Prehistoric relics found in mountains

Artifacts left by prehistoric men from the late Palaeolithic Age have been discovered at the Sua Can Ty archaeological site in Quan Ba District, in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

The findings include nearly 200 relics, mostly work tools made from stone.

Archaeologist Nguyen Truong Dong from the Viet Nam Institute of Archaeology said the tools were typical of the Son Vi civilisation (20,000 – 12,000 BC) in the late Palaeolithic Age in Viet Nam.

Research showed that prehistoric men had lived at the Sua Can Ty site, he added.

Beginning in early October, the excavation spanned more than 100sq.m and is 1.1m deep.

The Sua Can Ty site is located on the Dong Van Stone Plateau, an ancient area containing a number of relic sites from various periods throughout Viet Nam's history.

Fashion industry exposed in new flick

Am muu giay got nhon (How to fight in six inch heels), a Vietnamese romantic comedy about the fashion industry will be available at nationwide cinemas today.

Directed by Vietnamese-American Ham Tran and produced by Overseas Vietnamese actress Kathy Uyen, the movie will bring audiences into a world of beautiful models but it is not glamour.

The main character is successful designer Anne (Kathy Uyen) living a happy life in New York with her fiancé. Trouble brews when he heads on a business trip to Vietnam and Anne fears he has betrayed her. She decides to join him and makes friends with three models Mimi (Yaya Truong Nhi), Bao Trang (Phuong Mai) and Ha My (Truc Diem), one of whom is suspected to be her love rival.

The movie also has English subtitles to serve foreign viewers.

Film festival makes science fun

Children between six and 18 years in Viet Nam will experience how fun it is to learn about nature, environment and new technologies as the third Science Film Festival returns on Thursday.

Focusing on renewable energies and sustainability, the film festival, from October 24 to December 15, will screen 26 international science films with Vietnamese subtitles for students in 11 cities and provinces across the country.

The public opening at the Goethe-Institut Ha Noi on Saturday will show the international award-winning documentary Chasing Ice – How Climate Change Changes Our Planet: Expedition into the Arctic.

On October 27 and November 2-3 the Goethe-Institut Ha Noi will host activity days with films and games for children and their families.

At the beginning of next month, the institute will present Mekong, a documentary focusing on the question to what extent energy generation by water power has an impact on the lives of inhabitants in the Mekong area in Viet Nam.

The film festival will also take place in the 10 countries in Southeast Asian and the Middle East simultaneously.

Ha Noi children learn about archaeology

An education programme I'm an Archaeologist organised by the Thang Long – Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre under the support of the UNESCO office in Ha Noi will take place at the Archaeology Site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street every Saturday regularly.

Targeting children from primary school age, the project enables participants to experience excavation techniques such as how to open a hole, clean the site surface and artefacts, take photos of the site and fill in information sheets about relics.

They will also experience interactive activities at the so-called Discovery Corner where they can put together pieces excavated from a supposed excavation hole, play jigsaw puzzle with objects like a ceramic bowl imprinted with flower and dragon patterns.

The organiser aims to raise awareness of the young generation about conserving and bringing into full play the value of the Thang Long Citadel heritage and to equip them with basic knowledge of archaeology.

Coconut house makes a Vietnam record

The Vietnam Book of Records, VietKings, has recognised an ecological house in the shape of a conical hat with a roof made from 2.4 million pieces of coconut.

The house, 12.03m high with a diameter of 27.1m, is located in Vinahouse Space in central Quang Nam Province's Dien Ban District, about 7km from the ancient town of Hoi An.

It took about 250 workers 55 days to build the house.

Newspaper caricature contest on transparency launched

A newspaper caricature contest on the theme of transparency was launched on October 19 by the Media Education Centre (MEC) and Ho Chi Minh City’s Phap Luat newspaper (Law).

The contest is a prize winning idea at the anti-corruption initiative competition launched by the Government Inspectorate and the World Bank in June.

All professional and amateur cartoonists nationwide are encouraged to send their works to the contest.

Entries should be sent to the MEC (Room 202, Building C, No. 26 Lieu Giai Street, Hanoi) by post or email at tranhbiem@mec.org.vn by May 31 next year.

An awarding ceremony is scheduled for next June.

Japan’s Kuricorder quartet to perform in Hanoi

Hanoi’s Voice of Vietnam Theatre will host the first concert of Japanese quartet Kuricorder’s latest Vietnam tour on November 1, followed up by the group with a second performance at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam on November 2.

The group was founded in 1994 by its four members Masaki Kurihara, Yoshiyuki Kawaguchi, Kenji Kondo, and Takero Sekizawa.

Kuricorder has won fame in Japan by collaborating with renowned singers and contributing to the scores of television programmes such as NHK’s “Pythagora– Switch” and the cartoon “La Maison en Petits Cubes”.

All of the quartet’s members are multinstrumentalists, playing soprano, tenor, and alto saxophones, upright bass, and ukulele. Their music ranges across the jazz, folk, blues, classical, and funk genres.

Free tickets are available from October 18 at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.

The concert is also a part of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Vietnam and Japan establishing diplomatic ties.

Spanish artists offer taste of flamenco

Spain’s dance company Ursula Lopez will present an evening of world-known flamenco dance at the Hanoi Opera House on October 22.

Abriendo Caminos is composed of performances featuring an authentic taste of flamenco and live music. It combines the impeccable techniques of artists Ursula Lopez and Cristian Lozano (dance), Vicente Munoz (voice), Tino Van der Sman (guitar), and Raul Dominguez (percussion).

Directed and choreographed by the dancer Lopez, Abriendo Caminos is a turning point from what she has done before as a soloist for numerous companies and shows, to a new role as a choreographer of her own company.

Moving between the different styles in the most orthodox ways, with her dancers and musicians, Lopez intends to convey feelings and emotions through the use of flamenco music, giving the world an updated touch of flamenco.

Book on Vietnam’s contemporary life in Singapore

The book titled “It’s a Living: Work and Life in Vietnam Today” was introduced in Singapore on October 19.

The book, published by the National University in Singapore, is part of an exchange programme between California University and Hanoi University since 2010.

It consists of 69 interviews made by Dr Gerald Sasgas and his student with Vietnamese people of all ages and professions living at home and abroad.

According to Gerald Sasgas, the most important message of the book is that every profession is of equal importance. Those involved in the interview included not only CEOs and factory managers but also garbage collectors, mobile phone saleswomen, advertising executives, motorbike parkers, farmers, and drug dealers-all wishing for a better life in Vietnam.

The book is beautifully illustrated by 59 photos by Mai Huyen Chi which were displayed as part of the IPA Photobook Show 2013 at the National Library of Singapore on October 19-20.

It aims to promote a better insight into the real situation in a country which is fast changing in every field-economic, social and cultural.

Gerard Sasges is an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Southeast Asian Studies Department. He lived and worked in Vietnam for 11 years (2000-2011).

Wool collections take the limelight at fashion show

Around 40 outfits designed by world and Vietnamese leading designers were presented at a fashion show in Hanoi on October 19 to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties.

A vintage themed collection designed by Yves Saint Laurent took the audience back in time to the1970s.

Fashion pieces designed by Emilio Pucci, Thierry Mugler, Missoni, Jenny Kee, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Burberry, Easton Pearson and Christian Wijnants, made from wool featured styles reminiscent of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and present.

The night was organised by world leading Woolmark Company and Vietnamese garment business – Canifa, and demonstrated the natural advantages of wool through different collections

In addition to a fashion show, there was an exhibition on Vietnamese wool products made from Australian materials.

Earlier, a similar fashion show took place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 17. Both shows are part of a project “Vietnam on integration process” which aims to develop Vietnam into a global supply chain of wool.

Managing Director of Woolmark, Stuart McCullough said since launching its project in 2012, the project has attracted the participation of more than 50 garment businesses. The company will continue to support Vietnamese partners in developing and building production supply chain in the future.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa gave an impressive figure of US$6.6 billion in Vietnam-Australia trade last year, noting that Woolmark’s project will help diversify production supply chain for wool products in Vietnam in line with the country’s garment development strategy.

Touring French film screenings through Vietnam

A mobile cinema will screen four French films in 15 Vietnamese cities and provinces from October 18 to December 20, celebrating 40 years of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties.

The four films—The Artist, The Intouchables, Beautiful Lies, and Un Plan Parfait—premiered in Vietnam last year to audience acclaim.

The tour was inspired by the desire to bring French cinema to Vietnamese people from all walks of life.

The mobile cinema departed the Embassy of France in Hanoi on October 16 and held its first screening in Lai Chau province on October 18.

The mobile cinema will travel through Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Vinh, Hue, Danang, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Lat, and Nha Trang.

Each stop will last two days with double bills shown at 7pm and 8:50 pm.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, screenings will last four evenings.

Vietnamese land and people exhibition in Argentina

The “Vietnam: Land, People, and Traditional Fashions” exhibition opened at Buenos Aires’ Evita Museum on October 17, marking the 40th anniversary of Argentina-Vietnam diplomatic ties.

The Argentina-Vietnam Cultural Institute (ICAV), the Vietnamese Embassy, and authorities from Buenos Aires’ District 13 co-organised the event.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Nguyen Van Dao noted Vietnam-Argentina relations are growing and flourishing in various areas, and this cultural event is a contributor.

The exhibition showcases photos, lacquer paintings, and traditional ethnic clothing that offer visitors a diverse introduction to Vietnam’s land and people.

Select works by Maria Teresa Bobbio, who collaborated with Vietnamese artists to complete Hanoi’s ceramic road, are also on display.

The Vietnamese films “Canh dong hoang” (The Wild Rice Field), directed by Hong Sen, and Dang Nhat Minh’s “Dung dot” (Don’t Burn) will be screened at District 13.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will host their Argentine Cultural Weeks later this November.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Argentina’s Culture Ministry successfully organized the “Vietnam Days in Argentina” Festival in Buenos Aires on September 19.

Malaysian orchestra to perform in Vietnam

Vietnamese music aficionados are eagerly anticipating Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra’s (MPO) Vietnam tour from October 29 to November 3.

The Malaysian orchestra boasts more than 80 outstanding artists from 25 countries around the world, including 15-year-old prodigy Tengku Ahmad Irfan.

They will bring their programme entitled “From The New World” to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The MPO’s first HCM City performance on October 29 will be staged at Collet Secondary School on Ho Xuan Huong Street. Their HCM City Opera House performance is scheduled for October 31.

Other performance venues include To Hoang Secondary School on Dai Co Viet Street on November 2, an early November 3 concert at Birla Children Village on Doan Ke Thien Street, and an evening Hanoi Opera House performance on the same day.

The MPO debuted at Kuala Lumpur’s Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS in August 1998.

Many of the prestigious international guests to have played with the MPO over its history have praised its vitality and technical accomplishment.

Touring is essential to raising the MPO’s international profile. The Orchestra regularly visits Malaysia’s major cities. It has also performed across Singapore, Australia, China, Taiwan, and Japan.

Celebs raise breast cancer awareness

Actress Hoang Cuc poses for a campaign against breast cancer.

A special photo exhibition featuring Vietnamese celebrities campaigning for the fight against cancer will open in Ha Noi today to mark Pink Ribbon Day, organised for the first time by Breast Cancer Network Viet Nam.

They include Miss Viet Nam World 2007 Ngo Phuong Lan, celebrated actresses Chieu Xuan and Hoang Cuc, singer Thai Thuy Linh, and Miss Beach Beauty 2010 Nguyen Thi Loan.

By posing with a pink conical hat, they aim to promote cancer awareness to Vietnamese women.

"Breast cancer can be completely cured if diagnosed early," said Cuc, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and now completely disease-free.

Photos of women battling breast cancer are also on display, capturing moments of both pain and optimism. Audience can view the images at the University of Water Resources today and at Swing Lounge, 21 Trang Tien Street from October 20-31.

Heritage trees recognised in Dak Lak

The Viet Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) recognised the Tetrameles nudiflora-Bodhi and Giant Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa) trees in Dak Lak Province as Heritage Trees.

They are the first official Heritage Trees in the Central Highlands region.

The trees, which started growing in Dak Lak's Kroa B village, Cuor Dang commune 200 years ago, are 30m tall and 3.5m in diameter. The heritage recognition aims to raise awareness about the value of protecting nature in the local community.

According to VACNE, 25 species of trees have been recognised as Viet Nam Heritage Trees in the Red River Delta.

HCM City hosts exhibition on female Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh

On occasion of the 83rd anniversary of Vietnam Women's Union on October 20, the HCMC Youth Cultural House in collaboration with the family of female Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh, organized a photo exhibition on her life and revolutionary career in the army.

The exhibition showcases 130 photos under six topics such as Homeland and Family; Vietnam War from 1954 to 1975; Return to North Vietnam; Activities after 1975; Foreign Affairs; Ben Tre and Schools named after Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh.

The photos will be printed in 1000 book editions to gift to veteran soldiers who fought in the American War in Vietnam, soon after the exhibition. Besides this, the photo exhibition at the HCMC Youth Cultural House will be donated to commemorative female Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh in Giong Trom District of Ben Tre Province.

Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh is known as a Hero of the People's Army and a symbol of strength for Vietnamese woman. She had made many contributions of immense courage during the Vietnam War.

The exhibition is on until October 27.

Photo book on Nick Vujicic’s visit to Vietnam

Photographer Nguyen A has just introduced a new photo book named ‘Nick Vujicic’s days in Vietnam’, which includes hundreds of images during the five days that Nick Vujicic visited Vietnam.

The book is more than 200 pages in hard cover. Through the photo book, readers can retrace emotions when they first met Nick in Vietnam and the warm welcome given to him by Vietnamese disabled people, as well as the conversations with him on happiness and fulfillment of dreams.

Earlier, photographer Nguyen A had released another photo book named ‘They lived Like That’, which had images of disabled people who overcame difficulties in their lives.

Both the books are donated to the Disabled Children's Relief Fund.

Source: VEF/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri