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issue 4, year XVIII, 2011 |
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H. E. TRAN VAN THINH THE AMBASSADOR OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM TO BULGARIA: BULGARIA IS THE COUNTRY OF THE ROSES AND THE BULGARIANS - A FRIEND
Interview by Valentin Kostov
Page 4
61 YEARS BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN VIETNAM AND BULGARIA
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 8
Bulgaria was among the first 10 countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on February, 8th. 1950. Now the two countries support each other in the time of global financial crisis. There is an exchange of delegations between Bulgaria and Vietnam since 2000. The trade relations between the two countries are also well developed.
VIETNAM'S ECONOMY - DYNAMIC AND PROMISING
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 10
Vietnam's economy is among the 10th most dynamically developing economies in the world. In 1986 the country established socialist-oriented market economy. Vietnam co-operates with many countries and takes part in different international organizations. The country's strategy for social-economic development in the period of 1986-2010 aims to turn the country into a prosperous and strong nation with democracy, equality and civilization.
HISTORY OF VIETNAM
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 15
Van Lang was the first State in ancient Vietnam. It appeared in the VII century B.C. Then the Chinese people conquered Vietnam in the II century B.C. The Vietnamese victory at Bat Dang in 938 over China was the beginning of a new ear of development of the independent feudatory. After that the French conquered Vietnam in the XIX century. On 2nd September 1945 was announced the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The country was divided in two parts: North and South. They reunited on 25th April 1976 when the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was declared.
DONG SON CULTURE
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 18
The Dong Son is an archaeological culture from the period between the Bronze and the Iron Age. It is widespread in North Vietnam, near the Dong Son village. It is characterized by irrigated agriculture and bronze metallurgy. The Dong Son culture is developed by one of the oldest civilizations in Asia.
VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 20
Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam. Present Vietnamese writing language is based on the Latin alphabet. In the II century B.C. the countries Au Lak and Nam Viet (Vietnam) were conquered by the Chinese Empire. The Chinese language, which was spoken in schools and universities, became official. The local writing in Vietnam was formed in the VIII century.
RELIGIONS AND CREEDS OF MULTICONFESSIONAL VIETNAM
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 22
Vietnam is a country with many religions. The Vietnamese people profess Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Caodaism, Islam and Hoa Hao.
Buddhism:
The two religious trends of the Buddhism - Hinayana and Mahayana - are widespread in the country. The Buddhists in Vietnam nowadays are about 10 millions.
Catholicism:
The Roman Catholicism was brought to Vietnam in the XVI century by the missioners from the west countries. Today more than 6 million people in Vietnam declare themselves to be Catholics.
Protestantism:
In 1911 The Christian and Missionary Alliance widespread the Protestantism in Vietnam. The number of the Protestants in the country is nowadays about 1 million.
Islam:
72.000 of the Vietnamese people profess Islam
Caodaism:
Caodaism is a basic Vietnamese religion, created in 1926. Today more than 2,4 millions of people in Vietnam profess Caodaism.
Hoa Hao:
Hoa Hao is also a basic Vietnamese creed with more than 1,3 million followers.
TOURISM IN VIETNAM
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 25
The Ba Dinh square and the Temple of Literature turn the Vietnamese capital Hanoi into a very interesting tourist destination. The Vietnamese people call the Ha Long bay "the 8th wonder of the world" because of its size, flora and fauna. Famous is the tourist town of Sapa. The tourists can visit the old capital of Hue too. The old town of Hoi An is called the "Vietnamese Nessebar", because it is situated near the Thu Bon river. About 70 km away from the town of Da Nang are the famous My Son remains of the ancient Champa civilization. Da Lat is known by its flowers and reminds the Bulgarian city of Kazanluk. The biggest city of Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh, which is called "The Pearl of the Far East".
MILLENARY HISTORY OF THANG LONG - HANOI
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 32
A thousand years ago the emperor Ly Kong Yan decided to move the capital city of Vietnam from Hoa Lu to Dai La, the contemporary Hanoi. According to the legend once the emperor's ship arrived in Dai La, a golden dragon flew in the sky. Believing it was a good sign, the emperor called the new capital Thang Long (The flying dragon). Since then Thang Long is a part of the history of the Vietnamese people.
THE CITY OF HO CHI MINH: 36 YEARS AFTER THE WAR
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 36
The city of Ho Chi Minh is named after the greatest hero of Vietnam, who contributed to the liberation of Vietnam. Nowadays the city is important economic, cultural and educational center. It's former name is Saigon. There are an international airport, 4 main ports and many trade centers in the city. The 11 museums turn Ho Chi Minh into the city with the biggest amount of museums in the whole country.
VIETNAM - A DESIRED DESTINATION
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 40
TRADITIONAL ARTS IN VIETNAM
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 44
The traditional paintings in Vietnam differ from the contemporary work of art. In the past there were two types of paintings. The most popular places where people drew them were Dong Ho and Hang Trong. The difference between these two types of paintings comes from the way they were made. Dong Ho was smaller than Hang Trong. Vietnam is known all over the world also by its traditional varnish paintings, pottery and porcelain.
WATER PUPPET-SHOW
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 45
It is thought that the puppet-show tradition was born during the government of the Ly dynasty. This is a unique attraction in North Vietnam. The puppets are wooden. The most popular character is the clown Teu. During the whole show the puppeteers stay waist-deep in the water and move their puppets. The show is accompanied by live music.
TRADITIONS HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS IN VIETNAM
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 47
There are many holidays in Vietnam. Tet Nguyen Dan is the Vietnamese New Year. The word "Tet" means "the biggest holiday in the year". Tet Trung Nguyen (or Vu Lan festival) is one of the most important holidays is Buddhism. The Vietnamese people celebrate it by gathering to help the doomed souls be released from Hell. Tet Trung Thu or August Fullmoon is the child's holiday. On this occasion the Vietnamese people all over the world organize a festival.
VIETNAMESE CUISINE
By the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Page 50
FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM
Page 53
HAI BA TRUNG
LY THAI TO
TRAN NHAN TONG
TRAN HUNG DAO
LE QUY DON
HO CHI MINH
VO NGUYEN GIAP
PHOTOATELIER PRESENTS: VO AN NINH
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LITART PRESENTS:
NGUYEN TRAI
NGUYEN DU
HO CHI MINH
NGUYEN BINH
GIANG NAM
Page 61
ATELIER PRESENTS:
EKATERINA RADENKOVA:
BAROMETER OF THE EXPERIENCE
Dochka Kisyova-Gogova
Page 66
A MEETING WITH THE ARTIST PLAMEN MONEV
Interview by Ognyan Stamboliev
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| Translated by Ilina Vasileva |
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