Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Enjoying Year of Mouse at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Enjoying Year of Mouse at Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology has become a popular venue in Hanoi on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. This year, the program “Enjoying the Year of the Rat” will take place over two days: the 4th and the 5th of the Lunar New Year (10th and 11th February 2008). The programme will be hosted by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (VME) and supported by the Danish Regional and Ethnic Culture Fund. Visitors will not only see the diverse cultures of different ethnic peoples, but also have the opportunity to experience live demonstrations and performances such as traditional plays, lion and dragon dances, fireworks, water puppets, calligraphy, and enjoying ethnic cuisine. This is the first time the Pa Then ethnic people from Ha Giang province have come to Hanoi to perform their “Fire dancing” ritual, one of their unique traditions. In addition, visitors can join in with the bamboo-stick dance of the Thai ethnic people, pan-pipe dancing of the Hmong ethnic people and enjoy the traditional food of the Thai people from Son La province. Traditional plays will be performed until 17th February 2008 to family groups. On February 10th, the VME will open a photo exhibition entitled “Lai Xa villagers tell their stories”. Photos displayed at the exhibition were taken by Lai Xa villagers in Kim Chung commune, Hoai Duc district, Ha Tay province, portraying about their community’s way of life. Accompanied by over 130 photos are stories and the thoughts of the villagers. This photo exhibition is the result of a photovoice project hosted by the VME in which seven people from Lai Xa village participated, taking around 2.500 photos.

(Source: CPV)

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.