Situated in Mang Thit District of Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, the Mang Thit brick village, known as the ‘kingdom of bricks’ in the region, has a history of over 100 years, making it very attractive to tourists from near and far.

The uniqueness of the ancient brick village lies in its kilns, with each of them having a height of 5-12 meters and a round tower shape, creating a distinctive architectural complex.

Mang Thit is also regarded as a village of traditional craftsmanship and tourism.

Such a perfect combination drives up the village’s economic growth.

Vinh Long Province offers supportive policies to local craftsmen and gives special mechanisms to turn the brick hub into the ‘Mang Thit contemporary cultural heritage’ to further boost socio-economic development.

Nam Lon, whose real name is Le Van Lon, a 72-year-old resident of Nhon Phu Commune, Mang Thit District, has over 40 years of brick-making experience.

In boom times, the village had over 2,800 kilns, but it is now home to only 1,000 furnaces, with a mere 30 kilns burning frequently, he recounted.

Meanwhile, the rest lie idle waiting for tourists, he added.

“Apart from the beauty of kilns, which look like eggs, the secret to burning a kiln becomes unique and exciting,” Nam Lon said.

“As a highly-skilled kiln-man, he must know how to control the fire to burn bricks well.

“Brick-making can make money, depending on the artisan’s experience and skills.

“I am very pleased and excited to see the place used for tourism development.

“If a large number of tourists visit the village, locals can enjoy a more comfortable life and preserve the traditional craft.”

In fact, the Mang Thit brick village is fading into history as many artisans have quit the craft to land a new profitable job, while furnaces have degraded.

The owners of operational kilns are struggling to make a living and wait for a promising start of a ‘contemporary cultural heritage site.’

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Approximately 500,000 LED lights are used to form a lotus field and cherry blossom garden at Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The ‘light garden’ is just one of several activities held as part of Ho Chi Minh City’s 8th Japan-Vietnam Festival, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

The two scenes were inspired by iconic flowers from the two countries: lotus and sakura, also known as Japanese cherry blossom.

Aside from the lotus and sakura light displays, the event organizers have installed colorful lights throughout the rest of the park, including a 50-meter-long, four-meter-wide lit-up dome that is quickly emerging as a popular photo hotspot for young Ho Chi Minh City residents.

The number of LED lights—500,000—is symbolic of the 50 years of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan.

Tran Phuoc Anh, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, said that the light display at Bach Dang Wharf Park is indicative of the bright future ahead for Vietnam and Japan.

Meanwhile, Watanabe Nobuhiro, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his gratitude to the Ho Chi Minh City leadership for their collaboration with the Japanese Business Association of Ho Chi Minh City to organize the light display and contribute to the establishment of an improved nighttime entertainment venue in the city.

He shared his hope that local residents will appreciate the sakura and lotus light displays.

The lights will be kept up at Bach Dang Wharf Park until April 16.

On February 25 and 26, the 8th Japan Vietnam Festival was held at the 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City and featured several culture, trade, and cuisine exchanges.

The event, which attracted 500,000 locals and tourists, contributed to fostering the relations between Japan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam as a whole.

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Ke Huy Quan, the Vietnamese-born actor who as a child appeared in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” received the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as Waymond Wang in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

Quan, 51, made his big-screen debut as Harrison Ford’s sidekick, Short Round, in the 1984 film, and later appeared in the film “The Goonies” and the situation comedy “Head of the Class.”

He has spoken publicly about stepping away from acting as an adult, working as a stunt coordinator and assistant director, because there weren’t enough opportunities for Asian actors.

Quan’s portrayal of Waymond Wang was his first major role since the ’90s.

“Dreams are something you have to believe in,” Quan said. “I almost gave up on mine. To all of you out there, please keep your dreams alive,” he said in his acceptance speech.

Quan has said he felt “so very lucky to have been chosen” for the “Indiana Jones” role, though he began to wonder “if that was it.”

“For so many years, I was afraid I had nothing more to offer, that no matter what I did, I would never surpass what I achieved as a kid,” Quan said. “Thankfully, more than 30 years later, two guys thought of me. They remembered that kid. And they gave me an opportunity to try again.”

On stage at the Oscars, Quan tearfully acknowledged his 84-year-old mother watching at home, hefting the Oscar and declaring, “Mom, I just won an Oscar!”