Photos of wild birds on show Saturday

Wildlife At Risk (WAR) will join hands with the Youth Cultural Center to open a photo exhibition called “Chim rung mua ket ban” (wild birds in mating time) by local artist Tang A Pau from January 24 to 28.

It is expected around 130 photos featuring wild birds like red-head crane, white-neck crane and babbler in nature will be on display at the Youth Cultural Center in HCMC’s District 1. Author Tang A Pau has traveled around the country to capture lively moments of birds, especially birds in the mating season.

Some photos will be put on sale at the show to raise funds for wildlife protection and a shelter for kids in the Central Highlands.

“This is a collection with many rare and precious photos of birds which are in danger of extinction, and hardly found in nature. There are many species that I have never seen or just seen once or twice in my life. I’m calling on people to let wild birds live in the natural environment if we wish to see them in the liveliest and brightest conditions,” said Nguyen Vu Khoi, director of WAR.

Well-preserved ancient kiln found in Binh Dinh

Archaeologists have unearthed an almost perfectly intact kiln during their excavation of a Cham mound kiln relic site in central Binh Dinh province since December of last year.

The kiln, dating back to the 13th-15th century, was accompanied by a myriad of roof tiles and Cham household items such as bowls, vases and jars.

According to Dinh Ba Hoa, Director of the Binh Dinh Museum, the objects have modest decorations but exhibit a highly sophisticated enamel technique.

The Cham mound kiln relic site was first discovered in 1990 and has since undergone three official excavations.

Culture gala fetes VN-German ties

A German cultural festival on March 28 kicks off a series of cultural activities marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Viet Nam.

The festival will feature concerts by German band Raggabund, gastronomy exchanges and seminars. It will be followed by a German film festival in September.

"The events aim to give the public a panorama of Germany and promote the diplomatic relations between the two countries," said Jutta Frasch, German ambassador to Viet Nam.

A special beer line called Da Viet Pilsner made by Vietnamese corporation Huong Sen with special ingredients imported from Germany was officially launched yesterday to mark the anniversary.

Expat-actor group stages pantomime show

The British-style pantomime (a type of musical-comedy stage production), Snow White and the Seven Nguyens, will be staged by the Saigon Players, an English-language theatre group, on February 7 in HCM City.

The play, written and directed by Emily Huckson and Heather Robinson, is a spoof production based on the fairy tale Snow White. All proceeds will go to local charities.

The play will be staged at 3pm and 5.30pm at Vista Walk, 628C Ha Noi Highway, in District 2. Tickets priced at VND200,000 can be booked via email at saigonplayers@gmail.com.

French-Vietnamese gourmet festival to open

The French-Vietnamese gourmet festival Le Bon Marche will open on January 24 at the September 23 Park in District 1.

The two-day event will present specialties of the two countries, as well as high-quality French and Vietnamese products. A pastry competition will also be organised.

There will be two live concerts featuring Vietnamese pop stars including Thu Minh, Thanh Bui, Phuong Vy and Tia Hai Chau, as well as rock band White Noize and DJ Taiz.

Entrance is free. More information on the event can be found at www.lehoiphapviet.com.

Outdoor dance night to feature hip hop, DJs

The outdoor bar Saigon Outcast will host a music and dance night highlighting hip hop called Bounce on January 23.

The event will include a hip hop dance competition among city-based dancers as well as music performances of local DJs and beat boxers like Cheezy Gangztaz, Selecta Morgan, Starchild, Maraphoria and Moriaty MC. MC Atan will host the show.

The event will begin at 7pm at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street in District 2.

Cinematheque to present VN classic film

On Thursday, January 29, Hanoi Cinematheque will screen the classic Vietnamese movie Doi Cat (Sandy Lives).

This complex, engaging film from the late 90s confronts the long-lasting effects of war on people's lives.

In a sea-side village somewhere in central Viet Nam, a man returns to his wife after being cut-off for decades by the American War. His life has moved on – he has married again and had a child – and so has she. Torn between a sense of duty to their past-selves, and the knowledge that those people and that time are gone forever, the characters struggle to reconcile the old with the new.

Sandy Lives is full of subtleties and cultural insights, particularly enlightening for non-Vietnamese curious about a complex war that divided a nation.

The movie will be screened in Vietnamese with English subtitles, and will follow with a Q&A session with director Thanh Van.

Entrance: VND150,000. Hanoi Cinematheque is located at 22A Hai Ba Trung Street (at the end of the alley leading to the Artist's Hotel).

Exhibition to honour the essence of pottery

Several pottery artists and artisans will showcase their creations at an exhibition at the Heritage Space starting 3pm on Saturday, January 24.

Entitled Viet Nam's Contemporary Pottery, the exhibition aims to capture the essence of the pottery tradition from the Red River Delta. The show includes artists Tran Quang Hai, Nguyen Hong Quang, Lan Huong, Gom Hai, Vu Thang, Vuong Quan and Nguyen Van Thang.

Fine ceramic tableware from classic labels such as Dong Gia Ceramics, Chi Ceramics and Mai Ceramics will also be on display.

The exhibit will remain open to public until March 30. Heritage Space is located at Dolphin Plaza, 28 Tran Binh Street, My Dinh.

Music documentary to be screened for free

Together, Hanoi Rock City and DOCLAB present a free screening of the music documentary Welcome to the Machine by Austrian director Andreas Steinkogler tonight.

After the screening, the audience will have the chance to meet and discuss the film with director Steinkogler.

Considered as a must for prospective musicians, no matter what genre they intend to work in, the 100-minute documentary is intended for anyone who is mad about music. Welcome to the Machine delves into the heart of the music business and international music scene in New York or London, Helsinki and Tel Aviv.

Director Steinkogler has worked for the music channel GOTV and currently works as a director and cinematographer with several production companies. More than just a film director, he also has a personal relationship with music through his work as a band manager and DJ.

The film will be screened in English with Vietnamese subtitles. The screening starts at 8pm at Hanoi Rock City, 27/52 To Ngoc Van Street, Ho Tay.

Cultural festival to introduce Japanese traditional New Year

A cultural festival to welcome Japanese traditional New Year (Oshogatsu) will take place at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) on January 24.

The non-profit event is held annually to reproduce Japan’s traditional Oshougatsu New Year Festival in Vietnam and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Participants will have chance to get better understanding on unique Japanese culture including customs, traditions, cuisine and traditional games.

During the event, a wide array of activities  such as music performance, photo exhibition,  Yosakoi dances, and yukata (an informal, unlined kimono made of cotton) wearing will also be held.

The programme is organised by the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies under HUST, and Japanese language club Hedspi Nichibu.

Bustling atmosphere overwhelms Cyprus during Vietnam Days

A series of cultural activities have been taking place in Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus, during the Vietnam Days, which runs from January 18-30.

Attending the event, Nicosia Acting Governor Eleni Loucaidou said the Vietnam Days will contribute to bringing the two countries’ people closer together, adding that Nicosia is willing to help Vietnam in organising such events in the future.

At a Vietnam tourism promotion seminar in the framework of the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy and Cyprus Nguyen Hoang Long introduced the Vietnamese country and its culture and people to Cypriot friends.

Representatives from Cyprus travel companies said they are interested in Vietnam as a new, potential market with good infrastructure, safety and low cost.

The Vietnam Days also includes an exhibition featuring 30 photos on Vietnam’s islands and seas taken by photographer Gian Thanh Son.

The Vietnam Days in Cyprus is the first event of a festive programme to celebrate 40 years of bilateral diplomatic relations (1975 - 2015).

Cyprus is currently home to around 12,000 Vietnamese people.

Hoang Sa, Truong Sa exhibition attracts thousands of visitors

Over 9,000 people visited the six-day exhibition on historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, which was held in the central coastal of Binh Thuan from January 16-21.

On display were 100 documents, books, newspapers, photos, posters, and maps, all declaring Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Information and Communication and Binh Thuan provincial People’s Committee, the exhibition aims to raise awareness, unity and a sense of responsibility of Vietnamese people in and outside the country, especially youngsters, in protecting sea and island sovereignty.

Central Vietnam cities plan various activities to celebrate Lunar New Year

Major tourism cities across central Vietnam have announced plans for a wide range of festive activities to welcome Tet, the Lunar New Year, scheduled to fall in mid-February.

In Hue city, there is a ceremony on February 12 to erect cay neu – a tall tree used to dispel evil spirits – at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Long An Palace inside the Hue imperial citadel.

On February 19 and 20, visitors to the UNESCO-listed site will have the opportunity to watch the changing of the guard, royal music performances, games, dragon and lion dance and traditional martial arts.

In the old town of Hoi An, the erection of cay neu will also take place at historical and cultural sites ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.

Meanwhile at Song Hoai Square and Hoi An Sculpture Garden, a fireworks display is scheduled for Lunar New Year’s Eve and other activities such as calligraphy shows and boat races the following days.

In Da Nang city, the authorities have planned to set off fireworks at four venues including Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, Ngu Hanh Son Stadium, Lien Chieu administrative building and Hoa Vang district.

The city will also organise a Tet flower festival and art programme on the east side of the Han River Bridge on the eve of the Lunar New Year.

New works created by visual artists Truong Cong Tung, Phan Thao Nguyen and Arlette Quynh Anh Tran are on display at the HCM City Eye Hospital's Paediatric Ward in District 3.

The works are part of the project Thuan Sac Phieu Luu (The Adventure of Colours) which aims to display performance and visual art in public places, launched by a group of art galleries and artists in HCM City.

Festival celebrates sea, islands

More than 2,000 young people will take part in the Spring Seas and Islands Festival at the Youth Cultural House in HCM City on Friday as the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday approaches.

The event will feature cultural and art shows comprising dozens of veteran and young artists from traditional art troupes.

Cai luong (reformed opera) and tai tu (traditional tunes of the south) performances, as well as photography and traditional calligraphy displays.

More than 200 navy soldiers and police men will be invited to participate in the event. It will also include a charity show featuring 200 performers in music, dance and theatre, many of them students from local colleges and universities.

In addition to the shows, participants will be encouraged to paint and write their best wishes to soldiers on a large greeting card.

A variety of street shows featuring folk art and games will be held from 8pm until late night.

The organisers, the Youth Union in co-operation with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and HCM City Television, said they had received help and support from the city People's Committee and other offices and organisations.

Pop show helps build schools

Pop stars My Tam, Uyen Linh and Quang Dung will perform in the music gala Tet An Binh-Nghia Tinh Bien Dao (Peaceful Tet - Love for Seas and Islands) in HCM City on Friday.

The event is part of the city's cultural activities to usher in Tet (Lunar New Year).

Songs in praise of spring and navy soldiers will be featured by young singers such as Quoc Thien, Dong Nhi and the band Amigos.

The performers and audiences will donate money to help build new schools in remote areas in coastal provinces.

Gifts and books will be also presented to children of fishermen living in the island district of Ly Son in Quang Ngai Province.

The gala will take place at 8pm at the Hoa Binh Theatre in District 10. It will air live on HCM City Television's HTV9 channel.

Comedian Thuy Nga's husband to sue for defamation

Vietnamese American comedian Thuy Nga's husband has said he will sue her for defamation, alleging lies she has told about him and their marriage have seriously damaged his livelihood.

Nguyen Van Nam, businessman husband of Nga, has sent a letter seeking clarification of allegedly slanderous and defamatory comments by Nga to various agencies, include the Ministry of Information and Communication, the HCM City Police and the HCM City People's Procuratorate.

"She said I cheated her USD350,000, but she does not have any evidence related to the money," Nam said in the letter.

He said Nga has no evidence that he used her name to borrow money from other people, and denied he was in hiding, as she alleged, but was living openly in HCM City.

Nam said Nga pursued him, and they had a daughter. But Nga secretly registered a marriage with a Vietnamese American man and let their daughter take the man's surname so they could become US citizens. Nam alleges Nga's actions severely damaged his reputation and that of his family.

He said he would seek to have Nga prosecuted if she continuous making slanderous or defamatory statements about him. Nam wants an apology and a public correction of comments made within 15 days of his letter.

Nga has made public legal advice sent to the Law Office of Nguyen Van Hau and Co., explaining her marriage to Nam. In that communication, she alleged she had sympathised with Nam's declining business and took part in a marriage ceremony with him in 2010, but the marriage was never registered with Vietnamese authorities.

"I and Nam did not live together as husband and wife because I discovered that he had been borrowing money from many people and did not repay the debt, including to me and my family," Nga wrote in the letter to her lawyer, "He told everyone that he was Thuy Nga's husband to establish reputation and borrow money. I was shocked and hurt and felt my reputation was damaged upon discovering the facts."

Nga questioned whether she and Nam could be considered legal couple and how to deal with the problem. She received a response that they are not legal husband and wife as they did not register their marriage. The response went on to say that since Nga did not sign on any loan contracts, she bore no responsibility for their repayment.

Nga alleged she discovered Nam was out to steal her assets three days before the wedding ceremony, but decided to go ahead.

"I went along with the ceremony to have proof about our relationship, but he still carried out his plan and ran away with my money," she said, adding she wants the truth about Nam known.

VNN/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/ND