{"version":"https:\/\/jsonfeed.org\/version\/1","title":"Window to the Region","home_page_url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th","feed_url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/index\/id\/51","items":[{"id":"74cc66c3a77e9d81fbb3a1ee6888b954","title":"Kuala Belait Rank 4th ASEAN Clean Tourist City","content_text":"
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism headed a Brunei Darussalam delegation to the 27th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers (27th M-ATM) and Related Meeting in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 (ATF 2024) held on January 23 to 26. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The meeting was preceded by the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations, (NTOs) and other senior official meetings with dialogue partners. With the theme of ‘Quality and Responsible Tourism – sustaining ASEAN Future’, the Meeting emphasised the importance of forging a closer collaboration among the ASEAN Member States in all relevant sectors to ensure the sustainability and resiliency of ASEAN tourism. Based on the preliminary figures of 2023, ASEAN saw a 153.09 per cent year-on-year increase in international arrivals. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The meeting also expressed appreciation to the ASEAN-China Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre, and ASEAN-Korea Centre for their continued support in strengthening people-to-people connectivity and cultural understanding through various activities and projects. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Also held was the ASEAN-India Tourism Meeting where the meeting agreed to explore joint projects to promote sustainable tourism in ASEAN and India, taking into account the Action Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism Development in ASEAN, as well as the Goa Roadmap for Tourism that was endorsed at the G20 Ministerial Meeting held in Goa, India. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n While the ASEAN-Russian Federation Tourism Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to support the progress towards sustainable tourism in ASEAN and the Russian Federation, as well as to strengthen cooperation on sustainable and inclusive growth ensuring that tourism benefits reach a broad spectrum of society. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n At the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards Ceremony, Kuala Belait was named the 4th ASEAN Clean Tourist City. Meanwhile, the 9th ASEAN Green Hotel was awarded to Radisson Hotel, whereas the 4th ASEAN MICE Venue (Meeting Room) was awarded to 3 entities namely Radisson Hotel, The Empire Brunei and An-Naura Hall, Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, whilst the recipient for the 1st ASEAN MICE Venue (Exhibition Venue) is The Empire Brunei. Additionally, Freme Travel received the 4th ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award (Gastronomy Tourism Theme).<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/266779","date_published":"2024-03-06T16:38:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/202403068026dfcd52adb183702d093e134eddc7163931.png"},{"id":"07026118ae76cc6d2f217bf7f27a3a8d","title":"Brunei Celebrates Prince \u2018Abdul Mateen\u2019s Royal Wedding","content_text":" His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu‘izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced the Royal Bersanding Ceremony for the Royal Wedding Ceremony between His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu‘izzaddin Waddaulah and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah binti Adam at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab. Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; ; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta- Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah and other members of the royal family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Also present were special guests of His Majesty including His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj; His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of the Kingdom of Bhutan and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema, Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan; His Excellency Dato Laila Utama Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia; His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Junior, President of the Republic of the Philippines and Madame Louise Araneta-Marcos; His Excellency Dato Laila Utama Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Datin Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Madam Ho Ching; and Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Yang Amat Berbahagia Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah binti Dato’ Doctor Haji Wan Ismail. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The ceremony began with the Istiadat Menjunjung Pengantin Diraja Perempuan, where His Majesty instructed the wives of state dignitaries to proceed to invite royal bride to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n After the royal bride was seated, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr.) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the State Mufti, sought consent to welcome and escort His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen to the royal dais. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n At the royal dais, His Majesty conducted the ceremonial placement of the royal groom’s hand on royal bride’s head. Afterwards, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik accompanied the royal couple as they left the ceremony. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Prior to their departure, Their Majesties consented to receive a junjung ziarah (greeting) from the royal couple. Also receiving the junjung ziarah were His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri; Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam, Mother of the Royal Bridegroom as well as Yang Mulia Awang Adam and Yang Mulia Dayang Siti Mariam, parents of the Royal Bride.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The Royal Couple then proceeded for the Royal Procession along Bandar Seri Begawan.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The delegation of the Royal Procession was joined by His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri as well as members of the royal families. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Thousands of students, teachers, civil servants and various societies residing in the country lined up along the road to enliven the procession.<\/span><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/266776","date_published":"2024-03-06T16:24:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/202403061a801e34e626a1f031a28719930460a5163721.png"},{"id":"3d4ffd0ce21519abe150512119048e6e","title":"Arrival Of C295MW Aircrafts ","content_text":" His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office graced a ceremony for the arrival of two of the four new C295MW aircraft for the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) held at the Air Movement Centre, Rimba Air Force Base.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proceeded to Bilik Merpati for a short briefing and video presentation from Airbus Defence and Space. His Royal Highness was then introduced to the aircrew involved and invited for a familiarisation tour of the C295MW aircraft.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n After, His Royal Highness was presented with a pesambah (souvenir) before proceeding for a Royal Luncheon. His Royal Highness was then invited to sign the Royal Parchment before departing the Rimba Air Force Base.<\/span><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/266768","date_published":"2024-03-06T16:14:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/20240306a041f85e93afe532f8e06ece70a355f1162252.png"},{"id":"367477cbc276d4c2fc05dc1cc37273c8","title":"Thai Ambassador Participates In Volunteering Activity At CDC","content_text":" The Thailand Embassy to Brunei Darussalam, in collaboration with BNH Hospital, Thailand, organised a volunteering activity at the Child Development Centre (CDC), Ministry of Health.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The activity was held in conjunction with the birth anniversary of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, National Day of Thailand and Thailand’s Father’s Day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n During the visit, the Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency Boosara Kanchanalai with members of the Thai community and delegation from BNH Hospital, presented a contribution in the form of toys, stationeries and books to the children of CDC.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The activity began with a briefing of CDC, delivered by the Head of CDC, Dr. Hajah Mawarni binti Haji Abd. Hamid.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n In her brief, she highlighted the benefits of early identification and early intervention include effecting developmental change while the nervous system is still malleable and responsive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The centre houses five bungalows with different respective roles including a paediatric clinic community, dental services, psychology and medicinal services, audiology services, speech therapy and classes for children with hearing disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/266757","date_published":"2024-03-06T16:08:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/202403064a906dcc81427ca7598f022635262ed1161117.png"},{"id":"d1c5c785efcbba6cb631256e0494b933","title":"Discuss Issues And Challenges In Halal Industry","content_text":" The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), in collaboration with Osaka University (OU), hosted the virtual International Symposium of Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum-Halal Innovation online. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The symposium, aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs), focused on the halal industry’s potential long-term benefits, through SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The programme began with keynote presentations from Professor Yoshinori Sumimura from OU, Associate Professor Dr. Nazlida Muhamad from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Datin Hajah Norliza binti Dato Seri Setia Haji Mahalle from UNISSA and Dr. Nur Rahman from Pristine Pacific Australia.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n Three panels were also invited: Associate Professor Dr. Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr. Yuliana Dwi Lestari from Institute of Technology Bandung Indonesia and Associate Professor Dr. Zalina Zakaria of Universiti Malaya.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n The three-hour programme provided knowledge on the challenges of implementing and regulating the halal industry, as well as its comprehensive direction.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n As a whole, the programme was successful in raising awareness of the significance of halal industry and Thayyiban in daily life.<\/span><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/266721","date_published":"2024-03-06T15:23:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/20240306db828acdc41561257464aa366b048f9b152333.png"},{"id":"7e77d1b749061bd4f2eda0d7d79a9dcb","title":"Viet Nam draws on cartoon experience","content_text":" Vietnamese companies are producing a huge number of animation films for various platforms, not only for the Vietnamese market but also foreign ones.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Children, adults, males, females, and pretty much anyone you can imagine love watching great cartoons. Vinh Long is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly its fertile alluvial soil, which is perfect for cultivating tropical fruit trees and wet rice.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Vinh Long, situated in the bountiful southwest, is a land just a little over two hours away from HCM City, or approximately 100km if you follow National Highway 1A. Nguyen Thanh Tam has put his passion into turning thin fragile eggshells, assumed to have little to no usage, into adorable and lively figures.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n A small apartment in Go Vap District in HCM City has long been a creativity space for former teacher Nguyen Thanh Tam, who has spent over 20 years creating figurines out of eggshells. Scattered throughout the site are many ancient relics of archaeological significance. Although few were left untouched by wartime destruction, they continue to beckon visitors to delve into the Champa narrative that spans centuries. Stepping inside, visitors would be immediately struck by the resemblance its rock-cut pillars bear to those of Rome. The architectural similarity was a reflection of how Roman aesthetics were carried through India and found their way to Southeast Asia. Not far to the east of the steles is a solemn hall that was dedicated to offering preparation but has now been revamped as a place for the exhibition of cultural heritage. A bas-relief of similar size but in better condition could be found in another exhibition room adjacent to the first, depicting Shiva dancing on the back of the mythical sea creature Makara. In Hinduism mythology, Makara always strongly opposes Shiva, but the act of "standing on its back" reflects the deity's ability to subdue the crocodile-like monster.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Scattered throughout the hall are many other ancient relics of archaeological significance. Although few were left untouched by wartime destruction, they continue to beckon visitors to delve into the Champa narrative that spans centuries.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Borbala Banya, a visitor from Hungary, has dreamed for nearly six years to visit Viet Nam, and My Son Sanctuary is one of her favourite sites for its unique architecture that is far different from that of the ancient Hungarian kingdom. Six decades since its establishment, the Cuc Phuong National Park authorities have persistently upheld three central pillars: forest protection associated with biodiversity conservation, scientific research and international cooperation on conservation, and environmental education on ecotourism. The achievement should not be taken for granted. Six decades since its establishment, the Cuc Phuong National Park authorities have persistently upheld three central pillars: forest protection associated with biodiversity conservation, scientific research and international cooperation on conservation, and environmental education on ecotourism. Cuc Phuong National Park, established in 1962, spans over 220 square kilometres in three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and is known for its exceptional biodiversity and stunning landscapes. It is home to numerous rare and endangered species, making it a valuable ecological treasure in Asia. Cuc Phuong has adopted the most stringent measures to strengthen the protection of the authenticity and integrity of the ecosystem and promote the continuous improvement of ecological functions. The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Development of Creatures (CRCDC) is located in the park, dedicated to caring for wild animals rescued from illegal captivity and trafficking in the north. The park also serves as a hub for research and education in biodiversity and conservation, collaborating with various national and international institutions to conduct scientific studies and educational programmes. Visitors' favourite is an eco-tour themed "Ve Nha" (Homecoming), which provides chances for tourists to directly release wild animals after being rescued back into the forest. Launched in 2021, Homecoming has attracted numerous registers from all over and effectively spread the message of wildlife protection.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Cuc Phuong's most outstanding programme is community-based eco-tourism initiatives, supporting alternative livelihoods and the wellbeing of local ethnic people while promoting sustainable tourism. Phu Cuong told Viet Nam News that there is even a purpose behind the way they name each student team on a camping tour for children, that is after an endangered species listed in the Viet Nam Red Data Book.
\r\nYang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib read out the Letter of Proclamation for the Royal Bride who was bestowed with an official royal title. Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\nHis Royal Highness then was invited to witness the traditional ceremonial “Water Salute” in honouring the arrival of both aircraft as they entered the Military Apron. This was followed by a ‘Sujud Syukur’ performed by the C295MW aircrew, for a safe six-day long-range transit journey from Spain. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nAmong the objectives of the symposium include raising awareness about the right to access halal products and the responsibility to choose among Muslim consumers. The symposium aimed to provide a platform for discussions on issues and challenges related to halal industry among academic members and industry practitioners.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nThis art form has been around for years, ever-evolving as technology improves. At the forefront of animation in Viet Nam is the Sconnect’s Woa Network, which has created characters like Wolfoo, Tiny, Bearee, and Max, popular with children all over the world.
\r\nSince its establishment nine years ago, Woa Network has built up a content stock of more than 20,000 videos with over 4 billion views. The technology used varies from 2D to 3D and stop-motion.
\r\n“Our target market is North America. We hope to conquer the most demanding markets. Next year, we want to expand to the domestic market to apply Vietnamese traditional features in our products.” Pham Duy Anh, head of Woa Network’s Tiny series production team told Viet Nam News.
\r\nAt present, the team mostly does business on the YouTube platform. With their latest product using a character set of clay mixers, they are aiming for video-on-demand and TV platforms.
\r\nWoa Network’s animation team has thousands of people all playing a crucial part in bringing characters to life.
\r\nTuong Vinh Quang, a staff member of the Tiny series production team, said his main task is controlling the characters and taking photos of them to create a series of actions in stop-motion animation films.
\r\n“This duty requires skill and diligence because if one works with repetitive actions, they can lose their patience and be unable to maintain the job for long,” Quang said.
\r\n “Vietnamese animation films are getting more and more professional and closer to the audience,” he said. “There are no longer pure entertaining films.”
\r\nTran Thi Lan Chi, sales manager of Sconnect, said when they started the production, Sconnect focused on entertainment for children. “Sconnect has realised that its content has affected the youth in a certain way,” she said.
\r\n“In the past few years, Sconnect started to produce both entertainment and educational content. A positive effect we have received is that when we meet partners with small children, they give good feedback on Wolfoo. Like their children told them: ‘Wolfoo said this, Wolfoo said that’… It means that our educative features have some positive impact on children’s behaviour and habits.”
\r\nLong history
\r\nAnimation is one of three sectors making up Vietnamese cinema, together with feature films and documentaries. It has a history since 1959, with the short animated film Dang Doi Thang Cao (Fox, You Deserve It) and the first feature film Chung Mot Dong Song (Sharing the Same River) completed around this time.
\r\n"It means that animated film has a fairly long history together with the feature film category in Vietnamese cinema," said Ngo Phuong Lan, chairperson of the Viet Nam Association of Film Promotion and Development.
\r\nShe said besides the state-owned Viet Nam Animation SJC, there were many private companies. The Vietnam Animation SJC produces nearly 20 short animation films between 10 and 30 minutes long. Private companies, in contrast, have a freer rein and produce a huge number of animation films for various platforms, not only for the Vietnamese market but also foreign ones.
\r\n“Yet sometimes, the private companies cannot find where they belong,” Lan said. Lan noted that such big companies like Sconnect had clear targets and market segmentation for each of their products. And they had succeeded.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/264556","date_published":"2024-02-29T10:42:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/2024022930394de05bbc0fd9931a10cab1748857104544.jpg"},{"id":"354245751e7895e9ef3709c333899984","title":"Discovering Vinh Long's hidden gems","content_text":"
\r\nSimilar to neighbouring Dong Thap, Vinh Long is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly its fertile alluvial soil, which is perfect for cultivating tropical fruit trees and wet rice. Additionally, the Co Chien River, flowing through the region, contributes to the rich natural landscape of the area. Let's embark on a journey to explore the wonders of this land.
\r\nTra On Floating Market
\r\nTra On Floating Market is located in Tra On District at a prime location where the Hau River and Mang Thit River meet.
\r\nWhile it might not be as renowned as other floating markets like Cai Rang in Can Tho or Cai Be in Tien Giang, Tra On Floating Market has unique cultural characteristics, representing the people of the southwestern river area.
\r\nTourists can visit Tra On Floating Market during both the rainy season (from May to November) and the dry season (from December to April). During this time, the Mekong Delta region is at its most beautiful, with blue skies, vibrant green landscapes, fresh air, and low humidity. It is time for tourists to hop on a motorised boat and spend several hours witnessing the trading activities and daily life of the locals at the market.
\r\nThe market starts its bustling day very early, around 2am when most people are still fast asleep. It's truly a fascinating experience if tourists can wake up as early (or stay up as late) as 2am to witness the morning rituals of the traders as they prepare their boats for the day ahead. Boats are the primary mode of transportation in the floating market, so all activities revolve around the river's water level.
\r\nEarly morning marks high tide, making it the busiest and most crowded time at the market. However, the period between 5 and 6am is suggested as the best time to explore Tra On Market.
\r\nDon't forget to savour the delicious breakfast dishes sold on the boats. Especially, make sure to try a hot bowl of beef noodle soup or noodles in crab chowder, and enjoy them right on the boat, accompanied by a cup of coffee, as you await the break of dawn in the far distance.
\r\nMang Thit: Kingdom of bricks
\r\nOne of Vinh Long's famous traditional crafts is pottery. Along the Co Chien River banks lies the brick village of Mang Thit, stretching over 30km long. The sight of towering rows of kilns evokes a sense of prosperity and labour. Thanks to the red colour of the bricks, this place is also known as the Red Kingdom.
\r\nThe brick and pottery craft in Mang Thit has been thriving for over a century, making it one of the biggest brick and pottery producers in the Mekong Delta.
\r\nDuring its heyday in the 1990s, the village boasted over 1,500 kilns producing highly sought-after roof tiles due to their mineral content and baking technique.
\r\nCurrently, the district is home to 663 kilns, but only 115 kilns are in operation. In the past, when the brick-making craft was flourishing, each family workshop owned several kilns. The brick kilns are closely clustered together, resembling a beautiful kingdom with hundreds of small 'castles' when viewed from a distance.
\r\nThe uniqueness of the ancient brick village lies in its kilns, each standing at a height of 5-12m with a dome shape, creating a distinctive architectural complex.
\r\nVinh Long Museum
\r\nVinh Long Museum is located in the centre of the market town, overlooking the historic Co Chien River.
\r\nThe museum was established in 1993, covering a spacious and green property. The exhibition areas are spread out and designed in harmony with nature.
\r\nVisitors can explore the cultural heritage of Vinh Long, tracing its history from the past to the present. The museum displays multiple artefacts, including outdoor pieces such as cannons, military tanks, stone artefacts, and aircraft.
\r\nCai Cuong's ancient house
\r\nCai Cuong's ancient house, situated in Binh Hoa Phuoc Commune, Long Ho District, is a must-visit for those who appreciate the charm of traditional southern Vietnamese houses.
\r\nBuilt in 1885, the house belonged to the Pham Van Bon family, who was a prominent landlord. The house features a grand and ancient appearance, with wooden columns supporting a roof of terracotta curved tiles.
\r\nThe house's facade boasts a corridor with arched staircases, while the doors were crafted with arches, symbolising the owner's social influence. The interior of the house is equally captivating, with three rooms and a garden in the middle. The furniture, including desks, chairs, and antique cabinets, was made of precious wood and has been well-preserved over the years.
\r\nAn Binh Island
\r\nAn Binh Island, sitting between the Tien River and the Co Chien River, is a highly appealing ecotourism destination in Vinh Long.
\r\nThe island is known for its fertile land and multiple vast gardens of fruit trees such as rambutan, mango, custard apple, and durian. Additionally, An Binh Island offers unique folk games, including wading in ponds to catch fish and rowing boats.
\r\nFor those interested in spiritual tourism, a visit to Tien Chau Pagoda is highly recommended. The pagoda is renowned for its legend of a fairy descending to earth, and holds significant religious importance for the local population.
\r\nIf you visit the island in December and January, make sure to explore the traditional ochna village of Phuoc Dinh. During this time, the village is adorned with bright yellow blossoms and beautifully stunted trees, creating a picturesque scene.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/264550","date_published":"2024-02-29T10:34:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/20240229d85a32fba933460a2865835349ef5084104205.jpg"},{"id":"c6c5c82c67ff46b79670446e2703632b","title":"Former teacher breathes life into eggshells","content_text":"
\r\nTam’s house is packed with glass cabinets displaying his meticulous and colourful collection, including animals, movie characters, politicians, scientists, and many more.
\r\nThe figurines are made mainly by using different types of eggshells, such as chicken eggs, quail eggs, and even ostrich eggs, combined with other craft materials like paper and bottle caps. Some also have tiny but diligent drawings that help express their features and emotions.
\r\nTam's artistic work began in the early 2000s when he retired from full-time English teaching to do some tutoring at home.
\r\n“I had thought of using visual aids to excite my students and provide them with an interesting approach to the lessons, but it was difficult for me to find one back then, so I tried making one,” Tam tells Viet Nam News.
\r\nHe had experimented with various materials, such as cardboard and ceramics, but ended up choosing eggshells since their circular shape could resemble most parts of a human or animal body, such as heads and bellies.
\r\nIt is amazing seeing Tam put his passion into turning thin fragile eggshells, assumed to have little to no usage, into adorable and lively figures.
\r\nWhen thinking of an idea, he usually takes note of specific features and designs a 2D sketch. Depending on the design, different types of eggshells, such as chicken, quail, and even ostrich eggs, will be used.
\r\nTam starts his work by emptying the eggs by blowing into them, and thoroughly cleans the outside of the shells with lime juice.
\r\nAccording to Tam, opening the shells properly when emptying them is the key process since a hole that is too messy or too large can affect the ultimate shape of each character.
\r\n“I usually punch a hole on each end of an egg using a needle, then cut it open using small scissors and carefully peel the shell just enough for the inside to pass through,” he says.
\r\nA layer of PVC glue mixed with fine sand is then added into the shells to minimise their fragility and create a harder surface for later colouring and drawing. Different parts of a figurine are attached using paperclay and super glue.
\r\nTam usually uses spray paint and nail polish when painting on eggshells, and it is important not to turn on a fan since that can hasten the drying process and make the colouring look uneven.
\r\nDepending on each character, it usually takes him hours to finish one. But Tam says he really enjoys the long process, as he is able to find his calmness, practise his focus, and hone his innate creativity.
\r\n“When you immerse yourself in doing the things you are passionate about, time does not matter,” he says.
\r\nA Santa Claus was Tam’s first-ever creation, and he then worked on other themes, animals, and characters with intricate designs.
\r\nAs a sports enthusiast, Tam also enjoys re-creating the mascots of almost every sporting event, from World Cups to ASIADs and Sea Games, to show his support for them.
\r\nTam’s most recent work is the three mascots of the 2023 ASIAD held in China.
\r\nThe mascots required Tam to focus on several tiny details, each of which took him hours to finish. Tam shares that he wanted to make them larger, but it was time-consuming and relatively difficult to find proper materials that could support such large figures.
\r\nIt is surprising to know that Tam performs this craftsmanship not to make an income out of it, but to fulfill his passion. What he takes pride in is the recognition from the public.
\r\n“Having garnered compliments and attention to what I am doing is more rewarding than actually making a living out of it. I am beyond happy whenever someone pays a visit, has a look at my collections, and listens to the stories behind them,” he says.
\r\nThe figurines are not solely of his imagination, but some also hold invaluable memories, so it is hard for him to put them on sale, Tam says.
\r\nTam’s years of effort were recognised in 2010 by the Vietnam Record Book Centre, which titled him “the man that makes the most eggshell figurines”.
\r\n“This opportunity is a way for me to bring this type of art around Viet Nam and to the world,” he says, adding that he also wants to pass his skills and techniques to like-minded individuals.
\r\n“Having taught many people to make eggshell figurines, I found many of them could not do it for a long time, since it is quite demanding. I still hope to have someone younger continue this artistic work,” Tam says.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/264534","date_published":"2024-02-29T10:06:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/20240229e2eb77b9a85e8364fada4a39927def0b103343.jpg"},{"id":"60c6e4ae792877a619bb454d8d448199","title":"Exploring My Son Sanctuary: a journey into ancient mysteries","content_text":"
\r\nWithin the elevated mountain-surrounded basin of Duy Xuyen District in the south-central province of Quang Nam lies a site that was once the centre for spirituality and worship of the Champa Kingdom and a burial place for its royal and national heroes for centuries.
\r\nMy Son Sanctuary, so be its name, encompasses a series of red-brick temples and sandstone shrines adorned with bas-reliefs of Hinduism divinities and their epic battles against the devils. All were brought to life through the skilled hands of ancient Champa artisans.
\r\n"When it comes to building things with bricks, Champa people have a special skill that no one else in Southeast Asia can beat," said a local tour guide when he unravelled layers of history hidden in the ancient ruins.
\r\nAnd he didn't exaggerate at all. The most recently built temple in the sanctuary boasts an age of at least eight centuries yet stands well against the test of time.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nIn close proximity to the temple is a series of steles engraved with ancient Champa inscriptions, which traced its origin to Sanskrit - a sacred form of writing reserved exclusively for academics and rituals.
\r\nCenturies of atmospheric erosion have worn down the less resistant surface of the steles but not enough to turn their carvings into illegibility.
\r\nYet the inscriptions remain largely unintelligible for current scholars as their writing system has vanished along with the social class that used it, the Champa priests.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nWhat truly captivates visitors' eyes within this transformed haven is a stone bas-relief depicting the divine deity Shiva performing the vigorous cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction, or tandava in Sanskrit.
\r\nThough the bas-relief was badly damaged by bombings during the Vietnam War, its artistic value remains intact and bears witness to the extraordinary carving skills of ancient Champa artisans.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\n"I have a teacher who is an anthropologist and has lived in an ethnic minority community in Viet Nam for one and a half years. He really inspired me to dig deeper and now I have a really colourful view of the country," said the visitor.
\r\nThe limitations of physical travel have propelled the historical destination to take a leap into the metaverse to offer visitors a virtual experience of its rich past. With a smartphone, users worldwide can traverse its intricately carved temples from the comfort of their own homes while an AI bot provides them with the historical context, architectural insights, and the cultural significance of each structure.
\r\nToday, efforts to preserve and restore the heritage site continue, ensuring that its stories endure for generations yet to come.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/256152","date_published":"2024-02-02T11:17:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/2024020284c41872c7cb73ef067adba08d76f49e111822.jpg"},{"id":"f85cb696b4c7b04f390b8adeb9122c90","title":"Parklife: Cuc Phuong one of Asia's top national parks","content_text":"
\r\nCuc Phuong National Park in northern Viet Nam has been honoured as Asia’s Leading National Park for the fifth consecutive year.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nEven though there are still difficulties, flourishing wildlife shows the success of the park, and the lessons to be gained from it.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nFor forest protection and conservation of rare flora and fauna species, patrolling and control work has been identified as a top mission for rangers at Cuc Phuong.
\r\nCurrently, the park's rangers only have 13 stations, with a total of 56 staff members – which means each ranger has to take charge of nearly 4sq.km or 400 hectares of forest.
\r\nHowever, in recent years, the national park has reduced the rangers' hardship and successfully prevented significant cases of illegal hunting and deforestation by implementing forest preservation strategies.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nSMART, a high-tech monitoring and management system, has been used to monitor the development and the current status of forest plant and animal resources along patrol routes at the park.
\r\nThe system helps improve efficiency by monitoring and assessing conservation efforts more frequently, reducing costs and sharing the data on a larger scale.
\r\nThe park authorities also focus on educating local residents about the serious harm of deforestation and illegal hunting. The best approach to preserve the forest and promote local sustainable development is to secure alternative income for the local community.
\r\n“We support local people to increase their income through afforestation, beekeeping, and the development of community-based eco-tourism,” said Pham Phu Cuong, a forest ranger at the park.
\r\nPatrolling the forest day and night and facing dangers, forest rangers face difficulties and low pay. Their living conditions are poor, lacking electricity, clean water and the internet; and they have little time with their families.
\r\n“I am still here because of my love for the forest. Living within the forest and feeling its fullness, I cannot leave the forest,” Phu Cuong said.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nCuc Phuong Park is carrying out three conservation programmes: the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (ERPC), the conservation programme for small carnivores and pangolins, and the conservation programme for turtles and other wild animals, with a total number of 2,700 individual creatures of 64 species.
\r\nMost of the wild animals received by the Cuc Phuong rescue centre are victims of illegal hunting, trafficking and forced captivity. When rescued and transported here, they were all in a weak, diseased state or had forgotten their wild instincts and were infected with human-trained behaviours.
\r\n"To help them recover their health and wild instincts, the centre applies scientific rescue principles for separate isolation, treatment and monitoring," said Le Phuong Trieu, director of the CRCDC.
\r\nAfter that, rescued animals are released in semi-natural areas for wild instinct training before being released into their natural habitat.
\r\nHowever, there are many individuals here who, after the centre's rescue and care efforts, do not have the opportunity to return to their natural habitat and stay at the centre.
\r\n"We call them ‘the ambassadors of education’ to send to visitors the most intuitive and emotional example of the terrible harm of illegally hunting, trading, and confining wild animals,” Trieu said.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nEvery year, the park receives thousands of visitors from home and abroad, and researchers come to study or work as volunteers here, making a profound impact on biodiversity conservation.
\r\nThe EPRC, established in 1993 in cooperation between Cuc Phuong National Park and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, is the first non-profit project in the Indochina peninsula dedicated to endangered primate rescue.
\r\nSince its founding, the centre has successfully bred 353 individuals of 10 species of rare primates, saving and caring for about 188 individuals of the 14 species of endangered primates found in Viet Nam.
\r\n“Out of those 14 species, six are exclusively rescue and caring efforts in Viet Nam. We are proud that EPRC is a world-renowned model in primate rescue and conservation,” Trieu said.
\r\nEducation via eco-tourism
\r\nCuc Phuong National Park's outstanding approach to achieving its objectives is to activate educational programmes through eco-tourism initiatives. The entire national park can be seen as a living museum where tourists can travel and discover biodiversity.
\r\nDue to its diverse ecosystems as well as its historical and cultural significance, the park has drawn tourists from home and abroad to join its eco-activities. The park provides not only adventure travel but also regular holidays, suitable for all visitor interests.
\r\n“Visitors to the park can enjoy a range of ecotourism activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, jungle camping or just enjoying nature in eco-lodges,” said Pham Kien Cuong, director of the Centre for Environmental Education and Services.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\nCommunity-based eco-tourism programmes benefit both travellers and local communities. Visitors can immerse themselves in the traditional culture of the Muong, while local residents make their lives easier by utilising the resources of their homeland and culture.
\r\n“By involving local communities in conservation efforts, we empower local ethnic people towards a better long-lasting future with earning opportunities and ultimately cultural pride,” Kien Cuong said.
\r\n“They realised the forest's potential from an entirely different perspective and stopped deforestation and illegal animal hunting.”
\r\nEvery eco-tourism activity is well-designed by the national park’s administrative officers and tourism partners to raise awareness and spread the message of protecting the forest and saving wildlife.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\n“Children are accustomed to the media's preferred animals more than the endangered species in Viet Nam. Through eco-tourism, we want to ensure that the youngsters return home aware which exclusive animals in Viet Nam need to be protected,” Phu Cuong said.
\r\n“Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but photographs. Kill nothing but your time. Help protect Cuc Phuong!" are simple messages written on a board at the roadside when entering the core forest area, summarising what Cuc Phuong has aimed to inspire for the past 61 years and beyond.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n","url":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/content\/category\/detail\/id\/51\/iid\/256151","date_published":"2024-02-02T11:07:00","image":"https:\/\/thailand.prd.go.th\/en\/file\/get\/file\/202402028ef80c462cf8d0205fa4e464cd87f7d3111157.jpg"}]}