On May 15, Binh Phuoc Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Culture Museum and the Management Board of Bu Gia Map National Park jointly held a ceremony to announce the bamboo basket and brocade weaving of the S’tieng ethnic group in Binh Phuoc Province has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
The traditional craft of bamboo basket weaving of the S’tieng people was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in March last year; meanwhile, their brocade weaving craft was listed in February this year.
Dieu Thuan, vice chairman of Bu Gia Map Commune, told Saigon Tiep Thi Online that the recognition of bamboo basket and brocade weaving of the S’tieng people as a national intangible cultural heritage is an honor of the ethnic group. He added that the local authorities would try to preserve and develop this traditional craft for the young generation of the ethnic group.
The Bu Gia Map National Park has also preserved and promoted traditional cultures and crafts of the local ethnic groups through training local people to work as tour guides, organizing traditional festivities, and inviting artisans to weave bamboo baskets and brocade to lure more visitors.
Cooking meals for Mong children
Phan Bao Ngoc was born in Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province. When he was two years old, the Giay ethnic boy lost an index finger after an accident. At the age of 13, his mother committed suicide because of his cruel father. His father then moved out to live with another woman, and his elder brother also left him alone in the dilapidated house.
Ngoc managed to do any job to continue his schooling. When he finished high school, his father sold the house, and he had to move to Moc Chau District, Son La Province, to work at a farm. There, in spare time, he and a friend made video clips introducing Moc Chau’s specialties and local tourist attractions and posted them on social media. Fortunately, such clips attracted quite a few viewers and thus raised his income.
In 2022, when making video clips in Moc Chau’s Phieng Canh Village, Ngoc saw many poor Mong ethnic children and he decided to take time to bring confectioneries and milk, and food to cook meals for the kids. Initially, he could prepare meals for the kids once or twice a week; later, with the support of those who had learned about his deed for the kids, he could cook meals for them every afternoon after work.
Ngoc also taught these children how to read and write, and bought clothes and learning tools for them, vnexpress.net reported.
Vietnam’s map crafted from 5,000 lotus pots
The Lotus Festival 2024, held from May 16 to 19 in Dong Thap Province, left a lasting impression on crowds of visitors with its array of activities. Among them was the unveiling of a Vietnam map ingeniously crafted from lotus blooms.
The map was made from 5,000 lotus pots, floating gracefully in the Van Mieu Lake, Cao Lanh City. This marked the largest lotus pot map of Vietnam ever created.
According to the Dan Tri news site, around 100,000 lotus pots were used to decorate the festival, all prepared by farmers in Dong Thap Province months in advance. The stage for the opening ceremony was also adorned with 5,000 fresh lotus blossoms.
Various activities took place as part of the festival, including art exhibitions featuring lotus-themed artworks, a culinary street showcasing lotus-inspired dishes, a fair, and exhibition spaces presenting a variety of lotus-related products.
Instant noodles for needy people
A box of instant noodles for needy people in HCMC has recently caught the attention of many passersby, evoking a sense of warmth and compassion.
Placed outside a rice eatery on Ba Thang Hai Street, District 10, HCMC, the box is filled with instant noodle cups, accompanied by the message “Free for the needy.”
Nguyen Van Thanh, the 34-year-old manager of the rice eatery, initiated this idea to assist those in need. The box has been in place by the roadside for about a month. Additionally, there is a water cooler and a pot of boiling water available for people to prepare noodles on-site if necessary.
“I cannot say for sure how long the box will stay, but I will keep doing my best to help. On busy days, we distribute about 3-4 boxes of noodles, and sometimes even more, around 6-7 boxes,” Thanh told the Thanh Nien news site.
Talking about Thanh’s compassionate act, Do, a 47-year-old deliveryman, expressed his surprise. While he had seen free water and bread boxes before, this was his first encounter with free cup noodle boxes for those in need. “It is a great support for the less fortunate to have a meal when hungry,” he remarked.
