The exhibition entitled “Hanoi Today” introduced works taken by French photographers Dominique de Miscault and Daniel Frydman and Vietnamese photographer, Nguyen Hai Son. It aims to help the French public gain a better understanding of Hanoi, its daily life, special culture and attractive landscapes.

The exhibition will run until October 28.

The “Hanoi Today” exhibition by Dominique de Miscault was previously shown in Arcueille, southeast of Paris.

‘Beautiful Hanoi’ photo contest awards presented
 
VOV News Online has presented awards to the winners of the ‘Beautiful Hanoi’ photography contest which it held in celebration of Hanoi’s 1000th birthday with sponsorship from Sony Vietnam, Petrol Vietnam, and Hello Lund Japan.

The contest attracted attention from a great number of professional and amateur photographers, VOV News Online Deputy Chief Editor Do Thai Hung said at the awards ceremony on October 19.

Over the past four months, the organizers had received over 500 photo entries from across the country. One of the entrants even sent more than ten photos to the contest. Many of them live and work far from Hanoi.

The entries covered a wide range of topics and were taken from many perspectives, capturing impressive moments in the capital city.

The organizing committee was highly impressed by photos of familiar subjects such as Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and the Red River. It also complimented the interesting angles used to look at the life and people in Hanoi during national construction and defence.

Tran Uong Son, a photographic artist, said that most of the entries were of high quality.

Cuban dancers to perform in Vietnam
 
A 19 member Cuban dance troupe, Rakatan, is visiting Vietnam at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

They will perform at the Hanoi Opera House on October 21, the August Theatre in Hai Phong on October 22 and the Information and Culture Centre in Thai Nguyen on October 24.

This is the Cuba’s leading art troupe. They will present classical ballet, folk and modern dances and Flamenco as well as other types of dances, such as mambo-jazz, bolero, son, guaracha, cha-cha-cha, manteca, rumba and salsa.

Vietnamese folk songs played in Berlin
 
The Berlin International Guitar Contest took place from October 15-17 with 20 competitors from over 10 nations and territories taking part. 

During the event, the contestants had to play pieces of work composed by Vietnamese guitar artist Dang Ngoc Long, who is also head of the jury.

The two compulsory pieces included Beo Dat May Troi (Drifting Blossoms, Floating Clouds) and Morning-Mai.

Musician Dang Ngoc Long and some artists have performed many pieces composed from Vietnamese folk songs which gained huge applause from the audiences.

The first prize won by guitarist Chia Wei Lin from Taiwan was worth EUR2,500. The winner was also invited to perform at 2012 Guitar Festival and become one of the judges at the International Guitar Contest 2012.

Two Vietnamese contestants Do Tuan Viet from the UK and Truong An Dinh from Germany also took part in the event.

French magazine raises Hanoi’s charm
 
France’s newsmagazine Le Nouvel Observateur has published an article saying Hanoi could be seen as the most beautiful and captivating city in Southeast Asia.

The article said Hanoi’s beauty bears the styles of both Vietnam and France. The author wrote that since 1882, an ‘ideal’ city was built next to the Old Quarter. This city is full of green trees and has ancient pagodas and pretty villas whose architecture style can be found in France’s Cote d’Azur, the author wrote.

The article entitle ‘1000-year-old Hanoi’ read the best way for sightseeing in Hanoi is wandering on its streets and roads which combine Asian and European beauty.

It was suggested tourists visit the Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi, next to which are the streets characterized by their crafts’ names such as Hang Chieu, Hang Duong, Hang Quat and Hang Vai.

It also mentioned Hanoi’s beauty at dawn, when old people practise tai chi chuan, children go to school and local people rush to work – all viewed from Sofitel Metropole Hotel. After this, tourists can taste the famous Pho noodle soup at local shops.

The French feature praised Hanoi’s cuisine and spoke about many hospitable restaurants decorated in a sophisticated way. One of them is a restaurant in Ba Dinh district, which serves many dishes from the country’s three regions.

Venezuela Culture week opens in Hanoi

The event opened on October 18 at the National Library in Hanoi with a five-day exhibition about the daily lives of Venezuela’s people and their nation.

The exhibition includes 30 photos taken by Venezuelan photographer Rafael Salvatore as well as authentic Venezuelan handicrafts.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Culture for Human Development also introduced the book “La Cita de la Historia” about General Vo Nguyen Giap.

Culture Week includes traditional Venezuelan dance performances by artists and art troupes.

Diverse activities, inluding a seminar to mark the 200th anniversary of Independence Day, the socialist achievements of the Bolivian Revolution, and a seminar to introduce traditional dances and performances by folk art troupes from Venezuela’s National Dance Company, will also be held during the event.

This culture week is considered a gift from Venezuela to the Vietnamese for Hanoi’s 1,000th anniversary and to mark the 21st year since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

French concert supports Vietnamese dioxin victims
 
Le Perreux-sur-Marne in the suburbs of Paris hosted a solidarity concert on October 16 in support of Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

The event, co-hosted by Jazz Bond Association, Orange Dihoxyn and Orange Fleurs d’espoir, involved both Vietnamese and French amateur composers and singers, who performed soulfully for Vietnam and its dioxin victims.

Vu Thi Xuan Phuong, President of Orange Fleurs d’espoir, said this is one of many charitable activities held annually in France to help the handicapped in Vietnam’s Ninh Binh and Quang Tri provinces and Ho Chi Minh city.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Vietnam’s dioxin victims.

A project to build an ecological treatment camp in Ninh Binh province for mentally retarded children was introduced during the concert.

A week of international unity with Vietnamese children suffering from the effects of Agent Orange will take place in France from November 13-21.

Vietnam joins ASEAN Family Day in Japan
 
Vietnamese diplomats joined their counterparts from nine other ASEAN member countries at the ASEAN Family Day 2010 held in the Kasai Rinkai Park on the outskirts of Tokyo on October 16.

The ASEAN Family Day is an annual event to boost the friendship and cooperation among ASEAN diplomatic missions in Japan .

The participants took part in various sports and entertainment activities, including golf, sepak takraw and tug of war, and enjoyed traditional dishes of ASEAN countries and folk dances performed by the staff of the Philippine embassy which hosted this year’s event.

PV