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| Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) |
Of the total sum, foreign investment stood at 176.7 million USD, rising 3.6-fold from a year earlier. Meanwhile, domestic investment fell 63.15% to 352.42 billion VND (14 million USD).
Head of HEPZA Hua Quoc Hung said that in Q1, businesses based in local export processing and industrial zones operated stably. Many got orders again after facing difficulties for a long period.
Businesses at the zones posted an estimated export turnover of 2.17 billion USD in Q1, up 6% over the same period last year. They employed about 277,000 workers, an increase of 10% against the end of 2023, he noted.
Vietnamese culture introduced at US university
A Vietnamese cultural exhibition is underway at George Mason University (GMU) in the US state of Virginia, which will run to August 15, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| International visitors at the exhibition (Photo: VNA) |
This is a joint effort between the Vietnamese Embassy’s spouse association in the US and GMU's Costello College of Business, aiming to promote the land and people of Vietnam to international friends.
On display are items imbued with traditional Vietnamese culture such as bronze drum and Khue Van Pavilion models, Ao dai (traditional long dress), Chu Dau pottery, lacquerware and rattan products.
Tran Thi Bich Van, Chairwoman of the association, said the exhibition is part of the activities to spread Vietnamese culture at universities and influential public spaces in the host country.
President of Costello College of Business Ajay Vinzé called the cultural space the beginning of a great partnership between Vietnam and the GMU, saying the university is looking to expand its cooperation with the Southeast Asian country.
He expressed his hope for more training and cultural exchanges with Vietnam as many Vietnamese students are studying there.
Vinzé said the GMU will send a delegation to Vietnam to seek cooperation opportunities with its universities in June, adding such partnerships are expected to be established in various forms.
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| A performance at the exhibition (Photo: VNA) |
Cindy Shao, President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC), thanked the embassy for improving her understanding of Vietnamese history and culture, adding she was very impressed by Ao dai and the traditional Vietnamese silk material, and the book on ancient costumes of the Le (1428-1788) and Ly (1009-1225) dynasties displayed at the exhibition.
Hanoi to host Korean Culture Road Festival 2024
A Korean Culture Road Festival 2024 organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in Vietnam is set to be held from April 13 to April 14 in Hanoi, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Visitors attend Korean Culture Road Festival 2023 |
This year’s festival will feature a series of activities, including a cuisine experience offering a range of Korean products such as Tokbokki, gingseng, and other traditional Korean dishes.
Along with various culinary events, there will be Korean folk games put on and festival goers will have the chance to try on the traditional Hanbok clothing.
The highlight of the festival will be the Vietnam-Korean art programme, which will honour the best K-Pop and Vietnamese singers, dancers, and Korean national martial arts team.
Most notably, a social charity programmme arranged by SOS Children's Villages Vietnam will also be held within the framework of the event.
According to Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Youngsam, the function aims to boost the relationship and culture exchanges between the two peoples, as well as providing an excellent chance for anyone who loves the RoK to explore the its rich culture and exquisite cuisine.
Last year saw the festival attract the participation of more than 20,000 visitors.
Vietnamese film to compete at 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Vietnamese movie “Việt và Nam” (known as “Viet and Nam” in English) will vie for a prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, which is scheduled to take place from May 14 to May 25 in France, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Vietnamese director Truong Minh Quy |
The movie was directed by Truong Minh Quy and will compete in the Un Certain Regard (A Certain Glance) category, which is presented to international films that tell stories in non-traditional ways.
The movie tells a story about two coal miners Nam and Viet who are working 300 metres below ground where danger awaits and darkness prevails. Nam doesn’t want his future to continue with coal and hires someone to smuggle him into the western world. Before departing, Nam goes on a journey with Viet and his mother, who claims that Nam’s father-a Vietnamese soldier, calls out in her dreams to find his missing body.
Truong Minh Quy, 34, was born in Buon Ma Thuot city in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
He is an alumnus of the 2012 Asian Film Academy (Busan International Film Festival) and 2016 Berlinale Talents. His films have been selected for a number of international film festivals and exhibitions such as the Locarno International Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, IFFR, the Busan International Film Festival, and Les Rencontres Internationales Paris/Berlin.
He won the main Art Prize at the 20th VideoBrasil held back in 2017 in São Paulo. His second feature came in 2019 with The Tree House and premiered at the Locarno Film Festival where it was acclaimed as “one of the festival’s three best premieres” by MUBI and “a singular entrancing ode to memory and filmmaking” by The Film Stage. The film went on to be screened at major festivals worldwide./.