee at the domestic terminal at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport leaves frequent flier Baul dissatisfied.

The Vietnamese-French expatriate’s complaint is mainly with the VND28,000 (US$1.60) price tag.

“The actual price should have been only VND15,000 including tax,” Baul feels.

And it is not just coffee that is heavily priced, he adds.

“A bottle of mineral water, sold at around VND5,000 at other places, costs VND20,000 ($1.15). A loaf of bread, averaging some VND20,000 elsewhere, is VND60,000.”

Baul, who is in and out of the city about ten times a month, says he feels ripped off each time.

He cannot fly on an empty stomach and has to put up with the prices, Baul says. Passengers have to walk pretty far away from the airport to get food at other restaurants.

“I cannot understand on what basis they have fixed the price so high,” Baul fumes.

Nguyen Van Cuong, who was being seen off to Japan Friday, said the price of a loaf of bread at the airport was even higher than in Japan.

“A loaf of bread is equivalent to about VND25,000 to VND30,000 in Japan, while a cup of coffee is about the equivalent of VND15,000,” Cuong claimed.

And a major difference between Japanese airports and Tan Son Nhat is the wide choice offered by food courts in the former.

It is true that very few restaurants are allowed to operate inside the airport terminal, leaving passengers with little choice, Thanh Nien found.

Quality so-so

Many passengers Friday told Thanh Nien they would accept the high prices to some extent if the food quality was good enough.

But there is much room for improvement in this regard, they added.

N.T.B., a bank employee, said he could not tolerate that a bowl of instant noodles was sold at VND35,000 last time he traveled through the airport. But he had no choice but to eat at the only food court available after he checked in.

Vo Do Thang, director of a network security center, agreed with B, saying he has been suffering the poor quality of food every time he flew from HCMC to Hanoi.

Many passengers felt that in the context of an increasing number of no-frills carriers offering cheap journeys to lure customers, exorbitant prices at international airports like Tan Son Nhat would rub people the wrong way.

No authorities could be reached for comment Friday.

The complaints about food prices at the airport comes close on the heels of reports that airport cabbies were fleecing visitors by charging them unmetered fees.

A crackdown that followed the reports saw the operations of a taxi-operator suspended, and several others warned to desist from violating regulations.

Reported by Nguyen Dinh Muoi – Quang Thuan

Hurricane88

28-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Good news for potential buyers...

Home prices dip alongside interest cuts, cheap materials

A broker (2nd, L) at real estate company Dat Xanh points out locations to potential buyers
Interest rate cuts and cheaper construction material costs have pushed down housing prices in Ho Chi Minh City, said a senior executive at a property company.

Some developers have reduced apartment prices by 40-50 percent from last year as construction material prices have fallen to a three-year low, said Luong Tri Thin, general director of property firm Dat Xanh.

He also said builders could now borrow easier from banks, enabling them to complete projects at lower initial costs.

Efforts to stimulate the economy have seen the central bank slash the key rate from 8.5 percent to 7 percent, allowing commercial banks to charge interest on dong loans up to 50 percent above the benchmark rate, which is now only 10.5 percent a year.

Dat Xanh plans to offer 224 apartments in the SunView Apartment building in HCMC’s Thu Duc District at the price of US$764 per square meter, a drop of more than $500 a square meter from last year.

According to the HCMC-based firm, 60 percent of its customers wanted to pay no more than VND1 billion ($57,200) for a full apartment while only 10 percent were in the market for apartments at $1,500 per square meter or more.

Property firm Vinh Tuong has begun selling apartments in Block 3 of the Tan Tao Building in Binh Tan District at some VND9 million ($515) per square meter. Each 70-120 square meter apartment has two bedrooms.

Apartments in Nam Long Company’s Ehome Building in District 9, which is under construction and scheduled to open by September, are on sale for VND11.5-14.5 million ($671-847) per square meter.

Apartments larger than 50 square meters at the 17-storey Sunshine Building under construction in Thu Duc District are expected to be sold for only VND500-VND600 million ($29,197-35,036).

HAGL Land cut prices for its new Hoang Anh River View apartments in District 2 by 40 percent to US$1,350 per square meter last week.

It has also lowered prices at another project in Nha Be District to $1,250 from $1,800 per square meter.

Le Hung, director of HAGL Land, said the price cuts would “revolutionize” the HCMC property market in line with government efforts to stimulate the economy.

In Hanoi, medium and low-income apartments are selling for a whopping VND25 million per square meter, said Le Xuan Truong at property firm B.D.S Co.

Thin told Thanh Nien that property firms didn’t expect profits this year to look anything like they did in 2007, when prices and sales went through the roof.

But 2009 is set to beat dreary 2008.

“Their earning growth target is 20- 30 percent this year,” said Thin.

In another boon to the local property market, several banks have recently begun offering loans for house and apartment purchases.

Western Bank is lending a maximum of VND1 billion to potential homebuyers at interest rates of between 10.5-13.2 percent a year for the first three months.

Tien Phong Bank is offering 15-year mortgages worth 70 percent of the house value at 10 percent interest.

Vietnam Export-Import Commercial Joint Stock Bank, or Eximbank, Asia Commercial Bank and Sacombank are also offering housing loans.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff

jackbl

01-03-2009, 10:52 AM

Also the reason why after tet, many congais come back sgp to work ?? :D

Supermarkets slash prices
=========================

Due to the sharp decline of consumer cash after Tet, supermarkets in the city are competing against each other to attract customers into their stores.

Supermarkets offer large discounts

Hundreds of commodites sold offered special discounts at Big C supermarkets
The General Director of Saigon Co.op Mart said that the chain is offering a 10 percent discount on vegetables. The prices of all kinds of fruit are down by between VND1,000 and 3,000.

Factory-made goods, processed foods, cosmetics and garments and household appliances are also on special offer.

Saigon Co.op Mart has also launched a special promotion. On February 27 and 28, 65 thousand doctors, nurses and medical technicians working in hospitals throughout the city were given special discount cards.

Those having such cards will enjoy discounts from five to ten percent when they spend between VND300,000 to 1 million.

Between 2 – 15 March, Saigon Co.op Mart will work with the Japanese Business Association to organize the Japanese Goods Fair at its supermarkets. Customers buying any product from Japanese factories made in Vietnam will be offered special discounts or gifts.

On Women’s Day, March 8, 280 pendants made from 18 carat gold will be given to winners of a draw to be organized by Saigon Co.op.

At Big C supermarkets between February 18 and March 8, consumers can buy many goods at half price. For instance, an egg will sell for just VND 1,000. Other products, like instant noodles, cooking oil and condensed milk are to be offered at between 10 and 17 percent discounts.

Some brands of toilet paper and cosmetics will be discounted at 30 percent.

Prices of household appliances drop

Prices of household appliances are dropping by 40 to 50 percent.

At Big C, prices of rice cookers and electric irons are down by 50 percent.

At Metro supermarkets, a 32- inch Samsung or Panasonic LCD television now costs only VND7 million ($400), down by nearly 40 percent.

At Thien Hoa Household Appliance Trading Center, a 19-inch Sony LCD television sells for just VND5.9 million.

Other Household Appliance Trading Centers, including Nguyen Kim and Cho Lon, are offering discounts rates of between 20 to 30 percent.

By Thuy Hai – Translated by Phuong Lan

jackbl

01-03-2009, 01:25 PM

Bottled water health standards
========================

VietNamNet Bridge - The Department of Health and Preventive Medical Centre of HCM City will inspect ice factories and bottled-water plants next month to ensure they maintain the required safety and hygiene standards, an official has said.

Le Truong Giang, deputy director of the department, said inspectors would look for violations of health ministry’s regulations and close down companies found in breach.

For instance, any company employing a worker who had not passed the health test or having rusty water tanks would be shut down, he noted.

The inspectors would also examine the sources of water and chemicals used in the production process.

Last year, city and district agencies carried out inspections at 464 ice factories and bottled-water plants.

The Food Hygiene and Safety Department under the Ministry of Health announced the results of those inspections this week. The Preventive Health Centre had found 22 of 36 ice makers and 51 out of 77 bottled-water producers failed to meet hygiene standards.

Another 85 companies were found committing safety and hygiene related offences.

Most of them did not have enough knowledge of hygiene requirements, the centre said.

Since they sold at low prices, they did not have enough money to upgrade their machinery or technologies, it added.

Nguyen Van Nam, deputy general director of bottled-water maker Dai Phat Company, said poor-quality water cost a mere VND7,000 – 10,000 for a 20-litre bottle.

Water sold by reputed companies cost VND25,000 – 28,000, because they used far more expensive technology, Nam said.

VietNamNet/VNS

City health department worried about bottled water quality
=============================================

Source: TN, Agencies

jackbl

01-03-2009, 07:59 PM

Ancient town offers price cuts to lure visitors
=====================================

Hoi An has tied up with tour companies to offer discounts to visitors to the ancient town, an official said.

Deputy chairman of the town People’s Committee, Truong Van Bay, said visitors staying at five- and four-star hotels for more than two days between Mar 26 to April 1 will get discounts of 10 to 30 percent on tours, souvenirs, and food at well-known restaurants and do not have to buy entrance tickets at tourist spots.

Visitors staying in three- and two-star hotels would get 10-20 percent discounts for beauty services and souvenirs as well as free breakfast, he said.

Mr. Bay promised that the details of the campaign and the names of businesses joining it would be publicized.

The city tourism authorities plan to run seven more promotions campaigns this year.

Source: Tuoi Tre – Translated by Thuy Doan

spidey82

01-03-2009, 08:00 PM

U may wan to try using the dict to translate:

Viet Dictionary:
http://www.informatik.uni-leipzig.de...ict/index.html

VDict.com - Vietnamese Dictionary and Translation - T? ?i?n và d?ch ti?ng Vi?t (http://vdict.com/)

The vietnamese like us singaporean, use a lot of short from when they type sms. so even if you look up in the directory also no use cos directory dun have short form. hehehe..

jackbl

01-03-2009, 09:46 PM

A rough estimation will do. By the way, if write vietnamese word without using the tonal sign, there maybe many meanings, which we may misinterpret :)

The vietnamese like us singaporean, use a lot of short from when they type sms. so even if you look up in the directory also no use cos directory dun have short form. hehehe..

Hurricane88

02-03-2009, 01:10 PM

The vietnamese like us singaporean, use a lot of short from when they type sms. so even if you look up in the directory also no use cos directory dun have short form. hehehe..

No choice, you just have to get used to the short form...ask them what is it and they should be able to tell you...after a while you should be familiar with them...:)

Hurricane88

02-03-2009, 01:16 PM

Vn gals power siao...:)

FIFA sees potential in Vietnam’s female footballers

Winning three Southeast Asian gold medals shows that Vietnam’s female footballers could become a force to be reckoned with in the wider region, but only if they start receiving the treatment their male colleagues get.

That’s the view of Michele Cox from FIFA’s Women’s Football Development and Marketing Committee, who was in Hanoi for a conference earlier this week.

“As far as I can tell, women’s football in Vietnam is developing well,” said the former New Zealand international.

“Your national team has made great strides. And I was surprised to learn that most of your women footballers didn’t start playing until the age of 15, when they should have started at five or six, like me for instance,” she said.

What’s needed is more money and better marketing if Vietnamese women’s football is to become truly professional, she said.

In New Zealand, women’s football receives US$350,000 a year, she said.

According to Cox, FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes Vietnam made good use of its 15 percent of FIFA’s $250,000 support for women’s football.

As an example of what can be done, she said New Zealand had made a profit of $26 million from hosting last year’s Under-17 Women’s Football World Cup.

She suggested Vietnam do the same.

Reported by Lan Phuong