Foreign beauty queens to attend Vietnamese designer’s fashion show in US

Farung Yuthithum.

Farung Yuthithum (Thailand) and Janine Tugonon (the Philippines) have accepted Vietnamese designer Do Manh Cuong’s invitation to take to the catwalk in his upcoming fashion show in the US.  

Cuong, also former jury member of the TV contest Vietnam’s Next Top Model, will organize 2015 La Vie En Rose fashion show in Beverly Hills at 3pm on June 14 (US time).  

Farung Yuthithum was crowned Miss Thailand Universe in 2007 and in the same year, she competed at the Miss Universe 2007 pageant and placed Top 15.

She visited Vietnam in 2013 to advertise for some fashion and cosmetics brands. In late 2014, she was an invitee of The Twins fashion show in Ho Chi Minh City.

Janine Tugonon was crowned Miss Universe-Philippines 2012 and placed first runner-up at Miss Universe 2012.

She is currently living in the US to pursue her studies. She is also a talent of Aston Models.

At the upcoming fashion show, both of them will be on the catwalk with 20 other Vietnamese models. In particular, Miss Vietnam 2012 Dang Thu Thao and Miss Hung King’s Temple 1995 Giang My will participate in the event.

Cuong’s fashion show is expected to attract 300 invitees, including celebrities and entrepreneurs.

Quang Ngai opens photography camp

Quang Ngai province’s Association of Literature and Arts and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) opened a photography camp in the central city on May 5.

The camp drew the participation of around 50 photographers and members of the provincial Association of Literature and Arts and tasked them with composing pictures showcasing the beauty of the nation’s sea and islands.

The artists will also take part in a training workshop and field trips to the province’s Ly Son Island and mountainous areas during the eight-day camp.

Some 100 outstanding photographs will be selected for display in the Ba To Park in the city on May 12, marking the 125th birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19).

VAPA’s President, Vu Quoc Khanh said the camp aims to capture beautiful pictures of the people, sea and islands of the province, promoting local pride and raising awareness about Vietnam’s sovereignty in the region.

Venezuelan TV screens film on Vietnam today

Venezuelan TV channel Telesur screened the documentary film “Journey to a country that no longer exists” by Cuban director Isabel Santos on May 4 on the occasion of the liberation of South Vietnam (April 30) four decades ago.

Co-director Isabel Santos and filmmaker Ivan Napoles worked to portray the drastic changes in Vietnam after Napoles return forty years later to the land which in his memory had suffered from significant pain and loss from the war.

Ivan Napoles and Cuban co-director Santiago Alvarez travelled to Vietnam a number of times in the 1960s and 1970s to film war-torn Vietnam and the late President Ho Chi Minh.

His latest trip, however, revealed a country with strong economic development and happy people.

The film also reflects the special sentiment of 79-year-old Napoles and other Cuban people towards Vietnam, especially of those who witnessed the losses and sacrifice the country suffered during wartime.

Standing in front of President Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Napoles recalled how he wept together with Vietnamese people when the leader passed away 44 years ago. He was deeply moved by the great post-war achievements that the Vietnamese Party, Government and people have reached.

Before screening the film, Telesur TV also broadcast the news on the grand ceremony to mark the liberation day of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

It also highlighted many articles on the war aftermath in Vietnam with over 6 million tonnes of bombs dropped by the US and the consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin contamination.

Fundraising for “Lang” house restoration launched

“Lang House-Dream of Rebirth” is the theme of a fund-raising campaign for rebuilding an ancient Lang house launched by the Muong’s Cultural Space Museum and Betado.com, a public fundraising website.

The thatched roof house, the last of its kind of the Muong ethnic people in the northern Hoa Binh province, had been preserved for generations by a local family in Tan Lac district before it was moved to the museum. However, the century-old structure was destroyed in 2013 by a flame after a group of tourists built a fire inside the house to cook corn without permission.

The Lang house has significant meaning in the culture and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic minority people, said Director of the museum Vu Duc Hieu, adding that the museum is calling for support to restore this ancient architecture.

The public can subscribe to the charitable campaign through Betado.com. There they can find information about the aims and activities of the campaign as well as the role of the Lang house in the Muong’s culture.

Nguyen Khanh Duong, a representative from Betado.com said they expect to raise about 600 million VND (27,900 USD) through the three-month event.

A fashion performance inspired from the Muong costume and a gallery exhibition will also take place in May to assist the restoration of the ancient house.

European Days to be marked in Vietnam

A series of cultural and intellectual events will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from May 8-15 as part of 2015 European Days celebrating the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the EU and Vietnam.

Programme highlights will include a special gala concert of the Red Socks Brassquintett, from Munich, on May 8 in Hanoi and May 10 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Additionally, literature-lovers will have an opportunity to read different kinds of foreign books while attending exchanges and seminars with famous poets  through the 5th European Literature Days in Hanoi on May 4-7.

A selection of 13 outstanding films, produced by EU member countries, will also be screened in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City during an European Film Festival.

Other entertainment activities include a laser light show, an European food festival,  a comic book festival, and an awards ceremony for a  writing contest on ‘What is most impressive thing about Europe’, will also be planned.

Frank Jensen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen and President of the European Union in Vietnam, said the event will help the Vietnamese people gain a better understanding of Europe, while creating a cultural bridge connecting Vietnam with the EU.

New book tells story of General Giap

A new book about General Vo Nguyen Giap tells the story of his innocent, enthusiastic childhood in his beloved motherland.

Lieutenant General Pham Hong Cu compiled the book with the help of Giap's wife, Dang Bich Ha.

The book comprises four chapters: Que Huong (Homeland), Gia Dinh va Tuoi Tho (Family and Childhood), Tuoi Nien Thieu (Youth), Buoc Vao Doi (Stepping into Life) and Tuoi Hai Muoi (In his 20s).

Cu said he used treasured family letters and stories told from friends all over the world, as well as historical materials, to complete the story. The book was published according to specifications laid out by the late general before he died in 2013.

In 1960, Giap invited writer Huu Mai, Colonel Pham Chi Nhan and Cu to his house to discuss helping him write a biography.

The book, titled Dai Tuong Vo Nguyen Giap Thoi Tre (General Vo Nguyen Giap's Youth), will hit shelves this month.

Charming Russian features shine in Hanoi

An exhibition featuring thirty photos of Russian landscape and people taken by the country’s renowned artists opened to the public in Hanoi on May 4.

Participating photographer Natalia Shipitsova said the exhibition brings Russia’s glorious past to the Vietnamese people and hoped more cultural exchange activities would be held between the two nations.

LuriGermanovich, who also has his photos exhibited at the event, said he is very pleased to present his work in Vietnam, a brave and friendly country.

The Russian Centre of Science and Culture hosted the exhibition and a musical concert on May 5 to mark the 70 th anniversary of Russian Victory Day (May 9, 1945-2015)

The event lasts through May 9.