Doco wins road safety prize

A documentary promoting the use of safe helmets by Vietnamese children on motorbikes has won top prize at the Global Road Safety Film Festival.

Entitled In Retrospect, the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation) production features three families with a child injured or killed in a motorcycle crash.

Illustrative image.

The film was screened as part of the foundation's Children also Need a Helmet campaign, which aims to increase the rate of helmet use.

The film festival, held late last month at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, promoted the second United Nations Global Week for Road Safety from May 6-7.

The festival highlighted pedestrian safety, helmets, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, seat belts, safety devices for children and improving road infrastructure.

A Vietnamese Korean kid impresses TV audiences

Yoon Da Young, whose cuteness and personality has made her one of the Republic of Korea’s (RoK) favourite television faces, has Vietnamese origins.

The girl is renowned for her part in the reality show “Hello Baby”, broadcast on the Korean KBS channel.

“Hello Baby” is an educational programme for young children. Da Young and her friends are cast as the sons and daughters of a famous Korean artist.

Yoon Da Young was born on March 17, 2008. Her father is Korean and her mother has Vietnamese nationality.

Da Young is also a model. Her images have recently appeared in Best Baby and Babee magazines.

She is also commended for her ability to speak Vietnamese.

Louis Vuitton offers designer bags made to order in capital

The French luxury brand Louis Vuitton on Wednesday opened another store in Ha Noi, the first in Viet Nam featuring a haute maroquinerie "Made to Order" salon where clients can create their personalised Louis Vuitton bags.

At the salon, clients have a range of options on bag shapes, locks, types of leather and colours. The personalised bags are made in workshops in Asnieres, France.

Located in the revamped luxury mall Trang Tien Plaza, the latest Louis Vuitton store is the third one in the country. The first was opened in the capital in 1997 and the second, in HCM City in 2003.

European food fest to hit Ha Noi

The 2013 European Food Festival will spice up the capital on May 18.

Live performances, raffles, delicious food and much more will be offered at the National Library (31 Trang Thi Street).

"This year is a special occasion, as EuroCham is celebrating 15 years of existence in Viet Nam," said Preben Hjortlund, chairman of EuroCham, which organises the festival. "That's why we will make the event more exciting, introducing a variety of unique European culinary experiences to bring together the international and Vietnamese communities."

Some of Ha Noi's favourite restaurants will prepare a broad variety of European dishes like paella, beef Zurichoise with spaetzle and lasagna.

Children will enjoy the giant bouncing castle and face painting, while older visitors can observe cooking demonstrations and performances by DJ JeremiX, Hi Jinks and The Guest.

Tickets are VND290,000. Entrance is free for children under 10.

The Dodos prove indie rock is not extinct in VN

American band The Dodos will present a concert of indie folk and baroque pop at 4pm on May 19 at the Saigon Outcast outdoor bar.

Vocalist and guitarist Meric Long and drummer and percussionist Logan Kroeber will perform along with local artists and music bands including Timekeeper, Joy Oi! and Brian Wilson's Brain.

The bar is at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street, District 2.

Tickets will cost VND300,000 if bought in advance at the venue and deciBel Lounge, 79/2/5 Phan Ke Binh Street, District 1, and VND350,000 at the door.

Ale House to host arts festival next week

The HCM City Visual and Performing Arts Festival titled The Hand that Rocks the Cradle this year will take place at McSorley's Ale House bar from May 16 to 19.

The festival, organised by the bar and The Saigon Players – a non-profit group of foreigners who enjoy theatre – will include art exhibitions, plays, poetry reading, story telling, and music and dance shows.

It will feature local and foreign artists, musicians, dancers, choreographers, poets, members of the International Choir and Orchestra of HCM City, and teachers and students from the Inspirato Music Centre and the Performing Arts in HCM City.

The event will be open at 4pm every day while the performances will begin at 7pm.

The bar is at 4 Thao Dien Street in District 2. Entrance for live performances will cost VND300,000. All profits will go to charity.

Heritage group set for village expedition

Friends of Viet Nam Heritage (FVH) – an informal group of foreign residents living in Ha Noi working voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage – will host an excursion this Saturday to the mother-of-pearl inlay village Thon Trung in Ha Noi's suburban Phu Xuyen District.

The trip will offer attendees a chance to see craftsmen inlaying mother-of-pearl and eggshell into a variety of wooden products, including religious objects such as crucifixes and altars. After walking around the atmospheric village and watching artisans at work outside their homes, the group will enjoy lunch in the grounds of the village's Catholic Church.

The expedition will conclude with a visit to another inlay workshop in nearby Boi Khe Village

The English-speaking tour is from 8am to 3pm.

The group will gather outside the Sofitel Plaza Hotel on Yen Phu Road, at the corner of Thanh Nien Road. The cost is VND350,000 (including transportation). The group is limited to 20 people. To register, contact helenshuntley@yahoo.com.

Music night organised by LGBT community

Are you interesting in interacting with LGBT community and joining supporters in performing and enjoying cultural events?

As part of the AWAKEN series, events will be held simultaneously in Ha Noi, Da Nang, HCM City and Can Tho.

Activities will include a music night in the capital named LIVE PROUD, which is being organised by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people this Saturday at Ly Thai To Park, Hoan Kiem District. The performance is a celebration ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on May 17.

The music night starts at 8pm and is open to all.

VNN/VNS/VOV