Trang An to get UNESCO world heritage status

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex has become the first site in Vietnam to receive UNESCO mixed natural and cultural heritage of the world recognition.

The Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee announced on January 5 that a three-day celebration will be held January 22-24 at Bai Dinh Pagoda in honour of the event, to include the presentation ceremony.

A wide array of activities will also be held in Hoa Lu, Gia Vien and Ninh Binh city during the occasion including an international seminar on heritage preservation, an art exhibition and an introduction of stamp collection on Trang An heritage site.

Earlier at the 38th meeting of the World Heritage Committee held in Qatar on June 25, 2014, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was officially recognized by UNESCO as a mixed natural and cultural heritage of the world.

Russian band to perform this week

Russian band entitled “I’m waiting for you last summer” will stage a concert featuring their unique instrumental music at Saigon Outcast in HCMC’s District 2 from at 8 p.m. on January 9.

Established in 2011 in Ryazan, Russia, the band consists of guitarists Alex and Eugene, and Leo who play atmospheric rock, dance electronic, post-rock, dubstep, and ambient music.

The trio released their first album “Edge Party” at their own studio Flowers Blossom In The Space in April 2012 and the second album “In Eternal Lines” in 2013. They have performed in 70 cities in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Alex is also the composer for trailers and TV spots for two Hollywood blockbusters “Captain America - Winter Soldier” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and other movies and TV dramas in Russia.

Vietnam is part of their Europe-Asia tour. The upcoming concert, which is co-organized by Saigon Outcast and Vanity Production, will take place at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street in HCMC’s District 2.

Heritage Journey contest 2015 opens

The Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) and the Heritage Managize launched the annual “Heritage Journey 2015” photography contest in Hanoi on January 5.

According to Vu Quoc Khanh, VAPA President, the contest, the third of its kind, is expected to receive high-quality journalism photos from professional contestants.

Detail on the award structure will be available in late January on Heritage Magazine’s website at heritageonline.com.vn and official Facebook Fanpage of the contest at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Giai thuong nhiep anh Heritage-Hanh trinh Di san.

On the occasion, a photo exhibition dubbed “Heritage Journey 2014” was organised, showcasing 19 outstanding photos entering the final round of the 2014 contest.

The special prize came to “Maturity ceremony of Cham girls-Ninh Thuan” by photographer Ly Hoang Long.

The organising board also presented first prizes to six top collections in previous rounds.

“Heritage Journey” was first launched in 2013 together with the “Heritage Photography Award-Heritage Journey, with an aim to enrich the documentary store of national culture, contributing to promoting the beauty of the nation and people of Vietnam to the world.

In 2013, the contest received more than 60 entries of 50 Vietnamese and foreign photographers. Last year, it took 103 works.

Traditional artists nominated for prize

Traditional artists Hanh Nguyen, Vo Hoai Phuong and Vo Minh Lam in HCM City have been nominated for the 2014 Mai Vang (Golden Apricot) Award by the Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) newspaper.

The annual Mai Vang Award, begun in 1995, aims to honour the best artists of the year in theatre, music, movie and TV shows. Audiences will vote by mail or internet on their favourite artists.

Appearing in the nomination list, singers Nguyen and Phuong were moved to tears after being recognised by fans. Both singers chose to perform folk and revolutionary music.

Nguyen began her career in 1998 after winning fourth prize at HCM City Television Singing Contest.

She performs contemporary folk by famous composers Vu Duc Sao Bien and Thanh Son.

Her favourite songs include Bien's Chi Va Em (The Sisters) and Son's Ao Moi Ca Mau (Young Girl in Ca Mau Province).

"I love singing folk music. I have to improve my voice and performance skills to a higher level," said Nguyen, a graduate from the city's University of Economy.

She has also travelled to remote areas for singing.

"I performed for soldiers who are stationed in Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) several times. Through my music, I wanted to bring the love and respect from people in the land to the soldiers," said the 35-year-old singer.

Nguyen's colleague, Phuong of the Bong Sen Traditional Dance and Music Troupe, has issued her latest album, Tieng Bien (The Voice of the Sea), featuring 12 songs in praise of navy soldiers. It sold out after two weeks of the release.

Her songs have attracted several thousand fans on online music forums.

"I believe revolutionary music is always alive among young audiences. My duty is to promote the music more," said Phuong, one of the youngest members of the HCM City Music's Association.

Meanwhile, Lam, a cai luong (reformed opera) actor, was nominated for the award for his contribution to traditional theatre.

Born in a traditional family in Can Tho City, Lam began singing cai luong when he was a child. He won top prizes at singing contests organised by local organisations when he was at school.

In 2006, Lam won the national cai luong singing contest titled Chuong Vang (Golden Bell) organised by HCM City Television. Later, he was invited to work for the region's leading troupe Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre.

He played leading roles in 10 dramas broadcast on TV stations in the region.

His plays included Mua Xuan Bat Tan (Forever Spring) and Trang Hoa Mai (White Apricot Flower), both featuring historical events.

"Cai luong is the spirit of southern people. Take me off the stage, I would be nothing," the 25-year-old Lam said.

"The Mai Vang Award is one of the country's most prestigious prizes in the entertainment industry," he added.

The Mai Vang Award ceremony is expected to be held in HCM City later this month.

Last year, more than 80,000 people in HCM City and other provinces voted for their favourite artists.

Photography project launched to promote child pedestrian safety

FedEx Express, an express service company, and the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation/Safe Kids Vietnam have initiated their Photo Voice project to promote safety for child pedestrians.

The photography project is aimed to raise public awareness of child pedestrian safety to more than 11,890 students at 12 secondary schools in HCMC. The students will attend workshops on road user safety and photography before being assigned to take pictures of the areas for pedestrians around their schools and discuss situations in their classrooms.

The project will include a photography exhibition planned on March 10 next year and featuring works of the students. Students should submit their photos and suggest measures for road safety improvements in their areas to a panel of Government officials. The panel will select the best entry, and the winning student will be awarded a prize.

Mirjam Sidik, CEO of AIP Foundation/Safe Kids Vietnam, said in a statement that there are an estimated two people killed and 49 people injured due to traffic accidents every hour in Vietnam. Therefore, Photo Voice is a creative way for students to learn and engage in safe pedestrian practices.

“Instead of their teachers pointing out the potential hazards in their walking environment, they’re given the chance to identify these dangers with their own eyes. This is important because it enhances their understanding of road user safety, which can lead to fewer traffic-related accidents in the future,” Sidik said.

The Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing road injuries and fatalities in low- and middle-income countries. It has been delivering road safety programs in locations across Asia and Africa in the past more than 15 years.

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