Book on modern Vietnam published in Russia

Vietnam’s history, analysis of foreign policies and latest research on political and socio-economic issues in the country are featured in a scientific publication entitled “Vietnam Today”, which was published recently in Russia. 

The book was an initiative of the Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies under Russian Academy of Science (RUS). 

Speaking at an event to introduce the book on October 5, Director of the Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies Mazyrin V. said the publication offers an insight into Vietnamese economy, which is billed as a valuable source for Russian business community to look up experts’ evaluations of the economy health and trade relations between Vietnam and its partners. 

According to Ph.D Nguyen Quoc Hung, one of the 25 authors of the book, the publication was compiled from 300 sources, including a line-up of official documents, research projects from many countries including Russia, the UK and France as well as online sources such as official websites of Vietnam and Russia and e-newspaper.

“Vietnam Today” was launched in coincidence with the 70th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

Film on countryside life impresses

A scene from Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh, which is bringing in viewers with its casual and familiar landscape. 

A movie with very simple content but stunning visuals and a great soundtrack has captured the imagination of local audiences.

Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (I See Yellow Flowers upon the Green Grass) by director Victor Vu has become somewhat of a phenomenon among local movie lovers.

If you like films with deep storylines, you might be in for a disappointment because the script does not contain the highs and lows of a Hollywood blockbuster. It's just snippets about life in a poor area of Viet Nam's countryside.

Set in the mid-1980s in a small village, the movie follows the story of two young brothers, Thieu and Tuong, who share everything, but compete for the affection of the same girl, Man.

Viewers will be immersed with scenes and memories of school, from costumes to games all filmed in the central province of Phu Yen.

Victor Vu focused on the beauty of the Vietnamese countryside for his film, with immense rice paddies, low houses and swaying bamboo trees, which can suddenly turn into barren fields with dead cattle littering the landscape in the wake of a natural disaster.

It features simple-minded farmers who are willing to support each other during hard times, and innocent children. It also highlights some of the bad customs as well as memories of the difficult times during the period of state-subsidised economy, when a black and white TV set was a luxury.

The most striking point of the movie are its visuals. They are nothing new but present a true reflection of the natural beauty of the countryside.

The acting is not excellent, but good enough and more natural than most Vietnamese films, and some of the scenes are laugh-out-loud.

The soundtrack is also one of its strong points. Light music with traditional notes has the audience humming the tunes when they leave the cinema.

However, the film falls short in terms of storyline and cohesiveness, leaving just a simple journey back to the countryside in the 1980s. However, it's still worth watching.

Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh, based on the book of the same name by Nguyen Nhat Anh, is expected to make VND100 billion (about US$4.4 million) at the box office after nearly selling out. It was released with English subtitles in cinemas nationwide last Friday. 

Preservation of Southeast Asian culture discussed

Experts from a number of Southeast Asian nations gathered at a two-day conference, which opened on October 6 in Hanoi, to seek ways to preserve regional intangible cultural heritages in the context of rapid urbanisation, modernisation and globalisation. 

The event, the second of its kind, was jointly organised by the Vietnam National Academy of Music (VNAM) and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritages in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP). 

Addressing the opening ceremony, ICHICAP General Director Kwon Huh highlighted the diversity of intangible cultural heritage in the Southeast Asian region and hailed efforts made by regional nations to protect them. 

A number of initiatives have been developed on preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage in tandem with tourism and socio-economic development, he said. 

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien emphasised the significance of intangible cultural heritage, saying that it contributes to the cultural identity of each community and nation. 

Vietnam is proud of its rich intangible cultural heritage of 54 ethnic minority groups across the country, Lien said, adding that some of them are fading away. 

She hoped regional countries would work together to protect intangible cultural heritage while contributing to enhancing cultural exchanges in the region. 

The first version of the conference took place in Indonesia in 2012 with the participation of 11 Southeast Asian nations. 

A number of projects have since been implemented to promote regional intangible cultural heritages.

Vietnam photo exhibition hosted in Germany

An exhibition showcasing photos and documents on Hoang Sa (the Paracel) and Truong Sa (the Spratly) archipelagos in the East Sea was held at the Cultural Center of Jahrhunderthalle Bochum in Germany recently.

The photos by Nguyen Van Cuong, a Vietnamese living in Berlin, document his journey to the islands in May and feature the hard daily lives and training sessions of Vietnamese naval forces on the islands.

In addition to his photos, many documents, books, CDs and maps proving Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos were on display.

The exhibition was an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Germany, as well as international travelers, to learn about daily life on the islands while reviewing important documents and maps about Vietnam's sovereignty.

This is the second exhibition of its kind organised by Cuong in Germany. The first one was held in Berlin in July.-

Master Chef Martin Yan visits KOTO Saigon

The world famous Chinese American chef Martin Yan traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to exchange with students of KOTO Saigon, a non-profit-organization supporting young street kids on the occasion of the broadcasting of the English version of the reality show ‘Martin Yan-Taste of Vietnam’ on the Asian Food Channel (AFC).

Mr.Yan with trainees of KOTO Saigon had a great time together in exciting cooking courses where he skillfully displayed his talents and told the story of his life to students.

Yan was born in Guangzhou, China. His father died when he was 5 years old. Yan began to cook at the age of 12. During this time in Munsang College, he worked at his uncle's Chinese restaurant and learned about the traditional method of Chinese barbecue there.

Success is not about how much money we have, success is  having a family and doing what we like to do, he said.

In the 26-episode reality show, ‘Martin Yan-Taste of Vietnam’,  the world famous Chinese - American chef Martin Yan will take audiences on a journey throughout the country and introduce the Vietnamese nature, culture, cuisine and people through his trip. He will also demonstrate his cook secrets and techniques.

The show has been televised on HTV Vietnam and on Asian Food Channel, which covers several Asian nations and territories like Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Hong Kong (China) very Friday at 6pm.

25 art troupes to compete at National Reformed Theatre competition

Twenty five arts troupes from across the country will take part in the 2015 National Professional Cai Luong (Reformed Theatre) Competition, scheduled to be held in the southern city of Bac Lieu from November 6-23, announced the Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The event aims to honour individuals and collectives that have made outstanding achievements in artistic creation and made active contributions to the Reformed Theatre.

The competition also offers an opportunity for arts troupes and artists to meet and promote creations as well as focus on staging new high-quality plays, meeting people’s increasing demand for the arts.

Audiences will have the chance to see 31 plays featuring a variety of topics from historical events to modern life.

Cai Luong is a form of modern folk opera, particularly famous in Southern Vietnam. It is the convergence of southern Vietnamese folk songs, classical music, tuong (a Chinese-based classical theatre form) and modern spoken drama. 

The southern province of Tien Giang is the home of Cai Luong and is the location where Chau Van Tu established the first Cai Luong troupe in Vietnam with its show launched in 1918.

Free screening of Berlinale short films

Some selected short films from the Berlin International Film Festival 2015 will be screened in HCMC, Hanoi and Hue before heading to other cities in Southeast Asia.

The free showing of nine movies from six countries is scheduled for 7 p.m. on October 12-13 at the Café thu Bay cultural salon, level 1, 19B Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 3, HCMC.

There are diversified genres of films, from documentaries to fiction movies with themes about love, daily life and rituals, including Planet Sigma, Pebbles at your door, Shadowland, Dissonance, Take what you can carry, Snapshot mon amour, El  Juego Del Escondite (hide & seek), and Symbolic Threats. 

According to organizer Goethe Institut in Vietnam, Berlinale short films contain no compromise spirit with multi-layers of meanings and reflect deep understanding about contemporary life.

Make Mia Höhne, curator of the film festival, said in a statement that they are happy to bring these new artworks to Vietnam. The strength points of these movies are the distance of fiction and reality that allows deep understanding beyond the visual impression. The Berlin Int’l Film Festival, also known as Berlinale, is among prestigious festivals in the world.

For further information, call 08 3600 9587 or email to prog@saigon.goethe.org or access http://www.goethe.de/ins/vn/vi/han.html.

Exhibition showcases objects from Ho Chi Minh's life

About 200 objects, printed materials and photos associated with President Ho Chi Minh are on display at the Ho Chi Minh Museum near Ba Dinh Square in downtown Hanoi.

The displayed items were donated by individuals in and outside the country during the past decade.

"Each object expresses a passionate feeling for the late leader," Nguyen Thuy Duc, acting director of the museum, said.

"During the past ten years, we have received voluntary contributions from all over the world."

On June 23, 2005, the then Prime Minister signed a decision approving the master plan for developing a museum system in the country by 2020, which emphasised this museum as the first and most important of a series of museums and relics on Ho Chi Minh to be opened throughout the country.

VNS/VNA/VOV/SGT/SGGP/ND