Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Olympic torch will be paraded in HCM city

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Olympic torch will be paraded in HCM city

The Olympic torch is still set to make its procession through Ho Chi Minh City, not Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, affirmed head of the Ho Chi Minh City Olympic torch procession organising board, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.
The confirmation comes after information on the internet claiming that China planned to organise the Olympic torch procession through Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.
“The organising board has expressed its deep concern to China about the information on the internet,” said Ms Ha who is also Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.
She said that the Beijing Olympics is the world’s largest sports event and it aims to broaden exchange and enhance friendship and co-operation between countries, for peace and progress throughout the world.
"Vietnam supports the organisation of the Beijing Olympics and has been actively preparing to take part in the event," said stressed, adding that the Olympic torch procession via the Ho Chi Minh City is a big event leading up to the games.
She noted that the organising board was officially informed through the two countries’ diplomatic contacts that China has no plans for a torch-light procession on Hoang Sa archipelago, further confirming that the information on the internet is incorrect.
Chess masters to attend world tournament
Two Vietnamese chess masters will compete in the final round of the World Chess Tournament for Women scheduled to be open in Argentina on June 18.
Le Thanh Tu and Le Thanh An got the tickets to the tournament thanks to their outstanding performances in 2007.
Tu won the champion title of the 2007 World Chess Championship’s zone 3.3, while An won a bronze medal at the Asian Women Chess Championships.
Another Vietnamese grand chess master Nguyen Anh Dung will attend the Indian open chess tournament for grand masters to be held in Kolkotta from March 23-April 2.
Vietnamese athletes to train abroad
Vietnamese athletes will be sent to China, France, Hungary, Singapore and Thailand to be trained for this year’s Beijing Olympics, SEA Games and Asian Indoor Games.
The training tours, estimated to number to number 600, will be given to those selected from more than 1,000 athletes in national squads.

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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.