Xuan Thinh and Tuyet Hoa, both railway industry professionals, recently celebrated their wedding on a unique journey aboard a train from Dalat to Trai Mat. They chose this special route to commemorate the place where their love story began nearly a year ago.
The enchanting wedding ceremony unfolded on December 24 within a beautifully decorated train carriage adorned with flowers. In the middle of the carriage, a long table was arranged for guests to gather around, while the stage backdrop featured the names of the newlyweds.
Thinh told the Dan Tri news site that this intimate wedding space comfortably accommodated around 40-45 attendees, including family members, relatives, friends, and the couple’s superiors. Heartwarming rituals like ring exchanges and toasting with wine were performed while the train journeyed. Upon reaching Trai Mat Station, the bride and groom, along with their guests, took memorable photos for about 40 minutes before returning to Dalat Station.
Eco-friendly bamboo cup café flourishing in HCMC
A café in HCMC has been making waves among locals and tourists alike by embracing eco-friendly practices, particularly the use of bamboo cups, with nearly 200 cups sold daily.
Located next to the charming Ong Lanh Bridge in District 4, Nguyen Huynh’s sidewalk coffee shop may be modest in size, spanning only three meters in width and marked by a simple signboard. What sets this café apart is its commitment to sustainability. Instead of traditional plastic or glass cups, the counter proudly displays an array of green bamboo tubes.
The 27-year-old owner, in a conversation with vnexpress.net, expressed his strong stance against single-use plastics. In their place, he has chosen bamboo tubes as the primary beverage containers, complemented by grass straws and wooden spoons to replace their plastic counterparts.
The café menu boasts a variety of offerings, including coffee, milk coffee, and an assortment of drinks, with prices ranging from VND26,000 to VND32,000 per cup. This cost includes a VND12,000 contribution toward the bamboo cup. Customers can savor their beverages on-site or opt for takeaway.
With a daily sale of approximately 150 cups, the café’s popularity is undeniable. Preparing a drink takes roughly four minutes, so during peak hours, patrons may experience a wait of nearly ten minutes. On certain days, the café may even close early due to a shortage of bamboo cups. The allure of the coffee, especially when served in these eco-friendly vessels, continues to draw a steady stream of customers.
Free ao dai for interested women
Sam Kim Tuong, 64, who lives in Binh Thanh District, HCMC, has given ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress) free to more than 1,000 women who could not afford to have an ao dai of their own.
Tuong told thanhnien.vn that she could have her own ao dai a few years ago when her children grew up. Then she thought of poor women who love ao dai but could not afford one, and she began to invite them to come over to her house to choose one at will. She also managed to send free ao dai to those in need around the country. Formerly, Tuong used to buy fabrics and have tailors make ao dai as gifts for interested ones; later, she bought ready-made ao dai to save time and money.
Nguyen Thi My Duyen, vice chairwoman of the Women’s Union of the ward where Tuong lives, said many women in Binh Thanh District had received free ao dai given by Tuong, adding that the kind woman had also donated 200 ao dai to women in a commune in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre.
Hanoi to open 83 flower markets at Tet
The Hanoi City People’s Committee has announced its activities for the upcoming Tet 2024, the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon. The capital government instructed the Department of Industry and Trade and the Hanoi Promotion Agency to coordinate with relevant agencies to open 83 flower markets in all the city’s districts from January 20 to February 9, 2024 (from the 10th day to the 30th day of the last lunar month).
These markets will display flowers, ornamental plants, fruits, handicrafts and products for use at the upcoming Lunar New Year. Hanoi will also hold spring fairs, entertainment activities, trade fairs on green and clean agro-products, and consumption promotion campaigns.
On this occasion, the Hanoi authorities will organize several events to introduce and promote the values of the traditional Tet, and the identity of the capital city and surrounding regions. Trade promotion activities, presentations of local and traditional specialties and craft villages, and different amusement activities for Tet will also be carried out in the city, dantri.com.vn reported.
