154 outstanding contributors to Hanoi’s 1000th birthday honoured

One hundred and fifty four cultural researchers and scientists were presented certificates of merit for their great contributions to the millennial anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi at a ceremony held in Hanoi on January 10.

A number of research works on the beloved capital were compiled on the occasion of its 1000th birthday, including the ‘1000-year-old Thang Long Bookcase’ project, the 18-volume ‘Bach Khoa Thu Ha Noi’ (Hanoi Encyclopedia) and the four-volume ‘Tong Tap Nghin Nam Van Hien Thang Long’ (Anthology of Thang Long’s One-Thousand-Year-Old Culture). The works, introducing Hanoi’s successes in various fields recorded over the past 1,000 years, are the result of years of research, study, compilation and hard work by hundreds of scholars.

Notably, three cultural heritage sites in the city won UNESCO recognition comprising the Thang Long Royal Citadel, the 82 doctoral stele at the Temple of Literature and the Saint Giong festival, thanks to the resolve and joint effort of Professors Phan Huy Le, Luu Tran Tieu and their colleagues at the Vietnamese Association of Historical Science.

Addressing the ceremony, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi municipal Party Committee, Pham Quang Nghi, expressed his special thanks for the constructive efforts and contributions of the cultural researchers and scientists to the country’s grand event. He said he hoped that the intellectuals would continue to devote their talent and understanding to the capital’s development. He also affirmed that in future, the city authority would focus on building policies to promote intellectual resources and understanding.

MOCST holds awards ceremony for propaganda posters

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) held an awards ceremony for the artists that attended the contest of composing propaganda posters for the 11th National Party Congress on January 12.

During the two-month contest, the organising board received 920 works submitted by 793 artists from 47 cities and provinces across the country.

The jury panel granted the first prize to Do Trung Kien from Hanoi, two second prizes to Tran Van Vu from Quang Ninh and Nguyen Ngan from Ha Nam and the three third prizes went to Le Thuan from Thua Thien Hue, Ha Huy Chuong from Hai Duong and Nguyen Thanh Binh from Binh Thuan.

The Vinh Phuc Provincial Cultural Centre and the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the movement awards.

Cheaper golf in the late afternoon 

Long Thanh Golf Club in Dong Nai Province neighboring Ho Chi Minh City is offering a special deal until the end of October.

Appropriately named Twilight Golf, the promotion is for amateurs and professionals alike and offers lower course fees based on when a round of golf begins.

A round starting between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. costs US$35, but the price drops to $30 after 2:30 p.m. and $25 after 3:30 p.m. Golf carts are also cheaper to rent and cost $15 for a two-seater and $30 for a four-seater.

Free soft drink, juice or local beer at the club restaurant is included in the price.

The promotion is valid from Monday to Thursday, except on public holidays.

No refund will be made if a player does not finish a full round of the course.

Big deal for big wedding parties 

Bridal couples can enjoy a special offer on wedding parties at the five-star hotel Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City until the end of June.

Parties from 250 guests get the whole-package decoration service, pre-party snacks at every table, emcees, violinists to entertain the guests, a wedding car for use around the downtown area for four hours, a bridal suite plus buffet breakfast for two, and a dinner voucher for the first wedding anniversary, all at no extra charge.

And there’s even more for really large parties in the Caravelle’s main function room, which can seat up to 700 guests.

Four menus are available for US$32-42 per guest and clients can order their own to order if they so wish.

Beer and soft drink are served for three hours and cost $12 per guest, while the charge for couples who bring their own is $4.50.

World of Orchids 

“Hanoi is a small but charming city where you can always find a new and enchanting world,” says good friend Robert Sheen when we reach Hoang Lan (orchid) Garden at the Vietnam and Russia Cultural Palace on the capital’s Tran Hung Dao Street.

Hoang Lan Garden stocks a dozen or so different types of orchid, which is considered the queen of flowers in Vietnam. In olden times, with their special glamorous, diverse and durable beauty, orchids were considered the royal flower.

Another reason for ranking orchids at the top is the difficulty in nurturing them properly. In order to make orchids bloom every year, the temperature, humidity and light must be just so.

Hoang Lan displays beautiful orchid flowers in abundance, and from a distance the scene is like a colorful world of butterflies flittering in the shade of grand trees.

The orchid prices are quite reasonable and range from VND100,000 to several hundred thousand dong for one plant.

Taking care of orchids is a relaxing hobby for people of all ages - it rests the mind and brings nature into the home.

For those orchid enthusiasts who don’t have the time to devote to their plants, Hoang Lan offers a special service whereby an expert.

Artist captures Hmong ethnic minority people

The portraits of the Hmong people in the northern province of Ha Giang is the focus of artist Nguyen Quang Huy’s exhibition opened Friday in Hanoi.

The portraits are of people of the Hmong ethnic minority tribe that Huy met over the last 15 years of traveling.

The exhibition, Love, includes 25 portraits of Hmong in which the artist has captured the natural instinct and spirit of these people.

There are also some landscapes, a video of Hmong, and several sculptures.

The artist who graduated from Hanoi University of Fine Arts in 1996 has been an artist in residence in Australia, Germany and the US.

The exhibition run until February 12 at the Art Vietnam Gallery at 6 Nguyen Khac Nhu Street.

PV