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As one of the most important cities in Vietnam during the French colonial period, Hai Phong has a rich architectural heritage influenced by French design. These buildings are not only important cultural landmarks, but also serve as reminders of the city’s historical development. The Governor’s Building is currently the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Hai Phong City. Photo: Le Minh East meets West in architecture The urban development of Hai Phong lagged behind that of larger cities like Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Nang after the war. However, the city’s architectural charm lies in its harmonious blend of Asian and European influences. Many neighborhoods in Hai Phong still boast well-preserved French colonial-era buildings, such as the villas in Hong Bang district. Notable structures include the former Hai Phong City Hall (now the Hai Phong People’s Committee Office) and the town hospital (now the Military Hospital 7), which were among the first buildings erected by the Frenc...

Nguyen Sang, a renowned painter, has made significant contributions to modern Vietnamese painting. He is hailed as a master of the realist art movement, and is one of the four iconic Vietnamese artists of the 20th century, along with Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Duong Bich Lien, and Bui Xuan Phai. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Nguyen Sang’s birth (August 1, 1923 – August 1, 2023), the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, organized a talk show to reveal lesser-known stories about the artist. The ‘father’ of two national treasures Nguyen Sang was born on August 1, 1923, in the city of My Tho, Tien Giang province. In 1938, he enrolled in the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine. In August 1945, he joined the revolutionary movement in Hanoi. At the end of December 1946, he went to the Viet Bac war zone to fight in the national resistance war, using his drawings as a powerful medium. The painting Party Admission Ceremony in Dien B...

The spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail, met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s spouse, Le Thi Bich Tran, during Prime Minister Ibrahim’s two-day visit to Vietnam. As part of their visit, both spouses enjoyed water puppet performances at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi. The visit took place on July 20, 2023, and Prime Minister Ibrahim and his spouse arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. They were invited by their Vietnamese counterparts, Prime Minister Chinh and his spouse. During the visit, the spouses were introduced to the history of Vietnamese water puppetry and learned how to make puppets and perform with them. They also immersed themselves in Vietnam’s folk music played with traditional musical instruments. The Vietnamese water puppetry showcases daily life in the countryside and the Malaysian prime minister’s spouse was particularly impressed by performances of a dragon dance and a play where ...

During a business trip to Portugal, a delegation from the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, led by Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc, met with Porto Mayor Rui Moreira, according to VNA. Ho Chi Minh City and Porto City in Portugal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two cities for the period of 2023-2025. At the signing of the MoU between HCM City and Porto. Photo: VOV The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in culture, tourism, economy, trade, urban upgrading, and heritage conservation. Both cities will facilitate exchanges and sharing of experiences among their football teams and clubs, and encourage departments and agencies to increase cooperation. Vice Chairman Duc expressed his hope that the MoU will strengthen the partnership between the two cities, which are both economic hubs, especially in the areas of economy, culture, tourism, and innovation. This will contribute to promoting ties between Vietnam and Portugal. Mayor More...