German choreographer to train Vietnamese dancers

German choreographer Arco Renz will train dancers of the Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) during a week-long dance workshop next week.

The workshop will be held from March 17 to 23 in Ha Noi under a planned German-Vietnamese dance project.

Renz will compose a new dance performance with selected dancers of the VNOB. The dance will be performed in September in Ha Noi as a part of the fourth Europe Meets Asia in Contemporary Dance Festival.

Known as one of the best young choreographers in Germany, Renz has already composed several dance productions in Asia. His choreography is characterised by intense physicality and explores the emotional potential in movements, together with the interaction between movements, lights, video and music.

Dong Son culture introduced in Malaysia

The Malaysian National Museum (MNM) is displaying roughly 100 artifacts and scientific documents from Vietnam’s bronze age Dong Son Culture at an exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

Exhibits focus on Dong Son Culture, its functions, bronze carving technology, artifacts, and Dong Son Culture in Malaysia.

A NMVH representative said the exhibition aims to promote the centuries old culture of Vietnam to international friends, including Malaysian people.

The event is part of festivities marking the 90th anniversary of discovering Dong Son Culture (1924-2014).

Dong Son Culture, which existed for nearly a millennium from 1,000AD to 1 BC, was discovered in 1924 in Dong Son village, Ham Rong ward, Thanh Hoa City.

The exhibition is being staged at the museum on Jalan Damansara Road, Kuala Lumpur from now until May 5.

Japan helps Vietnam improve performing arts

The Japanese government has decided to provide Vietnam’s Youth Theatre with non-refundable financial assistance worth over 1.7 billion VND (almost 80,000 USD) to help it implement a project to upgrade its outdated equipment.

An agreement for the aid was signed by theatre director Truong Nhuan and Minister-Counsellor of the Japanese Embassy Hideo Suzuki Hideo in Hanoi on March 12.

As part of a Japanese programme offering cultural aid through the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Cultural Exchange Centre in Vietnam, the project also aims to improve the management and performance skills of staff working in the theatre.

In addition, the Japanese International Exchange Fund will also finance Vietnam to send 15 people, including artists and technicians from the theatre, to attend a training course in Japan from March 22-July 13.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien thanked the Japanese side for the assistance, saying that the support will help Vietnamese artists improve their skills, thus creating higher-quality art performances.

Suzuki said Japan’s support will further intensify the importance of culture through improved art performances and programmes.

In 2004, Japan also offered 500,000 USD to Vietnam’s Symphony Orchestra to improve its quality.-

Expat theatre group presents Two

The Saigon Players, an English-language theatre group, will present English dramatist Jim Cartwright's Two at the La Habana restaurant on March 20 and 21, and at McSorley's Square on March 22 and 23.

The play focuses on what happens one night in a pub owned by a bickering husband and wife. The pub's customers' quirks and issues are on display as well as the fragile relationship between the landlord and landlady.

All profits from four shows will be donated to Operation Smile.

The show begins at 7:30pm.

La Habana is at 6 Cao Ba Quat Street in District 1, and McSorley's Square at 4 Thao Dien Street in District 2.

Students stage Mama Mia!

Students at the Australian International School will perform Mama Mia!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, at the school's campus on March 20 and 21.

The work is directed, choreographed, staged and propped by all the students.

The shows will begin at 6:30pm at 264 Mai Chi Tho Street in District 2.

Free tickets are available at the school.

Winter Olympics inspire Nha Trang

On Sunday March 16, possibly one of the most ambitious and hilarious afternoons ever organised in Nha Trang will take place. Inspired by the recent Winter Olympics in Russia, Australian expat Jeremy Sait is running an afternoon of curling!

Curling is a sport where large, specially constructed stones are slid over an ice surface, the winner being the stone that finishes closest to the target, a little like "lawn bowls on ice".

A specially constructed rink using large blocks of ice will be built under the guidance of volunteer engineers and curling players to ensure it is as realistic as possible.

The focus is on charity and having fun, with the Khanh Vinh Orphanage being the beneficiary of all funds raised. They will also supply kids to be the flag bearers for teams representing Viet Nam, Russia, Australia, England and Wales, Sweden and Combined Celts (Scottish and Irish).

Practice starts at 4pm with a "round-robin" competition beginning around 5pm. Refreshments will be available.

Contact Jeremy Sait at 0944 976 118 for any further details.

Concert celebrates St Patrick's Day

Cargo Bar will host the Jameson St Patrick's Live in Concert featuring 10 city-based bands on March 15. They include Ugwae, Applesauce, Freckled Gypsies and The 67's. They will play funk rock, reggae, dub, hip hop, and soul.

There will be live visual performances produced and directed by the Vietnam Visual Collective. The concert will take place for 10 hours, beginning at 5pm. The venue is at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh in District 4.

Displays at Manzi Art Space

As rapid urbanisation swamps most big cities in Asia, making them ugly and boring, much of Ha Noi is still livable. A visual display ofthe capital's attractions by author Martin Rama will be held at Manzi Art Space from March 18-23.

On March 20, at 6pm, there will be short readings by the author and the translator, followed by an informal conversation.

From March 19 to 23, Manzi will present I Will Come to See You with a Visual Story, a text installation by artist Tran Trong Vu.

This is aimed at introducing the first part of his new art project. The artist will talk about his work at 8pm on March 19.

Trip to Muong hill village

The Friends of Vietnam Heritages (FVH) on Saturday will organise a trip to the Muong community in Giang Mo Village in Hoa Binh Province, about 80km from Ha Noi.

The journey, which takes 90 minutes, will first visit private museum in Hoa Binh devoted to the Muong culture.

The group then will head to Giang Mo Village near Hoa Binh reservoir, where trekkers can visit stilt houses, wander around the village, walk along streams or talk with tribal farmers.

On the way back to Ha Noi, the group will stop at a reservoir and a local market to get some local fruit before leaving at 3.30pm.

The English-speaking excursion, which starts at 8am, is limited to 20 people. To join, contact Mai at phmai@fpt.vn or 0917294923.

Dien Bien hosts ethnic culture festivities

The rich local culture and glorious history of Dien Bien will be honoured during an art performance taking place in north-western Dien Bien city on March 13.

Named Hoa Ban Khoe Sac (literally meaning Bauhinia (Ban) flower in the full bloom), the art programme is to kick off the Week of Dien Bien Culture and Tourism.

According to Deputy Director of the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, Nguyen Dang Quang, the three-chapter performance praises the culture and art of the various ethnic groups in the region.

It also promotes the Ban flower, a regional blossom that symbolises local culture.

About 600 performers will join a grand performance in the square in front of the province's Convention and Culture Centre.

Popular images of Dien Bien, including terraced rice fields and bamboo water wheels, and Thai ethnic music and dances from the hills will be replicated on stage.

The week will include a seminar where lecturers will discuss the promotion of the area.

A photo exhibition titled Dau An Dien Bien Phu (The Mark of Dien Bien Phu) featuring the stunning topography and charming villages has also been organised.

Indigenous culture will also be represented in souvenirs and handicrafts from the 21 local tribal groups.

Folk games are expected to attract many visitors. They include tung con, throwing a sacred ball through a ring, stilt walking, and tugs of war.

Ritual customs from the many different groups will also be a feature.

Regional gastronomic contests and a fashion show featuring traditional ethnic costumes will brighten up the event.

The event ends on March 15 with a glittering carnival featuring 15 colourful floats.

Alongside the famous historical site Dien Bien Phu, Dien Bien also has several famous sightseeing spots such as Muong Nhe primitive jungle, Hua Pe and U Va hot springs, and the Pa Khoang and Huoi Pa lakes.

New translation brings Bhana war hero to life

The famous novel Dat Nuoc Dung Len (The Country Rises Up) by veteran writer Nguyen Ngoc about Dinh Nup, a guerrilla leader of the ethnic Bhana group during the country's resistance war against the French, has been translated into Bhana.

The book, which is available in Vietnamese and Bhana, will be published next month to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Nup (1914 -2014), according to Gia Lai province's Arts and Literature Association.

For the last 57 years, the novel has been translated into several foreign languages including Japanese, English and Chinese.

It describes the heroic exploits of Nup and the battles between his people and the French during the country's resistance war (1946 -1954).

This is the first time the novel has been translated into Bhana.

Nup was depicted in Ngoc's novel in historically accurate detail. The novel has long been included in literature lessons of secondary school students and was made into a movie a decade ago.

"I've lived in Gia Lai since 1988. I've learned a lot about the people of Bhana, their culture and customs," said Nguyen Quang Tue, who translated the book.

"I like them. I translated the book because I want the members of the Bhana ethnic community to be able to read and enjoy it, " Tue said.

Tue, a member of the Arts and Literature Association of Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands, said he and a Bhana primary school teacher had spent more than two years on the translation.

Writer Ngoc, a native of central Quang Nam province, lived among the Ede and Bhana in the Central Highlands many years during the wars against the French and the Americans.

He is the author of many famous novels about the Central Highlands including Reo Cao (High Mountain Area) and Rung Xa Nu (Xa Nu Forest).

Vietnam is the homeland of 54 ethnic groups. All the ethnic groups develop a tradition of patriotism and unite and assist mutually in the conquest of nature and in social struggle, throughout the historic process of national construction, defence and development.-

Elephants enter race in Dak Lak province

The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak began its Buon Don Ethnic Cultural Festival and the Elephant Race on March 12.

The festival, held in Buon Don district, will include a wide range of cultural activities, including a buffalo sacrifice ceremony and gong performance, which pray for bumper crops and prosperity.

Meanwhile, 18 elephants will show off their strength and skills in running, football and swimming games.

Visitors to the biennial event will also have a chance to enjoy performances of traditional music, costumes and cuisine along with touring the Yok Don National Forest and villages by elephants.

The festival, part of the “2014 Central Highlands - Da Lat Tourism Year”, will last until March 14.

Dak Lak province is dubbed as the home of tamed elephants. However, the number of the animals declined sharply from 502 in 1985 to 84 in 2000 and fewer than 60 in 2010.

In order to conserve its elephants, the province implemented a project worth 61 billion VND (3.1 million USD), under which a healthcare and research facility on elephant reproduction and conservation was established.-

HCM City book fest to attract world-famous publishers

As many as 26 world-famous book producers, including Cambridge and Oxford, are expected to join local publishing houses in Ho Chi Minh City’s eighth biennial book festival on March 24-30.

This year’s event will display more than 200,000 different titles in all genres.

Part of the event will also be shaped by cultural and historical discussions and exhibitions, including a talk highlighting the southern folk music “Don ca tai tu” – which was recently recognised as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Exhibitions on late President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Dien Bien Phu victory will also be held.

Visitors will have a chance to interact with famous local authors like Nguyen Nhat Anh, Vi Thuy Linh, and Phan Hon Nhien, and partake in book-related competitions.

All books sold at the event will have their price discounted by 10-20 percent, before dropping to half price in the last three days of the festival.

Five sets of books celebrates major holidays in 2014

Five special sets of books celebrating this year’s major holidays were published in Ho Chi Minh City on March 12 by Thang Long, People’s Army, Literature and Youth Publishing Houses.

People’s Army Publishing House, in collaboration with the Thang Long Publishing House, published the set ‘60th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory’. The set includes 18 books featuring the military officers, soldiers, youth volunteers, conscripted labourers and people who bravely fought and scarified their lives during the Dien Bien Phu campaign. The stories will contribute to educating younger generations about patriotism and the nation's revolutionary traditions.

Ten books of the set entitled ‘Studying under Unlce Ho to brighten our heart’ are considered valuable documents on President Ho Chi Minh's moral example. Through stories about his life and career, readers can understand more about the President’s sacrifice for the cause of national, social and human liberation.

‘Vietnam's sovereignty over its sea and islands’ with 20 books, introduces basic knowledge of the international law on the East Sea issue and legal basis affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over sea and islands, especially (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly).

The set of books themed ‘Generals of Vietnam People’s Army’ features heroic generals who made great contributions to the national revolutionary cause, including Generals Vo Nguyen Giap, Nguyen Chi Thanh and Van Tien Dung. The books aim to celebrate 70th anniversary of the Vietnamese People’s Army (1944 – 2014).

The last set entitled ‘Literary works winning Ho Chi Minh Awards’ includes six books introducing famous works that were presented the Ho Chi Minh Award for Literature and the Arts in 2012 such as ‘The forests of red leaves’ by Ho Phuong, ‘Path through the forest’ by Le Van Thao and ‘Summer Rain’ by Ma Van Khang.

Bac Ninh girl wins Kinh Bac beauty pageant

Doan Thi Hai Linh from Luong Tai district, Bac Ninh province was named winner of the 2014 Kinh Bac beauty pageant at the crowing ceremony on March 12.

Linh, who is a student of the College of Statistics, defeated 24 opponents to win the title.

The second and third runners up were Hoang My Linh from Hanoi and Tran Thanh Huyen from Bac Ninh province.

On the final night, the 25 finalists walked in several different outfits: Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress), swim suit, prom dress and ‘tu than', a four-panel dress for Quan Ho (love duet singing), to select the top 5 who then entered the question and answer round.

The organising board also presented 12 sub-awards to other beauties, including the Miss Ao Dai, Miss Tu than, Miss Hospitality, Miss Talent and Most Votes Miss.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda festival recognised as national heritage

The annual festival of the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda—located in Tri Yen Commune, Yen Dung District, Bac Giang Province—received the title of ‘National Intangible Cultural Heritage’ on March 12.

The pagoda, known locally as Duc La or La Pagoda, was built in the 13th century during the Tran Dynasty as a place to worship Buddhism and venerate the founders of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, including King Tran Nhan Tong and the monks Phap Loa and Huyen Quang. It was classified as a national historical and cultural site in 1964.

The pagoda houses a valuable collection of over 3,000 woodblocks inscribed with Buddhist Sutras written in Han script. The blocks—which also bear information on literature, history, linguistics and medicine—were added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2012.

The festival is held each year on the 14th day of the second lunar month and attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors. It features a procession, a prayer ceremony, a display featuring the woodblocks and several folk games.

A Sao Temple Festival opens in Thai Binh

The A Sao Temple Festival dedicated to renowned historical figure General Tran Hung Dao, opened in An Thai commune, Quynh Phu district, Thai Binh province on March 10 in the presence of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

The three-day event aims to honour the great contributions of Tran Hung Dao, who acted as the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Tran Dynasty and led Vietnamese troops to repel three major Mongolian invasions in the 13th century.

Chairman of People's Committee of Quynh Phu district Pham Tien Thao said that the festival honours a glorious period in the country's history.

The event, which runs until March 12, will include an incense offering ceremony, a boat competition, art performances, folk games and folk dances.

The organising board will set up a corner displaying documentation and images of the A Sao National Historical and Cultural Site and develop a master plan for the site to be nominated as a Special national site in the future.

Light show marks 115th anniversary of Hue iconic symbols

The French art troupe, Carabosse, from the Poitou-Charentes region will join Hue Festival 2014 for a spectacular lighting and music performance on Truong Tien Bridge.

French artists will set up an installation of candles with small fires along the bridge, reflecting the sparkling beauty of Truong Tien Bridge and Huong River.

The event also includes a photo exhibition of 54 ethnic groups by French artist Sébastien Laval, Ao dai Festival and a special art performance celebrating 115th anniversary of Truong Tien Bridge and Dong Ba Market.

Forty art troupes from 31 international countries and territories have officially registered to participate in the biennial Hue Festival in Hue City of Thua Thien-Hue Province scheduled to take place from April 12-20.

2nd Mang Den-Kon Plong Tourism and Cultural Week opens

The 2nd Mang Den-Kon Plong Tourism and Cultural Week opened at Mang Den National Ecotourism Complex in Kon Tum Province on March 12.

The event includes activities such as folk art performance, traditional rituals, food fair, youth camping, tours to Kon Plong pine forest, and an inauguration of Pa Sy Waterfall Tourist area.

Highlights of the week include an elephant race, Ben Nuoc (Pier) traditional worship ritual, bountiful harvests, and a worship ceremony for elephants’ health in Krong Na Commune, Buon Don District.

The week aims to conserve traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities, promote tourism and call investment in Mang Den national ecotourism complex.

The event also celebrates the 39th anniversary of the province's liberation.

Indian Food Festival at Saigon Café

In cooperation with the Consulate General of India in HCMC, the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers will be putting on an Indian Food Festival featuring two Indian guest chefs at its Saigon Café from March 13 to 15 and an Indian night on both March 21 and 28.

Demi Chef de Partie Jai Kishan and Sous Chef Jitender Himral from the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi will create special menus for Indian food lovers during the promotion time. Guests will have the opportunity to try authentic Indian cuisine including Haryali Kabab, Murgh Malai Tikka, Murgh Rehana, and Gosht Roganjosh. Diners can also enjoy a Kalbelia folk dance performance and Mehndi Art, the art of painting on hands and feet by Indian artists. The Kalbelia folk dance will take place from 6:30 p.m. on March 13 and Mehndi Art will be available from March 13 to 15.

Caravelle has new afternoon high tea treats

The mid-town Caravelle Hotel will debut three new high tea menus – Traditional English, Vietnamese and Vegetarian – for customers in the Lobby Lounge on March 22.

The Traditional English High Tea menu features classics such as curried beef pie, shrimp and cucumber with dill sour cream on rye bread, chocolate scones and strawberry cupcakes.

An array of local favorites come together in the Vietnamese High Tea menu, including Vietnamese fish cakes, shrimp mousse on lemongrass skewers and steamed pandan rice cakes with ginger syrup.

The high tea experience extends to vegetarians as well, with a special menu of tasty finger food such as ‘Buddhist’ fresh spring rolls, chili spiced cream cheese on a coriander seed bagel, and apple and crème samosas.

American journalist’s compassion for Vietnam

American photo journalist Paul Davis will come to Hanoi to share his award-winning photos at a one-night exhibition “Portraits of Compassion: A Journey from War to Peace” tomorrow.

His photographic journey began in 1965 when he purchased his first camera at age 19 while serving in Vietnam in the U.S. Marine as a radio operator. Upon his return to Vietnam in 2003, he reconnected with his love for photography.

The photo display at Lane 12, 54A Dang Thai Mai Street near Hoang An Temple features compelling stories about miserable destinies, ironic situations and intriguing illuminations via his journey from rural America to Hanoi.

His photographs appear regularly in several publications. His documentary photographs reflect his deep connection with Vietnam, the American War in Vietnam and Buddhist monks.

The exhibition takes place from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. tomorrow.

Color Me Run comes to Vietnam

A running competition in combination with music performances called Color Me Run - Duong Chay Sac Mau is scheduled to debut on April 19 in HCMC’s Phu My Hung urban area.

First staged in Phoenix, Arizona in 2012, the contest attracted as many as 600,000 participants with nearly 50 events held abroad.

Unlike normal sporting activities, it will be a series of events and a 5km paint race in which runners are showered with colored powder at checkpoints along the route.

The forthcoming event will feature a music fest with the participation of pop star Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny’s Child, and singer Timomatic, who was in the top three of Australia’s Got Talent 2011.

The color run is one of the most exciting competitions worldwide, which is designed to raise awareness of well-being and delight, and honor public figures.

For more information, visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/colormerun.vn.

Fashion designers join Project Runway in droves

Hundreds of contestants joined the qualification round of Project Runway at the Grand Palace in HCMC’s Tan Binh District yesterday to seek to become a professional fashion designer.

The same event will be repeated at the Crowne Plaza Hanoi on Sunday. A panel of judges consists of actress/former model Truong Ngoc Anh, VJ/MC/writer Tung Leo and fashion designer Nguyen Cong Tri.

The best contestants will be chosen for the next round that will be turned into TV episodes on VTV3 where there will be numerous one-on-one challenges to create new outfits from different materials within an allotted time.

The winning designer and his/her model will be sent to the U.S. to show off his/her latest collection at New York Couture Fashion Week 2014. This winner will also receive a scholarship at the Atelier Chardon Savard in Paris, a cash prize totaling VND200 million from the Harper’s Bazaar magazine, and another VND300 million from local fashion brand Canifa.

The first episode will go on air at 8 p.m. on May 11 on VTV3.

For more information, visit www.projectrunway.com.vn or www.facebook.com/projectrunwayvn.