Vietnamese newspaper articles

by Thu Vân “Your pens are the sharp weapons in the cause of telling the truth…” Thus began a letter that President Ho Chi Minh wrote to intellectuals and journalists in the southern part of the country on May 25, 1947. He also said in the same letter that “journalists should act like brave soldiers in the revolution to gain back unity and independence for the country.” One cannot imagine loftier ideals for this profession. Today, the lofty ideals may remain, but there are times I feel these are gathering dust in the shelves of our memory as the profession goes through one existential crisis after another. More than seven decades after President Hồ Chí Minh wrote the famous letter, it is fair to say journalism has gone through many changes, all over the world. Today, the profession is wedded, one could even say welded, to technology and business, and this creates a host of challenges in terms of the profession succeeding in the market place, in capturing the readers’ or … [Read more...] about Some good news, some bad news, some hopeful news

Chitter-chatter on fish sauce By Nguyen Yen Binh Once in a while, in the midst of the hectic life, a random thought may cross the mind of a Vietnamese. And in that very moment of unmindfulness, does the person in question ever think about a day when he or she doesn’t have fish sauce, the most popular condiment in Vietnam? Fish sauce is both a dish and a seasoning, so familiar that you do not realize it is present throughout the life of a Vietnamese. Fish sauce when used to season and marinate brings out a delicious taste, but it is left out in the name of the dish it helps enhance the flavor. There are days when we Vietnamese eat rice with fish sauce. In this case, fish sauce is undeniably a dish. Eating rice with fish sauce! It sounds a little sad, as it seems someone is having a hard time. Still, it is not necessarily the case. In oriental medicine, fish sauce is a cure for cold. If you have ever had a meal with rice—the newly harvested one that is soft and still carries the … [Read more...] about Chitter-chatter on fish sauce

Seminar honours a Doi moi visionary (30-06-2005) Then Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh visits the northern Son La Province in 1987. — VNA/VNS File Photo Then Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh during a visit to the Vietnam News Agency office in September 1990. — VNA/VNS File Photo Ha Noi — The work of a man who was among the pioneers of Doi moi (renewal) was assessed at a seminar in Ha Noi on Tuesday. Late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh was remembered as a firm, creative leader who led the Party, the army and the people in successfully implementing resolutions that introduced Doi moi at the landmark Sixth Party National Congress 19 years ago. The seminar, held by the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, also reviewed Linh’s life as an example for the younger generation. The seminar was held to honour the 90th anniversary of Linh’s birthday – July 1. Linh, who died in 1998 aged 83, was elected General … [Read more...] about Seminar honours a Doi moi visionary

Party leader asks media to boost role in nation’s renewal Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and VNA journalists pose for photographs at the eighth congress of the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association in Ha Noi yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Xuan Tuan (15-08-2005) HA NOI — Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has called for the press to positively influence the development of the spiritual, moral and intellectual realms in Viet Nam, ensuring that people are united in the performance of patriotic duties as the nation enters a new stage of development. Manh was speaking at the eighth congress of the Viet Nam Journalists’ Association (VJA) in Ha Noi on Saturday, which was also attended by former General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, former President Le Duc Anh, and more than 500 delegates from 243 media organisations nationwide. The Party leader praised the important contribution of the press to Viet Nam’s revolution. Recent years have seen the strong growth of Viet … [Read more...] about Party leader asks media to boost role in nation’s renewal

Former editor salutes paper’s anniversary (16-06-2006) by Do Phuong Journalist Do Phuong, the first Editor-in-Chief of Viet Nam News. — VNS Photo Truong Vi When I think of our decision in 1991 to go ahead with establishing the Viet Nam News newspaper, I am still struck by the fact that the materialistic conditions were not favourable, yet we proceeded with realising our decision. Those who lived in Viet Nam in the 1980s all lacked news coverage, especially international visitors. There were no English-language newspapers, no news from outside Viet Nam. The weekly bulletins published in English and French by the Viet Nam News Agency comprised of only local Viet Nam news and could not meet the growing demand for the latest news from both the outside world and throughout the country. We decided to start producing a four-page newspaper shortly before the 7th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The first three years of the … [Read more...] about Former editor salutes paper’s anniversary

Motorbike Ban: A Spontaneous Remedy By Khuong Quang Dong In this picture taken in HCMC, it is hard to say that motorbikes are the main cause of traffic jams – PHOTO: THANH HOA Recent news about the proposed ban on motorbikes in Vietnam’s two metropolises may prompt observers to reckon that the people in charge are apparently lacking a long-term, reasonable plan The media have reported extensively about the discussion on the plan to forbid motorbikes in the inner-city districts of Hanoi and HCMC. The ban is obviously an attempt to tackle the traffic congestion problem. It was by chance that several articles in different newspapers reported on the same topic: the residents of Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh, an urban area in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, strongly opposed the erection of more high-rises in their living quarters, specifically the changes to the plan approved in 1998 which specifies a construction density of 34.88% including eight buildings with 6.7-7.5 floors. … [Read more...] about Motorbike Ban: A Spontaneous Remedy