Literature, arts magazine debuts

A new magazine on literature and arts criticism, the first of its kind in the country, officially debuted in the HCM City on Tuesday.
Published by the Central Council for Theory and Criticism of Literature and Arts, the magazine aims to disseminate State guidelines, policies and laws on culture and arts. It provides information on theory and criticism in the field to raise effectiveness of the work.

The magazine is a forum for cultural and art critics, as well as writers and artists at home and abroad, including international scholars interested in Vietnamese culture, literature and arts.

Tre publisher launches digital bookstore

Tre publishing house last Wednesday launched a new subsidiary, YBook Ltd., which will concentrate on the new digital book market.

The publishing house accounted for 80 percent of the capital needed to start the company, and the rest belongs to Pyramid Software and Consulting.

In recent years more and more Vietnamese have purchased tablets or e-readers. Many people, usually young readers, have developed a tendency to buy electronic books and magazines online and have them delivered on their device.

However, the number of copyrighted Vietnamese ebooks is still limited in the country.

Operating with a slogan: “To create a convenient and cheap knowledge space for Vietnamese”, Ybook aims to provide copyrighted ebooks to the a new generation of readers.

Currently Ybook has around 3,000 titles which are offered at prices 25-30 percent cheaper than printed versions.

YBook will be officially launched this September at an international book fair in Hanoi.

Ha Noi Pub Quizzers mount competition

Ha Noi Pub Quizzers, a group who share interest in trivia games, are holding a pub quiz on Saturday, July 24, at the R&R Tavern at 10 Tho Nhuom Street. The action will begin at 9.30pm, and contestants will have a chance to win cash prizes and free beer. The entry fee is VND30,000 per person, and the winning team will take home the entry pot.

Free Vietnamese lessons at Puku Cafe

The Learn Vietnamese Group offers free Vietnamese lessons every Wednesday, from 7-9am at Puku, 16-18 Tong Duy Tan Street.

The class offers a great way to make new friends, meet new people and improve your Vietnamese. All levels of learners are
welcome as the lessons have to start somewhere and class members can always learn something new about the Vietnamese language.

Painter presents her perspective on Ha Noi

French painter Wafaa Fardani has introduced interesting angles about Viet Nam through her art. Some of her works are now on display at Ete Bar, 95 Giang Van Minh Street. Living in Ha Noi for five years, Fardani said each painting told its own story. Entitled Corridor Cracks, the exhibition runs until September 6.

Red River Runners prepare for Sa Pa adventure

Ha Noi Red River Runners will host their first adventure run in the mountain town of Sa Pa on September 9. Anyone interested in joining the 21km challenge can find registration details and more info at http://redriverrunners.wordpress.com. Red River Runners also offer free speed training every Wednesday from 8-9pm. Competitors can gather at the gates of the Sedona Suites Ha Noi, 96 To Ngoc Van Street, Tay Ho District.

Modern Vietnamese dance show at Opera House

The HCM City Opera House will stage a performance of contemporary dance titled Suong Som (The Mist) on July 25 and 26.

The show, which is about people and life in Viet Nam's countryside, is choreographed by Tan Loc, Ngoc Anh, and Ngoc Khai and premiered at the International Dance Festival in Daegu, South Korea, last year.

Huu Thuan and Hai Anh, who won Silver Awards at this year's South Korea International Modern Dance Competition, will perform along with the Arabesque dance troupe.

The show will begin at 7.30pm at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, District 1.

Tickets costing VND600,000-150,000 can be booked by calling 0904074447.

Dubstep, drum & bass on the weekend

Universal Bar and Saigon Outcast restaurant will feature dubstep and drum&bass music shows on July 21 and 22, respectively.
The bar's The Rave will feature DJs Mr 10, Samurai, Huey G and Davisimos, and begin at 9pm. It is located at 90 Bui Vien Street, District 1. Tickets cost from VND50,000 onwards.

Saigon Outcast's show, titled The BBQ and to begin at 4pm, will include a barbecue party and performances by DJs Flapjack and Huey G. Tickets cost from VND100,000. The restaurant is located at 188 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien, District 2.

Board Games Night at coffee shop

Geisha's Coffee N TeaHouse has a Board Games Night every Thursday starting today.

Games like monopoly, settlers of catan, scrabble, and pictionary will be available together with food and drinks.

It will be held from 7-9.30pm at the cafe at 85 Pasteur Street, District 1.

Presentations to explore world of design

On July 25 experts will offer presentations on design at the Design Exchange Saigon, a forum for designers and directors working in fields like architecture, fashion, and advertising.

The speakers will include Alex Rosales, a volunteer from Wikispeed Vietnam, Shauna Jin, project leader and researcher from Future Living Studio, and Marc Pare, co-founder of MekongGreenTech.

The event will begin at 7pm at Lush, a bar at 2 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1.

VNN/VOV/VNS/Tuoi Tre