May 1st, 2008 - Hip-Hop

C U @ Botysea 2008, Big Toe 'n' Halley Crew.
Botysea = Battle of the year, South East Asia. Big Toe was one of the first hip-hop groups in Vietnam and has competed internationally since 2005.  The troupe consists of about 40 boys and girls, the youngest aged 11. Their performances, set to traditional Vietnamese folk tunes, have impressed audiences and fellow 'break boys' as far away as China and Denmark. 

Hello, young lovers
'Celebrating one month in love. We will love each other more. 365 days in love with you.'
'Tuan misses Trang.'
'I will love Thao for all my life.'
'Quynh and Trung: love till death!'

Like hip-hop, graffiti was imported into Hanoi several years ago.
Recently, two streets, nicknamed Japan and South Korea, in the West Lake area of Vietnam's capital city, have become havens for spray-painted declarations of young love. Although initially frowned upon by the authorities, these 'artworks' are now acknowledged to add charm to the area - popular for dating couples and even older Vietnamese and tourists who come to admire the vibrant colours on the pavement.

Power shortages
Vietnam's capacity to generate electricity has not kept pace with economic growth and industrial development. The high cost of crude oil, and lack of water in dams for hydroelectricity, has exacerbated the energy crisis. It is estimated that Vietnam will need 20 new electricity plants in the next two years.

There are currently 82 hydroelectricity plants in the greater-Mekong area, and 179 more in various stages of planning. The provincial government in Quang Nam, central Vietnam, has challenged other provinces and surrounding countries to follow their example, and incorporate environmental impact assessment into the planning of dams. Retaining the flow of certain rivers from headwaters to the sea helps to preserve biodiversity.