AAEE and FIWC's Poverty Challenge Activity and Cultural Exchange Progam Nepal 2015 have already begun.

AAEE and FIWC's Poverty Challenge Activity and Cultural Exchange
Progam Nepal 2015 have already begun.

The participants along with AAEE coordinator and moderators are actively engaged in the program. These are the pictures when they were visiting Tansen, Palpa. The participants have now already gone to Maidan Village where they will be establishing water tank with the help of villagers.

AAEE and FIWC’s Poverty Challenging Activity 2015

AAEE and FIWC’s Poverty Challenging Activity 2015

With days coming near to mid-February, AAEE together with FIWC is preparing in the final steps for its poverty challenging and cultural exchange program 2015. The event will begin from February 23rd to March 10 where Japanese participants will be going to one of the remote area of Nepal called Maidan, Palpa and establish water tanks to help the villagers for the easier access of water supply. Besides, cultural exchange program will also be conducted so that participants will have better understanding of this new place. After, spending some days in Maidan particpants will also visit major urban areas like Pokhara and Kathmandu. The program will be beneficial for participants in sense that they will be getting to learn new culture, tradition, live life differently from what they have been living in Japan and it will also be beneficial for villagers as this need based approach will help to decrease their problem of water supply. Final preparations are done and now the participants from Japan are waiting excitingly to finally land in Nepal.

Lunar New Year holiday in Viet Nam (Tet holiday)

Lunar New Year holiday in Viet Nam (Tet holiday)

I would like to introduce you one of the most important holidays in Vietnam which is Lunar New Year holiday. Officially, the holiday includes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day in Lunar Calendar, but everyone often spend nearly a month to enjoy the holiday’s atmosphere. Tet holiday is an occasion for everyone for family reunite and celebration of the New Year together. All the best things are prepared during Tet holiday so that people can ensure the life during this year is good.
On the New Year’s Day, the first ones who come to visit household are called first foot and are very important so they need to be chosen carefully to ensure that they will bring good lucks to the family. There is a saying in Vietnam: “First day is Father’s Tet, Second day is Mother‘s, Third day is Teacher’s”. On the first day, Vietnamese will visit their parents on husband’s side on. On the second day, they turn to the parent on wife’s side and lastly, they spend their third day to visit their teachers.
During Tet holiday, Vietnamese will give lucky money to each other to wish for happiness and healthiness. Also, they go to pagoda to pray for a good year to come. All in all, Tet is the time for all coming back to origins, wishing for all best things to each other. Next week, the New Lunar Year will come in Vietnam. If you stay in Vietnam during that time, you will enjoy the Tet ‘atmosphere.

DRAGON BRIDGE

<Vietnam>

DRAGON BRIDGE

Officially inaugurated in 2013, the Rong Cao (Dragon Bridge) has put Da Nang City on the map not only for its unique structure but also for the intangible values converged in this architectural feat. With the length of 666 meters (2,185 feet), the bridge features the shape of a dragon, which is a sacred symbol of Viet Nam as well as represents the prosperity of Da Nang city. The intriguing events take place here every weekend, which appeals to both local residents and tourists. The most breath-taking one is the pyrotechnic show held after 9 p.m with the performance in which the dragon will breathe fire in tandem with clouds of water. Besides, there are also the LED light shows every night, making the whole area colorful and dazzling.

Gradually, the Dragon Bridge becomes an iconic landmark of Da Nang and reserves a solid stance in the heart of Da Nang`s people. Furthermore, this dragon-shaped bridge also encapsulates the historical and cultural aspects of Vietnam. It depicts the dragon, which is the emblem of power, nobility and good fortune and commemorates the legend about King Ly Thai To, who moved the capital of Vietnam to Ha Noi and named it “Thang Long” (The Flying Dragon). At present, the Dragon Bridge is deemed to be a core element in the development of local tourism industry and attract more attention from the authority. To sum up, the Dragon Bridge is a fantastic and awe-inspiring destination that will burn the most frozen heart.

Water puppetry (Puppets dance on the water)

Water puppetry is a special kind of art on the stage. Water puppetry is full of joys, colors and lighting, charms and surprises. It is the feeling of people who are watched the performance of water puppetry. Nowadays, you can watch it on CD, youtube and so on. But no one of them can’t inspire you as much as a real time performance – when you sit near the water surface. Colorful puppets dance and perform numerous interesting actions with animated music and singing. Especially with the effects of light and sound, all of them combine with each other to give you amazing moments. Even puppets can perform many hard art actions that robots can’t do. One more special thing is that you won’t see any puppeteer, machines or any strings or ropes. You only see the puppet on the water. The content of the show is about the traditional stories of Vietnam or the life in the past of Vietnam. Awesome moments are waiting for you at Vietnam with water puppetry. So, why don’t you visit Vietnam and see it?

LUCKY MONEY - OTOSHIDAMA

LUCKY MONEY - OTOSHIDAMA

“Tet” or “Lunar New Year” is coming in our beautiful country. Festive atmosphere is ubiquitous: on the street, at the shopping mall, at home and so on. But today, I would like to introduce you to one of traditional practice in Vietnam - Lucky Money. On the 1st day of Lunar New Year, children will express their love for their parents, grandparents and older people by the wishes of happiness, longevity and success. In exchange, they will get some lucky money as a gift from their relatives. This makes Tet so meaningful and full of happiness.

Nguyen Hue Flower Street in Ho Chi Minh city

I would like to introduce you a special street in Ho Chi Minh city, ‘Nguyen Hue flower street’ .Saigon ‘s Tet culture which launched first in 2004. Whenever new Lunar Year comes, this street is decorated by many familiar symbols of country and the animal of the year. 

The road is so long and is divided into many parts. Each part has a particular theme. You can walk and enjoy the flowers and spring atmosphere. Each year, Nguyen Hue Flower Street receives more than one million visitors during Tet holiday. If you come to Vietnam on this occasion, you should try to visit this place once.

“HO” - VOICE OF THE RUSTIC PEASANTS.

"HO” (English: Chanty) is a common practice in the southern area of Vietnam, which is a unique genre of musical performance that encapsulates the spirits of southern countryside and daily life of peasants here. A long time ago, when peasants settled down along the bank of Me Kong River, they commenced their new life and worked rather hard on the field to gain the fruitfulness of agricultural products. They were very optimistic and humorous. Thus, to leave the weariness of works behind, they started to sing “ho”. These songs were just like daily conversation but rhythmic and spontaneous. Gradually, this became a traditional value of this land. “Ho” was prevalent almost everywhere. People sang “ho” at work, at home or even on the river when they were rowing the boats. Sometimes, we could catch the sight of a man and a woman singing “ho” in the form of a dialogue to each other to tacitly express their “love”. This is very exquisite and lovely. There is no word that can fully describe the beauty of “ho” so you should come here and enjoy by yourself.

Photo source: http://www.mekongculture.com

Annual Spring Volunteer Campaign in Vietnam

<Vietnam>

Whenever spring comes, Ho Chi Minh City Students’ Association launches its annual spring volunteer campaign. There are many activities in this campaign such as taking care for needy students, cooking traditional food for poor people ( special food of Tet holiday in Viet Nam), and presenting gifts for poor households in remote area. Students shall take part in a diverse range of activities to help disadvantaged so that they can enjoy a happy and safe Lunar New Year holiday. With youth and energetic spirit, over 12000 students take part in this campaign with one common purpose of bringing happiness to all needy people. I hope this campaign will be conducted successfully and everyone will have happy Tet holiday.
(Photo source: vnexpress.net)

AAEE International Exchange Programs 2015

<AAEE International Exchange Programs 2015>

Asia Association of Education and Exchange (AAEE) has been carefully considering in which countries we would conduct AAEE International Cultural Exchange Program 2015.
By the way, our past exchange programs were held in:
2011: THAILAND and NEPAL
2012: NEPAL
2013: VIETNAM and NEPAL
2014: VIETNAM and NEPAL
2015
NEPAL (Feb-Mar)
VIETNAM (Aug and/or Sep: not fixed yet)
INDONESIA or BANGLADESH (Aug or Sep: not fixed yet)

Da Lat, Vietnam

<Vietnam>

I would like to introduce you one of special cities in Vietnam, ‘Da Lat city - City of many special things’.
Da Lat is the capital city of Lam Dong province. It is very different from other cities in southern part of Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh or Nha Trang, etc. Da Lat is induced with the fresh and mild climate all the year round and this is the ideal condition for all kinds of flower to blossom. Therefore Da Lat is “The city of flowers” from touristic perspective.
To make use of this advantage of city, Flower Festival has been celebrated since 2005. This festival has attracted lots of tourists. Besides, Da Lat has also been called “City of thousands of pine trees”. Because, Da Lat ‘s specific sights are pine forests) with twisting roads and tree marigold blooming in the winter. Da Lat has many beautiful landscapes such as Ho Xuan Huong lake , Valley of Love, Lake of Sorrow, Tuyen Lam lake, Prenn Falls, Pongour. And it is also popular for French-style architecture: King Bao Dai’s Palace
If you visit Viet Nam, choose Da Lat as your first destination. (写真6枚)

Water Tank Project 2015, Nepal

<EVENT INFORMATION>

AAEE & FIWC 

Water Tank Project 2015, Nepal

 The members of the Water Tank Project 2013

The poverty challenging activity has been one of the integral parts of activities conducted by Asia Association of Education and Exchange. Every year AAEE has conducted poverty challenging activities in various countries in different forms. Regarding Nepal, AAEE in association with FIWC (Friendship International Work Camp) established water tank in one of the village of Palpa district of Nepal called Maidan in the year 2013. It was followed by the establishment of water tank in another village in Kaski district of Nepal called Mauja. This year again, AAEE with FIWC is again conducting Water Tank Project 2015 (from Feb 22- Mar 4)
FIWC members along with AAEE members will help to build the water tank. The support will not just be economical but also physical. It means not only they will be buying the logistics necessary for the water tank building but they will also put their physical effort to build it. Villagers will also actively engage in the program succession. Let’s hope like past years, targeted group will be benefited of this action as well.

(The photos are from the Water Tank Project 2013.)

Fewa Lake in Pokhara (Nepal)

We all go through some really tough times in our lives. And sometimes the problem might not be big in itself but yet we cannot think beyond that problem and get stuck in that situation for god knows how long. The place you see in picture, beautiful isn't it? It’s called lakeside that is located in my city called Pokhara, Nepal. Now you might be thinking how is this place and tough time in our life related? Well, like everyone else there are many times in life when I am really frustrated then all I do is come to this place and relax myself by looking at this beautiful Fewa Lake and get dazzled in its beauty. I simply come here sometimes with friend and sometimes alone as well. Usually, I like to write diary. When I am really depressed I like coming to this place alone and write what am I feeling at then once I write whatever I’m feeling without lying to myself I feel a bit relieved. And then try to gather up all once again. Now that I’m in different city I really miss this place especially when I’m sad still I try to imagine myself there writing all my heart out.
We all go through ups and downs in life. But rather than sitting in one place and crying and thinking about what ifs….and if only I would haves…it’s better to go out to the places that gives your heart those little pills of joy, hang out with the people you love and most importantly love yourself and try to love yourself and don’t let yourself not to suffer. This is my way of trying get rid of what hurts me what’s yours?

Photo source:mages.boomsbeat.com/data/images/full/33704/18-jpg.jpg

Eight places in Vietnam that are inscribed on the World Heritage List.

<Vietnam>

Today I would like to introduce you to eight places in Vietnam that are inscribed on the World Heritage List. They are divided into three groups:

Natural( 2 places)
1.) Ha Long Bay (Vietnamese: Vịnh Hạ Long and it’s meaning: “descending dragon bay”) is in Quang Ninh province. It’s about 155km to travel from Ha Noi to Ha Long.
2.) Phong Nha-Ke Bang National park (Vietnamese: Vườn quốc gia Phong Nha Kẻ Bàng) is in Quang Binh province. It’s about 500km south of Ha Noi. The park derives its name from Phong Nha cave, containing many fascinating rock formations, and Kẻ Bàng forest.

Cultural (5 places):
3.) My Son sanctuary (Vietnamese : Thánh địa Mỹ Sơn) is in Quang Nam district. It’s about 69 km to travel from Da Nang city to My Son.
4.) Hoi An ancient Town( Vietnamese : Phố cổ hội An) is in Quang Nam district. It’s about 28km south of Da Nang city. When you come there, you will see the beauty of Vietnam in the past.
5.) Complex of Hué Monuments (Vietnamese : Hoàng thành huế) is in Thua Thien Hue province. It was place for the king and royal family to live in the past.
6.) Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (Vietnamese: Thành nhà hồ) is a citadel in Vietnam, constructed by Hồ Dynasty(1400-1407). It’s in Thanh Hóa province.
7.)Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hoàng thành Thăng Long) is the archeological site of the old capital of Vietnam which originated in 1010

Mixed( single place):
8.) Trang An Landscape Complex (Vietnamese: Quần thể danh thắng Tràng An) is the newest place which is accepted by Unessco in 2014.

Photo Source: vietnamtourism.com.vn (写真10枚)

リーチ337人

AAEE Headquarter in Japan

<Japan>

This is our AAEE Headquarter in Japan.
アジア教育交流研究機構の日本事務局です。 (写真6枚)

Vietnamese Street Food

<Vietnam>

Vietnamese Street Food

I would like to introduce you some kinds of Vietnamese street foods that you can’t ignore because of their delicious flavors.
1. Beef Noodles (Phở bò)
2. Broken rice (Cơm tấm) (traditional tastes broken rice with pork skin (cơm tấm bì) or egg cake (chả trứng)
3. Saigon baguette (Bánh mỳ Sài Gòn)
4. Sticky rice ( xôi)
5. Rolled cake ( Bánh cuốn)
6. Vietnamese Fresh spring roll (Gỏi cuốn)
7. Vietnamese Rice noodle (bún) there are lots of kind of rice noodle such as: bún thịt nướng (rice noodles with grilled pork), bún riêu (rice noodles with sour crab soup), bún chả giò (rice noodles with deep fried spring rolls)
These dishes are very familiar to every Vietnamese people and they often appear in breakfast. And the prices are cheap. If you travel to Vietnam, I recommend that you should try all of them at least once. I am sure that you will enjoy.

photo source: foody.vn, lozi.vn (写真5枚)