Miss Vietnam judges Ao Dai festival

Miss Viet Nam 2014 Ky Duyen will be one of the judges of the beauty contest honoring the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long tunic and trousers), which will be organised during the third HCM City Ao Dai Festival which takes place from March 5 to 20.

"I am proud to be part of the contest. I love ao dai. I feel more feminime, graceful, and beautiful whenever I am in ao dai," she said.

"I also believe that the festival will create an exciting and colourful atmosphere honouring both ao dai and Vietnamese women this month."

Together with Ky Duyen, the pageant's jury includes country's leading ao dai designer Sy Hoang; well-known photographer Pham Hoai Nam; Dang Hong Linh, head of Department of Culture and Sports' Culture – Family Office; and Le Nguyen Dat, head of Ethnology Department's College of Dramatics and Cinematics.

Trang An jammed as people flock to King Kong 2 filming site

One of the two boat piers at Trang An Landscape Complex experienced massive over-crowding on February 27 as people flocked to the complex, hoping to see the King Kong 2 film crew in action.

A representative of Trang An Complex management board said they closed down one pier and some waterways for the filming of Kong: Skull Island. The number of visitors to Trang An often increases during the weekends and after news that Kong: Skull Island would be filmed in Vietnam broke out, the number increased further.

Visitors had to wait for at least half an hour for a boat so the managers provided free drinks and snacks on the pier. But many people were unable to wait for so long and decided to return.

One visitor said they had hoped to see the crew but couldn't gain access because security was strict. All cameras and recorders were banned from the film set when the local authority visited the site. 300 locals were hired as extras.

Ninh Binh Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism's proposal to keep the filming site intact to attract visitors later was also refused by the film-makers in order to preserve the confidentiality of the script.

Painting exhibition marks death anniversary of musician Trinh Cong Son

A painting exhibition marking the 77th birthday ad the 15th death anniversary of musician Trinh Cong Son opened in Hanoi on February 28.

The event is a dialogue between painting and music. It displays around 40 art works inspired by musician’s songs by artists, Doan Hoang Lam, Lam Duc Manh, Hoang Thi Phuong Lien, poet Nguyen Quang Thieu, photographer Nguyen Huu Bao, Duong Minh Long and others.

There was also a concert featuring guitarist Pham Ky Nam and saxophonist Tuan Maxim on the opening day of the event.

The event aims to honor the great musician whose love songs have won the hearts of so many fans for generations.

The exhibition themed “Immense smoke in the sky” will be held in Hoi An ancient town on April 1.

Tokyo Fashion Week highlights designs by Cong Tri

It has been unveiled that this year’s Tokyo Fashion Week 2016, March 14-19, will showcase famed Vietnamese designer Nguyen Cong Tri’s latest Lanh My A silk haute couture collection.

Lanh My A is a truly unique silk product, originating from the Tan Chau silk village located in southern Vietnam about 300 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, made from only the finest silk threads.

Tri first made an impact in the design world back in 2000 when he won first prize at Vietnam's Grand Prix, with his Green Leaves collection.

After that, he began to work with singers and celebrities in Vietnam, styling their photo-shoots and designing signature looks.

As his venture grew, he launched the ready-to-wear brand Kin by Cong Tri in 2009, and his menswear line KinConcept in 2011.

Director Phan Dang Di joins Japanese film festival’s jury

Vietnamese young director Phan Dang Di is one of the jury’s members of the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2016 held in Osaka city, Japan, according to the film fest website.

The director was invited to join the jury of the Stockholm International Film Festival 2015.

The event will include the Vietnamese Cinema in Bloom program introducing a panorama of Vietnamese cinema.

Six Vietnamese films, including  Em La Ba Noi Cua Anh(Sweat 20); Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (Yellow Flowers on Green Grass); Cha, Con Va Nhung Cau Chuyen Khac (Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories) and Dap Canh Giua Khong Trung (Flapping On The Middle of Nowhere), as well as Di Nhan (Super X) andMy Nhan Ke (The Lady Assassin) will be screened at Osaka Asian Film Festival 2016.

The festival’s 11th edition this year will take place from March 4 to 13, focusing on Asian films. The Asian participating countries include Japan, Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China), Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and Mongolia.

Tien Y temple gets historical relic status

The Eastern Medicine Association in the central province of Thua Thien - Hue held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Tien Y temple as a provincial historical relic last week.

The event was organised on the 225th death anniversary of Hai Thuong Lan Ong - Le Huu Trac (1720-1791), a great Vietnamese physician who contributed to the development of traditional medicine.

Tien Y temple, which was built in 1825 at Anh Ninh village, is a sacred site that commemorates the Vietnamese traditional medicine physicians during the Nguyen dynasty. After several location changes, it is now located in Thuan Loc commune of Hue city.

"It is also a place for people working in the traditional medicine sector to express gratitude as well as follow the teachings of Hai Thuong Lan Ong and their predecessors." said Dang Thi Mai Hoa, Chairwoman of the provincial Eastern Medicine Association.

In recent years, the association was licensed to repair and upgrade Tien Y temple. Acknowledging the importance of the temple, the People's Committee of Thua Thien - Hue province recognised it as a provincial historical relic in 2015.

This recognition contributes to improving the quality and cultural value of attractions in Hue citadel. Moreover, it also provides a valuable source of historical knowledge for later generations of herb-doctors.

The ceremony to receive the recognition certificate for Tien Y temple was an important historical event and a great honour for the Thua Thien - Hue Eastern Medicine Association, according to Nguyen Thai Son, a local official.

He asked local authorities and leaders of the association to improve the conservation and promotion of such cultural heritage values.

VNSO presents 2016 season opening concerts

The 2016 season opening concerts by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) is taking place at Hanoi Opera House on February 27-28.

The performance will charm music lovers with love melodies of works by famous composers including Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Wolfgang A Mozart, Franz Lehár, Giacomo Puccini, Pietro Mascagni, Giuseppe Verdi and C. Napoletana.

They will be performed by soprano Angela Nisi, tenor Dang Duong, bariton Manh Dung and artists of the VNSO under the baton of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji.

Tickets cost from VND200, 000-VND350, 000- VND500, 000.

New project to preserve Bach Dang Victory site in Quang Ninh

The Prime Minister approved a project worth 80 billion VND (3.57 million USD) on preserving the historical relic site where the famous Bach Dang victory took place 1288 in Uong Bi, Quang Ninh northern province.

The project, to be implemented from now to 2020 by the provincial People’s Committee, aims at comprehensive upgrades to the site’s facilities in line with the Master Plan on preserving and promoting the Bach Dang Victory historical site, which was approved in 2013.

The components include building the roads to the complex, a hall and an underground room showcasing the original artifacts related to the Bach Dang Victory in 1288, and other supporting facilities.

Other objectives include promoting the site’s historical and traditional values, and developing tours connected with the historical site, thus contributing to local socio-economic development.

The battle on the Bach Dang River under the leadership of General Tran Hung Dao took place at Dong Ma Ngua stake yard in Quang Yen town, which received the national historical site status on April 15.

The Bach Dang river runs through Yen Hung district (QuangNinh) and Thuy Nguyen (Hai Phong) before reaching the sea.

Borrowing the same tactic that Ngo Quyen used against the Chinese in 938, General Tran Hung Dao studied the tidal law, had stakes planted under the water and arranged ambushes in a unified plan of campaign.

The general sent small flotilla to harass the Mongol fleet and then pretended to retreat. The Mongols eagerly pursued Dai Viet troops and fell into their pre-arranged battlefield.

Then thousands of Dai Viet’s small boats from both river banks all together quickly appeared, launched fierce attacks and broke the combat tactics of the enemy. The Mongols tried to withdraw to the sea in panic. Hitting the stakes, their boats were halted, many of which were broken and sunken.

Unlike the two previously discovered yards, stakes in Dong Ma Ngua were driven into the riverbed densely like a wall.

The stake yard was discovered in 2005 and scientists affirmed it was one of the stake traps placed hidden in the Bach Dang river, contributing greatly to the nation’s victory over Mongol invaders in the year.

Musical artists' rights group forms

An association to protect the rights of Vietnamese musical artists was established yesterday with the approval of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The association will be led by People's Artist, singer Thanh Hoa. It will represent many artists, including singers, instrumentalists and performers acting in musical genres.

The association's debut concerts will be held in Ha Noi and HCM City on April 30, Liberation Day. 150 artists will perform.

Culin'Art event comes to Nha Trang

The second Culin'Art exhibition of InterContinental NhaTrang will take place in Nha Trang from March 4 to April 15. It will feature stunning ethnicity images by photographer Rehahn Croquevielle and a creative culinary journey with executive chef Dennis Barton.

The exhibition continues to enthrall travellers with the beauty of Viet Nam.

The photographic presentation of works by Rehahn Croquevielle will span multiple exhibition spaces. The exhibition of his work will exhibit the range of images that Croquevielle has captured throughout his eight-year exploration of Viet Nam. During this time, he has bonded with and photographed the soul of the Vietnamese people, especially the ethnic minorities.

In conjunction with the photographic artworks, the Culin'Art in 2016 event will also offer each guest a menu of 13 signature dishes.

These dishes will be created by the Australian executive chef Dennis Barton, who will infuse world cuisine with the exotic spices of Viet Nam.

This enlightened culinary journey will be accompanied by a range of five distinctively different liquors from the makers of Son Tinh, an iconic Vietnamese liquor maker with an international reputation.

Hue Temple gets Historical Relic status

The Eastern Medicine Association in the central province of Thua Thien Hue held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Tien Y Temple as a provincial historical relic last week.

The event was organised on the 225th death anniversary of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac (1720-1791), a great Vietnamese physician who contributed to the development of traditional medicine.

Tien Y Temple, which was built in 1825 at Anh Ninh village, is a sacred site that commemorates the Vietnamese traditional medicine physicians during the Nguyen Dynasty. After several location changes, it is now located in Thuan Loc commune of Hue City.

"It is also a place for people working in the traditional medicine sector to express gratitude as well as follow the teachings of Hai Thuong Lan Ong and their predecessors." said Dang Thi Mai Hoa, chairwoman of the provincial Eastern Medicine Association.

In recent years, the association was licensed to repair and upgrade Tien Y Temple. Acknowledging the importance of the Temple, the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province recognised it as a provincial historical relic in 2015.

This recognition contributes to improving the quality and cultural value of attractions in Hue Citadel. Moreover, it also provides a valuable source of historical knowledge for later generations of herb-doctors.

The ceremony to receive the recognition certificate for Tien Y Temple was an important historical event and a great honour for the Thua Thien Hue Eastern Medicine Association, according to Nguyen Thai Son, a local official.

He asked local authorities and leaders of the association to improve the conservation and promotion of such cultural heritage values.

First golf course in Vietnam listed in Golf Digest’s top 100

The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has been ranked number 74 in the World 100 Greatest Golf Courses compiled by Golf Digest magazine, making it the first golf course in Vietnam to be in the Top 100 list.

“A 2014 design by Greg Norman, an Australian who now lives in Florida, so it’s no surprise that The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is very reminiscent of a Florida golf course, Jupiter Hills. Like Jupiter, it’s separated from the ocean by a highway but plays through dramatic sand dunes covered in tropical vegetation, has joint fairways and even a pair of par 3s playing from a common dunes-top tee box complex to greens in opposite directions. As the name suggests, the Bluffs has some dramatic elevations, with the long par-3 15th green at the highest point, 165 feet above the East Sea,” Golf Digest said.

Expert panelists amass the rankings every two years, drawing on their unmatched experience to qualify the best courses, against set criteria, creating a coveted club of the world’s best.

“This accolade stands to cement not only the Ho Tram Strip as one of the world’s most exciting new destinations, but drive interest from the lucrative golf tourism sector from new markets beyond our existing feeder catchment in the Asia Pacific territories. With the right activation, we will see an increase in inbound guests from mature golf markets worldwide, adding value to tourism stakeholders the length and breadth of Vietnam,” said Ben Styles, Vice-President Golf & Residential Ho Tram Strip.

Nguyen Van Cuu, Secretary General of the Vietnam Golf Association, said, “Vietnam has much to celebrate in the world of golf right now. Not only does the country boast more golf developments than anywhere else, but we have hosted one of professional golf’s best events and continue to be honored with high profile awards.”

“We will continue to support the golf tourism drive and believe we can establish our great nation as a central hub for global golfers to visit.”

French wine tasting in HCMC, Hanoi

Seven French wine professionals will present their products at the M Gallery Hôtel des Arts in HCMC on Thursday and at the Sofitel Legend Métropole in Hanoi on Friday to mark the 7th edition of the French Wine Tasting event.

The program, which is organized by Business France Vietnam, is an opportunity for more than 200 wine and spirits professionals in Vietnam to taste champagne, spirits and wines from the most renowned French wine regions - Bordeaux, Champagne, Cognac, and South-West - and to establish partnerships and commercial relationships.

Seven French beverage professionals at the event are Champagne Dom Caudron, Domaine Des Bormettes, Domaine Saint-Remy, Marc Brugaliere Wine Selection Limited, Pierre De Segonzac Sarl, Producta Vignobles and  Selection Patrick Clerget.

According to the organizer, the wine and spirits market in Vietnam is currently one of the most dynamic in Asia with growth forecast at 10% in 2016.

For more information, contact Ms Thanh Oanh Ton Thien on 08 3520 68 90, or via email thanhoanh.tonthien@businessfrance.fr.

Famous play returns to the stage

Benh Si (Egotism), one of the most famous plays written by playwright Luu Quang Vu was staged by the Viet Nam Drama Theatre on the weekend for the 100th time.

Like Vu's previous plays, Benh Si received great acclaim from audiences.

It was Vu's last production before he died aged 40 in a traffic accident in 1988. The play premiered the same year.

Taking place in a rural village in the north, the play is about a commune chairman and his officers, who are ordinary and good-natured people. However, they begin to consider themselves as "noble" people, and start to seek glory and try to change their appearances.

Many ridiculous consequences happen when the officials' good nature cannot change to adapt to their new behaviours.

Vu is author of more than 50 plays. Most of them reveal and criticise the darker side of society, especially focusing on corruption and authoritarian behaviour by local officials.

Egypt: Photos exhibit Vietnam’s reform achievements

Vietnam’s reform achievements and its relations with Egypt are the spotlight of a photo exhibition which opened in Cairo on February 29.

The week-long event displays more than 60 photos featuring Vietnamese people’s daily activities and the country’s landscapes and handicraft products.

The photos were taken by Yusef Mazhar, Member of the Egyptian Council of the Foreign Affairs, during his tour to the Southeast Asian country in late 2015.

Pictures, books, and documents highlighting the success of the 12th National Party Congress as well as Vietnam’s achievements during the 30-year renewal process are also exhibited.

Visitors to the exhibition are expected to get an insight into the country’s people and cultural identities.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Do Hoang Long introduced participants to the milestones in Vietnam’s history since the country’s Independence Day on September 2, 1945 as well as its 30-year reform achievements.

Regarding the Vietnam-Egypt relations, he stressed that the two countries have great potential to promote cooperation in economics, trade, tourism and culture.

In the time ahead, the Vietnamese Embassy will intensify cultural exchanges in Egypt, especially through strengthened collaboration with the country’s libraries, he added.

VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri