The streets include Le Duan, Hoan Kiem Lake, Bao Khanh, Trieu Quoc Dat and Lo Su and are among more than 260 along which parking has been banned since February.

Speaking to Viet Nam News yesterday, Tran Dang Hai, department deputy inspector, said Hoan Kiem District was one of main inner city areas with high traffic flow.

Demand for parking has been high with authorities having failed to find alternative solutions to the problem.

“We hope the re-opening would afford local residents more comfort in travelling,” he said.

However, Hai added the municipal People’s Committee still had to give the final nod.

The department will continue co-operating with other districts and re-open additional parking lots if demand is not satisfied.

Such re-openings have received mixed views from residents.

Trieu Anh Quan, who often takes his wife to the National Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology on Trieu Quoc Dat Street to have a pregnancy check-up, expressed his happiness over the decision.

“Whenever going to the hospital, it takes me at least 15 minutes to park my motorbike,” he said.

However, Nguyen Thi Nhan, a resident on Le Duan Street, said parking lots along the pavement would make it difficult for her son to go to school.

The department has proposed to let vehicles park along Gam Cau Street, which carries little traffic.

It will also add three streets, including Hang Ngang, Hang Dao and Dong Xuan, to the list of banned parking lots.

The Hoan Kiem People’s Committee proposed to re-open six parking lots along Ba Trieu Street, however, the idea received little support from the municipal Department of Transport.

On February 15 this year, city authorities banned hundreds of parking lots along 262 streets in nine inner city districts in order to reduce traffic jams and improve safety.

By the end of last month, the city raised the number of banned streets to 267.

source from: vietnamnews

While I won’t argue with this sound point, I will say that there are still young people out there who thoroughly enjoy attending the symphony, wherever in the world they might be. Being one of those strange people, I was elated to learn that the symphony is alive and kicking in Hanoi, at accessible prices to boot. Thus, I bought a ticket to “German Night At the Opera House”. Featuring the Vietnamese National Symphony Orchestra conducted by, up and coming, German composer Jonas Alber, playing selections by Mozart, Weber, Beethoven, Nicolai and Wagner As an added bonus, the symphony is located in one of the most beautiful and famous buildings in Hanoi, the Hanoi Opera House.

The Hanoi Opera house was commissioned by the French colonial administration and completed in 1911.  The Beaux-arts structure was modeled on the Palias Garnier in Paris (the setting for the Phantom of the Opera) and is a true architectural gem that looms elegantly over the Trang Tien traffic circle, located in central Hanoi. Like most French buildings in Hanoi, it is painted yellow and time has left visible chips and cracks in the aging façade but it is these aesthetic imperfections that make the Opera House such and incredible sight—marking it as an architectural marvel and a curious time machine.

After brushing past the Vietnamese women trying to sell me tickets at exorbitant prices, I walked through the main entrance and were immediately transported to French occupied Hanoi circa 1913. I had to use my imagination when it came to the large number of casually dressed Vietnamese and Ex-pats milling about but believe me on this one, the Hanoi Opera House takes you back in time. The interior is straight out of the Phantom of the Opera. The atrium is dominated by a white marble master staircase adorned with a red runner and a splendid chandelier that casts white light on eager patrons sauntering up the century old steps. My feet became acquainted with the colorfully designed tiled floors while I marveled at the century old wooden wall sconces and Corinthian columns. As I attempted to absorb every nook and cranny of the Opera House, I was called into the concert hall by the obligatory chiming bells and began to search for my seat. After climbing the stairs, I entered the concert hall and quickly found my seat. Seat 405 was comprised of slightly warped carved wood topped with a plush blood red velvet cushion fastened by metal rivets. I sat down like an early 1900’s fancy Frenchman and readied myself for the music, taking in the symphony solo is a marvelous experience, especially so in a such a awesome building.

The concert hall is ornately decorated in what I can best describe as traditional opera hall style—beautiful wooden balconies, red velvet seats, a massive chandelier, and large dark wood stage. The interior could use some re-painting but on the whole it is amazing that the Opera House is kept in such good condition.

The symphony itself was a delight. The Vietnamese National Symphony Orchestra was technically sound and powerful, highlighting a particularly jovial baritone and a gorgeous soprano, as well as several other Vietnamese vocal soloists. To add some humor to the highbrow event was a Vietnamese woman who came on stage after each movement to announce the next movement by way of a wordy Vietnamese monologue. I understand that this aspect of the show was not intended to be comedic but found the Lost in Translation moment to be quite funny. In regards to the music selection, I particularly enjoyed Mozart’s “A Girl or Young Woman” from A Magic Flute and “Marten Of All Kinds” from The Abduction From the Seraglio. As the final note was struck, our entertainers where awarded large bouquets of flowers and showered with applause. Exiting the Opera House I was met by the bustling Trang Tien traffic circle, which yanked me back into the 21st century.

source from: vov

Notos Quartet comprises violinist Sindri Lederer, pianist Antonia Koster, violist Liisa Randalu and cellist Florian Streich.

The quartet will perform at the Ha Noi Opera House tonight and tomorrow starting at 8pm and in HCM City on Friday.

The concert is organised by the branches of the Goethe Institute in the two cities and the EU Delegation in honour of Europe Days in Viet Nam.

The quartet arrived in Ha Noi Monday morning.

The first half of the concert will feature pieces by Mozart and Turina for piano, violin, viola and cello.

The second half will continue with works by Brahms.

Founded in 2007, the Notos ensemble have earned recognition on the international stage and charmed audiences at festivals all over Europe. They received the Parkhouse Award in London and first prize at the Charles-Hennen-Concours in the Netherlands, both in 2011.

The Notos musicians studied in different cities – Berlin, Frankfurt, Aachen and London – which has an enriching effect on their music.

“Their freshness, brilliant interplay and intelligent interpretation have a universally convincing effect,” according to ambassador Franz Jessen, head of the EU Delegation to Viet Nam.

“Conveying their own fascination with music to their listeners is what makes the concerts of the Notos Quartet an especially enjoyable musical experience,” he said at the press conference introducing Europe Days in Viet Nam.

The Vietnamese performances kick off the ensemble’s tour to Southeast Asia, which will end on May 24 in Dhaka.

Free tickets for the concerts are available at the Goethe-Institute at 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Ha Noi and at 18 Road No1, Do Thanh Building, District 3, in HCM City.

source from: vietnamnews

Illustrative image.

According to department Director Nguyen Quoc Hung cab services were currently in disarray and in need of urgent development.

The department calculated that there were 114 cab companies with 17,405 vehicles, excluding about 1,000 unregistered cabs, with 70 per cent operating in the city’s 10 inner districts, causing supply to exceed demand.

It was also estimated that the number of taxis would reach 21,000 by 2015 and 26,000 by 2020, an increase of three times over the current 12,000.

Though stating that the excess of cabs was making city traffic worse, the department admitted, “Taxis will remain the best means of city transport in the absence of a proper railway system or metro.”

To cope with the problem, the department suggested halting the establishment of new taxi firms and the increase of vehicles while asking those operating in the inner city to pay transport development fees.

Under the draft, newly registered and old cabs would be painted one colour, decided by the department, while after 2015, cabs would be coloured dependent on region.

However, Nguyen Huy Quang, deputy director of the Ha Noi Transport Company, said that it would be expensive for customers to change between regional taxis and that painting cabs twice in one year would be a waste of money.

Ngo Van Thanh, a Thanh Nga cab driver, was equally sceptical saying, “Most of my customers are from the inner city so why the need for services farther out were taxis aren’t needed?”

In addition, all cabs must be equipped with detailed meters showing price and distance, with bill forms issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Chief of the Traffic Police Colonel Nguyen Duy Ngoc said, “There should be regular checks on cab driver certificates to ensure their legality.”

Ha Noi People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Van Khoi called on the department to plan parking and drop-off sites for cabs to avoid traffic problems.

He also asked the department to judge the possible influence of the draft and submit more ideas if necessary.

source from: vietnamnet

 

Delectable: The market sells organic produce and a selection of quality wine’s produced by French winemakers in Viet Nam, and even the delectable Tomme de Savoie cheese, made with local produce. (Photo: VNS)

The Tay Ho Weekend Market, which also goes by its colloquial title, the French Market, is a concentrated cluster of stalls run by both Vietnamese and expats, with a strong French influence. 

Boasting a wide range of organic vegetables at prices little higher than any market in the capital, a selection of quality wine’s produced by French winemakers in Viet Nam, and even the delectable Tomme de Savoie cheese, made with local produce, the market offers a slice of Europe in central Ha Noi.

Located at the end of Alley 12 of To Ngoc Van Street in the West Lake area, the market is open from 9am to 12.30pm every Saturday.

The market began when people involved in food safety decided to kick-start an initiative encouraging high-quality, ethical produce with clearly stated natural origins in Ha Noi’s food sector.

The produce is not limited to vegetables, as there are organic-raised chickens for sale, which are guaranteed to have matured without steroids as are many locally sold chickens. The organic variety is not only healthier, but offers better tasting meat.

Apart from the fantastic array of fresh, healthy produce, the market attracts swathes of people for the strong sense of community, which has developed over the market’s short history.

Children chase each other around groups of chatting adults, as parents sip coffee and catch up with local friends and groups of middle-aged French men taste wine, talking about the week’s news. While the expat presence may be strong, the market attracts just as many Vietnamese visitors, perusing each stall and stocking up on the high-quality produce on offer.

 

Thrifty: Stalls at the market also sell second-hand clothes and books.

All over the world markets are a centre of socialising, and this may be the market’s true strength, in addition to the promotion of fresh and healthy produce, as the varied spread of expat nationalities and local Vietnamese all inter-mingle, creating a positive place for exchange. 

Indeed, the market has gained such popularity that motorbike parking has begun to clog the entrance, and spill into surrounding alleys.

The positive change ethos the market has built itself on spreads to stalls not offering any food, but second-hand clothes and books. Hunting through pre-loved clothes, and thumbing through used paperbacks is a quintessential market experience, and the market succeeds in transplanting the pleasure of wondering through a European-style market to Ha Noi.

The produce itself is of exceptional quality, and for Ha Noi residents inundated with horror stories of vegetables grown near piles of rubbish, or imported fruit contaminated with chemical residue, the slightly higher price of the produce here is worth the peace of mind.

Be warned, however, as the increasing popularity of the market has caused the organic stall to sell out of a large amount of their produce as early as 10.30am, so it’s best to brave the early morning to secure your fresh herbs and vegetables for the week.

For Francophiles, the pronounced French influences of the market are fantastic, with a diabolical selection of French pastries, both sweet and savoury, including warm croissants and home-made ham and cheese quiche.

The honey sold here has also gained a fierce reputation for excellent quality, and is available to be sampled, and, like many stalls, you can talk directly to the person who made it.

source from: vietnamnet

The week is being organised to promote Vietnamese designs and outfits for women, and the fashion industry in general, according to designer Nguyen Cao Bang Tam, head of the organising board.

“The fashion week is a rendezvous for designers to exchange ideas and show their creations,” she said. “It’s also an attractive cultural event for fashion lovers.”

Nearly 20 trademarks with hundreds of outfits were paraded last night and tonight at the Grand Plaza, 117 Tran Duy Hung Street, Ha Noi. Among the models are Thu Ha (Top 10 Miss Viet Nam 2010), Hong Nhung (Top 10 Miss Viet Nam 2008) and Ha Hoang Anh (Miss Ao Dai at Miss World Vietnamese).

Fashionistas will see spring and summer season designs by Do Trinh Hoai Nam, Xuan Thu and Giao Linh, as well as trademarks such as Alcado, Woman Rock, Camello and Mittex.

Designer Linh will introduce a contemporary-classic collection named Paint Me Beautiful with canvas patterns and soft materials such as silk and lace.

Designers of Alcado will feature Summer’s Colours.

The stage and catwalk would be decorated in simple and modern style with white as the decisive colour, said Tam.

“We will use colour and lights as a kind of visual art to highlight the models. The stage will be decorated with flowers only, we don’t want unnecessary decorative objects to divert attention.”

The fashion show is a result of co-operation between the Dong Tay Commerce and Technology Company and the Vinatex Group.

source from: vietnamnews

Vividly depicting the daily lives and cultural activities of ethnic peoples, the exhibition is the result of the PhotoVoice project that was conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) with financial support from CARE and Oxfarm.

“We thought it might be a good idea to let them speak for themselves, in their own words and from their own perspectives,” said project manager Luong Minh Ngoc.

The project was launched in the northern mountain provinces of Lao Cai and Yen Bai, in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri and in the southern province of Soc Trang. People from nine different ethnic groups, including the Mong Si, Black Mong, Black Dao, Red Dao, Muong, Thai, Pa Co, Van Kieu and Khmer, joined enthusiastically in the programme.

“By joining the PhotoVoice project, many ‘photographers’ could discover more about the unique culture of their own ethnic groups. Once they took pride in it, they could preserve it,” said iSEE Director Le Quang Binh.

Many of the photographers affirmed that they learned more about their cultures and customs after joining the programme.

“I used to wear our traditional costume without awareness about the meaning of every embroidered pattern on it,” said Phan Lo May, a young Red Dao woman in the tourist town of Sa Pa. “By taking photos focusing on the local brocade embroidery, I now know the meanings of all the patterns.”

May also shared the difficulties that she faced in the shooting process.

“I had to persuade people appearing in the photos about the programme’s meaning as they figured the photos had a profit motive,” she said.

Ly Thi Hong Kieu, a Khmer woman in Soc Trang Province, had another difficulty. She had to look after her grandchild at the same time as taking photos.

Perusal of life: Visitors enjoy the photos and accompanying stories. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

“I was very embarrassed during the first days when others look at me curiously, thinking ‘what is this old woman doing?’. Sometimes I had to carry my grandchild on one hand while using the other to take photos.”

Ngoc herself spent hours convincing men in Nam Bung Commune, in Yen Bai Province’s Van Chan District, to let their wives and daughters join in the programme. In their opinions, the women shouldn’t do anything other than take care of the household and farm work.

“I really feel regret that I haven’t planned to visit ethnic village before coming to Viet Nam,” said Chris Taes, a Belgian tourist who viewed the exhibition. “I can see the rich culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups, and I’ve found the exhibition is very interesting, not for the beautiful photos but for its meaning.”

The exhibition continues at Ly Thai To Park on Dinh Tien Hoang Street through Sunday. A photobook showcasing images captured during the project is expected to be published in the coming months.

source from: vietnamnews

Pho

Cable news network CNN described the capital city and its environs as the birthplace of many quintessential Vietnamese dishes, such as pho and bun cha, and the city is often cited as one of the world’s great food capitals.

Pho “It is also a street-eater’s paradise, with a plethora of options for those who want to eat like a local. In fact, many swear that the best food in Hanoi is found on the sidewalk, with dishes that often feature fish sauce, lemongrass, chilies, and cilantro and other fresh herbs,” according to CNN.

The city, which celebrated its 1,000th birthday last year, has put those centuries to good use perfecting its curbside nibbles. Although vendors often cook in small shop fronts, they serve their wares on the sidewalk, on small plastic tables and chairs that can seem woefully inadequate for overgrown foreigners.

CNN features the ten dishes including bun rieu cua (soft noodles with freshwater crab sauce), barbecue chicken, sticky rice and nem cua be (crab spring roll).

HCM City was previously listed in the world’s top 10 best street food destinations.

The list was created by Food and Wine magazine, a monthly publication of American Express Publishing.

HCM City’s most famous street foods include pho (rice noodles), banh my kep pate (sandwich with pate), and banh xeo (sizzling cake or fried pancakes made of rice flour, turmeric powder, and slivers of fatty pork and shrimp).

source from: dtinews

It looks like a corner of the northwestern region.

A corner of Hoan Kiem Lake

On Bac Son Road

Romantic wedding photos

Bauhinia variegate

source from: dtinews

This year, the trees started to turn yellow very late, not just before or after the Tet holiday as usual.

Many visitors have stopped to admire the changing colour of the leaves before green buds burst in the next few days.

source from: dtinews