Six Vietnamese activists were sentenced between seven to fifteen years in prison on charges of subversion after a one-day trial in Hà Nội.
Lụa and Loan, Two Asylum Seekers Rejected by Australia
Vietnamese Blogger Phạm Minh Hoàng: “I Cannot Be Stripped of My Citizenship”
A Vietnamese educator who has been prevented from teaching, now finds the last part of his identity stripped from him: His Vietnamese citizenship. Professor Phạm Minh Hoàng, a 61-year-old blogger who writes about human rights, social justice, and corruption in Việt Nam, is on the record from Sài Gòn.
Phở: Việt Nam’s ‘Democratic’ Dish
Walk down any street in Việt Nam or step into any Vietnamese restaurant in the world and you can’t miss the aroma of phở filled with ginger, star anise, and of course that hint of nước mắm - fish sauce. The go-to dish for everything from heartache to hangover, phở is more than just a noodle soup -- it represents the heart and soul of Vietnamese cooking. Loa’s Jenny Lý and Lilly Nguyễn chat about all things phở.
Lefties Get Left Out...But Why?
Picture yourself holding a pen. Put that pen up to an imaginary piece of paper on an imaginary desk and pretend to start writing. Which hand did you use? The hand that you picked to write is your dominant hand, and the choice you make is called handedness.
Most likely, you put up your right hand. A small percentage of you would have put up your left. If you are in an Asian country, let’s say Việt Nam, it would be an even smaller percentage.
So why is this? Loa’s Chí-Linh Đinh was wondering the same thing, so she tries get to the bottom of handedness in Việt Nam.
On The Record with Quyên Lưu, One of Việt Nam’s Emerging Young Leaders
On May 4, the U.S. Department of State hosted its annual Emerging Young Leaders Award. Among the 10 award recipients was Quyên Lưu, a YouTube sensation and social advocate from Việt Nam.
Loa contributing reporter Nhựt Phó attended the award ceremony and spoke with Quyên about the origin story of Ếch Phu Hồ, her team's Youtube channel of cleverly narrated, controversial hand-drawn animations.
Nick Út on How Photography Shaped Narratives of the Việt Nam War
How much can words - and photos - be twisted through interpretation, propaganda, and history? In 1972, Nick Út, a photographer for the Associated Press, took a picture that changed the course of his life, as well as the life of Phan Thị Kim Phúc, the young girl in that photo. Now, 45 years after the iconic photo was captured, and 42 years after the end of the war, Nick Út has retired from his career as an AP photojournalist. In Episode 71, he goes On the Record with Loa's Quyên Ngô about the lessons he's learned as a war photographer, and not just as the man behind a photo.
Five Stories You Need To Know for February
Hoops and Dreams: A Look Inside Basketball in Việt Nam
A popular sport on the international scene, but just a seedling in Việt Nam, basketball has picked up momentum in the past few years. With a new, loyal, and energized fanbase, and experience from international players and management, basketball may soon rival soccer as Việt Nam’s number one sport.
In this week’s episode, Brian Lâm takes a look inside the rise of basketball in Việt Nam.
Five Stories to Know for January
Democracy Activist Đặng Xuân Diệu Released and Exiled to France
Not Fleeing War, But Persecution: One Man’s Tale of Escape from Today’s Việt Nam
“Vietnamese refugees"...the term brings to mind, boats drifting at sea and helicopters lifting people out of a war-torn country. But it’s now more than 40 years later, and Vietnamese people still seek refuge in other countries. No longer fleeing war, these modern refugees are fleeing violence and oppression. In this week’s episode, Kathy Triệu gives us A Look Inside the story of Thủy Nguyễn--one of Việt Nam’s modern refugees--and his journey from Hà Nội to Houston.
Vietnamese Mother Goddesses Religion Receives UNESCO Recognition
Việt Nam's worship of the Mother Goddesses has received UNESCO recognition as an “intangible cultural heritage of humanity” at the 11th Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
Three Things You Need to Know About the South China Sea Verdict
The Dark Past of Fulbright University Việt Nam’s New Chairman
During his visit to Việt Nam a few weeks ago, US President Barack Obama announced the opening of Fulbright University in Sài Gòn as part of the U.S. and Việt Nam’s continued partnership in education. The country’s first non-profit and independent university is set to usher in its first class this fall. But it’s already off to a rocky start with the appointment of Robert Kerrey as chairman of the school’s board. The former Việt Nam veteran’s controversial war record has ignited a heated debate. On this week’s A Look Inside, Loa’s Jenny Lý delves into the conflicting views surrounding Kerrey’s appointment and what it could represent for Việt Nam’s future.
Battles of Bắc Ninh - Folk Music Edition
Imagine a rap battle, between two competing, freestyling artists. But instead of rappers, you've got Vietnamese villagers. And instead of rhyming lyrics, you’ve got folk music infused with poetry and lullabies. Now set it all in 13th-century northern Việt Nam. That’s what you get with quan họ, traditional call and response folk music. Loa’s Jenny Lý gives us a sample of this singing style.
Five Things to Know About Việt Nam's Dead Fish
Of Kings, Dragons, and Fairies
Every year on the 10th day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar, the Vietnamese people commemorate Hùng Vương who is known as the first king of Việt Nam.
Legend has it that he is the son of a fairy, Aư Cơ, and a dragon Lạc Long Quan. This year the holiday fell on April 16th, and as Vietnamese people everywhere honored King Hùng Vương, Loa’s Kathy Triệu helps us to understand why.
Five Most Twisted Stories in March
Beyond the Oscars: A Look Inside ‘Chau, Beyond the Lines’
The glitz and glam of the 88th Academy Awards are just around the corner and one nominee captured our attention: the documentary, Chau, Beyond the Lines. Amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, our reporter has a review of the film’s narrative and the on-going issues of documentary's subject: the victims of Agent Orange in Việt Nam.