Photos mark Liberation Day

An exhibition featuring 100 photos to mark the 39th anniversary of Liberation Day (March 29th) in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province's Tam Ky City opened at Da Nang's Heritage Centre today.

.The exhibition features photos of people, landscapes and cultural festivals from around the central region, and will run until April 4.

The two cities, which used to form Quang Nam-Da Nang Province, separated into Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province in 1997.

VN-Cuba strike book deal

Viet Nam's Ministry of Information and Communications has agreed to swap the publishing rights for five books every year with Cuba, according to a memorandum of co-operation signed here yesterday.

The two sides will also organise joint book talks and workshops, and help their publishing and distribution units to establish direct relationships, technical support and professional exchanges.

Both sides will help advertise and distribute the publications in the two countries.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said the memorandum aimed to promote publishing co-operation between the two countries.

Zuleica Romay Guerra, rector of the Cuban Book Institute, said through books and cultural publications, the two nations had a more profound understanding of each others countries, peoples and heroic histories.

Poems tell a tale of war

A book featuring well-known poems written during the American war will be released next month to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30).

The 700-page book includes nearly 100 poems written by veteran authors such as Huu Thinh, Nguyen Khoa Diem, Che Lan Vien and Huy Can.

Wartime romances by younger poets, including Luu Quang Vu, Vu Quan Phuong and Xuan Quynh, are also included.

"Through their works, poets provide readers with deeper knowledge about Viet Nam and its people and soldiers, who lived and sacrificed for their country's independence," said author Bang Viet, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Arts and Literature Association, one of the book's compilers.

"Poems written during the American war between 1954 and 1975 feature humanism," he added.

The book is expected to be released on April 30.

Hungarian jazz artists enthrall Hanoi audience

Live performances by two young jazz artists from Hungary – Alexandra Ivan and Andras Jasz left a deep impression on jazz enthusiasts in Hanoi on March 25.

The music also helped Hanoians gain a better understanding of Hungary’s traditional culture, land and people.

Siklos Dorottya, first Secretary in charge of culture, education and administration at the Hungary Embassy in Hanoi, said the show designed for all Vietnamese jazz lovers contributed to promoting cultural exchange between the two countries.

Alexandra Ivan is a world famous musician, singer and pianist who has had a close attachment to the piano since he was a child. He can play many different genres of music, including Jazz, Pop, R&B, Blues, Funk and Folk.

After graduating from Budapest University, Alexandra was fortunate to have the chance to play music for renowned artists who have won Grammy awards.

Following the Carapathia International Song Contest awards, Alexandra was invited to play for the Poland Chamber of Orchestra. In 2011 he was a guest star at Nagasaki Rose Festival in Japan, and has received a scholarship to study at Beklee Music University in Boston, the US.

Andras is one of the most renowned Saxophone players in Hungary. He graduated from the Jazz faculty at the Fanz Liszt Academy of Music in 2007 and released his first album in February 2013.

Alexandra Ivan and Andras Jasz recorded an album “I love Budapest” to present to Vietnamese music fans in Hanoi.

Youth exchange promotes Vietnam-China friendship

An exchange programme is being held in Vietnam to strengthen friendship and solidarity between Vietnamese and Chinese youths.

The March 25-April 2 event aims  to help young people understand more about the time-honoured friendship, and encourage them to foster the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China.

The programme provides an excellent opportunity for youths from the two countries to share experience in youth union work, increase mutual understanding through joint activities, and seek measures to boost exchange.

Participants will take part in various activities, including a study tour to learn more about Vietnam’s history, culture, and socio-economic achievements.

They will also join voluntary projects and work out solutions for cultural preservation and rural development.

Electronic night with Superpoze

French musician Superpoze will dominate the stage at L'Espace on Saturday night with his electronic music.

The young composer/beatmaker recently won an award from FAIR (Fonds d'action et d'initiative rock) at Vieilles Charrues and Montreux music festivals.

Inspired by Mondkopf, Bonobo and Mr Oizo, Superpoze plays everything from jazz to hip-hop.

The performance will start at 8pm. Tickets for two cost VND60,000 and are available at the venue, 24 Trang Tien Street.

Pink Floyd tribute for Rock City

A concert in tribute to Pink Floyd, the English rock band that achieved international acclaim with psychedelic music, will be held at Hanoi Rock City on Sunday.

To open the night, a short documentary of Pink Floyd's life will be screened.

The main programme will feature the band InVoice, which will replicate hits by the musical legends. Tickets, including a beer, cost VND100,000.

DJ Vadim to stir up CAMA ATK

The Russian-born, London-bred DJ Vadim will stir up CAMA ATK next Thursday.

An innovator, a veteran hip hop DJ and producer, Vadim is a stalwart of the renowned Ninja Tune and BBE record labels.

Vadim has toured 69 countries and performed at some of the world's most prestigious events, such as Sonar, Glastonbury, Big Chill, V Fest, Fuji Rock, Roskilde, and Exit.

His music is inspired by reggae, trip hop, soul, and funk, with elements of African rhythms, house and boogie.

The performance will start at 8pm and run until 12am at 73A Mai Hac De Street.

Dancentre to hold burlesque workshop

Dancentre is to hold a "High Heels Burlesque" dance workshop, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, tomorrow.

Participants will be taught how to walk and dance with high heel shoes, as well as a dance routine using feather boas. They are asked to bring high heels.

The event will take place from 6.45 pm to 8.30 pm at 53 Nguyen Dang Giai Street in District 2. Admission is VND200,000.

Hard Rock Cafe showcases UK vocalist

Hard Rock Cafe will present a debut performance of English vocalist Paul Di'Anno in Viet Nam today (March27) as part of his tour "Beast in the Far East 2014."

Di'Anno, a former member of English heavy rock band Iron Maiden, will be supported by bands Suicide Solution from Singapore, Steel Saigon from Japan, and Mephonic and Sagometal from Viet Nam.

The show will begin at 9 pm. The Hard Rock Cafe is on 39 Le Duan Street in HCM City's District 1. Tickets cost VND200,000 and are available at www.ticketbox.vn.

International pillow fight to be held

Wake Up Saigon, the group that creates events to "bring a little surrealism to daily life," will host a pillow fight at the December 23 Park on April 5 to celebrate International Pillow Fight Day.

Participants are asked to bring pillows to join the event at 1 pm.

Registration and more information about the event can be found at http://facebook.com/WakeUpSaigon.

HCM City gallery celebrates anniversary

Galerie Quynh will hold a contemporary art exhibition called "Onward and Upward" on March 28 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the gallery.

The exhibition features works covering a range of techniques and approaches by 17 local and foreign artists.

It will close on April 26. The exhibition will be held at two venues, 65 De Tham Street and 151/3 Dong Khoi Street in District 1.

Famous painter and songstress produce video

Famed minimalist painter Le Thiet Cuong and young celebrated singer Van Mai Huong have together made a video that was presented to the public yesterday in Ha Noi.

Like his artworks, the name of Cuong's debut art video is also minimalistic – Ve Mot... (About... ). The video depicts the complex nature of human loneliness as well as the journey to find one's ego.

"For many people, loneliness is synonymous with hopelessness. For me, loneliness inspires art," Cuong said.

The artist's loyalty to his style of art is evident in the video, which features multiple images and scenes filmed in his house and studio at 39A Ly Quoc Su Street and at the Ha Noi railway station.

In the video, Huong, who was the runner-up in Viet Nam Idol 2010, has presented the song Giac Mo Thuc Tinh (The Awakened Dream) from her 2013 album 18+. The song is not only about love but also about the sorrow of loneliness.

Hung Kings Temple Festival to begin April 5

The 2014 Hung Kings Temple Festival is set to unfold in the northern midland province of Phu Tho from April 5-9 (lunar 6-3 - 10-3) with the participation of Bac Ninh, Quang Binh, Vinh Long, and Long An provinces.

The information was released by the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Information and Communications at a press conference in Hanoi on March 26.

The event will feature the offering of incense on April 5 to Lac Long Quan and Au Co, the nation’s legendary father and mother, and again on April 9 to commemorate the Hung Kings.

A series of cultural events - including an artistic performance, contests in making banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) and banh day (round glutinous rice cake), and various exhibitions - has also been scheduled during the main festival.