Downtown East is a special thing. As a business run by the National Trades Union Congress, it can exist and be successful only in Singapore.
It was certainly the first time I have seen such a thing in my life, and it will remain unique, for a long time. It is a vibrant, purely Singaporean phenomenon.
The evening of Nov 10, 2018 masses of people gathered to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Club Chairman and NTUC Secretary-General projected what it will be like in 30 years , embracing technology revolution as an opportunity, not a threat.
Because Downtown East’s main purpose is to serve the working folks of Singapore, it is hardly known outside of that country. There is hardly a Chinese or Indian, or Vietnamese or Indonesian etc. who knows about Downtown East. Neither did I.
Located in the middle of Pasir Ris Street, the very green Downtown East is surrounded by 10-15 storey blocks of low-cost residential housing of a large Eastern area of Singapore, where local working people can buy a housing unit and have to pay only 40% of the cost, the other 60% covered by the government. The first impression Downtown East makes is that it is very spacious. Of course, it has to be so in order to host working masses in special occasions.
Denne historien er fra Vietnam Heritage - December 2018 - January 2019 -utgaven av Vietnam Heritage.
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Denne historien er fra Vietnam Heritage - December 2018 - January 2019 -utgaven av Vietnam Heritage.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
TYPICAL TRADE VILLAGES GOING “EXTINCT”?
Ha Thai Village of Thuong Tin District of Hanoi started its traditional paint trade in the 17th century. In the 30s of last century, the paint village of Ha Thai learned polishing techniques and the use of materials such as egg shell and snail. It was during this time that elder Dinh Van Thanh of Thai Ha Village was invited to an exposition in France to demonstrate the art of lacquer painting.
Tourism remains far away from Hue village's reach
Villagers in the 550-year-old Phuoc Tich Village on the outskirts of former imperial Hue City have dreamed of bumper tourism in the village for 10 years, but their dreams have yet to come to fruition.
Traditional wedding of the White Yao people
Having a son coming of age, a White Yao family begins selecting a wife for him among the White Yao young girls in the same hamlet or one nearby.
Xin Man at a glance
In April, the last fiery flowers of the cotton trees spark on mountain slopes. With the long-brewing desire inside to conquer the scenic tourist path from Bac Ha (Lao Cai) to Xin Man, the most desolate highland district of Ha Giang Province, we hit the road on a beautiful weekend.
Silver carving by Po Ho Creek
Following the tunes (“Spring comes to Muong Hum hamlet high up the mountains with heart-rocking distant singing…” ) of talented composer Nguyen Tai Tue, we come to Seo Po Ho hamlet to visit Red Yao artisans diligently blowing life into silver, creating wonders of sophisticated craftsmanship, worthily contributing to the cultural traditions of their tribe.
The fabulous Phu Tho tea hills
Today’s Phu Tho Province was the land chosen by Hung Kings, the first rulers of Vietnam, to be their capital. Considered the cradle of the Viet people, this area still preserves the temples of Hung Kings and many other historical relics such as pagodas and shrines.
Bridges that distill the love of the native land
Every Vietnamese has a bridge to be nostalgic about.
EXPLORING PU MAT CONSERVATION ZONE
Pu Mat National Park belongs to Nghe An Province. At 93,113 ha, it is the only remaining primeval forest in Northern Vietnam.
Cultural touches grieve locals of the royal city
Culture has served as the most sensitive part to Hue natives and they are always ready to fight for the cultural values that have existed in a long period of time in this former imperial capital city.
A DIVINE FLAGPOLE OF THE VIETNAMESE
Lung Cu Peak of Dragon Mountain, rises 1470m above sea level and belongs to Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. Sharing a border with China, this mountain has witnessed the long history of the Vietnamese fighting against foreign aggressors. That is why Lung Cu is considered a sacred place of the Vietnamese people.
