The growing popularity of foreign sports, such as hockey and rugby, in Vietnam began with foreigners who have made it their passion to feed the country’s athletic appetite. James Chew, a Singaporean businessman credited with introducing hockey to Vietnam is just one of these athletes. Chew began working in the country ten years ago but refused to leave his love for hockey behind in Singapore. In 2007, he hosted the first Hockey Festival in Vietnam, growing the event over the past ten years to include 400 participants and an audience of several hundred. “Apart from family and work, hockey is also my life,” said Chew. “I used to be a professional hockey player in Singapore,” he added. Not only does he focus on recruiting players to the sport, Chew also covers equipment and pitch rental fees. “Vietnamese people don’t know much about hockey. I have to build everything from the ground up.” Chew’s dedication to promoting the sport has paid off – the country now boasts a hockey federation and national team. The businessman also visits schools with Huynh Dai Phuc, the national team’s coach to invite students to try their hand at hockey. “It isn’t easy,” said Phuc. “Hockey uses sticks, which makes people think it is dangerous. But those who try it realize that it is totally safe. We try to make our sport stand out, to make it look exciting and energetic so that people, especially youngsters, join us.” Vietnam’s hockey community is centered in the southern… [Read full story]
According to the association’s president Nguyen Duc Toan, hisorganisation has been raising funds for the programme over the pastthree years with a hope of offering an opportunity to ex-servicemen andexperts of the Soviet Union to see with their eyes the changes inVietnam and Vietnamese people’s sentiment for their country. The Vietnamese communities in many countries are also holding various activities to mark Vietnam’s National Day. In Malaysia, the liaison board for the Vietnamese community in thecountry hosted an art exchange on August 23 to celebrate theanniversary.Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador NguyenHong Thao briefed participants on the development of theVietnam-Malaysia…... [read more]
‘Gala 2013 – Australian Alumni Documentary Film Premier’ is one of the key events VGAC will host to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam.It will be an opportunity for alumni to meet, network and share their memories of living and studying in Australia. The documentary is the first film about the Australian alumni community in Vietnam. The film tells the stories of 40 high-profile alumni and VGAC members who have made significant contributions to Vietnamese life in fields including education, culture, social development, business and science. The film explores alumni’s experiences of studying and living…... [read more]
A photo contest titled 'Lotus in Vietnamese Culture' has just been launched in Hanoi by the Cultural Heritage Association and Vietnam News Agency, aimed to mark Vietnam Heritage Day on November 23. The lotus is considered a symbol of pure beauty, elegance and vitality in Vietnamese culture, and a source of inspiration for poets and artists, besides also occupying an important role in Buddhism. The photo contest aims to honor the lotus as a top choice for national flower of the country and also to mark Vietnam Heritage Day on November 23.Submissions for the contest can be sent to the…... [read more]
My Style 2 marks Vietnam Designers House birthday By Huy Nguyen in HCMC Vietnam Designers House HCMC will mark its second birthday with fashion show My Style 2 at 8 p.m. tomorrow at 161A Hai Ba Trung Street in District 1. With 120 fashion models sporting male and female outfits for offices, picnics, parties and casual wear it promises to be a real gala event. The show will introduce new collections of dozens of designers such as Hong Vuong, Van Khoa, Bich Ha, Van Hien, Le Hang, Quang Huy and Minh Hanh. The highlight of the show is an exchange…... [read more]
More than 200 guests attended a reception to mark Vietnam's 60th National Day held by the Vietnamese embassy in Washington Wednesday. The guests included representatives of local authorities, State and Defense Departments, US businesses, and military attachés from the embassies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and other countries. Ambassador Nguyen Tam Chien recalled events from Vietnam's struggle for independence and national construction during the past 60 years. He also spoke about the country's social and economic achievements under the current reform process. The first US visit by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in June 2005 had opened…... [read more]
