Vietnam’s museums to display artifacts in New York

Five museums in Vietnam will lend a total of 15 artifacts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the US, for an exhibition on Hindu- Buddhist sculpture of early Southeast Asia.

At the permit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh City History Museum and the Cham Sculpture Museum in the central city of Danang will lend five objects each, while the museum of southern An Giang province is to send three artifacts. The two remaining exhibits will come from the HCM City Museum of Fine Arts and the museum of southern Dong Thap province.

The Metropolitan museum will also hold the exhibition “Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, 5th to 8th Century” from April 14 to July 27.

MPK opens photo exhibition in Hue

Da Lat photographer MPK opened an exhibition of his works in Hue yesterday, luring crowds in the former capital city with his creativity.

The theme of the 62 photos was "Return". MPK's photography is distinctive as he captures different aspects of life like no one else does, a local artist remarked.

The photos include 18 pictures of Hue's landscape, while his remaiing photos capture fish, blossoms and dew on leaves.

MPK, whose real name is Nguyen Van Phuoc, was born in foggy Da Lat, but is of Hue origin. So this exhibition was considered a "Return" journey for him.

MPK explained, "Hue is my parents' hometown, and today, I am here to tell my friends that this city is very beautiful," He said this was his second visit to the city.

This free exhibition continues until March 19 and is being held at Le Ba Dang Art Foundation at 15 Le Loi Street, Hue City. After it concludes, the photos will be given to photographers and artists there.

Art exhibition marks changes of HCM and Lyon cities

An exhibition featuring outstanding changes of Ho Chi Minh City and Lyon City is being held at Lam Son Park in HCMC from March 16-23.

More than 300 photos, panels, videos, touch screens, and 3D moving pictures features new policies, creativities of key urban projects, design, and construction for public spaces, traffic and natural areas of the two cities.

The event “Let's Take a Walk Around City” will be also organized in Lyon City.

It is part of a program celebrating the 40th anniversary of Vietnam - France diplomatic ties and presents cooperation between HCMC, Rhône-Alpes, and Lyon Urban Community.

Vietnamese bartenders to compete in regional contest

Four Vietnamese bartenders have been selected to compete at the Diageo Reserve World Class 2014 Southeast Asia bartenders contest, to be held in Singapore between May 15 and 16.

The bartenders are Le Thanh Tung from Chilly Sky Bar in Saigon, Luu Tran The Vinh from Bon Bon Restaurant in Saigon, Nguyen Ngoc Quyen from Park Hyatt in Saigon and Nguyen Thanh Luan from the Rooftop Bar in Ha Noi. They defeated nearly 200 other bartenders from across the country at the Diageo Reserve World Class Vietnam 2014 contest.

The one who emerges as the best of these four contenders at the Southeast Asia contest will get the title of The Best Bartender of Viet Nam, and will represent the country at the final contest between 50 of the world's best bartenders, to be held in the UK in August.

Promoting the value of Dien Bien Phu historic relics

Heritage conservation is an endeavour that can protect historical relics and artifacts and contribute to economic development of the tourism industry in the northwestern region.

This was the topic of a seminar held in Dien Bien Phu city on March 13, at which speakers emphasised the need for preserving historical sites while making the connection to the demands of tourists.

Associate Professor, Dr Truong Quoc Binh from the National Cultural Heritage Committee said that it is necessary to archive and put a detailed sand table in museum to help tourists feel the time when Dien Bien Phu battle happened.

Last year, Dien Bien welcomed more than 400,000 tourists including 66,000 international visitors.

Pham Xuan Coi, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee expressed hope that the province will receive further funds to preserve the relics and promote its tourism potential.

Indian classical dances hit HCM City

Experienced artists from India's Sangeet Natak National Academy of Music will perform six Indian classical dances at the HCM City Opera House tonight.

The event, which is part of the Festival of India which aims to introduce local audiences to the rich vibrancy of Indian culture, and to deepen the friendship and solidarity between Viet Nam and India.

The performance will feature six types of classical Indian dance, including Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri, Nrityarupa and Chhau.

Bharata Natyam is one of the oldest and most popular Indian dances and belongs to the South Indian State of Tamilnadu. Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient Northern India.

The event is being co-organised by the Indian Ministry of Culture, the Indian Embassy in Viet Nam, and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Admission is free.

Art programme kicks off Dien Bien Culture and Tourism Week

A special art programme was held at Dien Bien province’s square on March 13 to start the provincial Culture and Tourism Week.

The event was curated around the theme, ‘Hoa Ban Khoe Sac’ (Colours of Bauhinia) and included song and dance inspired by the bauhinia, the signature flower of the northwest mountainous region, the symbol of love and gratefulness to parents.

Nearly 700 participating artists performed at the event, touching on the history and development of Dien Bien province while boasting the unique culture of ethnic groups in the locality, through their work.

Speaking at the opening, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mua A Son said that the Culture and Tourism Week is to promote the area as a tourist destination.

A range of activities are taking place during the week, including a painting exhibition, a cooking contest, a traditional costume show, a street parade and a seminar on promoting tourism in Dien Bien.

Quang Nam pays tribute to a lady

A festival to commemorate the Thu Bon Lady, affectionately known to the locality's residents as the Mother of the Land, has been held in central Quang Nam Province.

The festival is held annually in the province's Duy Tan Commune on the 12th day of the second lunar month.

It consists of ritual ceremonies at Thu Bon communal house and the Lady's tomb, boat races and other cultural activities.

This year's festival kicked off on Tuesday, with ceremonies, a procession, a boat race and many ancient games from ethnic groups around the region throughout the week.

Keeping with tradition, the festival also featured folk music performances and attracted hundreds of locals and Champa people from Ninh Thuan Province.

A procession of around 500 people was also organised to take water from Thu Bon River, which runs across Hoi An ancient town, to the Lady's tomb for the ritual washing of the Gods.

At earlier periods in the locality's history, the festival was an occasion for people of different ethnic groups, including the Kinh, Champa and local ethnic minorities, to come together.

Legends also detail the history of the Lady, who was a female feudal mandarin who made great contributions to agriculture and fishing.

Many locals believe her soul has protected people and nature in the area.

Researchers said the festival carries mystical elements but cultivates the aspiration of peace and harmony between different ethnic groups on the land.

The Thu Bon Lady's tomb is protected as a cultural heritage site.

Book series celebrates Dien Bien Phu Victory

The Army Publishing House has released a collection of five books to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the battle of Dien Bien Phu (May 7) and 70th anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army (December 22).

Among them are Ky Niem 60 Nam Chien Thang Dien Bien Phu (60th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory), Hoc Tap va Lam Theo Tam Guong Dao Duc Ho Chi Minh (Learning and Following Ho Chi Minh's Morals), Chu Quyen Bien Dao Viet Nam (Viet Nam's Sea and Island Sovereignty), and Tuong Linh Quan Doi Nhan Dan Viet Nam (Generals of the Viet Nam People's Army). They feature documentaries and reports by generals and soldiers who played a role in the country's revolution.

Tuong Linh Quan Doi Nhan Dan Viet Nam is a collection of six books featuring military giants such as Vo Nguyen Giap, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Van Tien Dung, Le Trong Tan, Hoang Van Thai and Dong Si Nguyen.

The generals and their military careers are closely intertwined with the historical victories of the Viet Nam People's Army during the French and American wars and as such, they are recognised as national heroes.

One of the most hotly anticipated releases is a biography of General Vo Nguyen Giap, by Laurence Brahm, an American-born global activist, entrepreneur and political-economist based in Beijing and Lhasa, China.

Another collection is a series of nine books which recently received the Ho Chi Minh Awards for literature category. The collection of novels and poems, were written by veteran authors Ho Phuong, Le Van Thao, Do Chu, Ma Van Khang, Pham Tien Duat and Huu Thinh. The works highlight the plight and lives of Vietnamese people, their history and culture.