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For the first time, a baby hippopotamus has been born naturally at the Hanoi Zoo, located in the heart of the city. Nguyen Cong Nghiep, Deputy Director of Hanoi Zoo in Ba Dinh District, shared that the pregnant mother hippo was a gift from Dai Nam Wonderland in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province. She arrived at the zoo in December 2023 and, after receiving dedicated care for about eight months, gave birth to a male calf on July 23, 2024. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other even-toed ungulates, hippos are more closely related to cetaceans such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This unexpected family tree diverged around 55 million years ago. The hippopotamus is an impressive creature, ranking as the third-largest land mammal in the world by mass, after elephants and rhinos. Adult males can weigh up to 1,500 kilograms, while females reach up to 1,300 kilograms. Despite their stocky build and short legs, these mammals are surprisingly swift and can reach speeds o

Tran Nam Long, a young artist with a unique perspective, was born in 2005 with disabilities. He found his voice through art at the age of three, using his creative talent as a means to express his emotions. Long’s art offers a captivating glimpse into his innocent view of the world, and his paintings of Hanoi are a testament to this. The city, through his eyes, takes on a serene and uncluttered atmosphere, filled with a romantic and graceful allure. Time appears to have stood still in his depictions of old houses and apartment blocks, carefully preserved as cherished memories of the city. Art scholar Tran Hau Yen The beautifully describes the intimate and familiar feeling of Long’s artwork: “As Hanoi becomes more crowded and modern, Tran Nam Long’s paintings offer a space of tranquility and nostalgia, inviting us to linger and evoke a sense of home.” In 2019, Long’s talent was recognized with the inclusion of his ancient house portraits in the book, “Impressions of Hanoi: From the S