Recently, a governance program initiated by the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam evaluated people’s satisfaction with government performance, ranking Ho Chi Minh City as the most livable locality in the country.

As one of Vietnam’s largest residential hubs and a key economic center in the South, Ho Chi Minh City has magnetized generations of residents from across the nation. Its allure lies in abundant career prospects, improved public services, and a lower risk of natural disasters.

Vietnam has experienced rapid urbanization, with nearly 40% of its population residing in cities by 2023. Ho Chi Minh City’s population, estimated to exceed 9 million by the end of 2023, is projected to surpass 16.8 million by 2040, posing challenges like housing shortages, traffic congestion, and pollution.

Similar urbanization challenges are observed globally. For instance, Cairo’s population surged from 6 million in 1965 to over 22 million by 2023, leading to stress and strain on resources. China’s urban population rose from 19.39% in 1980 to nearly 66.16% in 2023, resulting in issues like air and water pollution.

Urbanization is a worldwide trend, with over 60% of the population expected to live in cities by 2030. To enhance livability, cities worldwide are addressing infrastructure deficits, environmental concerns, and inequality in access to opportunities, striving to create cohesive and sustainable urban spaces.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Preparing for Lifeguard Training: A Comprehensive Guide

Lifeguards play a vital role in ensuring the safety of people in aquatic conditions like pools, beaches, and water parks. Their fundamental obligation is to forestall accidents and answer quickly and in emergencies. Lifeguards should have a blend of swimming skills, first aid information, physical fitness, and mental readiness to usefully play out their duties. 

Assessing Prerequisites for Lifeguard Training 

Before enrolling in lifeguard training, it is essential to really take a look at the prerequisites. Regularly, candidates ought to be something like 15 years old, have CPR/AED certification, and finish a swimming skills evaluation. These prerequisites ensure that candidates have a fundamental level of fitness, swimming capacity, and understanding of essential life-saving techniques. 

Enrolling in ALA Lifeguard classes 

To begin your journey towards becoming a lifeguard, search for reputable institutions that offer lifeguard training near you. These classes are planned to provide comprehensive training covering water rescue techniques, first aid frameworks, CPR, and essential lifeguarding skills. Look for approved programs that follow industry standards and guidelines. 

Strengthening Swimming Skills as a Lifeguard

A crucial piece of lifeguard training is working on your swimming skills. Lifeguards ought to be proficient in various swimming strokes like freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and sidestroke. Standard practice in different swimming techniques further creates endurance, speed, and overall water skill, positioning you to manage water rescue situations successfully. 

Learning First Aid and CPR Techniques 

Lifeguards are much of the time the first responders in emergencies, making it essential to learn first aid and CPR techniques. Training programs cover topics, for example, treating injuries, overseeing health-related emergencies, and doing mouth-to-mouth/AED techniques. Knowledge of these skills empowers lifeguards to provide immediate and life-saving assistance to people in distress. 

Securing Lifesaving Knowledge

as a Lifeguard

Lifeguard training incorporates theoretical knowledge and reasonable skills connected with water safety and rescue operations. Candidates find out about water surveillance techniques, recognizing potential hazards, utilizing rescue equipment, for example, lightness aids and arriving at posts, and communicating really during emergencies. Understanding these principles is fundamental to ensuring a protected aquatic environment. 

Physical Fitness and Endurance of  Lifeguard

Physical fitness is a cornerstone of lifeguarding. Lifeguards should maintain an elevated degree of fitness and endurance to perform rescues, swim long distances if necessary, and respond rapidly in challenging situations. Training programs frequently incorporate fitness appraisals, endurance drills, and strength training activities to prepare candidates for the physical demands of the job. 

Mental Preparedness and Focus 

In addition to physical fitness, lifeguards should develop mental preparedness and focus. This incorporates fostering a quiet and focused outlook, rehearsing situational awareness, and honing decision-production skills. Lifeguards should stay ready and mindful of their environmental factors and consistently, be prepared to mediate and respond conclusively in emergencies. 

Rehearsing Vigilance and Surveillance 

Vigilance is a basic skill for lifeguards. During training, candidates practice maintaining constant surveillance of the water and distinguishing potential dangers or hazards. This incorporates monitoring swimmers’ way of behaving, recognizing signs of distress, and prudently addressing unsafe behaviors to prevent accidents. 

Participating in Mock Rescue Scenarios 

Mock rescue scenarios are a basic piece of lifeguard training. These simulations replicate genuine emergency situations, permitting candidates to apply their skills and knowledge in a controlled environment. Mock scenarios likewise underline teamwork, communication, and coordination among lifeguards and other emergency responders. 

Understanding Legal and Ethical Responsibilities 

Lifeguards have legal and ethical responsibilities to ensure the safety and prosperity of people in their consideration. Training programs educate candidates about local regulations, safety protocols, emergency action plans, and announcing systems. Lifeguards should understand their legal obligations and act responsibly to prevent accidents and relieve chances. 

Reviewing Lifeguarding Manuals and Guidelines 

Lifeguarding manuals and guidelines provide essential information on lifeguard duties, protocols, and best practices. Candidates are urged to review these materials completely and find out more about rescue techniques, emergency strategies, and safety guidelines well defined for their work environment. 

Seeking Feedback and Continuous Improvement 

Feedback from instructors and friends is significant for improving lifeguarding skills. Candidates ought to effectively look for feedback, address regions for improvement, and take a stab at continuous learning and advancement. Constructive analysis refines techniques, upgrades execution, and assembles confidence in lifeguarding abilities. 

Taking Mock Examinations and Appraisals 

Mock lifeguard certification tests and appraisals assess candidates’ knowledge, skills, and preparation for lifeguarding duties. These appraisals mimic genuine certification tests, testing candidates on lifeguarding methodology, rescue scenarios, first aid skills, and safety protocols. Practice tests assist candidates with measuring their availability and recognize regions for additional review and improvement. 

Final Certification and Accreditation 

Upon successfully finishing lifeguard training and breezing through the certification test, candidates accept their lifeguard certification. This qualification confirms their capability and status to work as lifeguards. Certify certification programs, like those presented by the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), ensure that lifeguards satisfy industry guidelines and requirements. 

Continuing Education and Professional Turn of Events 

Lifeguarding is a unique profession that requires ongoing education and professional turn of events. Lifeguards are urged to partake in refresher courses, go to workshops and classes, and stay updated on industry patterns and advancements. Continuing education improves skills, knowledge, and preparedness to deal with advancing challenges in aquatic safety and rescue. 

Final Word: Commitment to Lifeguard Excellence 

Getting ready for lifeguard training includes a comprehensive methodology incorporating physical fitness, swimming capability, first aid knowledge, mental preparedness, and adherence to safety protocols. Lifeguards assume an imperative part in shielding lives and advancing water safety, making rigorous training and continuous professional improvement essential for excellence in lifeguarding.  

By observing these guidelines and putting resources into quality training programs, hopeful lifeguards can set out on a satisfying and impactful career dedicated to protecting and serving their communities. 

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Collaborating on Kao Sieu Luc’s business memoir, “Doanh nhân Kao Siêu Lực: Từ một câu chuyện khó khăn đến ABC Bakery – thương hiệu Việt vươn ra thế giới” meant spending hours meeting him and his inner circle “To gain a different perspective from the thousands of articles talking about him.

Mỹ Huyền (left) and Kao Siêu Lực (2nd right) in the launching ceremony of the book.

It was in 2023 that I was ABC Bakery founder – Kao Sieu Luc’s ghostwriter. I spent time with him, his family and his inner circle to question myself: Did you ever think about your future job at a younger age? Perhaps each of us had one and most of us are able to choose the profession we desired even if we veer onto a different path from the original. 

During working with Kao for the memoir “Doanh nhân Kao Siêu Lực: Từ một câu chuyện khó khăn đến ABC Bakery – thương hiệu Việt vươn ra thế giới”, I could see that he was not that lucky. 

When I was assigned by the Chief Editor of Doanh nhân Sài Gòn Magazine to write Kao’s business memoir, I had opportunity to have long and deep conversations with a busy businessman to deep dive into how he started business in the Đổi mới era. Talking with Kao about his youthful days, I sensed a life full of gray color. But his determination was like a strong light shining that led him to today’s success, even though he didn’t know where his first steps would take him.

Kao – founder of ABC Bakery – was once a young nobleman in Cambodia. When Pol Pot advanced into the villages of Cambodia, it was a time when his future became tumultuous. He left Cambodia for Vietnam to escape from this horrifying genocide regime. Kao started Đức Phát 1982 with a small amount of money he had saved. In 2008, he started his ABC Bakery brand, and in 2023, his journey is Go Gelato brand, despite his advanced age.

As I wrote the first words of the book, I wondered what I should write to record the conversations with this successful yet humble businessman. Should I follow my emotions and wander in the world full of the scent of the tiny bakery in a small alley? That was the first place where Kao started his business. But it wasn’t the beginning of a life in hardship. I decided to begin with his days in Cambodia, a land that forged a strong personality that overcame all the storms later on, turning what seemed to be sweeping away a person into making them stronger. 

In this book, I attempted to answer the questions of an entrepreneur, starting a business in extremely difficult economic conditions as well as uncertainty, which he often received. It’s the book of strategies through each stage of business development that Kao has experienced:

1. Funding solutions.
2. Prioritizing stable growth to achieve breakthrough growth.
3. Modernizing production in each business stage.
4. Collaboration in a competitive environment.
5. Preparing capabilities toward the future.

In the closing lines of the book, I summarize the life philosophy of this businessman as “giving to receiving”. Kao commits to this philosophy in every aspect of business and lives peacefully in a competitive market. Now, ABC Bakery has also become a famous international brand in Southeast Asia.

This is a philosophy that anyone who knows him appreciates. It’s the motivation behind his “Red Dragon Fruit Rescue Campaign” spreading throughout the country. It’s the reason why his children return to Vietnam to work with him, even though their own careers abroad are very promising, even though they have to change the mindset of those benefiting from education abroad to return to their father who always shares with the community.

This is the longest “article” I have ever written as a journalist specializing in the business in the startup ecosystem. This book is a collaboration of Kao, Doanh nhân Sài Gòn Magazine that gives me the opportunity to deeply analyze successful business models and contribute to the development of Vietnam’s economy.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Guide 101: How To Choose The Right Glass Breaker For Your Car 

Glass, windows, or emergency breakers are essential tools that most drivers use to maintain their safety. You can use them to break your car’s windows if the situation requires you to escape. Imagine driving to work, minding your business, and suddenly, a young buffalo emerges from the bush and stands in front of your vehicle. 

You immediately slam on the breaks. You realize that you should escape the car. Then, you begin looking for the right rescue tool. What might happen if you fail to get one? Investing in the best rescue tool for your car is one of the best things you can do since your safety comes first. In this post, you will learn the best ways to choose emergency tools that suit your needs. 

1. Purpose and Glass-Type

Before choosing a windows breaker, discover whether the one you prefer will work with your vehicle. You don’t want to end up buying one designed for other purposes. Until recently, manufacturers relied exclusively on glass to make side windows. Today, some use laminated glass, which can withstand the impact of most window breakers. You might never destroy this glass if you strike it in the corner. 

For safety, check the material used to make your windows. Look at the bottom corner for a label that says laminated or tempered. If you can’t see one, look at the window from above. Roll it down first if you encounter any difficulties doing this. 

Tempered glass windows appear smooth and in one piece. However, the glass is laminated if it looks like a sandwich with a ridge. Clarifying the purpose can help you to know the type of glass breaker you need. For example, you can choose one with a pointed tip if you want a tool that can shatter windows or a blunt end designed to bush through glass. 

2. Glass Breaker Breaking Power

Consider whether your preferred window breaker can break your window with minimum effort. You want to choose one that can break your glass without spending too much energy since that might never help you during an emergency. Choose one with features that ensure you break tempered glass conveniently. 

Also, determine whether a standard hammer or spring-loaded punch suits your requirements. Note that the punch can shatter tempered glass fast, and you won’t require space to swing. Also, they transfer energy much faster and work well in confined spaces. However, you need gloves to protect your hands from injury. It might be worth taking the risk, but you should understand the potential consequences. 

If you are thinking about hammers, remember they require effort and space. Nevertheless, they have plenty of power. You must swing this emergency breaker before striking, making it more challenging than spring-loaded designs. It is worth noting this negative consequence, but understand that your hands will be safe. They will be far away from the window, minimizing the chances of injury. 

What about the power of a snap-type rescue tool? Much like a bow, it depends on the pull and elastic, so you can choose it if you like how it works. You must evaluate these different features to determine which window breaker has the ideal glass-breaking power to give you the best experience. 

3. Glass Breaker The Emergency Tool Store

Think about where you will store your emergency tool before buying one. You should go for a device you can reach fast when required. Consider an option that attaches to a key chain. You can plug window breakers into your charger to meet this need. However, if you want to drill into your car, you might reap more by choosing a version with a mounting bracket. 

As you think about storage, remember that some methods can expose you to more risks. For example, attaching a hammer to the vehicle using tape or Velcro is undesirable. If you do, it’ll likely be loose on impact. In other words, this method can turn your safety device into a dangerous projectile in an accident. 

4. Value: Cost-Verses-Benefit

Your safety comes first. Prepare to spend as much money as possible to protect your life. That’s a mouthful statement, but it is only partially true since money is a limited resource. You must use it sparingly. Otherwise, you can expose yourself and loved ones to other painful pressures of life. 

The amount you spend on your window breaker should be within your budget. The good news is that you can find many inexpensive options. With this tip, you will diversify your spending and ensure your resources address as many needs as possible without compromising your safety. 

5. Size and Weight

Window breakers have an assortment of sizes and weights. These elements often depend on their design. For example, the standard hammer is often heavier than other options. This disparity makes them less desired if you want a tool you can carry daily. 

Remember that your needs are the most significant determinant of an excellent rescue tool. Weight is also vital as it can affect the ease of use. Fortunately, numerous window breakers are only a few ounces and can give you exceptional versatility. 

Some come with features like clips for storage, seatbelt cutters, keychain rings, and more. You can use many for precision marking. So, many vehicle rescue tools can add versatility without adding unbearable weight. As such, your seller shouldn’t use versatility as a primary reason to support an unreasonable increase in the weight of their products. 

Summing Up 

Emergency breakers are a must-have. They have saved the lives of many individuals stuck in sinking cars. However, there are instances where the occupants perished since they had the wrong tool. To avoid a similar ordeal, find out the purpose before buying one. Once you understand your requirements, you will make better choices. Ensure your windows have the type of glass your preferred tool can break during an emergency. 

Moreover, consider other critical factors like the breaking power of the breaker and whether you can store the rescue tool in a secure place where you can access it easily. You can also buy the most cost-effective window breaker that is lightweight and is of the ideal size. By following these tips, you will choose the best one for your car and increase your chances of saving many lives in case of an accident. 

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Source: Vietnam Insider

The announcement came from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in partnership with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) in April 2024.

Vietnam boasts two cities on the list, with Hanoi climbing three spots to rank 97th compared to 2023, while Ho Chi Minh City holds steady at 105th place.

Hanoi’s inclusion reflects its ongoing efforts to develop a smart city model. The city aims to undergo digital transformation by 2025, paving the way for a greener, smarter, and more modern urban landscape. By 2030, Hanoi aims to cement its status as a smart, modern city, gradually integrating into regional and global smart urban networks.

IMD defines smart cities as urban areas leveraging technology to maximize benefits and minimize drawbacks of urbanization for residents.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Specifically, the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and its surrounding areas will be open from 7:00 p.m. on April 26th (Friday) until midnight on May 1st (Wednesday). Likewise, the walking streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will operate from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day during this period.

Given the lengthy holiday and the need to compensate for work on May 4th (Saturday) of the following week, the operating schedule for the walking spaces during the week of May 1st will be adjusted accordingly. The walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and its surroundings will be open from 7:00 p.m. on May 4th (Saturday) until midnight on May 5th (Sunday). Similarly, the walking streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter will operate from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (May 4th – May 5th).

The Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee has urged departments, divisions, and units within the district, as well as the Dong Xuan Joint Stock Company and Ward People’s Committees, to coordinate effectively to ensure various aspects such as urban security, traffic order and safety, environmental sanitation, and urban aesthetics. Moreover, strict adherence to disease prevention and control measures, as well as fire and explosion prevention, is emphasized to safeguard the well-being of residents and tourists alike. Coordination with city departments and branches has also been requested to facilitate smooth implementation.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

During this period, Hanoi City witnessed a staggering 89 fires, comprising 14 medium-scale incidents and 75 smaller ones. Though fortunately devoid of any human casualties, the blazes inflicted property damages amounting to an estimated 398 million VND, with ongoing assessments.

Moreover, the Fire Prevention, Fighting, and Rescue Police responded to 16 rescue calls, actively engaging in 11 operations and successfully saving four individuals, while recovering the bodies of three others.

Analyzing the data, it’s evident that urban districts bore the brunt, accounting for a significant 58.43% of the total incidents, totaling 52 cases. Of these, residential homes constituted a substantial portion at 69.35%, comprising 43 cases. Additionally, properties serving dual purposes of residence and commerce contributed six cases (9.68%), with four cases stemming from various warehouses and business establishments.

Responding swiftly to the crisis, the Fire and Rescue Police mobilized a formidable force of 82 vehicles and 527 officers and soldiers to combat the blazes throughout April 2024.

Despite the efforts, investigations into 77 out of the 89 fires remain ongoing, with the primary culprit still identified as system and electrical equipment failures, making up 90.9% of cases.

As temperatures soar, causing higher electricity usage, the Hanoi City Police issue a stern warning, advising residents to conduct regular inspections of electrical systems and equipment, refrain from overloading power outlets, maintain a safe distance of at least 0.5 meters from flammable materials, and avoid overnight charging of electronic devices. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of switching off electrical appliances when not in use or when leaving the premises.

In case of a fire emergency, prompt action is paramount—raise the alarm, and immediately dial 114 to summon the Fire and Rescue Police or contact the nearest ward police station.

@vtv.vn

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Currently, I notice that the youth are chasing after music genres lacking substance, lyrics devoid of meaning, and both composers and listeners lacking depth.

We are Vietnamese people, yet we lack the soul of Vietnam in our music and lyrics. As I mentioned before, French teachers like Victor François Tardieu (1870-1937) truly cultivated a talented generation of artists in the East Indochina Fine Arts College, similarly to the New Music movement (1928) during the same period. In the era influenced by French waltz and tango, Vietnamese essence permeated through, and a generation of teenagers (13-19 years old) up to young adults (20-21 years old) accomplished marvels beyond what we can imagine in the past 30 years.

Đinh Nhu (1910 – 1945) was born into a poor family making a living selling flowers. He was passionate about theater and music since elementary school. Due to financial difficulties, he had to drop out of school and joined the Revolutionary Youth League of Vietnam in 1927. By the end of 1929, he was imprisoned by the French at “Hilton Hanoi” and sentenced to life in exile on Con Dao Island. While in prison, he taught other inmates to sing, and the song “Cùng nhau đi Hồng binh” was born. This song was inspired by the fervent struggle against the French in the 1930s, especially the Nghe-Tinh Soviet movement (1930–1931). Although not a prominent figure in Vietnamese music history, “Cùng nhau đi Hồng binh” (1930, when he was only 21 years old) left a profound mark, praising the revolutionary forces in the early stages of the anti-French resistance. For me, the song “Cùng nhau đi Hồng binh” adds strength and spirit to the soldiers and people in the struggle for freedom and independence. Đinh Nhu’s first composition was also the first song of the New Music movement.

Also composing his first piece at the age of 21, we have musician Hoàng Giác (1924-2017) from Chèm village, Hanoi. His father was a skilled gourd zither player but was passionate about boxing, even serving as the President of the North Vietnam Boxing Federation. Hoàng Giác himself was also passionate about sports. He attended Buoi School (now Chu Van An) where he studied music through French composition and harmony materials. In 1945, at the age of 21, he wrote his first song “Mơ hoa,” marking a significant change in Vietnam with the success of the August Revolution. The messages of romantic longing, encountered by a young couple in life’s journey, expressing dreams and aspirations for a peaceful world, love, and beautiful life, reflect hope and dreams for a brighter future after achieving independence.

Poet – musician Nguyễn Đình Thi (1924-2003) was born in Luang Prabang, Laos, but his ancestral village is in Vũ Thạch village, Hanoi. His father was a civil servant in the Indochina Postal Department who worked in Laos. In the 1940s, he joined the National Salvation Cultural Group during the Japanese occupation of Indochina. In 1945, he participated in the Tan Trao National Congress and was elected as a delegate to the first National Assembly of Vietnam. At the same time, he, Văn Cao, and Đỗ Nhuận each wrote a revolutionary song in response to the movement’s demands. Thus, when the poet – musician was only 21 years old, the song “Diệt phát xít” was born, although it was not published in the Independent Newspaper and was only distributed in manuscript form. After the August Revolution, Nguyễn Đình Thi became the Secretary-General of the National Salvation Cultural Group. The song “Diệt phát xít” expresses the determination and strength of the people in the fight against fascist ideologies and serves as a call for unity and determination of the Vietnamese people during wartime.

Musician Ngô Hoàng Dương (1933-2017) was the son of the renowned cultural figure Ngô Văn Triện (pen name Trúc Khê). He was also a talented cello player and played a key role in establishing the cello department at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music. After the Geneva Accords in 1954, he encouraged intellectuals and artists not to migrate to the South following the call of the National Government of Vietnam. During a secret mission, he was discovered and had to flee to the outskirts. There, he met a young woman and they went to Hồ Tây, Hồ Trúc Bạch to watch the sunset together, but later lost contact. He made several trips to the South to find her but with no success, so he poured his emotions into the song “Hướng về Hà Nội” (Turning towards Hanoi) expressing deep longing and nostalgia. The song was composed against the backdrop of Hanoi – the heart of the nation – during the struggle against the French, evoking the image of Hanoi during difficult but resilient times, inspiring deep patriotism. Evaluated as a “masterpiece of music about Hanoi,” this first composition was born when the author was 21 years old.

Musician Trần Hoàn (1928-2003), whose real name is Nguyễn Tăng Hích, was from Hải Lăng, Quảng Trị. His father was a music enthusiast with a strong interest in Huế music, classical opera, Western music, which influenced his musical career later on. In 1935, Trần Hoàn studied at the Quốc học Huế. He self-taught music composition from the age of 16-17. At the age of 20, he composed the song “Sơn nữ ca” while in the combat zone of Quảng Bình. “Sơn nữ ca” praises the strength reflecting the life, spirit, courage, and authentic beauty of the women in the highlands and minority women in the mountainous regions during the resistance against the French.

Everyone knows Trịnh Công Sơn (1939-2001) as one of the greatest musicians of Vietnam with deeply humanistic songs, dubbed by the American press as the “Bob Dylan of Vietnam.” His family hailed from Thừa Thiên Huế but settled in Đắk Lắk before returning to business in Huế. Before 1958, his mother owned a large store on Phan Bội Châu Street, but due to losses, they had to close it and focus on providing for their children’s education at home. At the age of 19, he met singer Thanh Thúy and composed the songs “Ướt mi” and “Thương một người” as gifts when he went to watch her perform at the Mỹ Cảnh restaurant. Both songs reflect Trịnh Công Sơn’s profound thoughts and emotions about fragile first love and deeply sentimental life, expressing sadness and regret in love through poignant lyrics and gentle, profound melodies.

A young and talented musician who blossomed earlier than Trịnh was Lê Minh Lập (1941-1999) from Đà Lạt. His family originally bore the surname Phan, but due to Phan Bội Châu’s revolution, they changed it to Lê. His mother was Công Tôn Nữ Phương Nhi, the ninth daughter of King Thành Thái. Due to lost documents, he had to re-register his birth certificate twice. He adopted the stage name Lê Uyên Phương from his mother’s name, Phương, and his first girlfriend’s name, Uyên. In 1960, at just 19 years old, he composed his debut song “Buồn đến bao giờ” in Pleiku, a confessional piece where the narrator questions and seeks answers to his lingering sadness. The melancholic melody and profound lyrics of the song reflect the introspection and quest for answers in the heart of a young person facing life’s challenges and relationships. This song not only tells a personal story but also voices the sentiments of many young people in Vietnamese society at the time, grappling with significant changes in society and life.

Musician Ngô Thụy Miên, born in 1948 in Hải Phòng, was the second child in a family of seven. He grew up surrounded by books and literature because his family owned a bookstore named Thanh Bình in Hải Phòng, later relocated to Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street when they settled in Saigon. In 1963, he started composing music and completed his first love song, “Chiều nay không có em,” two years later, which received enthusiastic responses from students. The song was written during the Vietnam War era, a melancholic confession of those left behind, expressing through its gentle yet emotional melody the feelings of separation and longing. It’s worth remembering that, at that time, the young author was only 17 years old.

Lastly, the “king” of young, sentimental musicians was Cung Tiến (1938-2022). What’s particularly remarkable is that his first love song was composed at the age of 14-15, when he left behind his childhood memories to embark on a long, exhausting journey from North to South, to a completely unfamiliar city. Everything – from the streets, people, language, food, clothing, lifestyle, habits – felt strange. The sudden cultural shock created a cultural “shock” that he couldn’t define or name. The emotions in the soul of the 15-year-old boy, with boundless imagination, condensed into an unparalleled masterpiece, “Hoài Cảm,” about nostalgia for loved ones, longing for the classical homeland, refined and profound, reaching the depths of emotion as if 50 years of separation had passed. As the author reminisced, “I left early, meaning from Hanoi to Saigon early. When leaving, I remembered everything that Hanoi engraved in my memory, it’s like having that piece of music.” And thus, the iconic masterpiece “Chiều buồn len lén tâm tư” was born when the author was only … 15 years old.

Every time the masterpieces of those young days resound – romantic, grand, profound, and timeless – I suddenly realize that I’m older than all the East Indochina Fine Arts College and New Music pioneers back then. Vietnam’s youth once had vibrant springs, radiant summers, classic autumns, and profound winters like that.

Perhaps our budding youth have the potential to achieve even more. Let’s focus on honing skills, emotions, and thoughts to contribute enduring works and masterpieces to the world.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

On Thursday, Hanoi’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment convened a conference to strategize on air quality control and to urge collective action against the city’s deteriorating air conditions.

The department’s statistics indicate significant environmental strides: over 99% of charcoal stoves have been phased out, straw burning in outlying districts has been cut by 80%, numerous brick kilns have been dismantled, and daily waste collection and landfill disposal exceed 90%.

Hanoi is piloting a program to gauge motorcycle emissions, seeking impactful remedies for air contamination.

Nonetheless, air pollution persists as a critical concern in Hanoi, with monitoring stations reporting substandard air quality for more than a third of the year, translating to approximately 110 days of poor air conditions annually.

Concern about air quality can even be a lucrative business opportunity.

The city’s average PM2.5 levels—fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less—nearly double the national safety threshold. Such particulates, which also include larger PM10 particles, are linked to severe health issues like respiratory disorders, asthma, and cancer, posing heightened risks to vulnerable groups like children, expectant mothers, and the elderly.

Transportation remains the leading contributor to PM2.5 pollution, followed by industrial discharge, agricultural practices, and everyday human activities.

At the seminar, Nguyen Huong Hue of the French Development Agency highlighted their joint initiative with Hanoi to enhance air quality. Hue advocated for increased public transportation usage to curtail emissions.

Do Quang Huy of the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers emphasized VAMM’s dedication to developing greener motorcycles and recommended routine maintenance to mitigate emissions. VAMM has also initiated a project to evaluate older vehicles for emission control.

Earlier in March, Hanoi’s authorities approved an air quality management strategy, aiming to reduce air pollution and ensure air quality remains satisfactory for at least 75% of the year by 2030.

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Source: Vietnam Insider

Vietnam, a nation with a rich tapestry of history, celebrates the legacy of its ancient founders, the Hùng Kings, with a holiday that is steeped in tradition and national pride.

The Hùng Kings are revered as the mythical founders of the first Vietnamese state, Văn Lang, and are celebrated for their contributions to the nation’s identity and unity.

The Hùng Kings: Founders of a Nation: The Hùng Kings, according to Vietnamese legend, were the descendants of Lạc Long Quân, the Dragon Lord, and his consort, the mountain fairy Âu Cơ. Their lineage is said to have ruled over the northern part of Vietnam and southern China during the Hồng Bàng period, from 2879 BC to 258 BC. The most illustrious of their sons became the first Hùng King, establishing the realm of Văn Lang, the cradle of Vietnamese civilization.

The Hùng Kings’ Festival: A Time of Remembrance: The Hùng Kings’ Temple Festival, known in Vietnamese as Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương or Lễ hội đền Hùng, is held annually from the 8th to the 11th day of the third lunar month. This period marks a time when the Vietnamese people pay homage to their ancestral kings. The main festival day, which has been a public holiday since 2007, falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month.

Ceremonies and Traditions: The festival’s major ceremony involves a pilgrimage to the Hùng Temple, located on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phú Thọ Province. Participants journey from the base of the mountain, stopping at each temple along the way, until reaching the High Temple at the peak. Here, they offer prayers and incense, honoring the memory of the Hùng Kings.

Cultural Significance and UNESCO Recognition: The worship of the Hùng Kings is not only a testament to the enduring respect for the nation’s founders but also a symbol of Vietnamese culture and identity. In recognition of its importance, the Hùng Kings’ Festival was inscribed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Hùng Kings’ Festival in 2024 will be a significant event in Vietnam, with the main public holiday falling on Thursday, April 18th.

The Hùng Kings’ Festival is more than just a holiday; it is a living tradition that embodies the values of unity, resilience, and integrity that the Hùng Kings instilled in the Vietnamese people. It is a time for reflection on the past and a celebration of the enduring spirit of Vietnam.

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Source: Vietnam Insider