Profiles

Handicapped girl dreams of angelic feet

Leaning against the metal walker, Tran Tra My moves slowly towards her old computer. She lays her hands on the keyboard and begins to write. Each word appears slowly on the screen. And one by one her emotions are revealed… Tra My signs her book Giac Mo Doi Chan Thien Than (Dream of the Angel’s Feet) at the launch earlier this week.LookAtVietnam -... Read more

Flutist on mission to collect nat’l treasure

Flutes are said to be close to the hearts of the Vietnamese, and none more so than artist Duc Lien, who has the biggest collection in the nation. Lien has not only spent time collecting flutes, but he has also taken pains to learn how to play them.LookAtVietnam - Flutes are said to be close to the hearts of the Vietnamese, and none more so than artist Duc Lien,... Read more

Veteran teacher covets words of wisdom

LookAtVietnam - His family think he’s obsessed, but for Nguyen Huy Gioi, collecting proverbs is his life. Mai Hang finds out why the former head teacher thinks words of wisdom are worth more than money. LookAtVietnam - His family think he’s obsessed, but for Nguyen Huy Gioi, collecting proverbs is his life. Mai Hang finds out why the former head teacher... Read more

Blind musician sings in the face of tragedy

LookAtVietnam - Blindness, poverty and the sudden death of his mother haven’t muted the musical talents of Blup Au from a village in the Central Highlands. Vu Cong Dien meets the man himself. LookAtVietnam - Blindness, poverty and the sudden death of his mother haven’t muted the musical talents of Blup Au from a village in the Central Highlands. Vu... Read more

Talented teen challenges hand fate dealt him

Where there is a will, there is a way. “And, you don’t even need hands,” 17-year-old Nguyen Minh Tri, who lives in An Giang Province in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, could well be adding to this cliche. Tri on his computer like a normal teenager. With electricity yet to come to the area, the computer is powered by a generator.LookAtVietnam -... Read more

Farmer by day, operetta master by night

Ha Quang Ngan is not just a mere farmer. He is also an artisan who strives to preserve two unique performances of cheo (traditional operetta) and pass them on to younger generations. A traditional operetta troupe rehearses in Thap Village, Kien Khe Town in northern Ha Nam Province’s Thanh Liem District.VietNamNet Bridge - Ha Quang Ngan is not just a mere... Read more

Farmer shelters flock of 10,000 storks

Farmer Nguyen Van Ky takes a look at his wild boars. VietNamNet Bridge - Trung Hieu joins a HCM City farmer, who has set aside half his garden as a shelter for storks, to watch the birds take flight.His family may be teetering on the edge of poverty, but 67-year-old Nguyen Van Ky has given up half his land to help some unlikely two-legged friends.Two hectares... Read more

Top notch regal finery made to order

Tailor Nguyen Van Xoan teaches his granddaughter to sew a traditional costume for participants in the Hung Kings Temple festival which falls on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month.LookAtVietnam - Thanks to one ‘knight of the needle’ who has been toiling away for the last 64 years, the theatre, and the nation, will never have to do without the traditional... Read more

Disabled teen won’t let adversity get in his way

Viet sits in the garden of Nguyen Trai Secondary School during break time.LookAtVietnam - Tran Trong Viet is a role model student. He gets top grades, helps his parents and cycles 8km to school everyday from his native Bach Thuan Village. But there’s something different about Viet’s story – he only has the use of his right leg.Viet, whose left... Read more

Doctor uses music to heal troubled minds

Psychiatrist Dr Nguyen Van Tho treats a patient at National Mental Hospital 2 in Dong Nai Province. The doctor has spent the last 40 years developing treatment using music.LookAtVietnam - Never underestimate the power of music, says psychiatrist Dr Nguyen Van Tho. It can heal people.Tho should know. He has spent years researching the effects of music therapy... Read more