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Among famous bands and artists in the spotlight are scheduled to take part in the event including Super Junior, Sistar, Beast, T-ara, CNBLUE, Davichi, and Secret bands and IU and Trot Park Huyn-bin singers.
The event’s director and KBS staff are in Vietnam to prepare for the programme.
Historic citadel found in Quang Ninh province
Relics of the Luong Ky citadel dating back to the early 15th century Mac dynasty have been discovered in Hoanh Bo district of northern Quang Ninh province.
Lying more than 500m above sea level on the Da Bia mountain in Thong Nhat commune, the surface of the stone citadel remains intact.
Director of the Quang Ninh Museum Tran Trong Ha said based on historical records and broken ceramics found at the site, the Luong Ky citadel is much older than the Xich Tho citadel which was also unearthed in Thong Nhat commune. It is related to the struggles against China’s Ming invaders led by General Le Nga in the early 15th century.
The structure comprises two circles of walls with a perimeter of around one kilometre, serving as an ideal place for defence and withdrawal. The entire area of Cua Luc next to Ha Long Bay can be observed from the citadel, Ha said.
VTV launches team singing reality show
“Clash of the Choirs,” a Swedish reality show whose format has been purchased in 14 countries around the world has just come to Vietnam under the name “Hop Ca Tranh Tai.”
The show, held by Vietnam Television and BHD Multimedia Company, sees the participation of top Vietnamese singers including Siu Black, Phuong Thanh, My Le, Phan Dinh Tung, Duc Tuan, Ngoc Anh, and Khanh Linh, who lead seven 16-18-piece choirs formed by talented voices chosen from the artists’ hometowns. The singers themselves will select members and train their teams for the 4 month long competition.
Different from other reality shows, “Clash of the Choirs” will not have a panel of judges. Instead, the audience will decide the result.
The highest prize, VND500million in cash, together with all the money that audiences use to vote for their favorite choir, will be donated to charity activities to be completed by the winning team.
Musician Nguyen Hai Phong, director of the show, shares that he’s interested in “Clash of the Choir” because of its emphasis on teamwork.
“Almost all other singing contests in Vietnam focus on individualism. This competition requires the whole team to work together both practicing singing and dancing,” he added.
The participating artists said they’re involved because of the love of their motherland.
“I’m excited to introduce audiences across the country to unique voices from my hometown, the northern province of Thanh Hoa,” rock voice Phuong Thanh shared.
“There have been many beautiful voices from Quang Ninh. Still, many talents are thwarted since the place lacks an environment that allows them to shine. I think this show is a good chance to nurture the pretty voices of my land,” pop singer Ngoc Anh said.
Duc Tuan, the sweet voice from the northern city of Long Xuyen, said the show is also an opportunity for him to discovery his ability to do things besides singing.
“I want to be closer to the fans in my motherland,” he added.
However, the contest’s team leaders also shared their difficulties. Finding voices that can work together or convincing the team’s members to set aside their work and school for the contest are hard tasks .
Moreover, the audience of “Clash of the Choirs” will be shared with other recent Vietnamese reality singing shows including “Vietnam’s Got Talent,” “Vietnam Idol,” and “The Voice.”
The show will be broadcast live on VTV3 every Friday from February 24.
Hanoi youth drawn to street music
A common scene in many big cities around the world, street music performances have finally arrive in Hanoi and, though a new activity, have drawn great interest from many of its young people.
Every Sunday afternoon, members of the online guitar forum Hocdan.com gather around Ly Thai To Statue in Hoan Kiem district for its weekly public performances.
Originally intended as an occasion for members to practice and socialize, the event has grown into a favorite weekend destination for many of the capital’s youth as nearly a hundred of them show up to watch, listen and even join in with the singing and playing music along every week.
There is no stage, no light or any sound equipment, yet it does not matter. The audience sits mingled with the performers, friends or strangers, all for the love of music.
The spontaneous band keeps growing, as newcomers who want to join can borrow instruments, music sheets and lyrics. There are guitars, cajon drums, harmonicas to choose from. And if you can’t play any of them, you can always sing.
Nguyen Van Tien, an active member of the guitar website said they did not expect such a large audience at first, and later decided to keep the event going regularly for everyone.
Hocdan.com boasts both experienced guitar players and newbies, most of whom are students from high schools and universities around Hanoi.
As each “show” usually starts at 3 in the afternoon, and can last until late at night, “we have to pack along fast food to eat when we get hungry,” Tien said.
Bach, another member and a former student at Hanoi Construction University, said he started playing guitar when he was a freshman and had been in love with it ever since.
Publisher sues two schools for copyright infringement
First New book publishing company has sued two international English medium schools in Ho Chi Minh City for pirating some of its textbooks.
The Uc Chau International Language School at 203, Vo Van Ngan Street in Thu Duc District and International Vietnamese Australia Society at 429 Tung Thien Vuong Street in District 8 have been sued by First News for copyright infringement.
Nguyen Van Phuoc, Director of First News, said that many language schools and centres have pirated books published by the group, with Uc Chau International Language School and International Vietnamese Australia Society being the most blatant.
According to the lawyer representing First News, the above mentioned schools must pay a compensation of VND760 million (US$36,000) to First News.
The lawsuit aims to raise awareness in people and respect for the copyright law. First News has spent nearly VND1 billion on the lawsuit, the director added.
According to Le Hoang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of First News, when he was Director of Tre Publishing House ten years ago, he was often faced with copyright infringement and pirated books. Many publishers did not have the money to file lawsuits at that time.
First News is one of the publishing houses that have a large number of literary works that have been pirated and sold at a higher price than the original copy, by many foreign language centres.
First News is the first publishing company to sue for copyright infringement, and intends to follow up with strong action.
Model defends photo-shoot ‘slur’ on K’Ho ethnic culture
Miss Vietnam 2010 runner-up Hoang My has been criticised for cultural insensitivity in her recent Love Story of Lang and Biang photo-shoot.
While Hoang My’s photo collection was aimed to showcase a traditional Vietnamese folk story, many have accused the model of not accurately understanding K’Ho ethnic culture.
Some say that Hoang My’s bikini was made of spandex which distorts K’Ho ethnic culture. She was also accused of too provocatively portraying the two characters.
In response to the public controversy, Hoang My said, “I and my colleagues carefully studied K’Ho ethnic culture before taking these photos. We didn’t use elastic materials in the collection. My bikini was made of brocade, a traditional product.”
In response to the prudish complaints about her photos, the model said, “During the time the love story was set, K’Ho ethnic women actually dressed topless. However, I didn’t think I should do that, as no doubt that would have not been acceptable. To deal with this problem, I and my colleagues decided that I should wear a bikini instead.”
According to the model, in the story, love-struck couple K’Lang and Ho Biang, run into the forest after their love affair was denied by their families due to a clan feud. They had to live a meagre existence in the forests of the Central Highlands.
"We thought about using fur in our photos in order to portray the time when Ho Biang used fur to make clothes for her lover, K’Lang,” Hoang My said.
Traditional ceramics trade revitalised in Hue
Having disappeared from the market for 40 years, the pottery products of the historic handicraft village of Phuoc Tich in Hue City has been revitalised by local artists.
Artists Vo Xuan Huy and Le Ba Cang of the Hue University of Arts have just completed their long-term project to conduct research and produce traditional pottery products similar to those originating from Phuoc Tich.
After three years of working with local ceramic makers, they finally produced 150 newly baked products in a traditional way. All products have strong and vivid colours.
This is their first experimental batch of pottery products, but the artisans are surprised at the quality items.
"The success of our project will help revitalise our village's traditional trade," said Huy.
Located 40km north of Hue, Phuoc Tich is well-known for its traditional pottery crafts, old houses (nha ruong) and temples that have been preserved for as long as 500 years.
In its heyday under the Nguyen Dynasty, Phuoc Tich's pottery products were famous, supplying the entire central region.
Boats and ships from Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam , Quang Ngai and Quy Nhon provinces and also from southern areas sailed to the village to buy pottery products.
Phuoc Tich's pottery has no enamel but a simple and natural beauty. Since the 1980s, the craft began fading and then vanished as it could not compete with Chinese ceramics. Many local young artisans moved to big cities to be involved in different businesses to earn money.
Local authorities are encouraging and supporting local artisans in an effort to revitalise the village's traditional trade.
Famous sushi chef visits HCMC
Sushi lovers should not miss an opportunity to mingle with Japanese sushi chef Morio Sakayori from this Monday until March 3 at Kissho Restaurant in HCMC’s District 1.
The chef will prepare three types of sashimi, grilled teriyaki beef or seafood, three choices of Nigiri sushi, broiled mushroom salad, a choice of soup and green tea ice cream topped with fresh fruit and black honey.
During the meal, Sakayori will guide diners through the proper tasting etiquette to experience the full flavor of each dish.
He used to work at the Harbor Plaza Hotel in Hong Kong before he was called to Beijing to take on the role of restaurant manager and chef. This gave him the opportunity to open the popular Morio Restaurant in Hotel G. Known for its unique style of sushi, Morio Restaurant takes classic Japanese sushi and merges it with culinary influences from the U.S., Hong Kong, and Beijing.
The Kissho Restaurant which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. is located at 14 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1, HCMC, tel: 08 3823.2223.
Changes in Hanoi via Son’s eyes
‘Nha mat pho’ (Town home) by Nguyen The Son, inspired by the monumental changes in the city, will open at Hanoi Goethe Institute at 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street from March 8 to 28.
Son has arranged ad posters into rows of houses via digital technology so that viewers can grasp the staggering changes of the city. Dozen-of-meter-high posters covering the whole front face of the homes attract passers-by.
Those homes which were considered the future of the city for years have changed. Due to the ad posters, windows and balconies no longer connect neighborly relations between families and what is left behind these posters is a somber living space.
Son used a special print method on xuyen chi paper and silk as a fine combination of modern and traditional technique. On top of that, he lets viewers feel reality and illusion via the photographic installation art.
Born in 1978 in Hanoi, Son graduated from the Hanoi University of Fine Arts with a painting major. He has joined many exhibitions at home and in China.
Jazz artist Franck Amsalem comes to city
Jazz pianist, composer and singer Franck Amsalem will perform at the city’s Idecaf at 8 p.m. on March 10.
The French star has released eight CDs and has worked with greats such as Gerry Mulligan, Charles Lloyd, Sonny Fortune, Bobby Watson, Blood Sweat and Tears and Harry Belafonte.
After winning second prize at the Jacksonville Great Jazz Piano Competition in 1992, he released debut album ‘Out a Day’ together with Gary Peacock and Bill Steward.
He has conducted the WDR and written for the National Jazz Orchestra of France (O.N.J.), the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and several symphony orchestras.
In 2002, Franck returned to France and released the album ‘Summer Times’ and ‘A week in Paris’. His newest offering ‘Amsalem Sings’ showcases his talents as a pianist-singer, featuring 12 songs from the Great American Songbook.
Tickets are available at Idecaf, 31 Thai Van Lung Street in HCMC’s District 1 at VND100,000 with students getting in for VND50,000.
VNSO and Jonas Alber to thrill Hanoi fans
Under the baton of German conductor Jonas Alber, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) will put on a concert at Hanoi Opera House at 8 p.m. on March 9 and 10.
The concert will feature the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Wagner with arias, duets and trios debuting in Vietnam.
Alber was General Music Director at the State Theater Braunschweig from 1998 to 2007. In January 2010, the ‘German Year in Vietnam’ was inaugurated with a brilliant performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony by the VNSO and the Berlin Philharmonic Choir under Alber’s direction.
For the German Opera Night in Hanoi Alber will conduct an intense workshop with eight of the Vietnam Orchestra Ballet Theater’s soloists including Vu (Tenor), Thang Long (Soprano), To Loan (Soprano), Le Thi Vanh Khuyen (Mezzo-Soprano), Diep (Mezzo-Soprano), Trinh Thanh Binh (Tenor), Vu Manh Dung (Baritone), and Minh Dung (Baritone).
Indigenous Aussie band comes to capital
Indigenous jazz outfit Visions of a Nomad will perform at the University of Foreign Trade and the University of Commerce in Hanoi at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
The Australian band’s sound combines an eclectic mix of world jazz fusion and classically influenced music.
Their highly original repertoire is both evocative and energetic and heavily accompanied by the didgeridoo, an ethnic Australian musical instrument.
The four-piece have been around since 1990 and still consist of the original members of Michael Cming, Silvana van Dijk, Tim Berry and Adama Storey. The band aims to combine traditional music with a modern twist.
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