VietNamNet Bridge – An inside look at cartoons from the last 90 years is given in the newly published Biem Hoa Viet Nam (Vietnamese cartoon).

Formerly an architect, artist Ly Truc Dung spent much time researching artists who made great contributions to the formation of Vietnamese cartoons.

"The book is published to honour Vietnamese cartoons. I have been collecting the materials for years. In the process of writing this book, I had lots of difficulties because of poor documents," said Dung.

The book begins by telling the history of the first person to draw cartoons and then goes on to discuss other famous artists in Viet Nam that have brought publicity to the country. Each page tells the history of caricature through various individuals.

Painter and researcher Nguyen Quan said, "Vietnamese cartoons came from the country's love of laughter and comedy, to become a unique art that has developed with the nation."

To celebrate, a variety of cartoons are displayed at the French Cultural Centre at 24 Trang Tien Street, Ha Noi. The works on show are from talented artists of past generations, such as Nguyen Gia Tri, To Ngoc Van, Phan Kich, Mai Van Hien, and more recent well-known pen names, including Choe, Com, LAP, LEO. They portray the realities of life with a critical eye.

Artist Nguyen Van Nhan criticises collecting money during parent-teacher meetings. Dung's cartoons published in Van Nghe Newspaper chide uncontrolled deforestation. Artist V. Thanh depicts the dangers of driving motorbikes with the image of incense and a tombstone. And artist DAD describes the consequences of urbanisation. The exhibition runs until Monday.

* Tenth anniversary of composer Trinh Cong Son death marked with books

Three books about composer Trinh Cong Son will be released at the end of this month to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his death, reported the Tre (Youth) Publishing House.

The first 500-page book Trinh Cong Son – Toi la ai? La ai... (Trinh Cong Son – Who am I? Who am I?... ) is a compilation of articles written by Trinh Cong Son and other authors as well as new photos and documents about his life.

The second 250-page book is called Trinh Cong Son – Ngon Ngu va Am Anh Nghe Thuat (Trinh Cong Son – the Language and the Obsession of Arts) which focuses on his lyrics. The final book is called Thu Tinh Gui Mot Nguoi (Love Letters to One Person) which is a collection of hundreds of his love letters to one woman.

Son is considered by many as one of the greatest Vietnamese composers.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News