Phan Thiet gears up for Nghinh Ong Festival

Local authorities in Binh Thuan Province have mapped out plans for Nghinh Ong Quan Thanh Festival 2012 in Phan Thiet City. As expected, the 9th biennial festival will take place from September 4- 6 (or July 19th-21st of the lunar calendar).

A green dragon dance performed in the street

at a previous Nghinh Ong Festival in Phan Thiet City. 

This is the traditional festival of the Chinese community in the city to pray for peace and a happy life for locals. The festival will begin with some important rituals at Ong Pagoda including a Buddhist prayer ceremony, whale worshipping and a ceremony where people release lanterns on the river to pray for a good life.

The highlight of the festival is the procession of Quan Thanh De Quan, accompanied by about 1,000 people doing folk performances in the city center. Quan, who was a general in Chinese history, symbolizes strength, courage, goodness and faith.

There will be music shows, traditional Chinese fashion, dragon dances, tuong classic drama, martial arts and folk games.

Pianist releases Chopin album in Vietnam

An album by People’s Artist pianist Dang Thai Son has made its debut in Vietnam.

The album, named Chopin: Complete mazurkas includes two CDs comprising 55 works.

The music was recorded in October 2009 and was first published by Victor Entertainment Inc. in 2010 in Japan.

Dang Thai Son, born in 1958, won the first prize at the tenth International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1980. It was also the first time an Asian artist won at this top international competition.

Music fest to celebrate war-era songs

Popular war-era songs written by celebrated composer Luu Huu Phuoc will be performed at a concert on August 27 at the Ben Thanh Theatre in HCM City's District 1.

The Luu Huu Phuoc Revolutionary Music Festival is organised every year by the HCM City Culture Centre since 2005.

Phuoc (1921-89), was one of the country's first composers who wrote marching and revolutionary music. His music inspired the nation during its wars for independence and has won the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people.

"Besides revolutionary songs by Phuoc, new songs by HCM City's composers featuring young people's determination to protect the nation's territory will be performed at the festival," said Nguyen Huu Nghi, director of the HCM City Culture Centre.

20th Oktoberfest planned

The 20th Oktoberfest 2012 in HCM City is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors.

Organised by the German Business Association and the Windsor Plaza Hotel under the patronage of the German Consulate General in HCM City, the 20th annual Oktoberfest will be the biggest of its kind in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia this year.

The German Oktoberfest 2012 in HCM City at Windsor Plaza Hotel on October 5-6 and October 9-13.

Elmar Dutt, chairman of the German Business Association, said German specialities including sausages, traditional pretzels and a bountiful buffet of favourite Bavarian choices would be on offer.

The participants will have opportunities to enjoy a truly authentic experience matched with dance-inducing rock hits and popular Bavarian folk music from the German band Steirerbluat.

Co Loa Citadel, a future historical-ecological park

The Prime Minister has recently approved a master plan on preservation and restoration of Co Loa Citadel in Hanoi, aiming at developing the site into a historical, ecological and humane park.

Under the plan, the citadel will become a national historical-cultural relic site and one of the main parks in Hanoi, which will cover about 860ha in Co Loa, Duc Tu, Viet Hung and Uy No communes of suburban Dong Anh district.

The follow-up steps will include the conducting of a survey of the projected area and identification of major values of Co Loa Citadel in the national relic system.

Solutions for using the relic space for tourism and improving the living condition of residents in the area as well as preserving the architectural feature of tangible heritage, including three wall-layers of the citadel, gates, communal houses, temples and other inner venue will be worked out.

Co Loa Citadel was built near Phong Khe, about 20 km to the north of today’s Hanoi, during the end of the Hong Bang Dynasty (about 257 BC).

Covering nearly 500ha, the citadel is a place of worship for King An Duong Vuong and Princess My Chau, who are mentioned in the magic crossbow legend that has been woven into the anti-foreign invasion history of Vietnamese people.

According to folklore, An Dương Vương founded the ancient Vietnamese state of Au Lac and chose Co Loa as the capital city.

 Pianist releases Chopin album in Vietnam

An album by People’s Artist pianist Dang Thai Son has made its debut in Vietnam.     

The album, named Chopin: Complete mazurkas includes two CDs comprising 55 works.

The music was recorded in October 2009 and was first published by Victor Entertainment Inc. in 2010 in Japan.

Dang Thai Son, born in 1958, won the first prize at the tenth International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1980. It was also the first time an Asian artist won at this top international competition.

VNN/SGT/VNS