Day: January 30, 2022

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“Pia” cake – Soc Trang’s traditional sweet snack

The confluence of three ethnicities in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, that of the Kinh, the Hoa and the Khmer, makes it a great place to discover the beauty of different cultures and observe distinct customs.

The distinctive festivals, landmarks and other features also open a door to the Mekong Delta province’s unique culinary specialties influenced by its cultural diversity.

For hundreds of years, the Pia cake (a cake filled with durian, shredded lard, salted egg yolk and mung bean paste), originally of the Hoa (Chinese) ethnic minority people, has been served and given as gifts by Soc Trang residents. The cake has a tender and soft crust outside and juicy and flavourful cream inside.

The Pia cake is served on special occasions during the year, including weddings and the Full Moon Festival. This round cake is seen as a symbol of fullness and family reunion.

The cake has a thin multi-layered crust made of flour and filling of durian, mung beans and taro with or without salted duck egg. The outer part can be uncovered layer by layer. As the cake is cut, the aroma of the filling is appetising.

It’s said that Hoa people brought a similar cake to Pia from China to Vung Thom, Soc Trang when they migrated to the south of Vietnam in the 17th century. Over time, the cake’s recipe was adjusted to match the taste buds of local people and it developed into a provincial specialty.

Traditionally, the Pia cake was made only for the Full Moon Festival and Tet (Lunar New Year). As with other such food items, the cake is now made and sold all year round. It has a shelf life of up to two months, instead of a fortnight.

In order to make an attractive, tasty Pia cake, bakers have to exercise sophisticated skills at several stages.

To make the crust, they mix the flour with sugar and finely mill the mixture into very thin layers.

The filling of durian, mung beans, taro and salted duck egg, or durian, steamed mung bean, taro and sugar is grounded into fine paste and added with a bit of pork fat before being used to cover salted duck egg.

The baker then applies a layer of oil and egg yolk to the cake before putting it in a traditionally-made earth oven for baking at an average of about 270 degrees Celsius. After 7 – 10 minutes, it is turned over and applied with more layers of oil and egg yolk, and baked for another 10 – 15 minutes until it turns yellowish brown. Today, gas-fired and electric stoves are more popularly used by Pia bakeries for the convenience they provide.

The Soc Trang Pia cake is special because the aroma of fresh durian is irreplaceable.

Soc Trang now has more than 50 Pia bakeries, most of which are located in the communes of Phu Tam, Thuan Hoa and An Hiep in Chau Thanh district. Though the process of making a pia cake is similar, each bakery has its own secret to create a distinctive taste and flavour.

Currently, with improved quality and promotion, many enterprises have started selling their product not only in other areas of Vietnam, but also in foreign countries like the US and Cambodia.

Today’s Pia cake varies a lot from the traditional version. Its fillings now include not only mung beans, taro, durian, salted egg, but also lotus seeds and pineapple.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Vietnam likely to get better rating position in future: expert

Predictability and transparency in the policy framework will be the key for Vietnam to overcome the crisis and the positive outlook will put the country in a much better position to aim for an investment rating in the near future, Olivier Rousselet, Country Director of BNP Paribas Vietnam, has said.

Speaking in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), he said Vietnam’s credit rating is always in an uptrend from 2013 to 2021. Specifically, it increased from B2 to Ba3, according to Moody’s, from BB- to BB and from B + to BB in line with SandP and Fitch’s assessments.

According to Rousselet, the ranking upgrades in the past eight years have shown that credit rating agencies have a positive assessment of Vietnam’s macroeconomic policies. The agencies agreed that Vietnam has sustainable economic growth, a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate and the ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

They also highly appreciated the improvement of the government’s debt index and debt solvency as well as the stable public finance of Vietnam. This positive outlook is a testament to the Government’s ability to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government’s policies has been on the right track. He suggested Vietnam strengthen the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies and stabilise debts as it will improve public finance and help achieve the low inflation target.

It is necessary for the country to continue minimising the implicit risks of credit events and maintain timely payment obligations, Rousselet said, adding that it will boost the confidence of foreign investors.

Vietnam is the only country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the ‘BB’ rating category to gain positive rating momentum in 2021 and this is a reflection of the country’s economic strength and resilience.

Rousselet affirmed that nurturing long-term growth opportunities, improving trade momentum and increasing the attraction of foreign investment will play an important role in building a stronger economy and will lead Vietnam to a better position, achieving an investment rating in the medium term.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Japan boosts all-round cooperation to help Vietnam realise zero-carbon society: Ambassador

Japan will promote comprehensive cooperation from policy, technology to financial issues with Vietnam to help it realise a zero-carbon society, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio has affirmed in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

He cited the project on building a waste-to-energy plant in the northern province of Bac Ninh implemented by TandJ Green Energy Company Limited as an outstanding example for this cooperation.

According to the diplomat, under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between the two countries, the Japanese Government will assist Vietnam’s purchase of equipment with Japanese advanced technology, thus contributing to the zero carbon economy in Vietnam. Currently, there are 40 approved JCM projects in Vietnam and in the coming time, Japan will continue to promote cooperation under this model. The ambassador noted that within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Japan in November 2021, Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Japanese Minister of the Environment Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi signed a cooperation plan on climate change response towards the target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Commenting on Vietnam’s efforts to pursue a “green economy”, towards green, clean and sustainable growth, Ambassador Yamada suggested that in the coming time, Vietnam needs to continue concretising the circular economy and sustainable development based on the amended 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, which took effect from January this year. He added that Vietnam should also draft more ideas to materialise the zero-carbon society.

The ambassador highlighted PM Chinh’s official visit to Japan last November, holding that the visit marked a new stage in the bilateral strategic partnership, as embodied in the joint statement towards the opening of a new era in the bilateral extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

He noted that PM Chinh was the first foreign politician that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio welcomed after taking office, which demonstrated that Japan attaches importance to its bilateral relations with Vietnam. He affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan with shared strategic interests in the region to realise the goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The diplomat said PM Kishida, once in his capacity as Secretary-General and advisor of the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Association as well as Foreign Minister for years, had always reserved special sentiments for Vietnam and worked to promote bilateral ties. Meanwhile, PM Chinh, who used to be Chairman of the Vietnam – Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group, has deep understanding about the Vietnam-Japan relations. PM Chinh’s Japan visit was a chance for the two leaders to deepen their trustful relations as the PMs of Vietnam and Japan. According to the ambassador, 2021 was a year full of difficulties and challenges for the world, including Japan and Vietnam, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread with dangerous new variants. He said the pandemic was a test of the true values of the two countries’ relationship. However, through PM Chinh’s visit to Japan, it can be seen that the process of developing and deepening bilateral relations has always been maintained.

For 2022, Ambassador Yamada expressed his belief that the bilateral cooperation will continue to develop steadily, based on the orientations set by the two PMs’ Joint Statement.

He hoped that in 2023, when the two countries will mark the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973-2023), Japan and Vietnam will look back at the past half-a-century journey and continue to develop bilateral cooperation more extensively and deeply, thus opening up a new period in their strategic partnership.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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There’s something very special, and uniquely Vietnamese, about Tet atmosphere: Australian Ambassador

As the Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival – the biggest and longest festival of the Vietnamese people – is approaching, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie shared with the Vietnam News Agency’s reporter about her feeling about Tet and the outcomes of cooperation between the two countries in the recent past as well as prospects of the relationship in the near future. The following is the full text of the interview.

Reporter: After two years working in Vietnam, how do you feel about the country and people here? What plans do you have for the 2022 Lunar New Year?

Ambassador Robyn Mudie: I’ve been the Ambassador here since July 2019, but this is my second time in Hanoi and at the Embassy – I was also here in the mid-90s as a junior diplomat.

Vietnam has changed a lot over that time, but one of the things that has remained consistent is the country’s determination and commitment to progress, including the drive to be a proactive member of the international community. This determination is also reflected in the Vietnamese people, whose warmth and resilience, even in the face of adversity, is heartening and welcoming.

I was also delighted to be able to return to discover more of this fascinating country. It has so many layers of beauty and culture to uncover. I haven’t travelled as much as I would have liked due to the COVID-19 restrictions but even exploring Hanoi again has been wonderful.

Overall, it’s been a pleasure to be back here.

As for Tet – I love Tet! It’s a beautiful time of year in Hanoi and there’s something very special, and uniquely Vietnamese, about the Tet atmosphere.

This year, I am looking forward to once again decorating our house with kumquat trees and peach blossoms, sampling banh chung, and exploring the old streets and temples in the old quarter. I will also try to visit the flower markets to see the beautiful blossom trees and to talk to the flower sellers. It’s a good opportunity to practice my Vietnamese language and to find out more about the culture and the Tet celebrations.

It’s my last Tet in Vietnam, as I finish my posting in the summer, so I want to make the most of every moment.

Reporter: How do you evaluate the Australia-Vietnam cooperation in 2021, especially in the context of COVID-19 epidemic?

Ambassador Robyn Mudie: The Strategic Partnership between Australia and Vietnam is one of strength and depth, from our people-to-people links, to our trade and investment ties, and to our shared interests in a secure and prosperous Indo Pacific. Despite the global health challenge of COVID-19, the bilateral relationship has continued on a positive trajectory.

As a close friend and partner, Australia stands with Vietnam in its fight against COVID-19 as it continues to protect its people and boost economic recovery. Access to safe and effective vaccines is critical to these efforts and to ending the pandemic. I am extremely proud that Australia is working in partnership with the Government of Vietnam to help support Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The Australian Government has committed to share 7.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses with Vietnam. We have already delivered 3.7 million doses from Australia’s own supply, with the remainder due to arrive in the coming months.

Australia also recognises that vaccinations require more than just doses. Planning, administration, equipment, distribution, and training to get vaccine doses in arms as quickly as possible through national rollouts are critical to the success of vaccination programs. That is why we have committed 60 million AUD for a comprehensive package of support for Vietnam’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which includes support for doses as well as for vaccine fridges, communications support and training for health care workers.

More broadly, Australia is supporting Vietnam’s response to COVID-19 through our Partnerships for Recovery development policy. Our total development cooperation funding to Vietnam is forecast to be 78.9 million AUD in 2021-22 and our efforts are focused on three key objectives that are important for all countries as we emerge from the pandemic: health security, stability and economic recovery.

Reporter: The Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership has been developing well both in depth and breadth in various fields, especially trade and investment promotion. What do you expect from the relationship in the near future?

Ambassador Robyn Mudie: Australia and Vietnam have highly complementary economies. Australia is a reliable supplier of the services and raw materials that Vietnam’s exporters require, and Australian consumers enjoy Vietnam’s high-quality products in their homes and workplaces. There is enormous potential to take the relationship even further as we emerge from COVID-19.

In the strongest reflection yet of the confidence in our shared economic future, on 21 December the governments of Australia and Vietnam publicly released the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) to unlock significant opportunities for businesses across the two countries. The EEES is unique, the first of its kind for Vietnam and Australia and reflective of both countries’ mutual interests.

To support Australian and Vietnam businesses, the EEES outlines a series of mutually beneficial, practical initiatives to deepen trade and investment links in key sectors including across agriculture, education, energy, services and the digital economy. It also highlights the importance of strengthening the rules-based global trading system as the basis for open international trade and working together to address economic challenges and coercive economic practices.

Recognising that business and industry will be critical in taking the economic relationship to the next level, an early outcome of the EEES is the appointment of Business Champions – industry leaders to accelerate business engagement, trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia. There are also other early initiatives including 28 projects awarded under the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Grant (AVEG) Pilot Program, which support practical implementation of the strategy.

Increased engagement and cooperation are vital for our and the region’s economic recovery. The EEES will help guide our two countries on an inclusive and sustainable growth path and foster even deeper ties between Australia and Vietnam.

Reporter: Thank you so much for your interview!

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Vietnam’s oldest museum – home of Cham cultural treasures

Boasting over 100 years of preserving and bringing into play cultural values, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is considered a unique place showcasing the quintessence of Cham people’s art of sculpture, which is a precious heritage of Da Nang city as well as Vietnam as a whole.

In the late 19th century, a French envoy named Charles Lemire discovered a relatively large number of antiquities of Cham people during his archaeological surveys and then brought them to the area which is now the central city of Da Nang to display.

After that, the French School of the Far East conducted more excavations on a larger scale and found many more items, leading to a need for a museum to exhibit these antiquities.

In 1902, Henri Parmentier, a famous archaeologist from the French School of the Far East, proposed a design plan for a Cham museum in Da Nang. Basing on this, the construction of the Museum of Cham Sculpture started in 1915 and completed in 1919.

Located on a mound on the Han River’s western bank, near the western end of today’s Rong (Dragon) Bridge, the museum’s design is the combination of the European classical architectural style and that of Cham people.

The museum initially exhibited 160 Cham sculptures uncovered by Henri Parmentier in the 19th century. Since then, the collection has been added with more objects from different sources.

Given this, the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang is one of the oldest of its kind in Vietnam, even older than the Hanoi-based Vietnam National Museum of History, which was previously named the Louis Finot Museum built by France in 1926.

The first building of the Museum of Cham Sculpture was designed by two French architects, Delaval and Auclair, basing on Parmentier’s suggestion about using some architectural features of Cham people.

Undergoing many times of expansion, the museum still has its old but charming architecture kept intact and boasts highly unique exhibition spaces.

With over 100 years of conserving and bringing into play cultural values, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is considered a unique place showcasing the quintessence of Cham people’s art of sculpture, which is a precious heritage of Da Nang city as well as Vietnam as a whole.

It is currently home to about 2,000 objects, nearly 300 of which are being displayed in several sections with different topics.

The exhibits clearly reflect the cultural and spiritual life, as well as the architectural and sculptural mindset, of Cham people in the past. They also include some items relevant to the Hinduism and several others with daily life-related themes.

Coming to the museum, visitors will have a chance to admire original Cham sculptures dating back centuries ago and learn about the culture of the ancient Champa Kingdom in Vietnam’s history.

The Tra Kieu collection is among outstanding ones preserved there. Most of its items date back to the 10th – 11th century, some even in the 5th – 6th century.

Notably, they include three national treasures, namely the Tra Kieu altar, the My Son E1 altar, and the statue of Tara.

The Tra Kieu altar, created in the 10th century, is hailed as a sculptural masterpiece featuring images of 11 Apsara dancers in graceful and charming postures. It is also typical for the confluence of Indian and Southeast Asian culture.

Meanwhile, the My Son E1 altar, originated in the 7th – 8th century, vividly and artistically depicts spiritual dances of Hinduism.

The Statue of Tara, dating back to the 9th – 10th century, represents the avatar of Avalokitesvara, a Buddhist bodhisattva, in the name of Tara. It is noteworthy that this is the only bronze object kept at the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Source: Vietnam News Agency