Vietnam, Japan cooperate in protecting Thang Long Citadel

Over the past four years, Vietnamese and Japanese experts have joined efforts to preserve the UNESCO-recognised Thang Long-Hanoi Citadel while promoting its image to the world under a project financed by the Japanese Fund-in-Trust.

The US$1.1 million project aims to build a suitable management system for the benefit of long-term citadel preservation and sustainable development in the locality, said Nguyen Van Son, Director of the Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre, at a seminar in Hanoi on December 18 to review the four-year project.

In 2010, with the support of Japanese partners, the Vietnam Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Sciences discovered new facts about the citadel.

Based on its name and architecture, scientists have proven the similarity in planning shared by the Thang Long Citadel and other citadels in Southeastern and Northeastern Asian countries.

The project has also helped young Vietnamese archaeologists access advanced methods while promoting the development of Vietnam’s urban archaeology.

Thanks to Japan’s machinery and equipment assistance and consultations, a geographic information system has been established to support the management of the heritage site.

Various books on the special values of the citadel have been issued.

The Thang Long Citadel was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the world cultural heritage in 2010.

The site was credited with its three special characteristics: the length of cultural history, the continuity of the citadel as a power centre and a variety of relics remaining intact.

Also on December 18, the Hanoi City People’s Committee presented certificates of merit to the UNESCO Office in Vietnam and the Tokyo Research Institute of Cultural Properties for their contributions to protecting the heritage site.

Cambodian Cultural Week in Vietnam

A Cambodian Cultural Week opened in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on December 18.

Cambodia’s Deputy Minister of State in charge of Culture and Fine Arts Kong Khantara and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien emphaised that the event aims to promote the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The week will also be held in nearby Soc Trang province with Cambodian artists promoting traditional songs, dances and martial arts.

Prehistoric traces found in Bac Kan

Six tombs of primitive people dating back over 6,000 years have been discovered in Na Mo cave, Huong Ne commune, Ngan Son district, the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan.

According to Associated Prof. Dr. Trinh Nang Chung from the Institute of Archaeology, Na Mo cave used to be home to many generations of primitive men with the earliest ones belonging to the Hoang Binh-Bac Son culture some 6,000-7,000 years ago.

During the excavation, archaeologists also unearthed hundreds of artifacts, mostly made-of-stone objects.

The new discovery is expected to contribute to the research of primitive people in Bac Kan and Vietnam in general.

Law seeks to preserve Hanoi's historic villas

In a bid to preserve the city's history, owners of Western-style villas built in Ha Noi before 1954 are no longer allowed to transfer ownership or remodel these homes.

This is part of the measures enacted by the municipal People's Committee to manage and preserve Western style villas, which have been considered part of the traditional charm of the capital city, and a reminder of the French colonial period in Viet Nam.

Chopping down aged trees or building new structures near the villas has also been banned.

Inhabitants of the villas will be required to seek approval from authorised agencies before making any changes or upgrades to the premises, plus they have to ensure they will maintain the original architecture and follow the city's housing plan.

According to the city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, in the late 1980s there were 2,000 French and Western-style villas in the city. However, early this month, the city People's Committee reported that it identified 1,253 villas that were built before 1954 and now are in need of preservation.

The villas, mostly located in inner districts of Ba Dinh, Tay Ho, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da, are usually used for administration, embassies, senior leaders and individuals.

However, many private villas have had their original structures broken apart as the villas were changed for different purposes, such as to operate businesses or meet the housing demands of the increased population.

Now, villas are being shared by 5-15 families, and some of them reportedly accommodate 35-40 families.

According to a survey conducted by the city's Construction Department early this year, only 15 per cent of the old Western-style villas have their original designs, while 80 per cent of them have been modified and the remainder – five per cent – were broken apart and later rebuilt.

People became concerned about the changes made to the old French style villas in the city and the loss of a cultural heritage.

Vice chairman of the city People's Committee Vu Hong Khanh said that the management and use of old Western-style villas must be consistent with the city's housing plan and housing laws.

"The city made a criteria to classify villas, so that priority would be given to preserve and effectively use these premises," he said.

The removal of such villas, either owned by the State, organisations or individuals, was illegal, he said, adding that the municipal People's Committee and People's Council would examine requests before giving a license for removal or rebuilding seriously-degraded villas.

Meanwhile, Vice president of the Ha Noi Urban Planning Association Dao Ngoc Nghiem said, to have reasonable preservation, it is necessary to consider ownership of the villas, the connection between the villas' architecture and their neighbourhoods, as well as the typical style of the buildings.

Hanoi allocates funds for Lunar New Year lights

The capital city will spend almost VND11 billion (US$519,000) on decorative lighting for the coming Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays.

Le Van Duc, deputy director of the capital city's Department of Construction, said they plan to provide round-the-clock lighting decoration for all major streets in the city during the holiday period.

Extra lighting systems will also be installed in the heart of the city, the area around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake.

The city's People's Committee has asked the department to complete installation of the lighting systems by January 15, 2014, more than two weeks before the holiday, which falls on January 31.

The committee has also approved a 2014–20 investment plan worth VND3 trillion ($141 million) that the city will use to upgrade existing lighting systems and install new ones.

It will spend the largest amount, VND1.7 trillion ($80 million), on installing new lighting systems at around 200 public places in districts and towns across the city.

Duc said that about 75 per cent of the city's wiring for lighting systems is old and not very safe to use. About 19 per cent of light bulbs are also old, resulting in ineffective lighting and wastage of electricity, he said.

He said city authorities expect to equip all urban roads and 80 per cent of residential areas in the city with lighting systems by 2020.

Traditional theatre hits Saigon's stage

Mekong Artists Corp has announced the launch of a weekly cai luong (reformed opera) show starting next month at HCM City's Institute for Cultural Exchange with France, or IDECAF 31 Thai Van Lung Street, District 1.

"The programme is aimed at both domestic and international audiences," Linh Huyen, director of Mekong Artist, a company licensed to organise art shows among others, said on Tuesday.

Huyen said the company seeks to play a role in preserving traditional theatrical arts and taking Vietnamese culture to foreigners.

The performance will be on every Tuesday — at 8pm starting on January 7 — with classical pieces of cai luong.

The first show will feature four parts from Nam Thang Khong Phai (Not Fading with Time) — Tieng Trong Me Linh (The Drums of Me Linh), Duong Qui Phi (Yang GuiFei), Nua Doi Huong Phan (Half a Life of Prostitution), and Ben Cau Det Lua (Weaving Silk by the Bridge).

Meritorious artists Thanh Sang and Huu Tai will be joined by Giang Chau, Linh Huyen, Che Thanh, and Thy Nhung in the plays.

Mekong Artists also plans to have cai luong plays for children every Sunday starting on January 5.

They will teach children proper behaviour, filial devotion, friendship, and patriotism through plays like Bong Van Tho (The Marigold), and Khu Vuon Bi Mat (The Secret Garden.)

"The performances [will be] from 9.30 to 11.30am and hopefully be interesting for children," Huyen said.

Contemporary circus show returns to capital

The Lang Toi (My Village) circus show with acts reflecting the daily lives of Vietnamese villages will return to Ha Noi tomorrow night.

Lang Toi is a contemporary circus performance in which traditional acts are embellished with theatrical effects, music and drama. Premiered in 2005 under the direction of Nguyen Lan, Le Tuan and Nguyen Nhat Ly, the show has toured internationally, visiting countries such as France, Belgium, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, China, and South Korea.

Lang Toi will be staged at the Kim Ma Theatre, 71 Kim Ma Street, on Friday and Saturday.

Petite Noel presents Christmas favourites

The Manzi Art Space and popular young singer Le Cat Trong Ly will present Petite Noel on December 22 and 23. Known for her endearing lyrics and captivating voice, Ly will be singing some of her own creations as well as Christmas favourites. Free mulled wine will be served on both nights and guests will also receive a "lovely little gift" from the hosts.

Petite Noel will take place at 14 Phan Huy Ich Street.

Christmas charity fair to benefit orphans

The children's charity organisation Hope for Viet Orphans will host a Christmas fair on December 22 in District 2 to raise funds for the Thien Binh Shelter for orphans in Dong Nai Province.

The Spirit of Christmas Fair will sell handicrafts and other Christmas gifts, food, and drink.

The event will take place from 11am to 3pm at the Villa Song Saigon, 197/2 Nguyen Van Huong Street.

Kids choir entertain Park Hyatt guests

The 1312 Kids Choir of Ben Thanh Theatre will fill the Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel with melodious carols on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

They will perform classic Christmas songs from 7.30 to 9pm on December 24 and 12.30 to 2pm the next day. The hotel is at 2 Lam Son Square, District 1.

Belgium-trained pianist to perform classics

The HCM City Conservatory of Music will host a piano recital by Hoang Hien Lam, a master of music from the Royal Conservatoire of Liege in Belgium on December 22.

Beyond the 88 Keys will include masterpieces by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, F. Liszt, and Gershwin.

A highlight will be a performance of Stairway to Heaven, one of UK rock band Led Zeppelin's most popular rock songs, that Lam has transcribed for the piano.

She will be accompanied by double bassist Tran Duc Minh and violist Le Minh Hien.

The concert will begin at 8pm. The conservatory is at 112 Nguyen Du Street, District 1.

RMIT hosts annual frisbee tournament

Saigon Ultimate Club and RMIT Ultimate Club will host the annual international Vietnam Hat Frisbee tournament on December 21 and 22 at the RMIT sports ground in District 7.

There will be 12 teams from Viet Nam and Southeast Asian countries. The event begins at 7am on December 21.

Canadian singer to regale jazz fans

Canadian jazz singer Michele Kaye will be the new resident singer at the Park Hyatt Saigon's Park Lounge from next month.

She will perform six nights a week, bringing "a style as distinctive and engaging as the classic characteristics of Julie London and Doris Day", a press release said.

She has performed in some of Asia's most prestigious hotels and on board cruise ships for more than a decade.

In 2007 she composed and recorded Angora, an extended play that was nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award in Canada.

She toured Japan, where she collaborated with Japanese musicians and played the keyboard for local pop singer Monica Wu.

She continues to compose original music as well as tour internationally as a vocalist.

Awards bestowed for local children's literature works

A Danish embassy-sponsored project to promote literature for Vietnamese children completed its first phase with an award ceremony on Wednesday.

Con Ma Da Sau Vuon (Water Ghost Behind The Garden) by Nguyen Ngoc Hoai Nam won the top prize and Trang Vam Cop (Vam Cop Moon) by Kao Son took the second prize in the topic "Vuot Qua So Hai"(Overcome the Fear) in a writing contest for the 2012-13 period.

For the "Le Hoi Que Em" (Festivals in My Hometown) topic, there was no first prize. The second prize was awarded to Chiec Rang Sau Cua Anak (A Decayed Tooth of Anak) by Duy Tu and Chiec Den Cua Tho (A Lamp of Rabbit) by Khoa Le.

All the winning stories and other works that qualified for the final round will be published, and are to be considered as a Christmas gift for readers across the country.

A writing contest for the 2013-15 period was also announced with two themes: Go Cua Trai Tim (Knocking At The Heart's Door) in the short-story category, and Ngay Toi Gap... (The Day When I Met…) in the picture-story category.

Antiquities donated to central city museum

The central city's museum received ancient Buddha statues, along with a variety of 17th-19th century artifacts from an individual donor yesterday.

The donation, which includes 17th-19th century Buddha statues, four conferral titles and one ordinance from the Nguyen dynasty, was contributed by Venerable Thich Minh Tong from Hoa Binh Province.

Last month, 60 antiquities, dating from the 14th through 19th centuries, were also donated to the museum as part of a donation programme to mark Viet Nam's Heritage Day.

The museum features more than 2,500 exhibits in a 3,000sq.m exhibition area.

National Television Festival gets underway

The 33rd National Television Festival was officially opened in Ha Long city, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, on December 18.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has called on TV programme makers nationwide to unceasingly renovate to fulfil their role as information suppliers and contribute to the national construction and defence.

This year’s event sees the participation of 104 television and radio-television stations and media companies with 527 works.

Hosted by the Vietnam Television, the festival aims to honour excellent, creative products, while offering an opportunity for production units to share information and experience to overcome challenges facing the industry.

International conferences will also be held within the festival’s framework, focusing on television copyright, the digitalisation of terrestrial television, and the production of programmes in languages of ethnic minority groups.

The event will run until December 21.

Vietnamese, Korean artists stage folk singing

Artists from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea brought to the stage Chau Van (spiritual singing) and Saenam Gut performances, their own national intangible cultural heritages, in the northern province of Nam Dinh on December 18.

Chau Van, also known as Hat Van and Hat Bong, originated from the Red River Delta and Nam Dinh province. It is a religious form of art which combines singing and dancing that is often performed in ritual to honour the Mother Goddess and Saint Tran (Tran Hung Dao).

Meanwhile, Saenam Gut is part of God worshipping rites in the RoK.

Both of them are meant to pray for good luck, health and prosperity.

The annual exchange is to spread further Vietnamese and Korean cultures to each side.

Nam Dinh plans to submit to the UNESCO a dossier on Chau Van next March, seeking its recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.