Biggest gong found in central highlands

A gong measuring 73 centimetres in diameter, the biggest of its kind so far, was unearthed in Da Lat city in the central highlands province of Lam Dong on August 5.

The gong is 73 centimetres in diameter and weighs 13.5 kilogram.  (Photo: baolamdong.vn )

The 13.5 kilogram gong has tiny decorative designs on its side, which makes it different from others used in the daily life by local people.

Viet Nam's cong-chieng (gong) culture in the Central Highlands was recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in October 2005.

Fashion industry celebrates Designers House

Famed models including three previous winners of Miss Viet Nam (Ngoc Han, Thuy Dung and Mai Phuong Thuy) will perform at a fashion show called My Style, celebrating the second birthday of Viet Nam Designers House.

The show,  which introduce 120 new designs by Viet Thang Garment Company and dozens of independent designers, will be organised at 7.30pm today at 161 Hai Ba Trung Street, District 3.

Viet Nam Designers House gathers more than 30 Vietnamese designers, who represent three generations and work as independent designers or for domestic and foreign fashion companies.

Miss Viet Nam 2010 Ngoc Han will participate as a designer and MC.

Stage show gives visitors history lesson

The Mekong Artists Co has developed Hon Viet (The Soul of Viet Nam), a stage show designed to give visitors to HCM City an insight into Vietnamese history.

Featuring a mix of musical and dance styles from the northern, southern, and central regions, the 60-minute programme comprises the story of the Two Trung Sisters, the legendary shepherd on the moon, ethnic music from the three regions of Viet Nam, bamboo dance from the north-west, and modern dancing.

The audience is given an English leaflet about the show, and before each show an artist will introduce the item in English with a brief description of its meaning and content.

It is now a monthly feature at the Opera House, held on the 15th and 24th. Tickets are available at the venue at 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, and priced at VND100,000, 180,000, and 300,000.

Colour-changing stalactite discovered

An unusual stalactite whose colours keep changing has been discovered by explorers in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Natural Heritage site in Quang Binh Province.

It is 1.5km inside Huyen Khong Cave, around 2m wide and over 5m high, and its colours change constantly under lights.
Le Thanh Loi, director of the Phong Nha Culture and Ecological Tourist Centre, said it is the first time that such a stalactite has been found.

Vietnam, Laos to hold cross-border cultural exchange

A cultural, sports and tourism exchange programme between Vietnamese and Lao border provinces will take place from August 16 in Vietnam’s central provinces of Nghe An, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh, and Laos’ Xiengkhoang, Bolykhamsay and Khammouan provinces.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the event at a press conference in Hanoi on August 9.

According to the organizing board, the activity aims to strengthen solidarity and friendship between the Vietnamese and Lao people, especially those living in border areas.

A series of activities will be held during the event, including an exhibition on the cultural colours of border ethnic groups, art performances and a show of traditional costumes of ethnic groups.

A seminar on tourism development in border areas and an exhibition introducing tourism potential of border provinces will be included.

Vietnam shares over 2,100 km of land border with Laos, running through 10 provinces of each side.
VNN/ND/VOV/VNA/VNS