Can wine ( Rượu cần) - A famous wine in the Tay Nguyen region

Rượu cần (Can wine) is typically drunk for special celebrations or ceremonies such as weddings, festivals, or harvest feasts. It is often drunk by in a nhà rông, a fire, or community house. People often dance and play music (in Tay Nguyen region) after drinking. 

Can Wine (also called tube wine) is a fermented rice wine produced in Vietnam, in particular in mountainous areas like Tay Nguyen area.

How to make the wine?
It is made of cooked glutinous rice (nếp) mixed with some kinds of herbs in the local forests. The types and amount of herbs added differs according to ethnic group and area. This mixture is then put into a large earthenware jug, and allowed to ferment for at least one month. Can wine's strength is typically 15 to 25 percent alcohol by volume.
Simple available local materials are altogether fermented by wild herb in a pottery jar for day. Its taste is total different from rice alcohol or any kind of wine - so bitter or strong that may lead you dizziness. Its sweet taste would make you drunk  without any predictable consciousness.

When ís the wine served?
Can Wine (rượu cần) is typically drunk for special celebrations or ceremonies such as weddings, festivals, or harvest feasts. It is often drunk by in a nhà rông, a fire, or community house. People oftens dance and play music (in Tay Nguyen) after drinking. When you are invited to drink rượu cần by the locals, it means that you are seen as distinguished guest.

Source: vietnam-beauty.com

Eyes on the Sea in Truong Sa Archipelago

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island and 8 others in Truong Sa Archipelago are not only beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirm the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam. These lighthouses are never turned off, because they are lit up by the patriotism of soldiers in Truong Sa. 

One day we visited the lighthouse station on Truong Sa Lon Island where we met Vu Sy Luu, a native of Hai Phong, who has worked at the lighthouse for 20 years. Luu is now the head of Truong Sa Lon Island’s lighthouse station. 

«      Box: The Lighthouse is 25m high on Truong Sa Lon Island with an octagonal shape painted lemon yellow. The lighthouse is equipped with a II graded lamp with a rotating prism and a cycle of flashing light every ten seconds. The ships, about 18 nautical miles away, can see the light. »

The man with a small and thin figure and suntanned skin shared with us his and others silent work in the lighthouse station. In 1993, Luu was one of the first soldiers who was sent to Truong Sa Archipelago to station the lighthouses. At that time, the whole system of lighthouses in the archipelago was lit by batteries so the lamps sometimes flickered like the tip of a cigarette. Furthermore, the conditions were so poor that the lighthouse workers like Luu had to do all the maintenance by themselves. However, the tremendous difficulties during that period did not discourage them.

At present, the living conditions at the lighthouse have improved, but their job is still very hard. The lighthouse is equipped with a system of lamps using solar power, however, to keep it ‘lit’, the lighthouse workers have to work all day and night in an extreme environment. They have regular contact with battery acid and toxic substances.

Whether sunny or rainy, calm or stormy, in any circumstances or conditions, the lighthouse is never turned off. That is the rule, because it is the rhythm and the life of the island.

The lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island is 25m high so ships,
about 18 nautical miles away, can see the light. The lighthouse lamp is regularly maintained.


The light house is built with the octagonal shape, looking to the East Sea.

The lighthouse is not only a beacon for ships passing at night, but also confirms the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam.

 
The spiral shaped stairs of the lighthouse is paved with granite.

The lighthouse lamp is regularly maintained.

The lamp of the lighthouse has rotation cycle of 6 times/minute.


The lighthouse workers on Truong Sa Lon Island have to climb in the lighthouse to perform maintenance.

A system of batteries provides energy for the lighthouse on Truong Sa Lon Island.

Besides the task of guiding ships, the lighthouse workers are responsible for observing
and taking notes of marine activities in the sphere of control of the lighthouse station.
Along with grid electricity, a system of solar power is used on the island.

Different kinds of vegetables are grown by the lighthouse workers on Truong Sa Lon Island.

Relaxing during free time.

The job of the lighthouse workers contains silent sacrifices. They regularly clean and conduct maintenance on the lighthouses in extreme climatic conditions, while regularly training to be ready to protect the lighthouses when necessary.

Because of the sea water, the lighthouses are often rusty. The lamps can short circuit if not maintained regularly. In the burning sunlight and rough wind, the workers have to climb up the lighthouse for maintenance. At that height, it is easy to have an accident at any time.

When we prepared to leave the lighthouse station on Truong Sa Lon Island, Luu said: “Our work is only with these lighthouses” that made us understand that they are silently sacrificing their youth to make the lighthouses illuminate forever over the sea of their country.

Story: Thao Vy - Photo: Viet Cuong 

Source: Vietnam Pictorial

Bát Tràng ceramic village

Ceramic vases at Bát Tràng

Around Hanoi there are many "Làng nghề truyền thống". They are the villages where specialized products are made and these traditional works have been preserved by family generations. The products are handicrafts, traditional paintings, wooden furniture, lacquerware, bronze or silk products etc. Bát Tràng ceramic village is one of them.

The 700-year-old Bát Tràng village is located 13km away from Hanoi's center. It's an ancient village, which is very famous for making ceramic products. Many of these ceramic products have been exported for years, as a result, they are a good income for the locals. There is a ceramic market in the village, where we can buy ceramic tile paintings, flower vases, tea pots and cups, bowls, plates, spoons, even ceramic dogs. Some famous characters in the Vietnamese literature like "Chí Phèo" and "Thị Nở" were also created in an amusing way, same as a traditional Vietnamese fortune teller wearing sun glasses. Not only the local houses where we can see how to mix material, make and paint ceramic products, but there are also classes where we can learn how to create a vase or anything from clay that we want, or just to paint the ready-made products.

Bus No. 47 from Long Biên to Bát Tràng
I travelled by this bus to Bát Tràng village.

To get to Bát Tràng from Hanoi, you can go to Long Biên bus station and get Bus No. 47 (Long Biên - Bát Tràng). A bus ticket costs VND 3,000 (equivalent to 20 US cents). The bus ride takes 30 minutes one way and the bus stops in front of the ceramic market. It is also possible to go there by boat along the Red River. Other than the ceramic market, it's great to walk around the village, visit some local houses which are the factories and Bát Tràng pagoda.

Please also view my Tranh gốm (ceramic tile paintings) blog dated 8 April 2008, which contains many photos taken in Bát Tràng ceramic village. I have separated them into different entries in my list for easier view.

Another famous ceramic village in northern Vietnam: Phù Lãng ceramic village

For furniture products, visit Đồng Kỵ furniture village

For making hats, visit Chuông hat village (Nón làng Chuông)

For making bird cages and seeing old houses, visit Vác village & Cự Đà village

For making hats, visit Chuà Thầy pagoda & Chàng Sơn fan village

For making drums, visit Đọi Tam drum village

For making rice papers, visit Thổ Hà old village

For making silk products, visit Vạn Phúc silk village

Hanoi_girl

Source: travelblog.org

Chef Gordon Ramsay in Vietnam

Gordon's gastronomic tour of South East Asia brings him to Vietnam.

In Vietnam the culinary rule seems to be that if it moves, eat it. Gordon samples a host of surreal, challenging and delicious foods, including still-beating snake heart, freshly slaughtered barbecue duck, and basket-caught squid.

In Ho Chi Minh City Gordon visits the city's finest snake restaurant.

In Hanoi he grapples with the ferocious Madam Duck and begs her to reveal her secret duck recipe. He also rises to the challenge of broth maker Di Hai to sell over 80 broths in a tiny boat at a floating market in the Mekong Delta.

Gordon travels hundreds of miles to the tropical hot spot Mai Chau to learn how to prepare rice cakes.

Gordon's final challenge is to host a dinner of pork for several of Vietnam's most discerning and critical food connoisseurs.

Video by Gordon Ramsay

Hon Tam Resort in Nha Trang

Hon Tam Resort - precious ocean pearl of Nha Trang

Hon Tam Island sits like is a blue ivory ribbon of beauty, near the coastal city of Nha Trang. The island is surrounded by deep blue sea; its beaches are lined with white sand, inland the island is engulfed in green tropical forests. Peaceful and serene with only the crashing sound of waves on the shore, the wind whistling in the trees, and the many sea birds hovering about from dusk to dawn.

The Evergreen tropical rain forest is not only rich in various plant life, but also the home of many species of birds. Hon Tam Resort in Nha Trang is also an interesting place for visitors, to see the various kinds of sea fauna. At the head of the island, under the undulating rock formation is a magnificent coral reef. Hundred of types of fish gather here, weaving amongst the coral reefs and marine vegetation, creating a vibrant and interesting scene.

There are traditional villages that specialize in pottery silk weaving and other handicrafts. Hon Tam Resort is a beautiful paradise for a romantic vacation, a honeymoon, a journey of discovery, a poetic wedding, or simply getting back to nature in your Nha Trang tour.

Hon Tam Resort is the country's first resort offering experiences such as a submarine adventure, or you can try out the hot air balloon trip. Everything on this island encompasses the wonder of life.

Source: http://www.vietnamtravelguidelines.com

“Spiritual Landmark” in the Sea

Like other pagodas in Truong Sa Archipelago, the pagoda on Truong Sa Lon Island is not only a place for the islanders to practice their religion but also a unique architectural work that confirms the sovereignty over the sea and islands of Vietnam. 

For years, on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, the locals on Truong Sa Lon
go to the pagoda to worship Buddha and pay tribute to their ancestors and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty over the sea and islands.

We were at Truong Sa Lon Island on the first days of May according to the lunar calendar so we saw many islanders going to the pagoda to pray for peace and prosperity. It is like the image often seen at most of the pagodas on the mainland on the first or fifth days of the lunar month. The cozy and sacred atmosphere here was completely different from my imagination of a simple and deserted pagoda before I set foot at the island.
After burning incense and praying at the pagoda, we met Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia who runs the Truong Sa Lon Pagoda. We talked with him in the pagoda’s precinct shaded by the canopy of Bang vuong (Barringtonia asiatica) trees and ancient Phong ba (Heliotropium foertherianum) trees. Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia shared with us the stories about Buddhism and the reason why he stays in this remote island’s pagoda. He is one of the first Buddhist monks who volunteered to do religious affairs in Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and it is the third time he asked to stay and practice Buddhism at the pagoda on Truong Sa Lon island.

Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia, a native from Hue who runs the pagoda on Truong Sa Lon Island. Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia is one of the Buddhist monks who volunteered to do religious affairs on Truong Sa. The worshipping ceremony is held solemnly with rites of Buddhism. The bell sound echoes amidst the sea that create a firm “spiritual landmark” on the fatherland’s remote island. The locals pray for peace and prosperity at Truong Sa Lon's pagoda. The pagoda is decorated with a plastic peach tree. The pagoda is a place for the locals to pray for peaceful life and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty over the sea and islands.

Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia said that from the old days in any place where the Vietnamese live and work, their culture and religion is always preserved and practiced which is clearly seen at pagodas, temples and communal houses. Therefore, many years ago Vietnamese fishermen established small temples or shrines on islands in the East Sea where they pray for safe fishing trips. These architectural works show the fact that the Vietnamese people early affirmed their sovereignty over these islands.
To serve the islanders’ religious practice and remind them of great contributions of the ancestors and heroic martyrs who laid down their lives to protect the fatherland’s sea and islands, many pagodas were built and restored, increasing the total number of pagodas in Truong Sa to five.
The pagoda on Truong Sa Lon Island is located at the centre of Truong Sa Town. It has a large three-door gate and a spacious precinct with a yard and garden. Above the gate is a bell tower roofed with red tiles. The pagoda’s sanctum consists of a compartment and two lean-tos with a knife-curved roof. The whole system of door paintings in fresco, curtains, parallel sentences and horizontal lacquered boards were made from precious wood which is highly resistant to the salinity of sea water. In the central chamber stands a precious white statue from the Gold Pagoda in Myanmar. This statue is the World Buddhism Association’s present to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who then presented it to the pagoda. The pagoda also has an altar to worship heroes and martyrs who scarified their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty over the sea and islands.
We talked with Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia until the time when the pagoda prepared for a worshiping ceremony. Most Venerable silently went inside the pagoda and put on a monk’s robe to carry out the ceremony. He deliberately rang the pagoda bell and the bell sound echoed amidst the sea that warmed the hearts of visiting guests and seemed to create a firm “spiritual landmark” on the fatherland’s remote island.
 

Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia talks with marine cadres and soldiers. Most Venerable Thich Giac Nghia brings Truong Sa Lon islanders great moral strength. Bidding farewell to each other before leaving.

Story: Thao Vy - Photo: Viet Cuong

Source: http://vietnam.vnanet.vn

Phu Tho

Phú Thọ Province is a province in northeastern Vietnam. The province's name derives from and its capital is Viet Tri City, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) away from Hanoi and50 kilometres (31 mi) from the Noi Bai International Airport.The province covers an area of 3528.1 square kilometres and as of 2008 it had a population of 1,364,700 people

Phu Tho Province, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Bắc Giang, Bắc Kạn, Cao Bang, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang and Yen Bai of the Đông Bắc (Northeastern Region) are part of the 59 administrative provinces and 5 municipalities in Vietnam.
The historicity of the province is linked to the 18 Hung Kings who are credited with building the nation of Van Lang.

Mausoleum of Hung King

The province because of its strategic location is known as the West Gate of Hanoi. Its location is at the confluence of two large rivers namely, the Red River and Da River; this province links the northern provinces of Red River Delta with the country’s mountainous provinces and also the two China’s provinces of Guang Xi and Yun Nan.
The Xuan Son National Park, established on February, 2002, is located in the province about 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Viet Tri City. The park covers an area of15,048 hectares (37,180 acres), with over 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of natural forests and1,396 hectares (8,670 mi) of limestone-mountain forests.
Phu Tho is one of the poorest areas of Vietnam with the poorest households earning below US$ 6 per person per month. Tea, as a industrial crop is important to the economy of the province.
Kings Hung temple complex, located on Nghia Linh Mountain, 175 kilometres (109 mi) by sea level, in Viet Tri City, is a complex of majestic architecture enclosing the Ha Temple (built in the 15th century), the Thien Quang Pagoda, the Gieng Temple, Trung and Thuong temples, and King Hung's Tomb.

Nem chua – Vietnamese fermented pork roll

Usually served as a snack with raw garlic, Nem chua is eaten all year round as an appetizer or a side. It is eaten especially for the Lunar New Year by many Vietnamese families.

Nem chua is a meat roll with a sweet, sour, salty and spicy taste which makes the mouth salivate with each bite. Nem chua possesses the local character of each region of Vietnam, due to the differing ingredients and sauces used. Most versions of Nem chua can be distinguished by their name, which is usually named after the area it originated from, such as nem Thanh Hoa, nem Dong Ba in the ancient royal capital of Hue, and nem Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province, nem Yen Mac in Ninh Binh Province, etc.

Traditionally, to make Nem chua, the main ingredient is pork thigh. Nem chua is made from minced pork, sliced pigskin and a mixture of seasoning and garlic. These contents are mixed thoroughly before being wrapped with aromatic, fresh leaves (usually in banana leaves) into small, boxy rolls before being stored for natural fermentation process for three to five days in a cool place before eating.


In the Lai Vung District of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, the locals take pride in their Nem chua recipe, which has been passed down through many generations. Called "nem Lai Vung" after the district, it became more widely known in 1975 when a local woman, Tu Man, made Nem chua for visitors. She used pork, but she also used pig liver, and then ground them into a mixture with rice, shrimp meat and seasonings.

The characteristics of nem Lai Vung and other specialty foods from Lai Vung District are so distinctive and recognizable that they have been registered under a domestic brand name. Tourists to Dong Thap Province can take part in nem Lai Vung cooking classes to learn more about this regional specialty. The northern areas also create their own favorite varieties of Nem chua. The famous one is Nem Yen Mac, which has been made for a long time in Ninh Binh Province. The number of locals in Yen Mac who can make this kind of Nem chua is small because the work requires not only secret formula but also passion for the work.Nem Yen Mac is eaten with guava leaves, fig leaves and aroma vegetables dotted into nuoc mam (fish sauce) which is mixed with mingled with garlic, lemon juice, pepper and chilli.


While many people prefer the more traditional method of preparation for Nem chua, others enjoy a grilled and unfermented variety of Nem chua. Both traditional and grilled Nem chua are usually served with uncooked sliced garlic and nuoc mam (fish sauce). Whereas nuoc mam adds saltiness and spiciness, some prefer to use chili sauce instead.

Nem chua is best known to the expatriate community and international tourists who have taken an interest in Vietnamese cuisine in recent years...

                                                                                                                       Source: Vietnam Food Tour.

69th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army

Ho Chi Minh City municipal authorities held a grand ceremony at Ben Duoc temple in Cu Chi district on December 20 to mark the 69th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (1944-2013).

Youth union members offering incense to war heroes and martyrs at Ben Duoc temple in HCMC (Source: thanhnien.com.vn)

Bến Dược Memorial Temple

Addressing the event, Standing Vice Chairman Pham Van Hai of the city’s Fatherland Front Committee reviewed the nation’s struggle for independence, patriotism, undaunted spirit and the solidarity of the Vietnamese people.
He also affirmed that further endeavours would be made by Ho Chi Minh City’s administration and people to overcome difficulties, complete assigned socio-economic development tasks, strengthen the great national unity bloc and ensure political security.
In Cambodia, representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy, businesses and the overseas community joined with delegations from the Cambodian Defence Ministry and the Royal Army High Command to lay a wreath and offer incense at the memorial to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Phnom Penh.
Speaking after the service, General El Vansarath, secretary of state of the Cambodian Defence Ministry, spoke highly of the sacrifices made by Vietnamese soldiers to help his country escape from the genocidal regime of Pol Pot, an invaluable episode in the two countries’ special relationship.
In gratitude to officers and soldiers stationed in border areas, at sea and on islands, the People’s Army Newspaper, in co-ordination with the PetroVietnam Finance Corporation and the Military Bank, presented 200 scholarships, worth VND1 billion in all, to children of these soldiers.
The same day, an exhibition entitled ‘General Nguyen Chi Thanh – An outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh’ opened at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Thua Thien – Hue province. The exhibition displays more than 200 photos, documents and objects, many of which are being made public for the first time, featuring the life and the glorious revolutionary career of General Thanh (1914-1967).
The Quang Ngai provincial Military Command held a get-together of retired military officers to inform attendees about the achievements of the locality’s armed forces in realising its defence tasks in 2013, as well as the forces’ orientations for 2014. Six individuals were also presented with the ‘Protecting the Country’ order in recognition of their contributions to national construction and defence.

Source: en.nhandan.org.vn

Vietnam Political System

Over the past 80 years, the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) has been in the vanguard of the struggle for national independence, liberating the country from almost a century of domination by western colonialists and leading the people to total victory in the 30-year resistance war against powerful aggressors. Since the country's reunification, the CPV has led the Vietnamese people in carrying out the country's renovation, modernization and industrialization.

The CPV has established a nationwide political system with the Party serving as the ­­core that assists the Party leadership and mobilizes the people to realize the goals of national independence, democracy, and social progress. At present, the CPV has worked out a program for national construction which may be described as: Rich people--strong nation--equitable, democratic and civilized society. To achieve these goals, the CPV, in accordance with the principle of "the people as the country’s roots", has set up a wide and diversified political system.

The current political system of Việt Nam is composed of the following: the CPV, political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-professional organizations, and mass associations.

The Communist Party of Việt Nam

The CPV was established on February 3, 1930. Over 75 years of its existence, the Party has been renamed several times: the Việt Nam Communist Party (February 1930), the Communist Party of Indochina (October 1930), the Việt Nam Workers’ Party (February 1951), and the Communist Party of Việt Nam (December 1976).

As stated in the Party's statute adopted in its 9th National Congress on April 22, 2001, the CPV, "established and trained by President Hồ Chí Minh, has led the Vietnamese people to carry out successfully the August Revolution, establishing the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, to defeat foreign invaders, to abolish the colonial and feudalist regime, to liberate and reunify the country, and then carry out the cause of renovation and socialist construction and firmly defend national independence."

The CPV, vanguard of the working people and the whole nation, represents the interests of the working class and the nation.

The aim of the CPV is to make Việt Nam a strong, independent, prosperous and democratic country with an equitable and civilized society, to realize socialism and ultimately, communism.

The CPV adopts Marxism-Leninism and Hồ Chí Minh Thoughts as the firm ideological foundations, serving as guidance for its activities, promoting the nation's traditions, and absorbing other nations' essential ideas. By thoroughly grasping objective laws, epochal trends and the country’s realities, the Party has worked out sound political programs and revolutionary policies to meet the aspirations of the people.

The Party is firmly organized and unanimous in ideological views and actions. It takes democratic centralism as its fundamental organizational basis, practicing criticism, self-criticism, and strict discipline, pursuing collective leadership and individual responsibility, and promoting comradeship and solidarity in line with the Party's political programs and statutes. The Party makes great efforts to maintain its close relationship with the people. The Party operates in accordance with the Constitution and other laws.

The CPV is the Party in power in Việt Nam. It respects and promotes the mastery of the people over the country, and is under the people's supervision. The Party relies on the people to strengthen its organization, unites and lead the people in the revolutionary cause. The Party leads the political system and is a member of that system. The Party leads, respects and promotes the role of the State, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) and other socio-political organizations.

The Party combines genuine patriotism with the pure internationalism of the working class, proactively contributing to the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress of the world's people.

The Party, with its strong political base, firm ideology and stable organization, often carries out self-renewal and self-readjustment. It unceasingly strives to improve the qualifications of the cadres and Party members, affirming the Party’s fighting power and revolutionary leadership.

 Organization and Structure of the CPV

The Party organizational system is established in line with the State administrative apparatus from Central level to provincial, city, district, and communal levels as well as in administrative bodies, schools, enterprises, political/social/professional organizations, army units and police forces. The Party cells are the Party's grassroots foundations.

Article 4, Chapter I of the current Constitution, adopted by the National Assembly on April 15, 1992, defined the role of the CPV: "as the leading force of the State and the society."

"The Party’s activities are governed by the Constitution and laws."

Being the party in power whose mission is to lead the country in all fields, the Party directs State and socio-political organizations through:

- Deciding on political programs, strategies, and guidelines for national construction and defense; carrying out the leadership through ideological work, personnel management, and supervision over the implementation of its political programs, guidelines, and strategies;

- Consistently directing the personnel work and managing the contingent of cadres, at the same time promoting the responsibilities of organizations in the political system and their leaders in charge of personnel work;

- Introducing competent cadres for posts in State agencies and in socio-political organizations;

- All Party cells and members working in the State agencies as well as socio-political organizations must strictly observe the Party’s resolutions and directions; the Party cells direct the concretization of these documents into the State’s laws and organizations’ regulations as well as their implementation.

To consolidate its full leadership, the Party does not directly cover all activities but works through its affiliates, in line with the Constitution and laws:

- In the State leading agencies (National Assembly, People’s Councils) and socio-political organizations at the central level and in provinces/centrally-administered cities which are formed through elections, Party committees set up Party bodies at the same level, composed of some Party members who work for the related organizations and some members appointed by the same-level Party committees. The role of the Party bodies is to lead and make other members of the organizations implement the guidelines and policies of the Party, increase the influence of the Party, improve the close relationship between the Party and the people, realize the Party's resolutions on organization and personnel management and decide matters of organization and personnel management in line with the duties assigned by the Politburo.

- In judicial and executive bodies (the government, ministries, courts, the inspection agency, etc.) at the central level and in provinces/centrally-administered cities, Party committees set up the Party boards at the same level, which are composed of some Party members who work for the related bodies and some appointed by the same-level Party committees, including the secretaries. The role of the Party boards is to make other members of the bodies understand and implement the Party's guidelines and policies; give advice to the Party committees on operation, duties, organization, and personnel management; make decision within their competence; and to observe the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies.

- As for the security and armed forces, there are the central military committees and the security Party committees.

With those bodies, the Communist Party of Việt Nam has a nationwide organizational system, from the Central to grassroots levels, and in political- social organizations and economic entities.

POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM
(11^th TENURE)

Politburo Member General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng	Politburo Member Trương Tấn Sang	Politburo Member Phùng Quang Thanh	Politburo Member Nguyễn Tấn Dũng
Politburo Member Nguyễn Sinh Hùng	Politburo Member Lê Hồng Anh	Politburo Member Lê Thanh Hải	Politburo Member Tô Huy Rứa
Politburo Member Phạm Quang Nghị	Politburo Member Trần Đại Quang	Politburo Member Tòng Thị Phóng	Politburo Member Ngô Văn Dụ
Politburo Member Đinh Thế Huynh	Politburo Member Nguyễn Xuân Phúc

POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM
(10th TENURE)

Politburo Member General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh	Politburo Member President Nguyễn Minh Triết	Politburo Member Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng	Politburo Member National Assembly's Chairman Nguyễn Phú Trọng
Politburo Member Standing Member of the Central Secretariat Trương Tấn Sang	Politburo Member Lê Hồng Anh	Politburo Member Phạm Gia Khiêm	Politburo Member Phùng Quang Thanh
Politburo Member Trương Vĩnh Trọng	Politburo Member Lê Thanh Hải	Politburo Member Nguyễn Sinh Hùng	Politburo Member Nguyễn Văn Chi
Politburo Member Hồ Đức Việt	Politburo Member Phạm Quang Nghị

POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM
(9th TENURE)

Politburo Member General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh Politburo Member President Trần Đức Lương Politburo Member Prime Minister Phan Văn Khải Politburo Member National Assembly's Chairman Nguyễn Văn An Politburo Member Standing Member of the Central Secretariat Phan Diễn Politburo Member Nguyễn Tấn Dũng Politburo Member Phạm Văn Trà Politburo Member Lê Minh Hương Politburo Member Lê Hồng Anh Politburo Member Nguyễn Phú Trọng Politburo Member Nguyễn Minh Triết Politburo Member Trương Tấn Sang Politburo Member Nguyễn Khoa Điềm Politburo Member Trần Đình Hoan Politburo Member Trương Quang Được

II. State system

1. The National Assembly

The National Assembly is the highest representative organ of the people; the highest organ of state power of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the sole organ that has the constitutional and legislative rights.

a) Functions:

The National Assembly decides the fundamental domestic and foreign policies, the socio-economic tasks, national defense and security issues, the major principles governing the State machinery, the social relations and activities of citizens. The National Assembly exercises the right to supreme supervision of all activities of the State.

The National Assembly has the highest authority to make Constitution and Laws. Legal documents promulgated by the National Assembly are the Constitution, codes, laws and resolutions.

The National Assembly has three main functions: legislative, deciding the important issues of the country and carrying out the supreme supervision power of all activities of the State. 

The Legislative Function

The National Assembly is the sole body empowered to adopt the Constitution and the laws. The National Assembly not only adopts and amends the Constitution and the law, but also decides on the legislative program.

According to the 1992 Constitution, the President of the Republic, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, the Government, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and its members, as well as the individual Deputies to the National Assembly have right to present bills to the National Assembly.

Before being presented to the National Assembly, bills are first examined and commented on by the Ethnic Council or the relevant Committee of the National Assembly. The bills are then sent to all Deputies to the National Assembly not later than 20 days before the opening date of the National Assembly session.

The bills which require public discussion are published and aired by the mass-media, so that the people and the state organs at all levels are able to have comment before presentation of those bills to the National Assembly.

All bills are discussed at the National Assembly session, first by groups of members, and then by all the members at a plenary session.

A bill becomes duly-adopted law when a single majority of the Deputies to the National Assembly vote in favor of its adoption.

After being adopted by the National Assembly, the bill must be signed by the President of the National Assembly. The President of the Republic promulgates the law, which becomes effective no later than 15 days from the date of its adoption.

The function of deciding the important issues of the Nation

As the highest state authority, the National Assembly make decision on the socio-economic development plans of the country; on the national financial and monetary policies and on the estimates of the national revenue and expenditure plans. It also decides the State budget, approves the national revenue and expenditure balance of account, and levies, amends and abolishes taxes.

The National Assembly elects the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister. It approves all appointments of Ministers upon the recommendation of the Government.

The National Assembly has the authority to establish and dissolve ministries and ministerial level agencies of the Government, as well as to establish, merge, divide and adjust the boundaries of the provinces and cities directly under the central authority. It can also establish or dissolve special administrative economic establishments.

The National Assembly decides issues of war and peace. It also has the power to declare an emergency situation and may take other special measures to ensure national defense and security.

The National Assembly decides on amnesties and referenda.

With respect to foreign affairs, the National Assembly decides on fundamental external policies. At the request of the President of the Republic, it ratifies or revokes those international treaties that Việt Nam has signed or adhered to. 

The supervision function

The National Assembly exercises the supreme power of supervision over all activities of the State. This function is carried out through the activities of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly and individual deputies to the National Assembly.

The National Assembly examines all working reports of the President of the Republic, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Supreme People's Court and of the Supreme People's Procuracy.

The National Assembly considers Activity Reports of the President of the Republic, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuracy. It is entitled to abolish any legal documents issued by the President of the Republic, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuracy, that is not conformed to the Constitution, the Laws and Resolutions of the National Assembly.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly supervises the implementation of the Constitution, the Laws, and the Resolutions of the National Assembly, as well as the Ordinances, and Resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. It also supervises the activities of the Government, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy. It may suspend the effect of any legal document of the Government, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuracy, which is not in conformity with the Constitution, the Laws or the Resolutions of the National Assembly, and may request the National Assembly to consider abolishing any such documents, and to abolish any such documents of the Government, the Prime Minister of the Government, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuracy, which are not conformity with the Ordinances and the Resolutions National Assembly of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly.

The Ethnic Council and the Committees of the National Assembly supervise the implementation of the Constitution, the Laws and the Resolutions of the National Assembly within their respective fields of responsibility. They may require the agencies, organizations and individuals under their supervision to provide documents and reports on the subjects under consideration. .

If any violation of the law is discovered, the Ethnic Council and the Committees of the National Assembly are entitled to require the violating organization or individual to cease such violation. They may also recommend measures against the authorities or/and and may also report the matter to the Standing Committee.

The results of the supervision, together with the recommendations of the Ethnic Council or the Committees, are reported to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the relevant agencies are notified.

The Deputies to the National Assembly may question the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, Ministers and other members of the Government, the President of the Supreme People's Court and the Procurator General. The person who is questioned must answer in person to the National Assembly at its session. In case investigation is required, the National Assembly may decide to convey the question either to Standing Committee or to the next session, or by written response. The deputies to the National Assembly may also require the state agencies, social organizations, economic organizations, and the armed force units to answer any questions put to them. The Head of such agencies, organizations and units are obliged to answer within the period of time as provided by the law. 

b) The terms of the National Assembly: The term of each National Assembly is five years.

c) Deputies to the National Assembly:

Any Deputy to the National Assembly must be a person, who is at the youngest of 21 and faithful to the Fatherland and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, striving to implement the renovation for the course of wealthy people and strong country; having a sufficient level of qualification, and being capable of performing the duties of a Deputy to the National Assembly, deciding important issues of the Nation, having good conduct, moral and ethics, and who is otherwise exemplary in respecting the law and worthy of the people's trust.

Deputies to the National Assembly are elected directly by the people and act on behalf of the people in the National Assembly.

A Deputy to the National Assembly takes part in deciding issues within the competence of the National Assembly such as adopting the Constitution and all laws, deciding domestic and external policies, including those affecting economic and social affairs. Other issues within the competence of the National Assembly that a Deputy takes part in deciding include national defense and security, fundamental principles of organization and activities of the State apparatus, social relationships and activities of citizens, and the supervision of activities of state agencies.

 d) The Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly: They are elected by the National Assembly among NA deputies in the first session of every NA tenure. Vice Chairmen are the assistants to the Chairman as assigned by the latter.

e) The Standing Committee of the National Assembly:

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly is the permanent body of the National Assembly between the two sessions.

The Standing Committee supervises the implementation of the Constitution, laws and resolutions approved by the National Assembly, ordinances and resolutions issued by the NA Standing Committee; and the performance of the Government, Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuracy.

The NA Standing Committee shall issue ordinances to clarify the Constitution, laws and ordinance.

The members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly may not simultaneously be members of the Government. The majority of the members work on full-time basis. The terms of office correspond with the term of office of the National Assembly. When the term of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly continues to work until the new National Assembly elects a new Standing Committee.

The 1992 Constitution stipulates that the Standing Committee of the National Assembly has twelve tasks and powers. Among them are the powers to announce, convene and chair the National Assembly sessions, to interpret the constitution, laws and ordinances, and to issue ordinances on those matters assigned by the National Assembly. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly also supervises and guides the activities of the People's Councils and directs, regulates and coordinates the activities of the Council of Ethnic Affairs and all Committees of the National Assembly. 

g) Councils administered by the National Assembly: The National Defense and Security Council consists of the State President as the Chairman, the Prime Minister as the Vice Chairman and four members.

The Council of Ethnic Affairs consists of one Chairman and 38 members.

h) Functional committees of the National Assembly: Committee on Laws, Committee on Justice, Committee on External Relations, Committee on Economy and Budget, Committee on National Defense and Security, Committee on Social Issues, Committee on Education, Culture, Youth and Children, and Committee on Science, Technology and Environment

2. The State President:

    The State President, as the Head of State, is elected by the National Assembly from among its deputies to represent the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam internally and externally.

According to Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution, the President has major executive and legislative power as follows:

- Promulgates legal documents adopted by the National Assembly, such as the Constitution, laws and ordinances;

- Has overall command of the armed forces and holds the office of Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council;

- Appoints or proposes the appointment of, releases from duty, dismisses the Vice-Presidents, Prime Minister, Chief Judge of the Supreme People's Court, Head of the Supreme People's Procuracy;

The President is assisted by the Vice President, the President’s Office, and the National Defense and Security Council.

    + Vice President is proposed by the President and elected by the National Assembly from among NA deputies; The Vice President assists the President and may be authorized by the President to do some tasks or functions as the acting President.

    + The National Defense and Security Council can mobilize the country’s forces and potentialities to protect the fatherland. It is chaired by the President; its members are introduced by the President and voted by the National Assembly.

3. The Government:

The Government is the executive organ of the National Assembly, and the supreme state administrative agency of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

The Government is in charge of tasks assigned by the State in the fields of politics, socio-economy, national defense, security and external relations; maintains effective operation of the State apparatus from the central to grassroots levels; ensures the respect for, and implementation of the Constitution and laws; promotes the people’s sense of mastery in national defense and construction; ensures stability and improves the people’s material and spiritual life.

The Government is accountable to the National Assembly, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee and the President of State.

Components of the Government are: Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, and Ministers and Heads of ministerial-level agencies.

The Prime Minister is elected, released from office or dismissed by the National Assembly at the State President’s request.

The Deputy Prime Ministers are approved by the National Assembly at the Prime Minister’s request. They function as the assistants to the Prime Minister and may be authorized by the Prime Minister in the case of the latter’s absence.

Ministers and heads of the ministerial-level agencies are approved by the National Assembly at the Prime Minister’s proposal. They are in charge of State management over their assigned branches or affairs.

4. Supreme People’s Court:

The Supreme People’s Court is the highest judicial organ of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

The Supreme People’s Court consists of the Chief Judge, Deputy Chief Judge, jurors and court secretaries.

The structure: Council of Judges, Commission of Judges, Central Military Court, Criminal Court, Civil Court, Appeal Court, and assisting staff.

The National Assembly elects and dismisses the Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court. The State President nominates/dismisses Deputy Chief Judge and judges at the Chief Judge’s request. The People’s Jurors are introduced by the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee.

Main operating principles of courts: during the hearings, the judges and jurors are independent and only obey the laws. Justice and democracy are ensured by the open hearing process, in which jurors play an essential role, defendants have the right to defend themselves, or to hire lawyers. They also have the right to use their native languages in courts.

5. Supreme People’s Procuracy:

The Supreme People’s Procuracy observes the implementation of and respect for the Constitution and laws by Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Governmental organs, local authorities, social and economic organizations, armed forces, security forces and all citizens; and to practice public prosecution as stipulated by laws, ensuring due law enforcement.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy consists of the Head who can be elected, dismissed, or removed from office by the National Assembly on the State President’s proposal, the Deputy Heads, prosecutors and inspector appointed or dismissed by the State President at the Head’s request.

6. Local authorities:

a) People’s Councils:

    - People’s Councils of the centrally-administered cities and provinces

    - People’s Councils of districts

    - People’s Councils of the provincial-level cities/towns

    - People’s Councils of communes, wards and towns.

b) People’s Committee:

    - Provincial level: consisting of services, subcommittees, other organs administered by the People’s Committees and the People’s Committee offices

    - District level: consisting of departments, sections, other organs administered by the People’s Committees and the People’s Committee offices

    - Communal level: sections and the offices.

c) Local people’s committees:

    - Provincial-level people’s courts

    - District-level people’s courts.

d) Local people’s procuracy: Provincial and district levels.

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III. The Việt Nam Fatherland Front

The Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) is a voluntary political coalition of political organizations, socio-political organizations, social organizations and individuals from all classes, social strata, ethnic groups, and religions, including overseas Vietnamese.

The VFF’s objectives are to gather and build up a whole-people unity bloc, strengthen the people’s political and spiritual consensus, encourage the people to promote their mastership, to implement the CPV’s guidelines and policies, and to abide by the Constitution and laws.

The VFF is governed by the principles of democratic consensus, coordinated and united action.

The VFF has its own statute.

The system of the VFF’s organs is in accordance with that of the State’s administrative structure from the central to grass-root levels.

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IV. Việt Nam Labor Confederation

The Việt Nam Labor Confederation is the socio-political organization of the working class and is a member of the VFF.

Article 2 of the Law on Labor Union stipulates that: “the labor unions “represent and protect laborers’ legitimate interests and rights, cooperate with the State in developing production, generating more jobs and improving laborers’ spiritual and material life.”

According to Article 5 Section II of the Law, the labor unions “cooperate with State organs in building laws and policies on labour, salary, labour safety and other social policies concerning the rights, duties and interests of workers.”

The Việt Nam Labor Confederation is well-organised, has various levels and operates all over the country. The organisation is governed by the principle of democratic centralism. All its directing organs are formed through elections. The highest directing organ of each level is the Union Congress of that level. In the period between the two Congress sessions, the directing organ is the Standing Committee which is set up by the Congress.

The Việt Nam Labor Confederation is structured in accordance with occupations and geographical areas.

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V. Other social and political organizations

Apart from the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and the Việt nam Labor Confederation, in Việt Nam, there are other political and social organizations, such as the Việt Nam Women’s Association, the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth’s Union, the Việt Nam Veterans’ Association, and professional associations. These organizations played an important role in the struggle for national salvation. In the cause of renovation, industrialization and modernization, they have continued to contribute to the implementation of the Party’s guidelines and the Government’s policies.

Source:chinhphu.vn