Rockers, rappers gather for Stay Cool concert in Danang  

Leading local rockers and rappers including Pham Anh Khoa, Nguyen Nho Truong Sa; Suboi, RapSoul; Beatboxer Mr. T and DJ Bnuts will take part in the Hanh trinh yeu thuong – Stay Cool concert on Friday night at Trung Vuong Theater in Danang City, reports Lao Dong.

The concert aims to raise awareness of the youth on gender equalitarian and to promote good relationships with love and respect and no violence among the youth in Vietnam.

This is one of the activities in a media campaign to fight against violence initiated by the Spanish-based Peace and Development organization (PyD). Vietnamese rocker Khoa is the goodwill ambassador for this campaign in Vietnam.
 
National broadcaster launches Vietnam’s “Billboard”

National broadcaster Vietnam Television will launch a new music ranking program to look for the favorite songs of the Vietnamese people from next January, its spokesperson announced in a press conference held Wednesday in Hanoi.

“Bai hat yeu thich” (Most favorite song) will rank songs based on the audience’s vote, a judging committee’s decisions, and digital views on the program’s website.

The panel will gather 100 established figures in different fields from across the country to judge nominated songs, and ten judges will be replaced each month with new members.

Through this process, the most popular tracks will be chosen on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis, and aired every month on entertainment channel VTV3, the spokesperson said.

Tien Phong Newspaper wrote that the ranking could not adopt dominant American chart Billboard’s method, which is based on physical sales, digital sales, and radio airplay, since illegal copies of music can’t be managed by the local industry.

The creators of the music chart, which will have its monthly show on VTV3, named well-known music composer and producer Ho Hoai Anh as its executive producer.

Anh said the ranking program would give a boost to the local music industry, and added that he was excited to be a part of it.

The show will broadcast the top 15 most popular songs which are chosen and nominated by another “selection” committee, which is comprised of 14 well-known music professionals from producers and composers to journalists, including famous names such as Nguyen Cuong, Vo Thien Thanh, Quoc Trung, Huy Tuan and Huyen Thanh.

Songwriter Nguyen Cuong commented that he valued this new program highly for its interesting format, and its interaction with music fans.

Vuong Bich Thu, Public Relations Manger of Eurowindow, the program’s main sponsor, said “Bai hat yeu thich” is expected to become a new community for music fans while breathing new life into the music industry.

She also added that the show’s voting will be independently audited by the international auditing firm Deloite.

“Bai hat yeu thich” will air live at 9pm on the first Sunday of every month on VTV3, with the first program set to air on January 15, 2012.

Exhibition features four decades of Vietnam film festivals

A photograph exhibition entitled “Four decades of Vietnam Film Festivals” was held in the central province of Phu Yen on December 15.

The exhibition displayed 230 photos, focusing on works and individuals who made great contributions to Vietnam’s cinematography, as well as the most outstanding creative works during the past 16 national film festivals since the first one was held in Hanoi in 1970.

The four-day event was within the framework of the 17th Vietnam Film Festival, which is taking place in Phu Yen from December 14-17.

This year’s festival has the participation of 108 entries in various genres, including movies, documentaries, scientific films and cartoons.

Local photographer wins Japanese contest

Vietnamese photographer Truong Vung has won the Special Prize at the 72th International Photography Salon of Japan for his work titled “Vuot song” (Overcome the Waves).

Vung told Tuoi Tre that “Vuot Song” earlier won the silver medal at the 6th International Artistic Photo Contest held in Vietnam in October and the B prize at the Excellent Photo of 2011 category awarded by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.

According to Vung, the results of the Japanese contest will be officially released on Asahi Shimbun Newspaper later this month.

The 5 other special prizes went to contestants from Japan, India and Iran.

The contest, held by the All-Japan Association of Photographic Societies and Asahi Shimbun Newspaper, was open to professionals and amateurs worldwide who could submit photos of any theme.

The contest attracted around 13,600 entries from 41 countries.

130 works including 12 from Vietnam will be exhibited around Japan.

Local youths hold fashion design contest for dolls

A group of young people interested in dolls have held a doll’s outfit design contest which attracted many Vietnamese youths in and out of Vietnam.

The contest, titled “Sang Tao Thoi trang Cho Bup Be” (Creating Fashion for Dolls), had 3 rounds - swimsuits, evening gowns and special outfits – like a beauty pageant.
Contestants could use fabric, wool or ribbon for their works.

“We want to connect people who have the same hobby and passion across the country,” said Nguyen Ngoc Hue, a member of the contest’s organizing board.

Pham Anh Quan won the first prize for his collection and the first and second runner-ups were contestants nicknamed Ngoclien and Hongbe respectively.

Xmas celebrations at Rex, Majestic and Continental

Three hotels under management of Saigontourist - the Rex Hotel, Majestic Saigon Hotel and Hotel Continental Saigon - in HCMC’s District 1 are preparing attractive food programs for the forthcoming Christmas celebrations.

Rex Hotel (141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, tel: (08) 3829 2185)

A seafood buffet will be hosted at the Rooftop Garden from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve (December 24), accompanied with a music show from Vietnamese artist Mai Dinh Toi and a lucky draw. Tickets are priced at VND1.9 million ++ per adult and VND860,000++ per child, inclusive of all drinks.

On New Year’s Eve (December 31) from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the bar will host a seafood party which will be rocked along with a fashion show and performances from Vietnamese record breakers. Tickets are priced at VND2.1 million ++ per adult and VND967,000++ per child, inclusive of drinks.

A gala buffet dinner with numerous selected dishes will be hosted at the Lotus Ballroom from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The gala will be pulsed with an ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) show. Tickets are priced at VND1.5 million ++ per adult and VND752,000++ per child.

On December 31, a gala dinner to welcome the New Year will also be hosted at the restaurant with the attendance of models and celebrities. Tickets are priced at VND1.7 million ++ per adult and VND860,000++ per child.

Majestic Saigon Hotel (1 Dong Khoi Street, tel: (08) 3829 5517)

At the hotel’s Prima Ballroom-Breeze Sky Bar, a buffet of Western and Asian dishes will be held from 7 p.m. on December 24 and 31. The party will be accompanied with music, juggling, Flamenco music, pop, dancing and fashion shows. On New Year’s Eve, guests can also enjoy a fireworks display.

Tickets are priced at VND1.8 million per adult and VND900,000 per child for December 24 and VND2 million per adult and VND1 million per child for December 31.

At the M.Bar, guests will be served a BBQ buffet and many juggling, music, flamenco and fire dance shows also from 7 p.m. on December 24 and 31. Tickets are priced at VND1.4 million per adult and VND700,000 per child for Christmas and VND1.6 million per adult and VND800,000 per child for New Year celebrations.

A special menu for Christmas with four dishes and a drink will be prepared at the hotel’s Serenade Restaurant from 7 p.m. on December 24. Tickets are priced at VND 1.2 million per adult and VND600,000 per child.

Hotel Continental Saigon (132-134 Dong Khoi Street, tel (08) 3825 7679)

At the garden area Continental Patio on December 24 and 31, diners will host buffet programs with numerous tasty dishes such as turkey, lamb and seafood, lobster and cocktails, champagne and other drinks. While enjoying food, diners will have a chance to enjoy Flamenco and Tango music and dance shows. Tickets are priced at VND990,000++ per adult and VND590,000++ per child for Christmas. For New Year’s Eve on December 31, tickets are priced at VND1.2 million ++ per adult and VND690,000++ per child.

Guests will get a 15% discount when buying tickets before December 23 for the Christmas buffet and before December 29 for the New Year’s Eve party.

Hanoi exhibition contrasts pre and post doi moi periods  

A special exhibition featuring pre and post doi moi (renovation) periods in Vietnam opened Thursday, December 8 at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi.

Titled "Vietnam, 25 years of doi moi," it presents the 1986-2011 period through archived documents, photographs and various artifacts.

The exhibition consists of two parts, the pre and post doi moi periods.

It showcases more than 200 artifacts and photos of Vietnam before doi moi was initiated in 1986.

These include pictures of people lining up at state-owned shops to buy food and other stuff with coupons, and the busy electric trams in Hanoi.

Various kinds of coupons used during the subsidy period for buying food stuff, from milk for children and pregnant women, to garment, meat and eggs will be displayed at the exhibition.

The exhibition is jointly organized by the National Archives Center III, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the National Museum to mark the country’s 25 years of pursuing a renovation policy that shifted from a central command economy to one based on market principles.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum is located on 19 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.

New night book fair attracts locals  

The new night book fair at the Hanoi Post Office has attracted many students.  

The campus outside the Hanoi Post Office has become a favorite destination for book-lovers since the night book fair began being held in November.

There are many books for sale in children’s, literature, philosophy, science, health or research categories. The books, discounted 40 percent to 70 percent, are reprinted copies or brand-new.

Additionally, parking is free for motorbikes and bicycles, and coffee is served from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. every evening.

The book fair, which is hosted by Van Viet JSC at 5 Dinh Le Street, Hanoi, has become a familiar rendezvous for many young book-lovers, especially students.

Nguyen Hong Nhung, a student at the Institute of Diplomatic, said she comes to the book fair every weekend. She never comes alone but with several friends who share the love for reading and having coffee.

The venue is also open to families, who consider the fair a perfect entertaining place.   

Quyen to have her first live show  
 
Le Quyen in the press conference on December 9. Her first live show will take place on December 25. Photo by Han Quoc Viet.

For Le Quyen, it has taken nearly 10 years to have the first show of her own.

The singer, who shot to fame with love ballads a decade ago, will sing at Khuc tinh xua 2 – Tra lai thoi gian (Old love songs – Turn back time ) on Dec 25 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House.

She planned to organize a bigger show but has delayed that.

At the concert, which will be a eulogy to ancient Hanoi, she will also release her latest album of the same name.

Quyen said the show is like a small gift to her beloved fans and her happy family. Quyen has just back to stage after giving birth seven months ago.

Quyen will sing about 30 songs of some genres like bolero, tango and chachacha with four guest singers including Huong Lan, Dam Vinh Hung, Quang Dung and Quang Le.

L’espace Hanoi opens up 'Space and the fragment'  

"Space and the fragments," an exhibition of works by two Vietnamese artists Vu Kim Oanh and Nguyen Phi Phi, will take place at L’Espace in Hanoi from December 14 until January 23 next year.

The works of two artists focus on space and the changes that happen to it. With installations focusing on large images which create meditative spaces, these works inspire deep, personal experiences, says a press release.

It says Nguyen Phi Phi creates his works with a combination of interactive, historical East-meets- West art and a focus on the lacquer art to "express his sense of inner power as a tool to bring a memory or reflection".

Vu Kim Oanh, meanwhile, presents her spaces with a series of black and white drawings in the form of small 3D assembled sculptures in large spaces.

Idecaft is located at 24 Trang Tien street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

Lam Dong prepares for Da Lat Flower Festival 2012  

The central highland province of Lam Dong has almost completed all  preparations for the 4th Da Lat Flower Festival to take place from December 30 to January 3, 2012.
 
Truong Van Thu, head of the festival’s organization board said that the province grows enough flowers to decorate the city and neighboring districts.

A huge volume of flowers are planted in Da Lat City Park, tourist areas, Lam Vien Square, around Xuan Huong Lake and along the main city streets. Flowers can be seen everywhere, according to Mr. Nguyen Vu Hoang, general director of the festival.

There will be a special display of around 120,000 tulip plants and typical Da Lat flowers. Many flower works around Than Tho Lake,  Mong Mo Hill tourist area and Yellow valley have been completed, added Mr. Le Thanh Van of the Da Lat Flower Association.

According to Mr. Thu, Da Lat has now 4,000 hectares of flower cultivation and about 1.4 billion flowers, of which over 30 percent are exported.

Da Lat Flower Festival is an important event for the region as not only does it highlight the beauty of Da Lat flowers and promote Da Lat flower growers, it also boosts the local flower industry and acts as a center for local and international flower lovers and growers to interact and exchange experiences.

The event, “Da Lat: city of a thousand flowers,” will present to visitors its vast variety of flowers along with many cultural activities.  

A flower exhibition will be held on Ho Tung Mau and Le Dai Hanh Streets, alongside Xuan Huong Lake, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Park and Lien Khuong Airport. The Da Lat flower market, an international flower exhibition introducing famous flowers from the region will be displayed at the Da Lat Flower Park. Music events, fashion shows, an international trade-expo, a seminar on flowers and a night wine festival will also be part of the festivities.

There will also be a flower road display at the Palace Hotel and tours of flower villages, fields, valleys, hills, villas and a trade village fair. A gala night of street dances and flower balloon performances will also be part of the celebrations.

One of the highlights of the Festival will be a flower bridge, themed “Europe in the city of a thousand flowers”. For this, the Ong Dao Bridge will be decorated with flowers and installed with LED lighting.
Organizers are hoping that the Ong Dao Flower Bridge will be recognized as “Vietnam’s most beautiful flower bridge”.

Lam Dong province received about 3.5 million visitors this year. The local authorities expect to attract 3.9 million tourists during next year.

Annual rock tour comes to Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City  

A Rock Music Concert titled “Vibrant Storm” will rock the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho on December 17 and Ho Chi Minh City on December 23.
 
The two cities are last of their destinations of the annual rock tour which began in Hanoi on November 12 and then traveled to Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang and Bien Hoa.

Fans will get a surfeit of songs performed by bands such as Re-Cycle, I-Teu, Quai Vat Ti Hon (little monster), Cuoc song (life), Final Stage, Rosewood, Ngu Cung (Pentatonic), Black Infinity and K.O.P.

Launched in 2007, the biggest rock tour (also called rock storm) featuring leading rock bands from across the country has attracted tens of thousands of fans.

The organizers hope to create an attractive playing field for young people who have a passion for rock music.

All proceeds will be donated to Operation Smile and disadvantaged students nationwide.