Dang Thuy Tram diary published in Russian

The Embassy of Vietnam in Russia announced on September 20 that 3,500 copies of “Dang Thuy Tram diary” have been published in Russian to offer to readers.

The diary tells about a doctor-martyr who sacrificed in the fight against foreign aggression for national liberation, like so many other young Vietnamese at the time.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son expressed his hope that the diary will become a bridge between Vietnamese and Russian literature to help strengthen the mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two countries.

At the book presentation ceremony, many Russians expressed their admiration for the Vietnamese hero and considered the book as one of Vietnam’s valuable publications which have been translated into Russian so far.

Dang Thuy Tram diary has been translated into 18 foreign languages and highly appreciated by international readers.

Voi Phuc temple excavated

Experts from Viet Nam Archaeology Association yesterday started a 15sq.m area at the Voi Phuc (Kneeling Elephant) Temple in Ha Noi.

The temple, in Thuy Khue Street, was built in the 11th century as one of four sacred temples guarding the four main entrances to Thang Long Citadel (former name of Ha Noi).

It was recognised as a vestige of national culture relic in 1962. The building has been repaired many times throughout its history.

The work will last for 10 days.

Space for single disabled mums

A photo exhibition entitled Xuong Rong Van No Hoa (Cactus in Bloom), featuring the life of single disabled mothers, opened yesterday at the Women's Development Centre, 20 Thuy Khue Street, Ha Noi.

The photos taken by professional and amateur photographers are the result of a visit to neighbourhoods in Ha Noi to talk with disabled women.

Each photo shows the different circumstances of each women. The two-day exhibition will help viewers see many things they share with those on the edges of society.

It's part of the project to raise funds to improve the lives of single disabled women, as well as their children.

It is being carried out by the Centre for Community Development with the support of the Viet Nam Bank for Social Policy and the British Council.

Museums swap Cham objects

The Ha Noi-based Viet Nam National Museum of History and the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculptures will exchange artefacts to enhance their collections, according to Da Nang City People's Committee.

The history museumwill give the Da Nang museum a statue of Buddha's head in Dong Duong style, named after Dong Duong Village in the central province of Quang Nam, where Cham antiquities influenced by Buddhism can be found.

The Da Nang museum will provide eight artefacts from the 10th-12th centuries to fulfil the history museum's collection of Cham fertility objects.

The Champa Kingdom ruled the central coast of modern-day Viet Nam between the fourth and 13th centuries.

Cham culture, including towers, folk songs, dances and traditional festivals, are an important part of Viet Nam's cultural diversity.

Enlightening books win awards

Books with a progressive outlook were granted Viet Nam Book Prizes at a ceremony yesterday in HCM City.

About 31 publishers sent 225 books to compete for the Viet Nam Book Prize 2012 with the theme of Books and Enlightenment.

Prizes went to Nguyen Lang's Viet Nam Phat Giao Su Luan (Essays on the History of Vietnamese Buddhism) in the research category, Hoang Phe's Tu Dien Viet Nam (Vietnamese Dictionary) in the reference book category, Nguyen Mong Giac‘s Song Con Mua Lu (Con River in Flood Season) in the children's book category, and Phung Quan's Tuoi Tho Du Doi (Undaunted Childhood) in the literary category.

The annual competition has been held for eight years.

VNN/VOV/VNS