National football book published
The Ho Chi Minh City Football Federation on May 10 brought out a book that highlights major events in the history of the establishment and development of national football.

The book, “Historic landmarks during 100 years of Vietnamese football”, is written by writer Nguyen Quang Sang in coordination with football expert Tran Duy Long and other journalists including Ho Nguyen (Saigon Giai Phong), Sy Huyen (Tuoi Tre), Nguyen Nguyen (Phap Luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh) and poet Thanh Thao.

Published by Youth Publishing House, the 448-page book is a meticulous and strenuous work, as few teams still keep full documents on their history. To collect information for the book, the authors have spared no efforts to compile articles about football in various regions, and meet with older players.

Information and photos presented in the book will give readers a vivid picture of Vietnamese football during the past century.

Japanese specialists revive Vietnamese silk paintings

Japanese specialists are set to continue restoring damaged silk paintings of Nguyen Phan Chanh, a well-known painter of Viet Nam in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Considering the paintings by Chanh as treasures of humanity, the experts have brought the damaged works to Japan for restoration. The restored paintings are expected to be put on display at an exhibition held in Japan during October.

Chanh (1892-1984) is praised as one of Viet Nam's foremost creators of silk paintings. During the two cruel wars in the country, he never ceased work, but included nothing of the carnage surrounding him. His motives centred soley on peace, beauty and the lives of people.

In recogntion of his artistic legacy, the group of Japanese specialists, including art restoration expert Iwai Kikuko, who has worked on Picasso and Monet pieces, visited Chanh's family in 2009, initially taking three damaged paintings to Japan for repair.

The restored works were displayed at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Japan last year alongside a film on the restoration process. Chanh's daugher was invited to the exhibition and verified the quality of the renewed paintings.

Bubble magician returns for performance and charity activities

Vietnamese-Canadian bubble artist Fan Yang, nicknamed “Bubble Magician” for his fantastic use of bubbles made from a variety of substances, is back in Vietnam with his wife and son on a 13-show tour across the country at the end of this month.

The artist and his family will give their first performance at Hanoi Cultural Friendship Palace from May 27 to June 6 as part of their Asian tour. From there they will take their show to several charity events across the country.

Born in 1962 in Vietnam, Fan Yang left the country at the age of two.

He has set 17 Guinness World Records for his bubble performance. The latest record was recognized in a performance in Vietnam last year when Yang created a bubble large enough to cover 150 people at the Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City in April.

When not performing, Yang spends time looking for ways to make soap bubbles last. He has developed his own secret solution formulas and equipment to create the bubbles.

Yang first performed in Vietnam in 2006.

Competition aims to assist breast cancer patients

A campaign with the motto "Turn your city pink! Raise awareness for breast cancer" was launched on Wednesday by the Siemens Group at the Viet Nam Medi Pharm Exhibition.

Non-profit cancer organisations will receive a donation of US$5 for each photo or video uploaded to the contest website at www.siemens.com/pink. Creative entrants will receive valuable prizes and have a chance to attend the donation ceremony for breast cancer patients in London this year.

Contest to raise awareness of island territories

A writing contest on the Spratly Islands and Khanh Hoa Province's marine and island territories has been launched. Participants can submit articles or poems between now and next April 30. The contest aims to raise pubic awareness of the need to protect and develop the nation's island territories.

Sandcastle artists to compete in Da Nang

Four foreign teams have registered to compete in a sandcastle competition on Da Nang City beach on Sunday, the organisers said.

The competition has attracted over 70 teams, although it was mainly for the entertainment of locals and tourists during the summer holidays.

The foreign teams are from the US, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

Competitors will build sand castles from 2.30pm to 5pm on Sunday. A training course for competitors will be held from 10.30am tomorrow, May 12.

Guitarists to perform in friendship celebration

Spanish and Vietnamese guitarists will stage a concert at the Hanoi Opera House on May 16 to celebrate 35-year relationship between Vietnam and Spain.  

The concert will include many energetic and fun Spanish pieces played by Lopez Vicente and Alfredo Lagos.

Lagos has a contemporary perspective based on classic Jerez-style flamenco, and has collaborated with guitar greats throughout the world.

Vicente's technique combines thumb and base for a unique, harmonious sound, and he has won prizes from the Hospitalet, Calasparra (Murcia), and the Federacion de Penas Flamencas de Sevilla.

Manga artists compete for award

The sixth International Manga Awards were launched in Vietnam for all artists including Vietnamese and foreigners.

The award is sponsored by the Embassy of Japan for enthusiastic manga artists who have contributed to the promotion of manga overseas.

The selection will officially be carried out by the sixth International MANGA Award Executive committee.

One top work and three distinguished works will receive the golden and silver prizes. The Japan Centre Foundation will invite the winners to Japan to attend the award ceremony. They will also meet with Japanese manga artists and visit publishing houses in Japan .

The international manga awards were established to share Japanese pop culture and promote a greater understanding of Japan.

VNN/VOV/VNS/Tuoi Tre