VietNam Life Style: World

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Diem Huong enters top 3 Asian beauties

Luu Thi Diem Huong

Diem Huong, 21, who is among top 14 beauties at Miss Earth competition 2010, has just been voted by Global Beauties online magazine as one of three most beautiful Asian women in Asia.

Miss Earth 2010 Nicole Faria from India topped the voting while Miss Universe 2010’s fourth runner-up Venus Raj from the Philippines secured the second place.

Global Beauties, which covers international beauty contests, also rated Vietnam’s Nha Trang city as the world’s second best host city for beauty pageants.

Chinese city Sanya is on top while another Chinese city, Chengdu, is in third place.

Diem Huong is currently the sophomore student at Hoa Sen (Lotus) College in Ho Chi Minh City.

She was crowned Miss World Vietnam 2010 last August.

She represented Vietnam to compete in the Miss Earth beauty pageant held in Nha Trang last December when she won the Best in Swimwear contest and was listed among the top 14 contestants.

Some images of Miss Diem Huong from Vietnam:

huong 1

huong 2

huong 3

huong 4

huong 5

Other titles:

Stage Presence: Winner – Adriana Vasini (Venezuela/World); 2nd place – Jimena Navarrete (Mexico/Universe); 3rd place – Yendi Phillips (Jamaica/Universe)
Best Catwalk: Winner – Karina Pinillo (Panama/Supranational); 2nd place – Angela Martini (Albania/Universe); 3rd place – Jennifer Pazmiño (Ecuador/Earth)
Radiance & Personality: Winner – Jesinta Campbell (Australia/Universe); 2nd place – Jimena Navarrete (Mexico/Universe); 3rd place – Adriana Vasini (Venezuela/World)
Best in Evening Gown: Winner – Venus Raj (Philippines/Universe); 2nd place – Anna Poslavskaya (Ukraine/Universe); 3rd place – Hana Verna (Czech Republic/Supranational)
Face of the Year: Winner – Emma Wareus (Botswana/World); 2nd place – Jimena Navarrete (Mexico/Universe); 3rd place – Nicole Faria (India/Earth)
Most Photogenic: Winner: Nicola Mimnagh (Scotland/World); 2nd place: Rozanna Purcell (Ireland/Universe); 3rd place: Manasvi Mamgai (India/World)
Sexiest Woman Alive: Winner – Sandra Marinovic (Slovenia/Supranational); 2nd place – Angela Martini (Albania/Universe); 3rd place – Yuwaret Sirirat Rueangsri (Thailand/World)
Beauty With Substance: Winner – Natasha Metto (Kenya/World); 2nd place – Jesinta Campbell (Australia/Universe); 3rd place – Nicole Faria (India/Earth)
Best in Swimsuit: Winner – Angela Martini (Albania/Universe); 2nd place – Karina Pinilla (Panama/Supranational); 3rd place – Nicola Mimnagh (Scotland/World)
Supermodel Look: Winner – Rozanna Purcell (Ireland/Universe); 2nd place – Alexandria Mills (United States/World); 3rd place – Angela Martini (Albania/Universe)
Best in Africa: Winner – Emma Wareus (Botswana/World); 2nd place – Nicole Flint (South Africa/World/Universe); 3rd place – Natasha Metto (Kenya/World)
Best in the Americas: Winner – Jimena Navarrete (Mexico/Universe); 2nd place – Karina Pinilla (Panama/Supranational); 3rd place – Adriana Vasini (Venezuela/World)
Best in Asia: Winner – Nicole Faria (India/Earth); 2nd place – Venus Raj (Philippines/Universe); 3rd place – Lưu Thị Diễm Hương (Vietnam/Earth)
Best in the Caribbean: Winner – Mariana Vicente (Puerto Rico/Universe); 2nd place – Wendy Phillips (Jamaica/Universe); 3rd place – Aiasha Gustave (St. Lucia/World)
Best in Europe: Winner – Angela Martini (Albania/Universe); 2nd place – Hana Verna (Czech Republic/Supranational); 3rd place – Rozanna Purcell (Ireland/Universe)
Best in Oceania: Winner – Jesinta Campbell (Australia/Universe); 2nd place – Mihilani Teixeira (French Polynesia/World); 3rd place – Cody Yerkovich (New Zealand/World)
Best Host City/Country: Winner – Sanya/China (World); 2nd place – Nha Trang/Vietnam (Earth); 3rd place – Chengdu/China (International)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Photo competition to spotlight VN's world heritage sites

HA NOI — Amateur and professional photographers will display their best images in a competition entitled Vietnamese World Heritages to be held in July.

Launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions in co-operation with the Viet Nam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), the Natural Cultural Heritage Department and National Administration of Tourism, the competition aims to draw attention to the value of the nation's UNESCO-recognised world heritages.

UNESCO has recognised the imperial city of Hue, Ha Long Bay, My Son Sanctuary, the ancient town of Hoi An, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the citadel of Thang Long-Ha Noi, as world heritage sites, and nha nhac (royal court music), the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) gong culture, quan ho (love duet singing) in the northern province of Bac Ninh, ca tru (ceremonial singing), and the Saint Giong Festival as tangible or intangible cultural heritage.

The photo competition will award a first prize worth VND10 million and a gold medal from VAPA. Two second prizes worth VND7 million, three third prizes worth VND5 million, and ten encouragement prizes worth VND2 million would also be awarded, along with certificates from VAPA.

About 250 entries will be selected for display at an exhibition to be held in the central city of Da Nang on National Day, September 2, and in Ha Noi on Liberation Day, October 10.

Vietnamese and foreign photographers are being invited to submit entries, in colour or black-and-white. Images should be sized 30 by 45cm and not previously awarded prizes in other competitions held by the ministry or the association.

Contestants could submit up to 11 entries, which is the number of UNESCO heritage recognitions the nation has received, said competition organiser Vi Kien Thanh. All 11 photos can be taken from a single heritage site, he explained.

However, veteran photographer Van Tho argued, "Eleven photos cannot show the beauty of Vietnamese world heritage. I have taken many photos at the Giong Festival, and I propose that photographers be allowed to send more to the organisation." — VNS

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Buddhism helps Hanoi youth bust stress

Children and teenagers attend a Buddhism class to seek sense of calm and peace in mind

With Vietnam’s increasing integration with the outside world, young Hanoians are getting a taste of the stresses associated with a modern economy.

They have begun to explore ways to ease the stress, including attending Buddhism classes.

In the past, few went to pagodas. Even those who did go were often sent by their parents to keep them away from trouble.

But more and more youngsters are now turning to Buddhism. The Buddhist Youth Union’s 12 clubs had 20 members in 2005 and this has risen to 300.

At the clubs, they chant and meditate, read books on Buddhism, listen to prayers, and participate in social activities.

Thu Phuong, a student of the Hanoi University of Culture, said: “[When I] listen to Buddhism lessons at pagodas, I really feel a sense of calm and inner peace.”

Nguyen Hai Van of Cau Giay District said: “I send my three sons to pagodas during weekends to learn Buddhism to not only seek peace of mind but also curb their aggressive instincts.”

Tran Thanh, a new convert, said: “I find the Buddhism lessons very interesting though I have just started attending.”

Buddhism, one of the world’s major religions, was founded around 2,500 years ago in India by Siddhartha Gautama who was contemplating about how to bring happiness to the world.

buddhism 2

Youths practise meditation in pagoda

Friday, December 17, 2010

Electric Bicycle World Tour returns to Vietnam

Guim Valls Teruel poses for a photo outside the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing at the start of his trip Photo: Courtesy of the organizer

Guim Valls Teruel originally from Spain plans to travel through 75 countries on his electric bicycle to promote electric vehicles and clean energy.

The eclectic cyclist started the Electric Bicycle World Tour in June 2009 in Beijing in support of a future with less reliance on traditional combustion engines, better energy conservation and waste reduction. The tour is scheduled to end in August 2012 in Vietnam.

Teruel’s electric bicycle, a Wisper 905 se World Tourer, has three 12 volt/20 watt solar panels wired in a series to recharge batteries. After traveling 14,000 kilometers the Electric Bicycle World Tour is back in Vietnam where in September 2009 Teruel, met Nguyen Thuy Anh, a Vietnamese journalist who interviewed him for a program on VTV6. In February, they will get married in Hanoi and she will join him on the tour.

The project has been written about in over fifteen different countries’ newspapers and magazines. Teruel has been interviewed on radio and broadcast on national television in China and Vietnam. The itinerary is planned into two stages: the first stage will depart in Hanoi in February and arrive in London in August, and the second stage will be from London to Hanoi in 2012.

The Electric Bicycle World Tour updated information is on the website www.electricbicycleworldtour.com and videos are uploaded at http://vimeo.com.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Electric Bicycle World Tour returns to Vietnam

Guim Valls Teruel poses for a photo outside the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing at the start of his trip Photo: Courtesy of the organizer

Guim Valls Teruel originally from Spain plans to travel through 75 countries on his electric bicycle to promote electric vehicles and clean energy.

The Electric Bicycle World Tour updated information is on the website www.electricbicycleworldtour.com and videos are uploaded at http://vimeo.com.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Countdown begins for annual Taste of the World Culinary Festival

HCM CITY – A national record for the largest banh xeo, or savoury rice pancake, will be set at the Taste of the World Culinary Festival to be held in HCM City later this month, organisers of the festival told a press conference yesterday (December 7).

It will be larger than 1.2 metres across, La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the city Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said without specifying its size.

One of the dishes voted into the "HCM City – 100 interesting things" programme, this southern specialty is made from flour, turmeric powder, coconut milk, slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, and bean sprout.

It is a popular dish served in many restaurants in the city's downtown area.

"The organisers plan to have the 10 best dishes listed in ‘HCM City – 100 interesting things' to be served at the festival," Khanh said.

Taste of the World Culinary Festival, to be held at the September 23^rd Park from December 26 to January 2, will feature 60 city restaurants that offer cuisines from 24 countries.

"It will be the first time the festival will last eight days," Khanh said.

The organisers will have volunteers who can speak English introducing Vietnamese food and culture to foreigners, he added.

The festival will open with a colourful, multi-cultural parade through Pham Ngu Lao, Do Quang Dau, and Le Lai Streets on December 26.

The World Food Culture Center of South Korea will take part in the festival to promote South Korean food, art, and music, Khanh said.

Besides all the food on show, there will also be a bartending performance.

There will be traditional dances from South Korea, Russia, Germany, while the host country will showcase pastoral harmonies and folk melodies through performances titled "Dan ca ba mien" (Folk songs of three regions), and "Aåm thuc muon mau" (Multicolour gastronomy).

Visitors will have a chance to feast their eyes on a montage created from pictures of the Vietnamese ao ba ba (loose-fitting blouse worn in the south) and ao dai (traditional long tunic), the Korean hanbok, and the Japanese kimono.

From 7pm to 9pm on December 31, visitors will get discounts during the "Gio vang cuoi nam," or golden hour at the year end.

A music show will count down the New Year.

The festival will be organised by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the HCM City Tourism Association, and Youth Advertising Joint Stock Company.

The organisers expect around 5,000 visitors to attend the festival. – VNS

Sunday, October 24, 2010

South Africa sex industry did not see World Cup boom

South Africa's sex business did not see any spike in activity during the soccer World Cup and the male patrons who participated in the trade practised safe sex, according to a survey obtained on Friday.

"There were not significantly more clients seen per sex worker during the World Cup period," said the survey from the South African Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Task Force that was conducted in conjunction with the UN Population Fund.

There were worries ahead of the June-to-July sports spectacle that it would lead to an increase in human trafficking and in the spreading of HIV because South Africa has one of the highest infection rates of the disease in the world.

The survey said there was little change in the average number of clients per week -- 14.4 on average -- for sex workers during the World Cup and reported condom use for males was at about 99 percent.

There were more foreign clients for the sex workers, but "this may mean that a part of the local clientele was temporarily replaced by foreign clients," it said.

There was massive condom distribution ahead of and during the Cup to prevent the spreading of HIV/AIDS.

The survey was conducted among 663 sex workers.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh represents Vietnam at Miss World 2010

Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh will go to Hainan Island on October 1 for a month - Photo: Courtesy of the organizers

The Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam World 2010, Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh, to compete at Miss Word 2010 pageant, which will be held in Sanya, China from October 1 to 30.

At the final round of Miss Vietnam World 2010, Khanh received great support from the audience who liked her radiant smile. Khanh, who lives in Germany but still with Vietnamese citizenship, is 19 years old. She is 176cm, 53kg and her vital statistics are 85-63-94. Khanh also won the title for Miss Bikini at this year’s Miss Vietnam World.

Kieu Khanh has started to work with well-known designers including Hoang Hai, Elizabeth and Mitchell Ngo to make her costumes including ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), evening gowns, and casual wear. Khanh will also takes part in some training to prepare for the pageant. Then, she will attend the opening ceremony of the competition in Hainan Island and other programs including training courses and filming around China together with other contestants from 100 countries and territories.

It is expected that about 2.5 billion viewers will watch the crowning night of Miss World 2010 competition. This year’s Miss World pageant in its 60th year has attracted the largest number of contestants ever. With the main criterion, the competition aims to find “the most talented beautiful girl in the world” to be the UNESCO’s Peace Messenger for a year. Miss World will contribute her reputation and effort to helping the poor worldwide and consolidating the world peace.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

VN beauty all set for Miss World

Pretty woman: Kieu Khanh will represent Viet Nam at the 60th Miss World competition in Sanya, China. — File Photo

HA NOI — Overseas Vietnamese Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh will represent Viet Nam in the Miss World 2010 pageant in Sanya, China.

Khanh, 19, was the first runner-up in the Miss Viet Nam World pageant held in August in Nha Trang. She won the title of Miss Viet Nam World in Europe in 2009.

With the approval yesterday of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Khanh qualified to represent the nation in the international pageant.

Khanh was worthy representative of Vietnamese beauty for one of the most prestigious international pageants, said to the Elite Entertainment Group, the owner of the Miss World trademark in Viet Nam.

Khanh, who also won a local on-line poll, has received congratulations from her friends and others.

"The great support is pressure but also strength to help me try my best at the upcoming pageant," Khanh said.

Born and raised in Germany, Khanh spoke Vietnamese fluently when she was small. She still holds Vietnamese nationality. She is 1.76m in tall and has vital statistics of 85-63-94.

At the age of 15, Khanh was a model in Germany but gave up modelling when she was in the 11th grade. She is now a student at the University of Rostock in the German State of Mecklenburg-Vorpomern.

Khanh has returned to HCM City to prepare for the upcoming event, where she is being trained by experts from the Elite Entertainment Group and dressed by designers like Hoang Hai and Vo Viet Chung.

She will head to Sanya, in Hainan Province, to compete with over 120 other contestants early next month. The pageant final will take place on October 30, when reigning Miss World Kaiane Aldorino will crown her successor.

This is the ninth year a Vietnamese contestant has taken part in the Miss World contest, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. — VNS

Friday, September 10, 2010

Ha Long Bay vies for honors in world wonders

Photo: Tuoi Tre

Ha Long Bay in the northern Quang Ninh province, a UNESCO recognized world’s heritage site, has jumped in September to the second place among 28 finalists of the online voting for the world’s new seven wonders of nature.

The voting is launched by the New7Wonders Foundation at http://www.new7wonders.com/en/.

The Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign started in 2007 and has attracted by an estimated 1 billion votes. The Official Declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be on November 11, 2011.

The Ha Long Bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes, and comprises a 120-kilometer-long coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometers in size with 1969 islets.

The victorious outcome is attributed to Quang Ninh province in boosting information dissemination and promotion of the image of the site to foreign friends.

The province has also developed tourism linkages with other provinces nationwide, especially the country’s five biggest tourism centers.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has planned a promotion campaign and a tourism publication to further introduce Ha Long Bay.

Quang Ninh has received around 5.3 million visitors in the first eight months of the year with estimated revenue of VND2.3 trillion (US$118 million).

Friday, August 27, 2010

Vietnam competes in Bakery World Cup

Vo Thanh Tuan of Big C supermarket won the first prize at the Bakery World Cup qualifiers held in HCMC this week

Photo: VnExpress

Saf Viet, a subsidiary of the French-based yeast and bread making Lesaffre Company, is holding a competition to identify the first ever Vietnamese contestants to the Bakery World Cup.

Contestants from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will qualify for a national final in December from which three will be chosen to represent Vietnam at the Asian qualifiers in Guangzhou, China, next May.

Contestants can make their creations at home before submitting them to the judges. They can enter in only one of three categories: loaves, Viennese pastries, and artistic pieces.

The qualifiers are under way with the HCMC round finishing Wednesday and the Hanoi round set for this weekend.

The judges, including world renowned bakers, have been sent by the organizers of the Bakery World Cup.

The HCMC qualifiers held at the Sesame school, Binh Thanh District, Wednesday attracted 28 bakers from restaurants, supermarkets, and other businesses.

The judges chose to name seven qualifiers instead of the expected six - Vo Thanh Tuan and Diep Minh Cong of Big C supermarket, Thang of La Boulangerie d' Hue, Nguyen Truong Kim Phuong and Huynh Xuan Vinh of ABC Bakery, Le Hong Giang of Intercontinental Hotel, and Nguyen Van Hung of Caravelle Hotel.

Tuan of Big C took the first prize.

The Hanoi round has attracted 30 contestants.

The Bakery World Cup has expected to attract 6,000 bakers from 40 countries all over the world.

The final is scheduled to be held in France in 2012 with the winner being awarded the Louis Lesaffre Cup.

The contest is open to professional bakers between the ages of 18 and 55 and is held every three or four years.

The three previous winners were from France, Taiwan, and Italy.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

HCMC student triumphs at Miss Vietnam World 2010

(From L-R) Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh, first runner-up, Luu Thi Diem Huong, Miss Vietnam World 2010 and Pham Thuy Vy Victoria, second runner-up at the crowning night on August 22 in Nha Trang- Photo: Quoc Huy

Luu Thi Diem Huong, a 20-year-old student from HCMC Hoa Sen University defeated 39 contestants to become Miss Vietnam World 2010 at the crowning night at the musical fountain stage in Vinpearl Land in Nha Trang on August 21.

With ideal vital statistics of 84-61-92 and a beautiful smile, Huong also won an extra title for Miss Photogenic voted by the media.

The victory was a surprise because she wasn’t tipped for the title, but her answers in the Q&A session pushed her to the front.

Answering the media after the event, Huong burst into tears and said, “This is a great happiness to me. I promise to try my best to fulfill the responsibilities of my title as Miss Vietnam World 2010.”

Huong received a prize of VND500 million and a VND1 billion crown that is now her’s to keep.

First runner-up was Miss Bikini Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh, 19, from Germany. Khanh was high appreciated by the media and received great support from audiences throughout the competition. She received the prize of VND300 million while second runner-up/Miss Sporty Pham Thuy Vy Victoria from California (USA) received VND200 million.

Other prizes went to Nguy Thanh Lan from HCMC as Miss Friendly voted by the other contestants; Nguyen Thu May from Czech Republic as Miss Beautiful Face, Nguyen Mai Anh from Hanoi for Miss Elegant.

The organizing committee will use all the VND3 billion proceeds from tickets sales plus more than VND1 billion raised from the auction for the right to crown the beauty queen for charity activities.

The crowning night of Miss Vietnam World 2010 was a festival of color and music. The musical fountain stage was transformed by images of lotuses, Buddha, Champa statues on five huge LCD screens.

Fabulous performances by well-known artists and dancers including the international band Il Divo, Tung Duong, Ha Anh Tuan and the Nam Dong Ke band made the evening a great success. About five thousand joined the audience.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Luu Thi Diem Huong

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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

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Vo Thanh Tuan of Big C supermarket won the first prize at the Bakery World Cup qualifiers held in HCMC this week

Photo: VnExpress

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