Exhibition on world heritages in Da Nang City

 

 

An exhibition representing world heritages in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam opened in the central city of Da Nang on March 28, with the co-operation of UNESCO in Vietnam and the Museum of Champa Sculpture.

The exhibition is part of a project to enhance the capacity and co-operation among 9 museums of the three countries.

It features 6 world heritages, including Angkor, Preah Vihear in Cambodia, Vat Phou in Laos, My Son and the Ho Dynasty Citadel in Vietnam.

On the display are photos and articles which depict the preservation work of these heritages, together with 22 posters and exhibits conveying their beauty and values.

It is one of UNESCO’s activities to mark the 40th year of the World Heritage Convention (1972-2012).

Within the project’s framework, the Museum of Champa Sculpture will co-operate with UNESCO to implement monthly education activities at the museum and open for primary and high schools’ students in weekdays.

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, Katherine Muller, said that the exhibition was the result of close co-operation among the 9 museums of the three countries. The common value in culture and history would help increase the ownership in historical intellectuals and enrich the understanding in common heritages of the region.

Buffalo fighting festival in Phu Tho

The final round of the 2013 Buffalo Fighting Festival took place in Phu Ninh district, northern Phu Tho province, on March 28 (February 17 on lunar calendar).

The annual festival is part of activities leading up to the 2013 Hung Kings Temple Festival (in the third lunar month).

According to Nguyen Van Giang, Vice Chairman of Phu Ninh district’s People’s Committee, the festival this year was the biggest since it was revived in 2009 after a 60-year suspension. Thirty two buffalos from the province’s localities fought for a first prize, a second prize and two third prizes.

Buffalo fighting is one of the oldest festivals in the region, bearing typical folk cultural features of the Hung Kings era. It represents the nation’s sporting spirit and wet rice farmers’ custom, he added.-

Anti-aircraft gun of Dien Bien Phu campaign recognised

A 37mm anti-aircraft gun used in the 1954 Dien Bien Phu campaign has been recognised as a national treasure.

The Air and Air Defence Force on March 28 announced the recognition under the Prime Minister’s Decision 1426/QD-TTg at a ceremony in Hanoi on March 28.

The gun, produced in the Soviet Union in 1939, shot down three planes and damaged 13 others during the campaign, contributing to the Dien Bien Phu victory. It is also the gun associated with national hero To Vinh Dien.

Before the Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Viet Minh force led by General Vo Nguyen Giap had to move a large number of artillery through jungles, across mountains into position around the Dien Bien Phu valley, using only ropes, levers and pulley systems. During the process, ropes binding the gun broke and the artillery piece began to slip down the slope when To Vinh Dien used his own body to stop it.

The same day, the Air and Air Defence Force opened an exhibition on anti-aircraft gunners in Hanoi. 

First book fair of the year opens in HCMC

‘Book Fair 2013’, which will be held from March 27-31 at the HCMC Exhibition House on 92 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, will provide an opportunity for readers to purchase books directly from publishers and a place where writers can hold exchange talks with readers and catch up on current reading trends.

The Book Fair is being organized by Nha Nam Publishing House in coordination with other large publishing houses such as First News, Phuong Nam, Chibooks, Van Viet, Alphabooks, Dinh Ty, Bach Viet, Van Chuong, Dong a. Quang Van. Though this fair will not be as big as other book fairs held during the year, it has its own characteristics.
As it is the first book fair of the year, publishing houses are trying to display good books to make an impression on readers.

Nha Nam displayed the comic book ‘Phe Nhu Con Te Te’ by Cao Phong. This is a new version of ‘Sat Thu Dau Mung Mu’ (Hitman with Wounded, Swollen Head), a controversial comic book which was published in September 2011 by Nha Nam.

Drawing from their previous experience, the new version has been published after consultations with well-known linguists and cultural experts, including Professor Van Nhu Cuong, Professor Pham Van Tinh, Professor Hoang Dung, critic Pham Xuan Nguyen. All agreed that the book is a folklore collection of popular idioms for modern day generation.

Meanwhile First News, who is known for life skill books, showcased ‘Hector's Voyage or Search for Happiness’ about a French psychiatrist traveling the world in search of the cause and meaning of happiness.

The most anticipated book at the fair is ‘The Casual Vacancy’ by British writer J. K. Rowling. This is Rowling's first publication after the Harry Potter series and her first novel for adult readers.

There is a special section in the fair for sale of around 1,000 old books at only VND30,000-40,000 ($1.4-1.9); some of them are priced at VND5,000-10,000 ($0.2-0.5).

In addition, the fair also has a section for auction of precious books, where readers can find a newspaper published in 1940 with the picture on the cover drawn by famous artist To Ngoc Van or Su That Newspaper edition of 1945, Love Song book of famous song writer Trinh Cong Son with his signature, etc. The prices of rare books begins from VND200,000-400,000 ($9.6-19). The auction will start at 4pm on March 30.

Exchange talks between authors, publishers are also a highlight of the fair.  Authors Phan y Yen and Khai Tam will talk about their book with readers on March 28. Later on March 31, doctor and psychiatrist Lam Hieu Minh who revised ‘Hectors Voyage or Search for Happiness’ will discuss with readers the concept of happiness.

"Don't Burn" moves audiences in Argentina

Film director Dang Nhat Minh, has won the hearts of Argentinean audiences with the screening of his film ‘Dung Dot’ (Don’t Burn), at the third Political Film Festival in Buenos Aires on March 22.

The film, produced in 2008, is based on the contents of a diary of an army doctor Dang Thuy Tram from the liberation army, during the most violent wartime battle in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Tram fell on the battlefield at the age of 27 and her diary was found by a US soldier who preserved it for 35 years before returning it to Tram’s family.

Many in the audience were moved by the film, which describes the   pain of Vietnamese people and their intense suffering during the war.

Previously, ‘Don’t Burn’ was screened in the Bangladeshi capital city of Dhaka from March 15-24, to mark International Francophone Day (March 20, 2012).

This multi-award winning Vietnamese film was also screened during Vietnamese Film Week in Sri Lanka on February 17, 2012.

‘Don’t burn’ is based on contents of a diary left by a female doctor during the fierce American War in Vietnam, and has won overseas Vietnamese audiences’ hearts after it was screened at the Viethaus in the German capital city of Berlin on August 22, 2011.

The film was also screened at the Vietnamese Culture Week in Venezuela from September 2-9, 2011, with Spanish subtitles.

Saturday SkyNight offers an eye-catching evening experience

Immerse yourself in the panoramic skyline overlooking beautiful West Lake and Truc Bach Lake at night while enjoying a range of creative drinks during Saturday SkyNight at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel's Summit Lounge.

Held every last Saturday of the month, from 8pm until late, it is the ultimate rendezvous to celebrate a trendy and zestful lifestyle while being pampered by the best entertainment favourites, including guest DJ, live performance, gifts and other surprises, as well as one complimentary cocktail for ladies from 8-9.30pm.

For any enquiries, please contact Mr Arnaud 016 3926 4754 or Mr Trung 091 468 0406.

Star-studded concert in memory of Trinh Cong Son

Nineteen evergreen songs by Trinh Cong Son will be presented at a concert to mark the 12th anniversary of his death, April 1. The concert begins at 8pm on Sunday at the Crescent Park in Phu My Hung Urban Area.

The concert, called "Flower Impermanence", will feature top singers like Hong Nhung, Thanh Lam, My Linh, Duc Tuan, Ngoc Mai and saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan.

The concert will include many of Son's most popular songs including Giot Nuoc Mat Cho Que Huong (Tears for Homeland); De Gio Cuon Di (Let it be Gone with the Wind) and Diem Xua (Diem of the Past).

Requiem to pray for peace and prosperity to be held in HCM City

A huge ritual to pray for peace and prosperity will take place at Long Hoa Thien Bao pagoda in Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park, HCM City on April 2.

The event is expected to draw the participation of 700 monks from the Viet Nam Buddhist Shangha's chapters in HCM City and the south-eastern provinces.

HCM City Goethe Institute to celebrate Easter this Saturday

The Goethe Institute in HCM City will organise a Historical Monument Day on Saturday to celebrate Easter.

The event will feature a drawing contest in which the subject will be Easter eggs, and films based on fairy tales by the Grimm brothers including Fox King, The Magic Table, Cinderella, and Bremen Bastion's Musicians. The films will be subtitled in English and dubbed into Vietnamese.

The event will be celebrated from 9am to 5pm at the institute at 18, Street 1, Do Thanh Housing Compound, District 3. Entrance is free.

Source: VNA/VNS/SGGP