Vietnam attends World Travel Fair in Japan

Vietnam is attending the World Travel Fair 2010, which was opened in Tokyo Friday by the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA).

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam Airlines, Da Nang city and several travel agencies are joining others from nearly 140 countries and territories to introduce about the Vietnamese people and land, especially popular tourism sites and products of the country.

The JATA World Travel Fair 2010 will run until Sunday and is expected to welcome 100,000 visitors.

Also on Friday, VNAT, Vietnam Airlines and Da Nang jointly held a seminar in Tokyo to promote Vietnam, drawing many travel agencies from Vietnam and Japan.

Speaking at the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Phu Binh said Japan is a potential market for Vietnam and it is necessary to accelerate activities to promote the image of Vietnam in Japan.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Head of VNAT Department for Tourism Promotion, said that Japan has been among the top five tourism markets of Vietnam, providing an average of 400,000 tourists a year.

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Mural heralds labour, business

Co-operation: Guests visit one section of the 4km-long ceramic road in Ha Noi, which officially opened yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh

HA NOI — The mural on Decent Work and Tripartism as part of the 4km Ceramic Road was opened yesterday in the capital.

The work was presented to the Ha Noi People's Committee by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour; Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Viet Nam Co-operatives Alliance and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The entire ceramic mosaic which runs along the Hong (Red) River dyke, is thought to be the longest such mural in the world.

The Decent Work and Tripartism section was accomplished with the support of the Government, Worker and Employer Organisations and the ILO symbolising, the sustainability of tripartism.

The 70-metre illustration portrays a montage of activities representing various sectors in Viet Nam such as industry, agriculture, handicrafts and aquaculture.

The colourful ceramic pictures also depict the main actors in the labour market – government, workers and employers – highlighting the co-operation, social dialogue and a promising future for decent work in Viet Nam.

Hoang Manh Hien, vice chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee, received the contribution from the tripartite constituents and the ILO.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: "The mural is a symbol of the fruitful co-operation between the tripartite constituents and the ILO to promote decent work and social justice for all in Viet Nam. It is also a valuable contribution form social partners and the ILO for Ha Noi to celebrate its 1,000-year anniversary".

Sachiko Yamamoto, Regional Director of ILO Office for Asia and the Pacific, said: "Your creative design reflects all types of work places in Viet Nam; it puts the people and their work in the centre; it emphasises the strength of tripartite collaboration. This mural – I hope – will symbolise for generations to come the importance of Tripartism and Decent Work for All in Viet Nam. May it be an inspiration for the continued tripartite unity in social and economic development for the next 1,000 years". — VNS

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ILO-funded section of “ceramic road” debuts

A section of the world’s longest mosaic ceramic mural was inaugurated in Hanoi on Friday as a symbol of cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The section, themed “Decent work and tripartism”, has its first part painted with “Three trees ascending to one point can make a mountain”, “Three hands shaking to demonstrate unity” and “Three arms embracing together” as the main factors in the labor market, namely the government, workers and employers.

The rest of the 70m-long section depicts activities by various sectors in Vietnam such as industry, agriculture, handicrafts and aquaculture. It is marked with paintings of a shining sun, happy families and wide roads as a symbol of a bright future for Vietnam.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, said at the inauguration ceremony that, “The mural is a symbol of the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam’s tripartite constituents and the ILO to promote decent work and social justice for all in Vietnam. It is also a valuable gift from social partners and the ILO for Hanoi to mark its millennium anniversary”.

Sachiko Yamamoto, Regional Director of the ILO Office for Asia and the Pacific said, “Your creative design reflects all types of workplaces in Vietnam. It puts the people and their work in the centre. It emphasizes the strength of tripartite collaboration.”

The “Ceramic Road” mural runs for four kilometers along the dyke of the Red River in celebration of the Thang Long-Hanoi millennium and it has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest mural of its kind.

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ILO-funded section of “ceramic road” debuts

A section of the world’s longest mosaic ceramic mural was inaugurated in Hanoi on Friday as a symbol of cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The section, themed “Decent work and tripartism”, has its first part painted with “Three trees ascending to one point can make a mountain”, “Three hands shaking to demonstrate unity” and “Three arms embracing together” as the main factors in the labor market, namely the government, workers and employers.

The rest of the 70m-long section depicts activities by various sectors in Vietnam such as industry, agriculture, handicrafts and aquaculture. It is marked with paintings of a shining sun, happy families and wide roads as a symbol of a bright future for Vietnam.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, said at the inauguration ceremony that, “The mural is a symbol of the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam’s tripartite constituents and the ILO to promote decent work and social justice for all in Vietnam. It is also a valuable gift from social partners and the ILO for Hanoi to mark its millennium anniversary”.

Sachiko Yamamoto, Regional Director of the ILO Office for Asia and the Pacific said, “Your creative design reflects all types of workplaces in Vietnam. It puts the people and their work in the centre. It emphasizes the strength of tripartite collaboration.”

The “Ceramic Road” mural runs for four kilometers along the dyke of the Red River in celebration of the Thang Long-Hanoi millennium and it has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest mural of its kind.

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Statue of mythical Saint Giong unveiled

HA NOI — A statue of mythical savour of the nation Saint Giong will be unveiled tomorrow on top of Da Chong Mountain in the Ha Noi district of Soc Son.

Leaders of Ha Noi's People's Committee and monks from the Viet Nam Buddhists Sangha will be officiating at the ceremony, which will involve inviting the saint to recognise his statue, in accordance with Vietnamese custom.

The 9.9m copper statue of the saint holding a grove of bamboo in his hand while flying off into the sky on his horse, is one of the major projects commissioned to celebrate Ha Noi's millennium in October.

The 85-tonne statue was designed by sculptor Nguyen Kim Xuan. Following casting, the statue was carved by artists from Nam Dai Phong Company led by Vu Duy Thuan.

The project cost VND60 billion (US$3.1 million), half of which went on casting the statue, which began last October, while the remainder was spent on beautifying the site in which the saint will stand. To mark the millennium, 1,000 pine trees were planted around the statue.

Legend has it that Giong was born after his mother stepped into the footprints of a giant.

At the age of three, when Giong suddenly grew into a giant himself, invaders were attacking the country. Legend has it that while wielding an enormous iron rod and an entire grove of bamboo, Giong chased the invaders out of the country on the back of an iron horse presented to him by the king. Following the enemies' flight, Giong and his horse took off into the sky from Soc Mountain, never to be seen again. — VNS

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VN catches social networking fever

HCM CITY— The Viet Tech Corporation has launched a new version of the social networking website MyWorldvn.com and a beta version of the microblogging site www.pinggadget.com.

Speaking at a press conference in HCM City, Nguyen Minh Tri, general director of Viet Technology Joint-Stock Co, said social networking sites, especially microblogging sites like the US-based Twitter, had become immensely popular worldwide.

He said Viet Nam should create similar social network sites because they can have a positive impact on the economy, culture and society.

Dennis Mouton, general director of PingGadget LLC who is also deputy general director of MyWorld LLC, said MyWorld and PingGadget were built by both Vietnamese and foreign specialists in the information and technology, investment, finance and banking sector.

To offer the best service to users, the sites make it a priority to be constantly aware of any technical problems, and as a result, update the entire system regularly.

MyWorldvn.com will be updated to version 3.0 and built with advanced technology applications that can meet the increasing demands of the Vietnamese community.

Launched in 2007, MyWorldvn.com is a social networking website that links members of the community, especially youth, in "a world without distance".

It has become an effective online English learning channel after three years of operation, and has provided users many opportunities to attend English clubs, marketing clubs, outdoor clubs and social work clubs. It has nearly 220,000 members.

PingGadget.com was tested under a beta version in US in August and is now available in Viet Nam.

Both of the websites were built and developed by the Viet Tech Corporation. —VNS

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Tourists flock to whale festival

HCM CITY — More than 50,000 visitors flocked to HCM City's coastal Can Gio District this week for the annual Nghinh Ong Festival in honour of the whale.

Besides traditional rituals, there were cultural events, music shows, folk games, and sports at the festival which, though officially celebrated for two days ending on Thursday, continued into Friday.

Fishermen believe that the whale saves them from storms at sea and helps them safely reach shelter and enables them to get bumper catches. As a result the Nghinh Ong Festival is celebrated all along the coast from central Quang Binh Province to the south.

A ritual was performed by elders at sea the next day to express their gratitude to the whale, commemorate fishermen who died at sea, and pray for good luck and bumper catches.

More than 100 fishing boats decorated with colourful flags and carrying locals and visitors followed out to sea.

HCM City is planning to develop next year's festival into a city-level cultural and tourism event.

VN-born violinist wins int'l prize

VIENNA — Viet Nam-born violinist Ailen Pritchin won the third prize in the 7th Frits Kraiser International Violin Competition on Thursday in Vienna. The first and second second prizes in the competition were won by Russian violinists Nikita Borisoglebsky and Ekaterina Frolova, respectively.

Pagoda unveils giant buddha statue

BAC NINH — A giant Buddha will be dedicated at Phat Tich Pagoda in the northern province of Bac Ninh today. The stone statue, 27m high and weighing 3,000 tonnes, has been placed atop Phat Tich Mountain.

According to monk Thich Duc Thien, the total cost of the statue was VND180 billion (US$ 9.2 million).

HCM City holds seminar on Ha Noi

HCM CITY — More than 100 cultural researchers, historians and writers are taking part in a seminar on Ha Noi's history and culture in HCM City this week in honour of the capital's upcoming 1,000th anniversary celebration.

Seminar organisers said they hoped that participants, especially youth, would learn more about the old and new Ha Noi.

About 125 research works on culture, language and philosophy have been presented.

Hanoians and their lifestyles were also discussed.

Dr Phan Xuan Bien, of the HCM City Research and Development Institute, spoke about the role of Thang Long-Ha Noi in the country's development.

Young audiences enjoyed the speech given by lecturer Nguyen Thanh Loi of the Central Teachers' College, titled From old streets in Ha Noi to business streets in HCM City.

Dr Phan Thi Thu Hien of the city's Social Science&Humanities University eulogised the capital's ancient literature, showing the difference in the inner life of Ha Noi and HCM City authors.

Exemplary speeches and research works will be edited and published in a book, as part of the city's cultural and social activities to celebrate the 1,000th birthday of Ha Noi-Thang Long early next month.

The seminar was organised by the HCM City's People's Committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and National University of HCM City. — VNS

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