Local artists perform in Russia

Vietnam’s pop star Dam Vinh Hung and many other famous singers and artists have left deep impressions on Russian audiences in Moscow.

The show, entitled “My Vietnam”, drew more than 2,000 visitors, including a large number of overseas Vietnamese in Russia last weekend.

Dam Vinh Hung, Hoai Linh, Hong Van, Le Quyen and Duong Trieu Vu sang popular songs about Vietnam’s land and people beautifully.

MC Thanh Bach also impressed the audience with his fluent Russian.

Earlier, the art troupe had performed for Vietnamese people living in Saint Petersburg.

Artists from Arabesque Dance Group won international awards

Three artists from the HCM City-based Arabesque Dance Group have just won top prizes at the Korea International Modern Dance Competition 2012 in Seoul.

The dancers representing Viet Nam, Nguyen Huu Thuan (23 years-old) and Do Thi Hai Anh (22), won silver awards for male and female senior dancers after three rounds.

Choreographer Ngo Thanh Phuong won the only Choreography Award at the same event for her Coma dance staged for Thuan to perform.

This is the second annual event held in South Korea for dance artists between 14 and 34 years old.

Film raises funds for heart surgery

Hanh Trinh (The Journey), a short film by Vietnamese-American director Cuong Ngo, was released in cinemas last Friday, marking the International Children's Day.

The film, featuring the life and dreams of a rural girl with a congenital heart defect, aims to raise funds for Heartbeat Vietnam, a programme of the VinaCapital Foundation that helps poor children in need of heart surgery.

The idea for Hanh Trinh originated from the real life story of Cao Hung Vy, a boy from the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Gia Lai, who was born with a serious congenital heart defect, said the film's producer, actor and singer Ngo Thanh Van.

"Vy's family had no money to get him a surgery, which costs US$2,500, in order to survive and lead a normal life.

"Vy's mother and he set out on a journey from their hometown to HCM City, hoping to find help. They met our programme's members by chance, and the boy received his second chance at life," said Van, ambassador for Heartbeat Vietnam.

Based on Vy's story, Hanh Trinh sends a message of love and compassion that bind people together.

"Our film is for 20,000 children in Viet Nam who are waiting for heart surgeries," said Van after the film's premiere in HCM City on Friday. She also appears in the film.

The 30-minute film stars Nhu Quynh and young actress Lan Ngoc.

On a cinema forum, a fan in HCM City recently wrote: "Hanh Trinh is short but left a strong impression on audiences, thanks to a meaningful story, perfect images and music. It was like a song in praise of the inner strength of people."

All proceeds from the film's ticket sales will be sent directly to Heartbeat.

Since 2006, Heartbeat has saved over 2,700 children. This year the programme has on its waiting list over 1,000 children considered critically ill and in need of urgent surgery.

More efforts needed to ensure preservation of Nam Giao site

Archaeologists have just asked local authorities of central Thanh Hoa Province to step up their efforts to prevent land erosion at Nam Giao worship platform in the complex of the Ho Citadel.

The relic is located in the middle of Don Son Mountain and is thus vulnerable to landslides during rainy season.

Professor Tong Trung Tin, director of the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute, said that the scientists had excavated over 50 per cent of the area north of the platform and helped unveil five storeys of the platform.

Vuong Van Viet, deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee, promised that the authorities would apply protection solutions soon.

The platform was built in 1402 during the Ho Dynasty.

Fashion contest aims to get local designers to ‘rise up'

A professional fashion design contest called Rise above Fashion has been launched for Vietnamese people living in the country above 18 years of age.

Eligible contestants include individuals who have not yet won any top prizes in foreign of domestic contests.

Entries should be drawn on A4 size paper with detailed descriptions or materials attached.

The files should be sent to 15A Tran Khanh Du Street, District 1, HCM City, until July 2.

The organisers will select 40 contestants to advance to the semi-final round on July 10. Judges include popular designers Cong Tri, Hoang Hai, model Vu Thu Phuong, and creative director Henri Hubert.

Female and male winners will receive VND100 million (US$4,700) in cash and a holiday to Paris.

Jazz singer Zoey Jones to perform at Sofitel Metropole

British jazz singer Zoey Jones will perform at Le Club of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi from Tuesdays to Sundays between June 5 and August 31.

Trained at Birds Performing Arts College in London, Jones always dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina, however her ambitions and inspirations gradually shifted to her current passion for singing.

She has performed at major music events around the world, including Kiss FM United Kingdom Tour and Pop/Rock festival ROCK IN RIO in Lisbon, Portugal.

Jones has also had opportunities to share the stage with renowned artists such as Elton John, Muse, Leona Lewis, and Jesus Luz (former partner of Madonna).

The star has travelled on the power of her voice throughout Africa, America, Europe and Asia. Most recently, she attended Johnnie Walker Blue Label concert in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Her shows at the Metropole will start at 8.45pm.

VNN/VOV/VNS