Vietnamese version of UK game show to air in September  

The Vietnamese version of the popular UK television game show “The kids are all right” by BBC One TV channel will be aired in Vietnam on VTV3 channel at 11 am every Saturday from September 17.  
 
The game show challenges the brainpower and mental agility between a group of four adults and a team of seven kids. The participating kids are no ordinary kids-they're super smart, super quick, sharp witted and determined to see the grown-ups go home with absolutely nothing!

“The Kids Are All Right” produced by Initial, an Endemol company based in the UK, for the BBC broadcasting company, first aired in 2008. The show has much popularity in countries like Poland, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Egypt,  Mexico, Holland, Norway, South Africa, the US and Portugal.

Pioneer debuts with doll exhibition in Hanoi  
 
One of Hang’s latest dolls called "Flower in the snow". Photo courtesy of Tran Thu Hang.

Known as a national pioneer in making dolls, Tran Thu Hang will hold her first exhibition called “Art dolls: Silent voices” from September 8 to October 7 in Hanoi.

Hang’s exhibition is part of the project called “Young Talent Series” hosted by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.

The project aims to support young local artists make their work better known through exhibitions.

At the exhibition, Hang will present her latest collection of eight works that reflect the cultural traits of Vietnam and Japan.

She will also display her works between 2007 and 2009.

Hang has impressed many with her sophisticated handmade dolls that have unforgettable lively faces.

The artist says she wants to build a bridge between the dolls’ world and that of the viewers.

For more information, please contact Ms. Ha at 091-541-6055, Mr. Yoshioka at 0123-384-4138 or email to jpfhanoi@jpf.org.vn.

Vietnam names old persimmons national heritage  
 
One of five old persimmons in Nghe An which have been recently declared National Heritage Trees.

Five 670 year-old persimmon trees in the northern province of Nghe An have been recognized as national heritage trees in Vietnam, news website VnExpress said Wednesday.  

Le Minh Thuong, owner of the trees, was once offered VND7 billion (US$336,850) for them, but he said he would never sell them.

The trees give hundreds of yellow fruits every day and Thuong has to bury them when they fall.

The Vietnam Nature and Environment Protection Association, which selected the trees for the title, said that eight other old trees, ranging from 250 to 1,000 years old, will also receive the title this year. Those trees are in Hanoi and the south central province of Binh Dinh.

A total of 106 old trees, which have high cultural and historical value, have been designated Vietnam's national heritage trees.

HCMC to host solar vehicle race  
 
A race for solar-powered vehicles will be held at the Saigon Hi-tech Park in District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City on 24 October 2011, to promote the application of solar energy in communities, institutes and for research purposes.

Co-organized by the HCMC Department of Science and Technology, HCMC Television and the City Energy Conservation Center, the contest will have 28 participating teams in which contestants will design their own vehicles which will run solely on solar energy.

The entire race track will be filled with obstacles that racers will have to negotiate.

The organizers hope the contest will become an annual event that will contribute in speeding up the research and the application of solar energy for future ventures.

Deadline for registration is September 30 at the ECC headquarters on 244 Dien Bien Phu Street, in District 3.

Indonesian cultural troupe comes to city

Fifty artists of the Indonesia Cultural Group today will perform the program ‘Enchanting Culture of Indonesia” from 3-6 p.m. at Hall D in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in HCMC’s District 1.

The event, organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, will collaborate with USSH as one of a series of activities to mark the 66th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia and promote Indonesian culture to Vietnamese people.

The performance will present to the audience several traditional dances with the choir of Mercu Buana University in Jakarta, in the concept of theatrical art under the guidance of popular Indonesian choreographer Denny Malik.

The troupe will perform at the Park Hyatt Hotel in HCMC’s District 1 on Wednesday and at Dien Binh Theater in Vung Tau City on September 8.

The event is also aimed to bolster cultural exchange between the two countries.
 
Mixed technique paintings in Hue

An exhibition featuring paintings using mixed techniques opened in Hue City under the theme Dau an cuoc song (The mark of life).

Visitors coming to the event can enjoy 51 pieces by 24 Vietnamese artists from HCMC, Hanoi, Hue and two Thailand artists. These works are created with modern technology, wood-engraving, mixed technique, mixed media and printmaking installation styles.

Pictures displayed in the exhibition depict rain, seaside, sunset, a highland girl, or a highland fair. Similarly, others also highlight themes such as Doi (Awaiting), a small one among the cluster of pieces ‘Be come’ by Adisak Phupha, or Ngau (Sudden inspiration) by Phan Hai Bang, O xuong duc dong (At a bronze casting workshop) by Tran Quang Thang.

Also, a seminar on modern wood-engraving style, modern graphics and modern paper- making arts is organized at the same venue.

The exhibition  runs until Sept.17 at New Space Arts Foundation located at 15 Le Loi Street in Hue City.
 
Thai Food Festival kicks off at Moevenpick Saigon

Thai food lovers can sample an international buffet which includes authentic Thai cuisine prepared by Thai master chefs at Cafe Saigon Restaurant on the ground floor of the Moevenpick Hotel Saigon from now until Saturday.

“We are aiming to offer our guests the opportunity to sample authentic Thai cuisine, prepared by chefs flown in from our sister property the Movenpick Hotel Karon Beach Phuket. While we are still going to offer international food, the focus for this duration will be on well known Thai signature dishes like Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Green Curry and Yam Won Sen, as well as the all time favorite Thai dessert mango with sticky rice,” said Knuth Kiefer, general manager Vietnam of the Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts, in a statement.

Thai cuisine has always been regarded as one of Asia’s most recognized flavors worldwide. Movenpick Hotel Saigon has ensured the authenticity of the dishes by flying in expert Thai chefs for this event.

The lunch buffet is priced at VND380,000++ per person excluding beverages while dinner is VND680,000++ per person and Friday Seafood Wave Dinner at VND780,000++ per person, including a free flow of house wine, draft beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea. For reservations, call 3844 9222.

The Moevenpick Hotel Saigon is located at 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC.
 
German jazz quartet Max.Bab in city

Internationally-acclaimed jazz band Max.Bab from Munich, Germany will delight audiences at Hanoi Goethe Institute on September 17 and the HCMC Conservatory of Music 24 hours later.

The quartet consists of saxophonist Max Von Mosch, pianist Benedikt Jahnel, bassist Henning Sieverts and drummer Andreas Haberl. The band have joined over 400 concerts around the world and released six albums, of which the latest is Inner Orbit. They have also won many national and international jazz awards and have often appeared with international stars such as Charlie Mariano, Wolfgang Muthspiel, David Friedman and Frank Mobus.

The shows will start at 8 p.m. at Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi and at the Conservatory of Music, 112 Nguyen Du Street in HCMC’s District 1.

Admission is free in Hanoi. In HCMC, invitations can be picked up at Goethe Institute in HCMC, 18 Street No.1, Do Thanh Apartment in HCMC’s District 3 from September 13.
 
PV