Le Phi Phi’s concert features movie soundtrack

Popular local conductor Le Phi Phi will come back to the stage for “Giai dieu tre thang 12” (Young Melody of December) concert at the Opera House of HCMC at 8 p.m. on Monday, featuring famous movie soundtracks worldwide.

The concert hosted by HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will be under the baton of Le Phi Phi, a famous conductor who now works and lives in Macedonia. He will work with the HBSO Symphony Orchestra to deliver some music extracts from popular movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Basic Instinct, The Jurassic Park, Once Upon a Time in the West, La Dolce Vita,  and Mission Impossible.

Spectators can learn how an orchestra involved in production of a soundtrack and its diversified sounds to contribute to different genres of film, from action to fiction and romantic movies.

Free admission tickets are available at the HCMC Student Supporting Center at 33 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, HCMC (tel: 08 3827 4709) or at the ticket box of HBSO at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1 (contact Ms. Huong on 08 3823 7419).

Hoi An to host first Vietnam-ASEAN silk festival

The Hoi An Silk village in Quang Nam is justifiably famous as a hub for silk making and trading in the region.

To celebrate this fact, the village has announced it will host a Vietnam-ASEAN Silk Festival.

Organizers of the event, which is set for December 28, have announced the first of its kind event has attracted more than 30 artisans from the villages of Van Phuc, Phung Xa, Ma Chau, Tan Chau and Cham My Nghiep.

Specifically there will be exhibitions around the history of sericulture (silk farming), silk weaving, handicrafts, and the unique silk cultures, food and traditions of the region.

A number of silk fashion shows will also take to the stage spotlighting silk Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress).

They expect that exhibitors from the silk villages and other ASEAN member states – namely Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Japan – will showcase in excess of 500 products at the festival.

Vietnamese army generals featured through artistic works

A special exhibition will be held at No.45 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi, on December 29 to display artistic works on famous Vietnamese army

generals as part of the celebration of the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army, December 22.

The exhibits, which include photos, paintings and sculptural works to be introduced to the public for the first time, aim to honour legendary army

commanders such as General Vo Nguyen Giap, Commander in chief of the Vietnam People's Army, General Nguyen Chi Thanh and others.

It’s worth noting that the exhibition will showcase a collection of lacquer paintings by artist Tran Tuan Long, a huge portrait by artist Mai Duy Minh,

posters of artist Ha Huy Le, and a unique work made of more than 100,000 matches by Ngo Thi Thuc.

During the event, visitors will have a chance to talk with artists, historians, and senior army officials.

Miss Ao Dai Vietnam crown introduced to public

The organising broad of Miss Ao Dai Vietnam 2014 has announced the image of the crown which costs VND1 billion.

The crown, designed by skilful artisans of a domestic company, the Cuu Long Jewellery, is decorated with 4 big Amethyst gems, over 100 small purple gems, and more than 150 French diamonds.

According to Director of Cuu Long Jewellery Le Dinh Hung, the unique crown is inspired by the fresh dew of the dawn with the aim of honouring the beauty of Vietnamese women.

The final night of the competition will take place at GEM center in Ho Chi Minh City and be broadcasted live on VTV6 and VTV3 channels, Vietnam Television, at 21:00 on January 5, 2015.

Traditional craft festival to open in Hue

Hue traditional craft festival is due to take place in central Thua Thien - Hue province, from April 29 – May 3, 2015, announced the provincial People’s Committee during a press conference on December 26.

The biennial event, themed “the quintessence of Vietnamese crafts”, will focus on showcasing the art and distinctive characteristics of handicraft work, such as jewel making, pottery, engraving, while promoting Hue cuisines and craft village tours.

Display space are planned to spread over ancient Hue city at a number of famous sites including Phu Van Lau (Hue Imperial City), Hue Museum of Culture (Le Loi Street) and Nguyen Dinh Chieu pedestrian walkway.

The city has also invited Gyeongju city of the Republic of Korea, Saijo and Shizouka cities of Japan to introduce their traditional crafts at the event.

Besides, a series of workshops, seminars and photo exhibitions will be held, featuring the festival.

The event is expected to join other activities to promote the provincial economy, especially the tourism sector.

Thua Thien-Hue has set to welcome 2.85 million visitors and 2.7 trillion VND (128.6 million USD) of revenue for the full year.

Hanoi hosts Ake Ome 2015 Festival

“Ake Ome! 2015” festival will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Vietnam Exhibition and Fair Center in Hanoi on December 27-28.

The festival will present a variety of Japanese and Vietnamese craft and food stores. Many Japanese conventional ornaments will be sold at the stores, such as Kadomatsu, a kind of ornament made from bamboo and pine tree, symbolizing health and Koinobori, a kind of fish lantern used for New Year celebration, which symbolizes desire, strength and determination.

The festival also offers plenty of traditional Japanese activities, including trying on Yakuta, and decorating Daruma doll to wish for good luck. In addition, there will be Yosakoi performances, a traditional Japanese dance, and a cosplay program of Japanese comics and cartoon characters.

The festival’s name “Ake Ome! 2015” originates from a Japanese saying: “Akemashite omedetou” which means Happy New Year.

The organizers expect to create a fascinating playground for young people and strengthen ties between Vietnam and Japan.

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