[VIDEO] Travel back to the annual Ðiện Hòn Chén Festival in Huế, Việt Nam -- this time, to witness the practice and rituals of ancestor worshipping.
Phở: Việt Nam’s ‘Democratic’ Dish
Walk down any street in Việt Nam or step into any Vietnamese restaurant in the world and you can’t miss the aroma of phở filled with ginger, star anise, and of course that hint of nước mắm - fish sauce. The go-to dish for everything from heartache to hangover, phở is more than just a noodle soup -- it represents the heart and soul of Vietnamese cooking. Loa’s Jenny Lý and Lilly Nguyễn chat about all things phở.
What the Vietnamese Zodiac Can Tell You About Yourself
Vietnamese Mother Goddesses Religion Receives UNESCO Recognition
Việt Nam's worship of the Mother Goddesses has received UNESCO recognition as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” at the 11th Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
Pilgrimage to Huế: Of Spirits, Rituals, and Trances
The Dark Past of Fulbright University Việt Nam’s New Chairman
During his visit to Việt Nam a few weeks ago, US President Barack Obama announced the opening of Fulbright University in Sài Gòn as part of the U.S. and Việt Nam’s continued partnership in education. The country’s first non-profit and independent university is set to usher in its first class this fall. But it’s already off to a rocky start with the appointment of Robert Kerrey as chairman of the school’s board. The former Việt Nam veteran’s controversial war record has ignited a heated debate. On this week’s A Look Inside, Loa’s Jenny Lý delves into the conflicting views surrounding Kerrey’s appointment and what it could represent for Việt Nam’s future.
Battles of Bắc Ninh - Folk Music Edition
Imagine a rap battle, between two competing, freestyling artists. But instead of rappers, you've got Vietnamese villagers. And instead of rhyming lyrics, you’ve got folk music infused with poetry and lullabies. Now set it all in 13th-century northern Việt Nam. That’s what you get with quan họ, traditional call and response folk music. Loa’s Jenny Lý gives us a sample of this singing style.
Beyond the Oscars: A Look Inside ‘Chau, Beyond the Lines’
The glitz and glam of the 88th Academy Awards are just around the corner and one nominee captured our attention: the documentary, Chau, Beyond the Lines. Amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, our reporter has a review of the film’s narrative and the on-going issues of documentary's subject: the victims of Agent Orange in Việt Nam.
Christmas in Việt Nam
Although Việt Nam is predominantly non-Christian, Christmas (Lễ Giáng Sinh) is considered a major holiday, celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike. Holiday decorations, bright lights and nativity scenes with a distinctly Vietnamese motif fill food stalls and tiny shops throughout city streets and villages. Loa’s Jenny Lý is in Sài Gòn with "A Look Inside" how Christmas is celebrated here this time of the year.
Oral Histories: Việt Nam’s Unwritten Story
Schools, libraries, research institutions are filled with records that inform our understanding of history. But what if no record exists of your experience? That’s the case for many Vietnamese displaced by war, refugees who escaped the country under a cloak of darkness or victims of pirate attacks at sea. The lack of records, photos and physical can rob us of a true understanding of war and its aftermath, but now initiatives across the globe are seeking to collect oral histories of refugees for a fuller picture of the Vietnamese experience than what can be found in the history books.
