A number of ethnic minority group farmers in the central province of Quang Ngai have been plunged into heavy debts by succumbing to loan sharks with extremely high interest rates Residents of Cor ethnic minority group in Tra Tho Commune, Tay Tra District were offered compensation sums of up to US$43,880 (approx VND1billion) after being relocated for the construction of Nuoc Trong Reservoir. The farmers’ dreams of changing their lives for the better after receiving the handsome amounts of money were shattered by the circling of loan sharks, putting them at risk of incurring heavy debts as well as other repercussions. From his new house at the relocation quarter, Ho Van Tram, in his 70s, wistfully stared at his old village, a few hours’ walk away. His old village was no longer an idyllic neighborhood as construction of the reservoir began in 2007. He shared had would never have imagined himself pocketing VND770 million ($33,895) as site clearance compensation, which then soon landed him in trouble. All that remained was a mere VND200 million ($8,803) after the remainder vanished in an instant. A loan shark demanded Tram pay him VND200 million to cover his youngest son’s debt, the old man recalled. Upon his son’s admission that he had borrowed from the loan shark, Tram had no choice but to pay the usurer the sum. The elderly father settled more of his son’s crippling debts following additional loans until he refused to do so as there was only around a quarter… [Read full story]
A photo exhibition on three ethnic minorities (including Cơ Tu, Tà Ôi and Pa Kô) in central Thua Thien-Hue province taken by French photographer Sebastien Laval will be held at the French Cultural Centre in Hanoi on November 6-22. With 50 mainly black-and-white photos, the exhibition will offer viewers a snap shot of the daily lives and traditional clothes of ethnic minorities in the centre of Vietnam as well as capturing how their traditional culture has commingled with a more modern lifestyle. At a press conference on November 5, French photographer, Sebastien Laval, said he has been coming to Vietnam…... [read more]
French photographer Sébastien Laval yesterday introduced to the capital people his exhibition featuring 50 photos on Vietnamese ethnic minority groups of Co Tu, Ta Oi and Pa Ko in Thua Thien - Hue central province. From the exhibition, he wants more and more people to know about these people which he considered as cultural heritage. Fifty photos, in which most of them are black and white ones, are now on display at the L’Espace French Cultural Centre until November 22. They are the French photographer’s discovery on the special culture of three ethnic minority groups. “Not many people know well about…... [read more]
A stall featuring Chinese traditional culture in the exhibition. The "Lac Hong Tune" Cultural Festival of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, taking place at the Ho Chi Minh City Youth's Cultural House today, will last until Oct 14 to celebrate 50th anniversary of the Viet Nam Youth Union's Day. The festival includes various interesting activities, including concerts, street art performances, fashion shows of Vietnamese ethnic minorities' costumes, etc. Singers' and artists' souvenirs will be sold at auction to raise fund for the poor. Young people will have an opportunity to learn about the Vietnamese ethnic minorities' cultural characteristics through the exhibition "Vietnamese ethnic…... [read more]
An exhibition on Vietnamese ethnic minorities, honoring their outstanding contribution in national defense and construction, is being held in Hanoi. Opening on May 9, the display jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Committee for Ethnic Affairs, will commemorate the 120th birthday of the late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19). The first national ethnic minority congress will run until 14 May.The show helps visitors understand more thoroughly, the state and government policies in the fields of culture and economics, administered upon ethnic minority groups during the 2005-2009 period. The display also gives a chance…... [read more]
With 50 mainly black-and-white photos, the exhibition will offer viewers a snap shot of the daily lives and traditional clothes of ethnic minorities in the centre of Vietnam as well as capturing how their traditional culture has commingled with a more modern lifestyle. At a press conference on November 5, French photographer, Sebastien Laval, said he has been coming to Vietnam since 1955 and recognised the strange attractiveness of Vietnam's land and people. He soon began to record images of the daily life and culture of Vietnamese ethnic minorities in late 20th century and early 21st century. The French photographer…... [read more]
