Photographs of Japan after WWII to be displayed

An exhibition of photographs entitled “Metamorphosis of Japan after the War: 1945-1964” will be on show in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang from October 17 to December 22.

It will feature 123 black-and-white works by 11 renowned Japanese photographers offering a review of the creative and energetic Japanese society during the turbulent period after World War II from 1945 to 1964.

The event is organized by the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam in co-ordination with the Consulate General of Japan in Vietnam.

The exhibition will begin at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum on 92 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1 from October 17-29 then travel to the Ngo Quyen Exhibition Hall on 16 Ngo Quyen Street in Hanoi between November 20-29, and finally end up at the Danang Heritage Management Centre on 78 Le Duan Street from December 13-22.

Da Nang festival puts cherry on top of ties with Japan

The central city of Da Nang will host a cherry festival at the mountainous Ba Na Hills resort in April to mark the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Viet Nam and Japan. The cherry blossoms were brought from Japan and planted in the city in 2010. Japanese experts said the plants are doing well and will blossom in time for the festival.

A 7,000sq.m Da Nang-Japan Cultural Exchange Centre will also be built in the Ngu Hanh Son Marble Mountains. Da Nang set up a representative office in Tokyo in 2004 and has signed friendship pacts with Kawasaki and Sakai cities.

Celebrated percussionists to perform cheo in capital

Go Group will perform on October 25 at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi.

Established in 2010, the collective has performed at many events. In 2011, Go Group toured the US, where the band's fusion of percussion and Vietnamese cheo (traditional opera) into a unique sound attracted much attention.

The performance will be accompanied by flutes, drums, guitar and dan nguyet (two-string guitar). An excerpt from Xuy Van Gia Dai (Xuy Van Pretends to be Mad) telling the story of a beautiful woman forced into an unhappy marriage will be the highlight of the performance. Tickets are available at L'Espace.

New features at Saigon Flea Market this Sunday

If you are frequent guest of the monthly shopping and entertainment event Saigon Flea Market (SFM), head there this Sunday between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. to the market’s popular venue of Boomarang Bistro Saigon at 107 Ton Dat Tien Street in District 7.

Apart from browsing for designer clothes for adults and children, handmade accessories, household decorations or homemade food and beverages, this month’s event features some new interesting activities.

“There are dozens of slots for local fashionistas and bloggers, including Le Minh Ngoc-F Magazine’s stylist, Mina Lieu-model and Kelbin Lei-model/stylist who are selling cool stuff for great prices,” said Moon H. Doan, the market’s founder.

Furthermore, participants can contribute to local charities by buying greeting cards made by disabled children from Saigon Children Charity and items from this year’s Terry Fox Run program which will be held on November 25 at the Crescent in District 7.

SFM was launched last year by Moon H. Doan, a Hanoi-based fashion blogger living in Saigon, and is a monthly event in District 7. This artisan market gives new designers and shop owners a space to introduce their products to both locals and foreigners.

VNN/VOV/VNS/SGT