 |
| Smiling faces of the ethnic children in the northern mountain remote areas are reflected on Google Art and Culture by Réhahn, a French photographer. Google screenshot |
The exhibition, titled "Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum" by French photographer Réhahn Croquevielle, includes vibrant photos showcasing over 60 colourful traditional costumes from various ethnic groups such as Dao, Bo Y, O Du, Phu La, La Hu, Pu Peo, Pa Then, and Si La.
It also features interesting stories and unique artefacts that the author collected during his journey throughout Vietnam, discovering the beauty of the country and its people.
Information on each photo is provided in Vietnamese, English, and French. Images of 54 ethnic groups living in the regions of North, Central, and South Vietnam, each with distinct characteristics, lifestyles, and customs, are vividly portrayed, enabling viewers to better appreciate the rich and diverse national cultural identity.
In Réhahn's eyes, the North of Vietnam is an area of stunning beauty, having travelled to the most remote parts of the country to photograph the ethnic groups and learn their traditional songs.
He was especially taken with the Si La people in their costumes adorned with silver coins, which are believed to bring luck.
Réhahn also encountered the Dao, Pu Peo, Kho Mu, and Mong Hoa peoples, discovering that each has its own language, skills, and traditional attire. He expressed that while the northern mountain region might be remote and challenging to traverse, its captivating landscapes, colours, and contrasts have drawn him back time and again.
The photographer's journeys to the central and southern regions have been equally intriguing. He mentioned that in many areas, ethnic minorities live with scant opportunities to interact with foreigners, leading him to work there for many years.
Réhahn revealed that the most memorable encounter for him was likely with the O Du people, the smallest ethnic group in Vietnam, numbering only 376 individuals.
 |
| Photos of more than 60 colourful traditional costumes of various ethnic groups across Vietnam are being displayed on Google Art and Culture platform. (Google screenshot) |
Réhahn's online photo exhibition on the Google Arts & Culture platform also allows viewers to appreciate and learn about the indigo dyeing technique of the Dao, Nung, Mong, and La Chi.
The dyeing technique imparts the characteristic green colour of the indigo plant and offers a process to create a non-toxic dyeing substance. It also encompasses weaving methods that have been handed down through centuries, such as harvesting hemp and batik design – a traditional handmade fabric with beeswax motifs using natural dyes. These techniques form an integral part of the culture, heritage, and in some instances, the livelihoods of ethnic minorities.
Additionally, the exhibition, accessible at https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/precious-heritage-art-gallery-museum, showcases and introduces various traditional local occupations, including the coffee production process of the K'Ho people and organic honey farming by the Co Tu.
After his initial exploration of the northern region, he devoted five years to immerse himself in the diverse, intricate culture and the delicate preservation of the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups.
Born in Normandy, France, Réhahn travelled to over 35 countries before choosing to settle in the ancient town of Hoi An, which he regards as his second home.
Drawn to capturing images of diverse cultures and collecting traditional costumes and invaluable artefacts, he chose to renovate an old house from the French colonial period in Hoi An. He transformed this dwelling into an art museum, dedicated to narrating the stories of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.
He also made a profound impression on the hearts of the Vietnamese art-loving community through portraits in Vietnam, Cuba, and India.
His career was accentuated with the release of a photo book titled "Mosaic of Contrasts" in 2014 in Vietnam, followed by the exhibition "Ageless Beauty" at the Vietnamese Women's Museum.
His Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum houses the permanent display of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting viewers to the remotest parts of Vietnam, the collection reveals the rich cultural mosaic of the ethnic tribes.
"Discover striking portraits, stories, and heirlooms that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Both a celebration and a call for preservation, this free museum, the only one of its kind, is a labour of love and respect. It stands as a testament to the connection, appreciation, and importance Réhahn feels for these remarkable tribes," states Google Art and Culture.
"Five rooms, covering over 500 sq.m in a 19th-century French house, display hundreds of portraits, over 60 costumes, tribal songs, and a sense of wonder," Google describes.
"As you explore each room, you can accompany Réhahn on his almost decade-long journey to document the 54 ethnic tribes and their subgroups remaining in the country."
Bamboo Airways launches Taiwan – Cam Ranh route
According to the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnamese budget airline Bamboo Airways in collaboration with Crystal Bay Group and Fashion Vietnam International Travel Company has launched charter flights to bring travelers from Taiwan (China) to Khanh Hoa province.
 |
| The first group of Taiwanese travelers arrive at Cam Ranh international airport from Taoyuan on Bamboo Airways charter light on September 20. (Photo: baokhanhhoa.vn) |
The airline operates the Taoyuan (Taiwan) - Cam Ranh route on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, carrying between 100 to 190 passengers/flight.
During their stay from 5 to 10 days, Taiwanese travelers are set to stay at high-end hotels and resorts in Khanh Hoa, and visit local tourist attractions in Nha Trang city or go on sea and island tours.
The first such charter flight landed at Cam Ranh International Airport on September 20, bringing 181 passengers to Khanh Hoa.
Bamboo Airways is scheduled to operate this route from September 20 to December 31, 2023.
Taiwan is one of Vietnam’s key tourism markets. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism reported that Vietnam received 498,000 Taiwanese arrivals in the first eight months of this year.
Vietnam attends Asian cultural festival in Romania
The embassies of 10 Asian countries recently held Asian cultural festival at the National Village Museum in Romania in an effort to promote the diversity of Asian cultures, including Vietnamese culture.
 |
| Vietnam attends Asian cultural festival in Romania |
According to the Voice of Vietnam, the festival is to foster friendship and solidarity among Asian countries, as well as between Romania and these participating countries. It offers the chance for Romanian people to gain a better understanding of the unique and diverse cultures of Asian countries.
The Vietnamese booth, showcasing Nón lá (conical hats) and photographs and paintings of the country’s landscape and culture, attracted plenty visitors, especially youngsters.
Visitors also had the chance to enjoy Áo Dài (traditional long dress) shows and dances, helping the visitors to get an insight into Vietnamese women’s traditional costume and its culture.
During the festival, the Vietnamese Embassy displayed a range of its traditional dishes such as Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguettes) and Nem (spring rolls), as well as key Vietnamese farm products for export such as tea and coffee.
The Vietnamese booth, along with those of China, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, India, and the Republic of Korea, left a strong impression on those in attendance.
Hanoi to invest over 65 trillion VND in building Van Cao - Hoa Lac metro line
The State Appraisal Council has approved the appraisal plan for the Hanoi Urban Railway Project No. 5, from Van Cao to Hoa Lac, with a total investment of over 65.4 trillion VND (2.7 billion USD), reported Nhan Dan Online News.
 |
| The route has a total length of 38.43 km (Illustrative image) |
The route, with a total length of 38.43 km, will include 6.5 km underground, 2.0 km elevated and 29.93 km on the ground level, in addition to 21 stations.
The No.5 metro will connect Van Cao, Ngoc Khanh, Lang and Hoa Lac, in the districts of Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Nam Tu Liem, Hoai Duc, Quoc Oai, and Thach That. The 21 stations include six underground stations, 14 above-ground stations and one elevated station.
The metro project will have two depots, one in Son Dong commune, Hoai Duc district, with an area of about 18 ha and the other one in Yen Binh commune, Thach That district, with an area of about 6.9 ha.
The route requires a total investment of about 65.4 trillion VND, sourced from the city’s budget. The route is expected to connect the west of the city with the central urban area.
The project is anticipated to run 26 trains in 2025, 37 trains in 2035 and 38 trains in 2050./.