National Song and Dance Fest opens in Dak Lak

More than 2,000 artists from 32 troupes nationwide are attending in the National Song and Dance Festival the Central Highland province of Dak Lak from August 12-22. 

Their performances are in praise the patriotism and undauntedness of the Vietnamese nation and the great achievements won by the Party and people during the process of national construction and defense.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Department of Art Performance, the Vietnam Dancers’ Association, the Vietnam Musicians’ Association and the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

A series of cultural, sport and tourism exchange activities will be organised throughout the bordering provinces of Viet Nam and Laos from this month till the end of the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

The first exchange events will be organised between August 16 and 19 in the central province of Ha Tinh, and will also gather other neighbouring provinces like Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh (Viet Nam) as well as Xiengkhoang, Bolykhamsay and Khammuoan provinces (Laos).

An exhibition titled Cultural Colours of Ethnic Groups in Border Area, a conference on tourism and economic-culture development

in border area and an art performance are scheduled to take place.

The final event is planned to take place in Laos in December.

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

Viet Nam shares over 2,100km of land border with Laos, running through 10 provinces of each side.

Japanese toy exhibition attracts Hanoi viewers

Cute and charming toys created by designer Takashi Tsunoda are on display in an exhibition titled “The World of Interior Toy” that opened in Hanoi on August 12.

 “Go back to original simplicity and creativity things” is the design philosophy of Takashi Tsunoda, two time winner of Japanese Good Design Awards twice for his interior toys.

His products are all simple, "kawaii" (cute) and adorable with a variety of characters. He particularly introduces two special toys in the exhibition: Piperoid (Good Design Award 2007), a paper robot craft kit for both kids and adults, and Play-deco (Good Design Award 2011), a unique home décor craft item that combines wooden “bones” with paper “skin.”

Monster Cube, inspired by traditional Japanese handicrafts, is also on display.

Spaces are arranged by Tran Thu Hang, a young Vietnamese artist specializing in designing dolls.

The exhibition is opening doors to visitors at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange on 27 Quang Trung Street until September 9.

Hanoi to host Gift Show 2012

The Hanoi Gift Show 2012 for handicrafts, home décor products and furniture will be held at the Vietnam Exhibition and Fair Centre from October 26-30.

The show, the first of its kind, aims to promote Vietnamese exports and attract customers from developed countries such as the US, the EU, Japan, Australia and Russia.

The professional trade fair will include 550 stalls showcasing goods from 250 businesses.

The fair will highlight exceptional creativity, fine craftsmanship, well-chosen merchandise, and personalized customer service, and feature innovative lifestyle products, home decor items and accessories.

The event is being organized by the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, in co-ordination with the Hanoi Department of Trade and Industry.

Nghe An hosts largest ever Buddhist culture week

The Buddhist Culture Week, the fourth and largest-ever so far in Vietnam, opened in the central province of Nghe An on August 12.

Activities held during the week aim to highlight Buddhism’s ideological and cultural values, which have been preserved throughout thousand years of accompanying the nation.

Lectures and seminars on Buddhism will take place in the event along with the screening of films, photo exhibitions, a night flower garland and lantern festival and other social and charitable activities.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Nghe An provincial Buddhist Executive Committee and the Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies.

VNN/VNS/VNA/VOV