First Conference of the Francophone community in Cambodia

As a teacher, in addition to teaching I regularly participate in research activities. But memories can not forget perhaps the first to sign up writing workshop and conference participants selected for training of young researchers in Asia-Pacific region by the Francophone Community the first week in the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia early May 11-2008.

A corner of the Cambodian Royal Palace

Early morning departure from Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines flight VN841 to Cambodia's, we stopped about 30m at Wattay International Airport, to catch Vientianne Lao colleagues. After almost 2 hours flight, airport Pochentong appear in bright sunlight. Baggage claim and immigration procedures done, I quickly realized the sign on hand to welcome a delegation from female colleagues Cambodian National University.

Areas of the National Museum of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, also known as "Nam Vang", the city's largest, most populous and the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. This city was once known as the "Pearl of Asia" in the 1920s, along with Siem Reap - Angkor famous wonders, hotels in Siem Reap, the city attracts tourists and international inland of Cambodia. This city has many buildings of architectural influence France and many excellent works of Khmer architecture. Population of more than 1 million people. This city is the center of politics, culture, trade of Cambodia. Phnom Penh is located in south-central location in Cambodia, at the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers.

The opening ceremony of the workshop

Climate similar to Southern regions of Vietnam featuring my hot water year round. There are two rainy and dry seasons in years. Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire capital city moved the capital from Angkor Thom.

At the National Museum of Cambodia

Gentle smile and cheerful attitude of the Cambodian colleagues that our story on the bus quickly became friendly. I eagerly watched the way the scene 2: the streets, restaurants, vehicles ... the words in Khmer and English everywhere. The hotel is a pretty Goldiana Street in Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang I, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh. Here there are many luxury hotels, as well as expensive and cheap hotel rooms for siem reap travel tourists.

Ms Thanh Huong and I (behind) in small restaurant

Am on the first day, I and other delegates attending the opening ceremony at the large hall of the National Campuchia University, where the host. Since first participating in a regional conference for young researchers-trainers should really nervous and emotional. These days, the organizers for taking the time to present some discussion and divided into small groups by topic to discuss.

Cambodia's Royal Palace

We can register domains as we are concerned. I listened to, to speak out and be comfortable presenting these concerns or difficulties of a person not experienced in doing scientific research. And I have also received the comments, encouragement and sharing your precious friends from other countries in the region. Something meaningful is the last day, the organizers have invited some lecturers-researchers long to teach and help us with effective methods for how scientific research can achieve better results Best. And more amazing is that after a week working together, I can add new friends from different countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand ...

With friends to visit the Royal Palace of Cambodia

Alternating between stressful working day, the organizers have arranged an afternoon took us to visit the National Museum of Cambodia and the Cambodian Royal Palace Construction was started in 1917, the National Museum of Cambodia at that location Cambodgiens ancient École des Arts (School of Cambodian Arts-SCA). On 13/4/1920, the EAC has been a competent department for the inauguration ceremony with a very solemn. And that day is also the first day of the traditional Khmer New Year, also known under the name "New Year falling water." Spanning 2 decades, it has been renovated into a museum complete with the collection of artifacts from the period of Khmer Angkor 3 is great !

Phnom Penh streets

Leaving the museum, we visited the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh in Cambodia is a complex of buildings where the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia, built over a century ago to serve the meals, activities King's family and the Sultan of foreign visitors, this place is also a place where the court setting, the protocol and royal ceremonies. Khmer language name is Preah Barom full Reachea Chaktomuk dizziness. The King of Cambodia was in the palace after palace was built in 1866.

A corner of the Cambodian Royal Palace

The palace was built after the departure of King Norodom moved the capital of Phnom Penh from Oudong after mid 1800. Palace looked to the East and the West Bank is located at the intersection 4 of the division of the Mekong River is called Chaktomuk. Royal Palace complex consists of a monument including the Silver Pagoda Palace. The entire project is built solidly, including many works towering pyramid - a typical architecture of the temple tower country. Grand Palace and Silver Pagoda form an architectural ensemble is a symbol of Cambodia. The work is located facing the river cool place to visit is indispensable in this journey to discover the country of Cambodia. Royal Palace at the entrance gate on the road Sothearos way street about 100 meters north of 240.

Outside of Restaurant Khmer

Another point I can not mention the problem food of the Cambodian nation. Cuisine of Cambodia, as well as the culinary habits of many ethnic cultures of rice in Asia, shows distinct characteristics. Cambodian people have the habit of eating rice and eating more fish than meat. Holidays in rural and urban packs are Tet cakes, little cakes. Most families have sauce left school to eat all year round. Cambodian cuisine style strongly influenced by India and China.

Front of Hotel Goldiana

Most dishes are light, sweet and fatty. Spices are used mainly as spicy satay, chili, pepper. What we feel is more closely similar to the South of Vietnam is a country with more coconut. Cambodia characterized with the presence of palm tree. Palm tree image stick with people's lives with many uses. Jaggery leaves used for roofing houses and trees used as columns. Sweet jaggery water, distilled from the flowers should jaggery very pure taste, is cooked into sugar. Sugar made from palm tree not only cook tea, can also taste the food, farming or food store. Also, jaggery water also processed into a lighter wine like a very special wine called "say-news-cycle" (jaggery yogurt).

With colleagues at the National Museum of Cambodia

The following year I continued writing and science workshop, seeing young colleagues from countries in Asia, but the first impression of Phnom Penh's first meeting I was told the above have you left me deeply impressed !