Vietnam National Day held at 2012 Expo in South Korea

Vietnam National Day was held in the Republic of South Korea on August 6, as one of the highlights at the 2012 Expo in Yeosu.
The event began with a special traditional art performance by artists of the Youth Theater and Vietnam National Music Academy, attended by Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Lee Joon Hee, Commissioner General of Expo 2012 in Yeosu.

Vietnam’s exhibition area was themed ‘Living Ocean and Coast’ and is divided into four sections, an introduction of Vietnam’s Sea and Islands with images of Ha Long Bay, rice paddy fields, wild life of Salangane and traditional handicrafts.

There is also an area presenting Korean and Vietnamese tourism sites like Jeju Island and Ha Long Bay which were listed as New7Wonders of the World in 2011.

Vietnam exhibition house has also attracted visitors with traditional music shows during the day.

The 2012 Expo is a chance to strengthen relations and cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

Nguyen dynasty’s archives exhibition to open in Hanoi

An exhibition of imperial autographs on official documents of Nguyen dynasty (1802 – 1945), will open on August 15 in Hanoi.

132 official documents will be displayed at 10 sections, corresponding to the 10 Kings of the dynasty, which reigned over the country from 1802 to 1945, starting with King Gia Long and the last being King Bao Dai.

Documents bearing the writings of King Gia Long included medical reports of the court physicians, while King Minh Menh wrote his instructions on many reports regarding agricultural, education, administration, training and cultural matters.

King Bao Dai left many comments in three languages – Vietnamese, Chinese and French, on the official documents.

The exhibition will run until December 31 at the National Archives Centre I in Hanoi.

Book explores origin of Vietnamese tea

A book titled Van Minh Tra Viet (Vietnamese Tea Civilisation) by researcher Trinh Quang Dung was released in Ha Noi on Monday.
The 400-page publication features research and comments on the tea culture of Viet Nam – one of the world's four main growing centres. It explores the origins of Vietnamese tea and the arts of processing it and enjoying it.

A physicist, Dung has studied the subject for dozens of years.

Documentary follows quirky band

A documentary entitled Ha Noi Eclipse: The Music of Dai Lam Linh will be screened at the Goethe Institute in Ha Noi on Friday.

Ha Noi Eclipse follows the challenges faced by the controversial Vietnamese band Dai Lam Linh. It shows how the group came together to create a unique form of popular music, which is international in outlook but grounded in Vietnamese tradition.

Dai Lam Linh was established by male composer Dai, an ex-soldier, and two female singers, Lam and Linh. The film explores how he overcame the trauma of war by writing songs to honour the memory of the dead.

It also shows how the two singers embarked on an inner journey to find their voices, described as extraordinary.

The screening in Vietnamese and French with English subtitles will start at 6.30pm.

Director Barley Norton, a senior lecturer in music at Goldsmiths, University of London, will attend. He is the author of the book Songs for the Spirits: Music and Mediums in Modern Viet Nam.

Art project to open at L'Espace

An art programme titled Fame Street Corner will be held at the L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi, from August 13-16.
It will combine music performances, drama and dance with songs and classic plays in Vietnamese.

About 50 young Vietnamese have been practising for the show since early July.

Contest seeks snapshots

A photo contest titled Canon Photo-marathon will be held in HCM City on September 8 and in Ha Noi on September 15.

Entrants are encouraged to take quick photos on certain topics. The annual competition attracted 3,500 contestants in HCM City alone last year.

Started in Viet Nam in 2006, it has been a playground for photo lovers. However, this year, competitors will have to pay VND50,000 ($2.4) to enter. The submission fee will be donated to Understand the Heart charity fund.

Japanese drum ensemble to perform in Vietnam

Vietnamese arts lovers will have another chance to enjoy drum performances by a Japanese traditional art troupe which will perform in the country from Aug. 22 in an effort to promote cultural exchanges and friendship between the two nations.

The Japanese drum ensemble, Osuwadaiko, will offer Vietnamese audience musical feasts with a diversity of drums like a classical orchestra.

The performance will feature an Indian fairy-tale in which Gods are characterised by bravery and determination like the spirit of the Japanese people in their bid to overcome difficulties.

Following the performance in the country’s capital city of Hanoi, the ensemble will go to stage at the opening ceremony of the Hoi An – Japan Festival 2012, which is scheduled to take place in the central province of Quang Nam from Aug. 24 to 26.

Osuwadaiko troupe is one of the three most well-known traditional drum ensembles in Japan . Previously, the troupe performed at an international tea festival in the northern province of Thai Nguyen in 2011.

Future Shorts kick off summer screenings in HCMC

World largest film network Future Shorts will kick off its summer program in Ho Chi Minh City this weekend.

The “Future Shorts Summer Program” with two screenings will showcase numerous short films by directors around the world including Grant Orchard's "A Morning Stroll", winner of Best Short Animation of the 2012 British Academy of Film and Television Art (BAFTA) Awards and winner of 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

The event will also screen Mihai Grecu’s experimental documentary "We'll Become Oil" about the Gulf of Mexico, and Will Madden’s stop-motion animated "Notes on Biology", winner of Best Short at 2012 South by Southwest festival.

Established in 2003, Future Shorts has become the largest film network in the world, offering filmmakers an opportunity to exhibit their works worldwide.

Since last November, its screenings have spread over 144 cities and 55 countries with an audience of more than 25,000 people experiencing a showcase of the best short films, often alongside live music, DJs and art.

The summer festival’s first screening will take place at 7pm on August 12 at Fun Society lounge at 73 Mac Dinh Chi in District 1 while the second will be held 7pm on August 15 at Snap Café at 32 Tran Ngoc Dien in District 2.

Tickets cost VND60,000 (US$3) for general public and VND 30,000 for students. Admission is free for filmmakers.

VNN/VNS/VNA/SGGP/Tuoi Tre