Book gives Italian slant on Viet Nam

A book entitled Italian Travellers in Viet Nam was launched yesterday, March 26, in Ha Noi.

The book in Vietnamese and Italian languages was compiled by Mario Sica, an Italian diplomat in Viet Nam (1965-68), who married his Vietnamese tutor.

Italian impression on Viet Nam.

"When I came to Viet Nam for the first time, the country was at war, but the biggest impression to me was not the war but Vietnamese culture," said Sica at the book launching ceremony.

Sica said he became curious to know the observations of other Italians who had been to Viet Nam, hence the book, a collection of notes by Italian travelers from the time of explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century to the missionaries, naturalists, geographers, writers, diplomats of the 1950s and later.

Their stories were not expected to contribute more than the French, Portuguese, English and Americans who wrote about the country, but it is a kaleidoscopic of unique and interesting views.

The book is priced at VND90,000 (US$4).

Traditional music composers to have outing

A traditional music performance will be held at the Rooftop bar, 83B Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ha Noi, on Thursday from 6pm.

The programme is part of Music Bridge Under 25, a project that aims at encouraging traditional music students to compose new pieces for their own instruments.

The most outstanding works will be selected to be performed in front of a panel of judges, including jazz guitarist Nguyen Le.

Also to perform on the night will be musician Vo Van Anh, who is an initiator of the project; pop singer My Linh; 16-string zither player Van Anh.

Ticket proceeds will go to the Music Bridge Under 25 Fund.

Jade statue of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong displayed in Hue

A jade statue of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, the founder of Vietnam Zen Buddhism, is being on display at Tu Dam Pagoda in the central city of Hue on March 19-25.

A solemn ceremony to commemorate the King-Monk and welcome his statue was held at the pagoda on March 24.

According to the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha – Thua Thien-Hue chapter, the jade statue, which is 3.25 metres high and weighs 7 tonnes, was on loan from the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery in Uong Bi city, northern Quang Ninh province.

After Hue city, the jade statue will be displayed at central Da Nang city and Quang Tri province before returning to Truc Lam Yen Tu Monastery.

Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He is famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during his 15-year reign.

The King abdicated the throne when he was 35 and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practising and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc Lam School of Zen and worked to unify different Vietnamese Buddhism sects into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

Performing arts competition promotes traditional culture and national identity

A national competition to promote Vietnamese art and culture is calling for new works for performing artists that find inspiration in traditional culture and promote patriotism.

The winning works should promote national values and will be performed at festivals and celebrations across the country, said Nguyen Dang Chuong, director of the Performing Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The competition covers awards for the top stage plays, cheo (traditional opera), tuong (classical drama), opera, puppetry and cai luong (reformed opera) work. Prizes will also highlight the best musical works including traditional music pieces for orchestra and solos for musical instruments as well as short dance pieces.

The works are required to reflect Vietnamese culture and the people's life, as well as explore the most pressing issues faced by society.

All entries should be sent to the ministry of culture before October 31. The top works will be announced next year.

Experts warn Hoa Chau Citadel is suffering deterioration

Hoa Chau Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue is deteriorating, researchers said in a report.

The citadel with artefacts of Champa culture (2nd-19th century), Tran-Le (13th-18th centuries) and Nguyen (19th-20th centuries) dynasties was discovered in 1997 during excavations by the Viet Nam Institute of Archaeology and others.

Hue University of Sciences experts have since co-operated with researchers from Japan's Kanda and Osaka universities to survey the citadel and comb it for artefacts.

However, they recently reported that the vestige was deteriorating as a result of exposure to weather and incursions by nearby residents. Their report is expected to bring action from authorities to provide greater protection and give urgency to preservation.

Vietnam’s image introduced in Mexico

An exhibition displaying 45 photographs of Vietnam, its people, culture and socio-economic achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) period was held in Mexico from March 18 to 23.

The event was co-organized by a group of Vietnamese students from a foreign language centre under the Autonomous University of Zacatecas.

The University’s director, Jose Medina, expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes and the hospitality of its people, as well as the country’s economic achievements over the past years, especially in exporting rice and coffee.

Medina said that the event helped local Mexican people learn more about the land, culture and people of Vietnam.

He said the exhibition and the student exchange from both countries have contributed to expanding multi-faceted cooperation between Mexico and Vietnam. He also said he hopes that more cultural exchanges will take place in the future.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA