Life & English

Hanoi, October…

October 2010,Vietnam country and Hanoicity celebrated one thousand years of Thanglong-Hanoi. Year continued years. Spring passed, summer passed, then autumn came…and October just came.

One thousand yeas were long time enough for travelers admiring visit to history. However Hanoi history had many more.Hanoiwas a favourable terrain and a united people in long, long, time beforeHanoibecame Thanglong capital of DaiViet country. That was two thousands years ago…

FromHanoicenter, along Red River dike, it was called “ceramic road” from Hanoi thousand years festival, we moved towards west about five miles then saw historical vestige of Hanoi two thousands years: Chem village.      

Chem was ancient Viet village. Its legends had relation withRed riverand Tuliem area. Scholars of language and nation researched about name of the old village. They supposed that Chem was pronounced B-lem or T-rem or T-lem by ancient language. That pronouncing was changed and became Tuliem. It meant that original name of current Tuliem district was from ancient name of Chem village.

Long time ago, Chem was prosperous village with alluvium, fish and aquatic products, gifts from Red river. People of Chem village did a special famous work, they made tasty Gio (galantine of lean meat paste). Their tasty product Gio became famous. An ancient Viet party could not be without four foods “Gio - Nem - Ninh - Moc”. Gio was usually first food in the menu. Other villages also made Gio. However Gio made in Chem was special tasty. Only gourmets with enough money pocket could feel about special tasty of Gio made in Chem . Then Gio Chem went into folk-song:      

“Deluxe party need Nem Ve, Gio Chem

Pounded and wraped, he and she  made charm” 

Country renewed, economic was developing. Many new house, new villas were built in Chem village. Gio made in Chem was reduced but old stone mortars were staying somewhere under trees, beside courtyard or at the end of a garden. Old stone mortars were worn flat but enduring and solid. They were prideful vestige of not far time. It was the pride of Chem village which not many villages got that.

Also, Chem village was famous by hero Ly Ong Trong and his temple. More two thousands years, he helped King Hung to fight against enemy at west and south borders. When King Hung transferred throne to Thuc Phan, he and other generals helped King Thuc Phan to defen country from attacks of enemies. Ly Ong Trong was famous general in history. In historical book of Chem temple, the first his temple was built from more two thousands and two hundreds years. Chem temple was special architecture with the dike stood behind andRed riverflowed in front of gate. It was rebuilt many times. A special event of rebuilding was “raised Chem temple” in 1916. They used levers and bricks to remove the temple step by step to higher position 2.4 metres. It was great initiative of craftsmen in early 20 century.

On opposite side, inside the dike, many new houses were built. These houses, new or old, always kept a ground, a garden, a place for green trees. Hurry could be kept somewhere outside these houses. More two thousand years, the village kept ancient charm, special charm of Chem, Hanoi.

Author: Hien Minh

Editor: Ted Engelmann

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There are many kinds of food inHanoi. But the most popular food and the greatest food is rolls cake, cereal cake, cereal, salad ofViet Nam.  Maybe you eat rolls cake of Thanh Tri, if you don’t eat, let’s try now. All overViet Nam, the best Rolls Cake is in Thanh Tri .

In some where you see a woman wear a long brown shirt and has buckets on their head. Inside the bucket is one bottle of sauce, one botlle of vinegar, some bowls, and some chili . But when you eat you will never forget it. The Rolls cake in Thanh Tri is special. The most important thing is when they rinse to thin cake by fat onion. When you eat it will be very cool. In the bucket, they arrange it like stairs, in some banana leaves. Cereal is come from sticky rice. They choose when sticky rice is still young and they have some to make it to Cereal. And Cereal Cake is made from Cereal too. You should try it and I think you will love it.

Author: Hoang Quoc Minh

Editor: Maria Aili

Wider World Language Center: widerworld.edu.vn

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“Unlimited Letters” is name of Exhibition from 29 Sep to 06 Oct 2013 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city.

“Unlimited Letters” project is organized in order to build up a space for young artists and designers to show their creativity. It gives them the opportunity to express their own style in writing letters so that people could gather and discuss about the alphabet with various art form by 35 members in different working fields.

There are 2 exhibition at the same time in 2 side ofVietnam: Hanoi and HCMC.

Beside showing 33 artworks, we are also printing 500 books about all the artists, designers who take part in Unlimited Letters to share their process or opinion. Hopefully the books would inspire you!

 (Source: http://www.thanhniennews.com & http://hanoigrapevine.com)

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The art exhibition “Viet - Thai Art Exchange” is organized from 01 to 07 Oct 2013 at Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str., Hanoi.

It is within the framework of exchange program between group artists from Vietnamand Thailand in 2013. This program will include workshops of art, seminars and exhibitions to introduce artists and their works in both countries.

Artwork “Young seed 2″ by artist Worawut Thakaeo

Attendants fromVietnam include: Trinh Tuan, Vo Ta Hung, Nguyen Quang Huy, Nguyen Minh Phuoc, Le Thong , Bang Sy Truc, Nguyen Tran Cuong, Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, Vu Duc Trung, Nguyen Trung Dung, Vu Pham Truong Minh, Phan Cam Thuong, Dinh Van Hien and Vu Duc Hieu.

Attendants fromThailandinclude: Somchai Wacharasombat, Wattanachot Tungateja, Nukoon Panyadee, Nitti Wattuya, Pakde Limpong, Jirawat Phirasant, Banlu Wiriyapornprapas, Pallop Wangborn, Saravut Vongnate, Thong Udompol, Somporn Teamprasit, Maitree Homthong and Worawut Thakaeo.

(Source: Vietnam Fine Arts Museum & Hanoi Grapevine)

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Exhibition “Xem” is organized from 13 Sep to 24 Oct at San Art, 3 Me Linh, District Binh Thanh, HCM city.

‘XEM’ is a friendship. ‘XEM’ (meaning ‘to view’ or ‘to observe’) is a group of visual artists based inSaigonwho seek to leave a tangible photographic trace of the world in which they live. ‘XEM’ is a book, a simple object with symbolic value. ‘XEM’ is a limited exhibition in your hands. From 13 September to 24 October, ‘XEM’ marks its 3rd edition by turning their photographic ideas into objects.

XEM is a discursive generative space of artistic experimentation. The book itself focuses on the primacy of the image, preferring explanations or possible meanings to be discussed collectively, in person, between and above the pages. What does it mean to be a part of community of poetic relation? What does it mean to come together as friends in the sharing of mutual interests and values? How can such a ‘belonging’ become a space that nurtures social or creative growth? What is the difference between form (as an exhibition) and ritual (as a social happening)? How does the idea of an exhibition as book, an experience made mobile and intimate, change the way an image is read and remembered?

(From: san-art.org)

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When I was young, I loved the fairy tales very much. I wish I was a fairy. With the beautiful wings, I will fly around the magical kingdom. I will meet Cindrella, Snow White, mermaids, ... and I can help them and bring love to everybody. I wish I was a princess, too. I will dance overnight with the prince and married him. We will live together and have a happy ending. I will share love and take care each other. I will be a princess that everyone is waiting for.

Now, I am older. I grow up through every day. I wish my life was beautiful. In fact, the world isn’t like in the fairy tales. In the world, there were many wars. People are destroying the environment. Many people need help. It’s not like the fairy tales, it’s different. But I think the world and magical kingdom have a same thing. Although the world is not like the fairy tales, it still has love. Love is in everywhere, and it is always shared to everybody. I know that. People will take care and help each other. They will make the world better. There aren’t any fairies to help you in the world, but you still have happiness from your family and friends. People will hold the hands and build the world more beautiful.

The fairy tales bring dreams to us. But in the world, we should stand up, bring love to everybody and make the dreams come true.

Author: Nguyen Hoang Mai                                 

Editor: Maria Aili

Wider World Language Center: widerworld.edu.vn

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I still remember my first day of school . It is an interesting memory.

I came in my class and I was very scared, but I didn’t cry. I think that it is good to go to school everyday and I would be very happy because I can meet many friends in school and I think going to school like a challenge to me. I was happy after I met my teacher. She was very nice, gentle. I saw all my friends and they were crying and they missed their parents. But I remember my mom would pick me after school and I belive that.

I saw around my class it was very nice to me. On the wall it has many pictures. The picture was so lovely. It was a cat, some fish and something else. I went to the school yard and I had a great ceremony. I listened to music and I went from school gate to school yard. Every one just welcomed us. And we came and stood to listen to the sound of field blank now I can still listen this sound, it is the sound I never forget.

Author: Hoang Quoc Minh

Editor: Maria Aili

Wider World Language Center: widerworld.edu.vn

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Sofitel Plaza Hanoi celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival on Thu 19 Sep 2013, 6:30pm

Make this year’s full-moon festival one to remember for the whole family by celebrating at the salubrious Sofitel Plaza Hanoi.

As part of the party, kids and parents will enjoy a sumptuous buffet of seafood and BBQ, along with fun-filled entertainment performances including a traditional lion dance, lantern parade, modern magic tricks and a live band. Under the expert eye of the hotel’s Master Chef, youngsters can get further into the festival spirit by trying their hands in our mooncake making competition.

Leave your worries at the door and soak up the party atmosphere to share some truly precious festive family moments.

 (From: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi)

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Cupid Festival 2013 is a wonderful opportunity for you to experience a lively and colorful mid-autumn festival. All the money will be donated to children suffering from severe financial difficulty and life-threatening illnesses.

Today, Sun 15 Sep 2013, 8 am - 10 pm, Cupid Festival 2013 is organized at 9 Tran Thanh Tong Str.,Hanoi.

Activities of the festival:

- Book fair with interesting activities.

- Handmade fair, fancy space to take photos

- Music and street dance with flashmob “Bring it all back”

All the money will be donated to pediatrics of poor families in National Hospital of Pediatrics.

 (Source: Hanoi Grapevine)

Ảnh: 

I have lots of hobbies. There are good and helpful hobbies or bad hobbies.

My helpful hobbies are reading, cooking and playing with my brother. I love cooking but I don’t know well how to cook. I just like to see everyone cook and wish I could cook too. Now, I can do omlette, fry the tofu, make fried bread with butter… It’s fun when you finally know how to cook.

I love reading too. I have lots of books at home. When I read books just like that I am living in the stories. If I read sad stories, I’ll be sad too even I can cry for it. But if I read funny stories, I always smile for the whole stories even I can laugh for it. I have learned lots of good things when I read books, like: “be nice with everyone”; “always think carefully before you say”; “we shouldn’t angry”… When I read books, I even know how to write a good essay; know history much more; how to do this; how to do that… Books are my clever and smart friends.

I often play hide and seek; catch and run with my brother. He is small, just two years old but he’s really fast and smart. He even knows how to trick me, playing with him is super duper fun. I play with my mother, it’s fun for me and him. It’s helpful for dad and mom, they can do another work, they don’t have to do baby sister work anymore.

My bad hobbies is watching teenage or adult film on TV… My dad say it’s bad hobby. It’s too old for me and if I see a lot I’ll be old so soon, my brain will be very bad and stupid. I know that but it’s too cool so I still watch but less than.

I can fix my bad hobbies but I’ll find some more helpful hobbies.

Author: Nguyen Ha Vi

Editor: Maria Aili

Wider World Language Center: widerworld.edu.vn

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