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Martín Rama is a Uruguayan economist. He lived in Hanoi from 2002 to 2010 while serving as the World Bank's chief economist there. Since then, he has fallen in love with the city and is determined to continue and develop his affection for it.
In 2014, he became widely known in Vietnam with his book "Hanoi, a Place to Wander" and won the Bui Xuan Phai Award: For the Love of Hanoi. Now, almost another decade later, Martín Rama continues to release his second book about Hanoi. Titled after the Bui Xuan Phai Award, the book seems to reflect the continuation and development of Martín Rama's love for Hanoi. From falling in love to leisurely strolls, and now a new phase with more commitment to "Her" - the way Martín Rama often affectionately describes Hanoi.
Martín Rama has released his second book about Hanoi, titled "For the Love of Hanoi".
"For the Love of Hanoi" by Martín Rama is the ninth book in the "Hanoi Streets and People" series by Vietnam Book and Media Company Limited (Tri Thức Trẻ Books). Through this book, author Martín Rama aims to share a perspective where heritage preservation is perfectly integrated with economic development. This allows the city to prosper while retaining its unique identity. And Hanoi is the muse for this idea.
With 45 articles organized into 5 chapters: "Hanoi is truly special", "What is heritage?", "Conservation campaigns", "The epic of Bui Chu", "A project for Hanoi".
The book "For the Love of Hanoi" showcases the author's efforts in contributing to the preservation and development of Hanoi's unique characteristics. By choosing young poet Nguyen Bang Ngoc as the translator and young artist Dang Viet Loc as the illustrator, Martín Rama hopes to convey his passion through multiple "languages": economics, emotion, and painting. In this way, the book "For the Love of Hanoi" will have more than one path to reach the hearts of its readers.
As a foreigner and an economist, Martín Rama's love for Hanoi is very special. He doesn't regret Hanoi's past, nor does he try to restore it to its former glory. Martín Rama cherishes Hanoi in every present moment and in his future plans. Over more than two decades, from Hanoi, a place for leisure, to "For the Love of Hanoi," from the moment of falling in love to the process of understanding, passion, and commitment, Martín Rama has not only expressed his views on heritage preservation and urban development, but also on love and responsibility. His persistent journey has shown that he loves Hanoi with all his heart but is determined to protect it with reason.
The book "For the Love of Hanoi" by author Martín Rama, published by Vietnam Book and Media Company (Tri Thức Trẻ Books), will be officially launched on July 29, 2023.
