Art show celebrates creativity with do paper

Various contemporary art forms inspired by the Vietnamese do (poonah) paper will be showcased at Hanoi Rock City this Sunday to celebration of the traditional material.

Titled Vu Dieu Cua Giay (The Dance of Paper), the event will bring together calligrapher Le Quoc Viet; a group of artists including Duong Linh, Huy An, Tien Quang, Yoyo and Tran Hien who will display an art installation on do paper; and artisan Nguyen Van Tam who will show traditional skills of making do paper.

Plenty of handmade products made from do paper will also available at the event, which is being organised by Zo Project, a non-governmental organisation.

The event will take place between 5 and 8pm on March 9 at Hanoi Rock City, 7/52 To Ngoc Van Street.

Dong Ho paintings, calligraphy and water colour paintings or for documenting about past dynasties and family annals.

Poonah paper comes from the bark of the poonah trees in the northern provinces such as Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang.

It takes several complicated and precise processes to make poonah paper, and these include selecting the material, soaking it in water, pounding and flattening poonah pulp into paper and drying it inside the house.

11 films to be screened at French festival

A French-language film festival will be held at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France from March 12 to 29.

Eleven feature films and animation works from France, Luxembourg, Romania, Belgium, Guinea, Chad, Switzerland, and Viet Nam will be screened with Vietnamese subtitles.

The screening schedule and more information are available at http://festivaldufilm.francophonie.org.vn.

The institute is at 31 Thai Van Lung Street in District 1.

Book on life of Chavez launched in Vietnam

The Venezuelan Embassy in Vietnam published a book titled “Hugo Chavez Frias: Political Thoughts on Socialism in the 21st Century” in Hanoi on March 5.

The event was the latest activity in a global Venezuelan movement named “Places where Chavez passed through” on the occasion of the 1st death anniversary of the Venezuelan President.

At the launch, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration Nguyen Giap Tuat said the book is a significant work of research that demonstrates the friendship and solidarity between the Vietnamese and Venezuelan people.

This is a valuable book for those who are interested in Venezuela and President Chavez, he said, adding that it will serve as a useful resource for the academy’s lecturers and students.

Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Rondon Uzcategui stated that the book represents the thoughts, life and career of the late president, as well as the developing friendship between the two countries.

2014 is an important year for the two nations as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 50 years since Venezuelan guerilla arrested a US officer to exchange for the life of Vietnamese hero Nguyen Van Troi.

The book, published in both Vietnamese and Spanish, helps readers understand more about Chavez’s thought on socialism in the 21 st century, his struggle against oppression and injustice and well as his aspiration for a peaceful South America free from poverty and misery.

Indian culture highlighted in Vietnam

Vietnamese people will have a chance to explore India’s culture as the Festival of India kicked off in Hanoi on March 5 night.

The event is co-organised by the Indian Embassy, the Indian Ministry of Culture and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST).

Addressing the opening ceremony, MoCST Deputy Minister Vuong Duy Bien said the festival is a vivid manifestation of the active cultural exchange between the two countries, and will help enhance the bilateral friendship and strategic cooperation.

Echoing Bien’s views, Indian Deputy Culture Minister Ravindra Singh said India has always considered Vietnam a pillar in the country’s Look East Policy within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other mechanisms.

He stressed that cultural exchange between the two countries has been institutionalised through a cultural cooperative programme inked in 2011, adding that India will establish an Indian cultural centre in Vietnam in 2014 to boost the friendship.

Apart from Hanoi, the festival will come to the central city of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, featuring Indian folk dances, songs, food, Buddhism, Yoga and Mehndi – the art of body painting, said Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran.

The festival will last until March 15.-

Hollywood experts to teach film direction, cinematography

The Saigon International Film School will organise a workshop on film direction and cinematography under the guidance of Hollywood director Michael Toshiyuki Uno and director of photography Joel Spezeski.

The workshop, to be held from March 27 to 29, will focus on theory and practical skills needed to analyse and use light effectively, the outlines of scenes and the skills needed in shooting.

Michael Toshiyuki Uno has directed 15 movies for television, with one theatrical release and 12 serials, shorts and specials. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a DGA Award nomination, an NAACP Image Award with a second nomination, a SAG Award nomination and the award for Best Television Feature at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Uno is a founding member of the Independent Directors Committee of the Directors Guild of America. He is currently involved in independent documentary feature production, long-form television and feature film scriptwriting and project development.

After taking the conventional Hollywood route of getting an MFA in Film Production fromthe University of South California with an emphasis on writing and cinematography, Joel Spezeski took the less conventional route of working in Viet Nam where he has spent the last four years shooting advertisement and television features.

In 2010, he had the distinction of shooting Viet Nams first 3-D feature, Bong Ma Hoc Duong (Ghost School).

The workshop will take place at the school, 15A Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Binh Thanh District, in HCM City.

UK band comes to Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe in HCM City will present four days of concerts by UK band Rubylux starting today.

The band, consisting of lead singer and guitarist Rob Irving, bassist Clark Coslet-Hughes, keyboard player Adam Harris, and drummer Mike Hall, will play music ranging from guitar pop to rock.

It has toured Australia, the US, and Germany.

Tickets are being sold at the venue and at http://ticketbox.vn.

The concert will begin at 9.30pm at 39 Le Duan Street in District 1.

Color Me Run held for the first time in Viet Nam

Colour Me Run, which is a unique blend of a running event and music festival and the first of its kind in Viet Nam, will be held in Phu My Hung Urban Area in HCM City's District 7 on April 19.

All participants will have the chance to enjoy the technicoloured run, followed by impressive musical entertainment from two famous international artists Kelly Rowland (Destiny's Child) and Timomatic, and the top three contestants from Australia's Got Talent 2011, who will complete the day.

The main objectives are to inspire and promote a healthy, active lifestyle for young people in Viet Nam while contributing to building a more vibrant city. It is hoped the glitzy line up will attract both locals and tourists.

"Colour Me Run is not about the speed that you run but about having fun, and sharing happy moments with your friends and family," said the organisers.

Anyone can join by registering at http://colormerun.vn from February 27 to April 6.

Movies by female Hollywood directors screened

To celebrate International Women's Day, the Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents will present two movies by leading female Hollywood directors: Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation and Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right.

A 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation explores themes of loneliness, insomnia, existential ennui and culture shock against the backdrop of a modern Japanese city.

A heartfelt comedy directed by Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right was described by The New York Times as "a generous, nearly note-perfect portrait of a modern family", while Entertainment Weekly called the movie "funny, smart and sexy".

The screenings of Lost in Translation and The Kids Are All Right will take place at 7.30pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday, respectively. The movies will be presented in their original language with Vietnamese subtitles at Level 4, 51 Tran Hung Dao Street.

The screenings are for educational purposes and entrance is free, but guests are welcome to donate to the centre's Young Cinema Fund.

Swedish DJ leads Women's Day party

Stockholm-based Swedish techno/house DJ Lemieux (aka Maya Lourenço) will stir up the atmosphere at the 2014 Women's Day Ha Noi Party on Saturday at Hanoi Rock City (HRC).

Lemieux has performed together with famed Swedish electronic music duo The Knife in several concerts and toured Europe with Sand Circles and Quiltland – two famous European DJs. Her DJ-style is a blend between dark jacking techno and deep house with much love for the 90's.

Her performance is being hosted by the Swedish Embassy in collaboration with HRC to celebrate 45 years of relations between Sweden and Viet Nam. The night will also highlight the talent of Ha Noi-based women and independent female artists across music, arts and entertainment.

Local artists will join Lemieux to offer a great night of love, equality and togetherness.

British DJs Pandrava and Lethal ZiLO; Vietnamese DJ and fashion designer Ha Truong; and artist, designer and illustrator Claire Driscoll from the Workroom Four will be among the artists celebrating the Women's Day Ha Noi Party.

Free entry for women. HRC is at 27/52 To Ngoc Van Street.

Indian chefs curry favour at Sheraton Saigon

Sheraton Saigon Hotel and the Indian consulate in HCM City will present an Indian Food Festival at the formers Sai Gon Cafe from March 13 to 15.

Chefs Jai Kishan and Jitender Himral from the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi will create buffet dinner menus featuring authentic Indian dishes.

There will also be a Kalbelia folk dance performance on March 13, while Indian artists will present mehndi art, putting henna on visitors' hands and feet, at the three-day event.

The hotel is at 88 Dong Khoi Street in District 1.

Concert celebrates Women's Day

A concert titled Escape Love will be held at the Phu My Hung urban area on March 8 to celebrate Women's Day.

The show will features DJs Ice, Sebastien, Ajam, Taki and Pucuy, and artists Queen Of Hearts, QVans, and Spice.

Tickets can be booked by emailing tickets@anyarena.com.

The event will be held from 3pm to midnight at lot 13, Tan Trao Street, District 7.

Various activities to mark Dien Bien Phu victory

A wide range of activities will be held in the coming time to celebrate the 60 th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2014) .

The activities will highlight the historical significance and value of the victory, and make known achievements in socio-economic development and renewal by local authorities and people over the recent years, said officials at a press conference in Dien Bien Phu city, the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien on March 5.

The same day, the National Committee of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations also announced that art performances will be organised from March 9-13 to mark the victory.

The event will take place along National Road 6 through northwestern provinces to Dien Bien with the participation of 120 artists across the country, said the committee.

The victory helped put an end to the French colonial rule in Vietnam.

“Lotus” dance show returns

Bong Sen Traditional Song and Dance Theater announced they will host the monthly dance performance “Lotus” starting March 5 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House.

The performance represents peace in Vietnamese villages, the spirit of Vietnamese people, and lotus flowers. More than 100 dancers and artists including Vuong Linh, Dang Hung, Anh Tan, Tuyet Mai, E Ban Tu and Nhat Trung from the Bong Sen Theater will perform in the show.

The show features Linh Nga, one of the most famous dancers in Vietnam. She studied dance in China since the age of 12.

The performance also holds an exhibition and auction for photography by Tran Bich. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to charity organizations.

The show won three gold medals and one silver medal at the National Song and Dance Festival 2012. It is recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the most spectacular traditional music and dance show.

The Bong Sen Theater and the HCMC Conservatory of Music will also be hosting a program “Saigon Past and Present” featuring traditional musical performances starting August 2014.

Nguyen Nhat Anh’s new book rockets to instant hit

Nguyen Nhat Anh’s new book Chuc mot ngay tot lanh (have a nice day) has become a literary sensation though the official release date is March 6. Tre Publishing House is the publisher and copyright holder of the book.

In the first edition, 35,000 softcover (VND99,000) and 3,000 hardcover copies (VND199,000) have been ordered by distributors. One week prior to the release date, Tre publisher printed another 15,000 copies in order to meet strong demand of readers. Anh is a popular writer and some of his well-known books are Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh (I saw yellow flowers on the grass), Co hai con meo ngoi ben cua so (Two cats by the window), and Ngoi khoc tren cay (crying on the tree). His latest book Chuc mot ngay tot lanh is illustrated by painter Do Hoang Tuong.

Set in a garden with lovely characters such as dog Mom Ngan, mother Nai Se, pig Lo Noi, bro Duoi Xoan and Canh Cut, the book is a combination of fable and fairy tale styles filled with hilarious and surprising details.

“In addition to his imagination, the innocent and humorous view is the writer’s strength. The story is also full of exciting moments, making readers nostalgic for old school memories,” said the publisher.

On the occasion of the book’s release, Tre’s Facebook fanpage has staged an oral competition related to new books for readers starting February 24. It has attracted a large number of fans.

Anh is expected to sign autographs on March 6 at Kinh Van Hoa bookstore, 6B Luong Huu Khanh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, HCMC, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. A similar event will be repeated at the 8th Book Fair in HCMC on March 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thai-Vietnamese relations documentary debuts

A 24-episode documentary (10 minutes each episode) titled “Vietnam and Thailand: One Heart to Asean Economic Community (AEC)” will be aired every week on HTV4 and VTC9 starting from next month.

  The film is attributed to the consulate general of Thailand in HCMC, HCMC Television (HTV), Let’s Viet and Lasta Film. The launch was held on Tuesday at HCMC Television downtown.

  Thai consul general in HCMC Panpimon Suwannapongse said the documentary serves as a bridge between the countries in a number of aspects such as socio-cultural cooperation as well as economic engagement.

  “We cover lively and fascinating stories on Thai student life in Vietnam, Thais doing business in Saigon and Vietnamese working in Thailand. We highly appreciate the person-to-person exchange serving as a solid foundation of the two nations’ deep relationship,” she added.

  The film was partially funded by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was shot over acouple of years.

  On this occasion, the film crew including writer Chau Tho, director/actress Viet Trinh and actors Thuy Phuong and Kha Ngan also publicized a preview of soap opera “Tro Ve 3” which is still in progress. The series is being shot in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia and is expected to make its debut on HTV7 in October.

Spring Concert to be held in Hanoi

Music lovers will have an opportunity to enjoy well-known pieces by composers Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff, Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann on March 16 in Hanoi.

Song Hong (Red River) Chamber Music will perform the pieces, including Piano Trio no.1 in G minor “Élégiaque”, String Quartet no.14 “Death and the Maiden”, R.Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op.44 in a concert entitled ‘Spring Concert’ at 8:00 pm at Hanoi Opera House.

Participating musicians include Pham Truong Son, violinist Phan Thi To Trinh, violist Ho Viet Khoa, pianist Pham Quynh Trang and cellist Dao Tuyet Trinh.

The artists have toured many countries, playing in symphony orchestras of countries such as Japan, China and Thailand.

Hoi An to host international choir competition

The fourth International Choir Competition is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 3 in Hoi An City, the central province of Quang Nam.

This year, the participants can register to compete but can also just perform for the audiences.

The competition is organised into six groups, including A group for mixed choirs, B for male and female choirs, C for chamber choir, G for youth choirs, S for sacred music and F for folklore. Each competitor is allowed to compete in a maximum of three of the groups.

Besides the competition, the choral societies from domestic and foreign countries will come together to perform at various places across Hoi An City such as churches, libraries and parks.

The deadline for registration to take part in the competition is December 1.

This is the third time Hoi An has hosted the event. The third International Choir Competition was held in the City in 2013 with the participation of 500 artists from 15 troupes around the world.

Book series published to commemorate Dien Bien Phu victory

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu historical victory over French colonialism (May 7, 1954), the People's Army Publishing House has published 13 books, including new studies on the victory’s great historical significance.

The series reflects the glorious historical campaign, taking readers back to remarkable days when the whole nation joined the campaign to achieve the world-famous victory. It also supplements local and international studies about the victory.

The series includes: Dien Bien Phu (sixth edition), General Vo Nguyen Giap and Dien Bien Phu Campaign (second edition) and Dien Bien Phu – The Times’ Golden Milestone (second edition) by General Vo Nguyen Giap; as well as Dien Bien Phu Through Documents, Dien Bien Phu Victory in Foreigners’ Eyes, Q&A on Dien Bien Phu Victory, Dien Bien Phu – Historical Wonder, Dien Bien Phu – Numbers and Events, Dien Bien Phu – Witnesses and Events, Dien Bien Phu – 60-Year Memory, Dien Bien Phu Campaign – Victory of Vietnam Bravery and Intellect, Dien Bien Phu Campaign – Peak of Vietnam Military Culture in Fight against French Colonialism and Learn about Dien Bien Phu Campaign through Military Terms by various authors.

Many of the books have been written with new approaches, including direct and brief question and answer format, and compiling a glossary of military terms arranged in accordance with the campaign’s events.

Dien Bien Phu Victory in Foreigners’ Eyes is a collection of evaluations and comments by French and international generals, soldiers, military commentators, reseachers and individuals on the campaign.

The editions are works with scientific and literary value, attracting various readers with their in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s and France’s strategic approaches as well as Vietnam’s military arts.

General Vo Nguyen Giap and Dien Bien Phu Campaign records General Vo Nguyen Giap’s memories as retold by Huu Mai, depicting the general’s viewpoint on considering the people as the origin for the power to protect the nation, and highlighting his resolve to gain victories with minimal casualties.

Bac Ninh province to organise Red River Delta photo, music festival

Bac Ninh province will host the 17th Red River Delta Photo Festival, from March 14-20 and the 2014 Northern Music Festival from April 3-5, according to the Bac Ninh Provicial People’s Committee.

This year the photo festival is themed, ‘Red River Delta homeland and people’, and will provide an opportunity for photographers from Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and Thai Binh provinces, as well as Hai Phong city, to display their pieces.

Photos are to be inspired by the beauty of the land and people. They can also tell the story of the region’s industrial and tourism development potential and the scientific, technical and socio-economic achievements during the renewal process. The event is to take place at the Bac Ninh Province’s Library.

The music festival is set to take place at the Kinh Bac Cultural Centre in Bac Ninh city. Artists from 25 regional provinces and cities will gather to exchange and perform. A workshop on northern music will also held during the festival.

For the opening ceremony, an art performance of ‘Quan ho’ (love duet singing) is being organised to promote this special heritage to domestic and international visitors.

Bac Ninh Provicial People’s Committee have asked relevant agencies to begin preparations for the events.