Phu Yen to host ASEAN music festival in June 

The 2011 ASEAN traditional music festival will take place in Tuy Hoa City in the central coastal province of Phu Yen on June 23-26.

The event will attract many art troupes from ASEAN member nations and East Timor, China and Japan.

The event is part of the National Tourism Year 2011, which is being held throughout the southern central coastal provinces of Phu Yen, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Da Nang city. With the theme ‘Paradise for Sea and Island Tourism’.

The National Tourism Year 2011 is an opportunity for the region to promote its vast tourism potential.

Vietnam to attend Circuba 2011

Vietnamese circus performers will attend the 2011 International Summer Circus Festival (Circuba 2011) in Havana, Cuba from August 8-14.

The “Superman Swing” show, which won the first prize at the International Circus Festival of Albacete in 2010, and “the Power of the Arms”, which won a gold medal at the Hanoi International Circus Festival, will be performed at Circuba 2011.

This is the first time in 20 years that Vietnam will attend a Circuba festival.

In 2010, Cuban attended the Hanoi International Circus Festival and bagged a silver medal.

US poet introduces Nguyen Trai poem collection

The English version of a collection of poems in English version by Nguyen Trai, a Vietnamese national hero and great poet, was introduced at the Le Khiet high school for gifted students in the central province of Quang Ngai on May 26.

Translated by poet Nguyen Do and edited by American professor Paul Hoover, the collection of 156 poems called “Beyond the Court Gate” was published by the American Counterpath Press last year.

At the event, Nguyen Do, Paul Hoover and literature critic Pham Xuan Nguyen read five poems from the collection in both the original and translated versions and introduced other famous Vietnamese works that have been translated into English.

Pupils share their vision of the UK

A painting exhibition titled See Britain Through My Brush will open today in Ha Noi.

The exhibition is being held to celebrate Vietnamese Children's Day (June 1) and is co-organise by the British Embassy in partnership with the British University Viet Nam (BUV).

Nearly 40 paintings will be on display at BUV's city campus at 193 Ba Trieu Street. The collection is the result of a month long programme involving pupils at Co Xinh arts centre.

Inspired by the UK and the recent Royal wedding, the children have created their vision of the UK, from traditional iconic images such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben and London taxis to modern icons such as Harry Potter, Susan Boyle and Wayne Rooney.

British Ambassador Antony Stokes said the young artists should all be proud of their undoubted talents.

"The old and the modern UK is clearly reflected in the lively and spectacular art works they have produced," he said. "I am delighted that by taking part in this exercise, many of them now think of the UK as a world class location for education, global creativity and talent.

"Next year, the world's eyes will be on London as we host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. During this time, we're confident that Britain will demonstrate not only that it is one of the most exciting places to live, visit and work in the world – but also that it is an open, connected, dynamic and creative country."

Khalid Muhmood, special adviser at BUV, said the show was a great example of the strong people to people links between the UK and Viet Nam, in which education is one of the most important strands.

"The BUV is here to support Vietnamese youngsters who are looking for opportunities to obtain a British education in Viet Nam," said Muhmood.

The exhibition is open to the public from 9am to 6pm from today until next Thursday and is closed on Sunday.

Kids exposed to classical music

HCM City authorities have launched a project to create interest in classical music among children and teenagers by giving it to them in bite-sized chunks and organising concerts that will not be the usual solemn affairs.

It has ordered the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and HCM City Ballet and Symphony Orchestra (HBSO) to organise eight concerts this year

HBSO director Tran Vuong Thach said the Giai Dieu Tre (young melodies) concerts – on the 29th of each month at the HCM City Opera House, HCM City Youth's Cultural House, and the Children's House of HCM City – would not be like the normal concerts his orchestra performed.

The artists and conductors would introduce and explain the music and musical instruments during the programme.

The kids would be taught how to play the instruments, dance ballet, and conducting to arouse their interest and improve their knowledge of classical music.

"It is very ambitious, but we [at least] have a long-term plan now. "Children have almost no opportunity to see symphony concerts because tickets are expensive.

"But children are our future audience."

Music courses and text books in schools were rudimentary and children were not taught well.

The concerts will also feature non-classical music that Vietnamese youngsters are likely to be familiar with.

Tickets will be free and delivered to children at the Youth Cultural House.

Bui Ta Hoang Vu, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union's HCM City deputy secretary, admitted that no one knew if the programme would attract children.

However, if children express interest, it would continue in future. The first concert will be this month at the Youth Cultural House, Pham Ngoc Thach Street.

Sen Village Festival to be renamed

The Sen Village Festival, held in the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, is set to be expanded and renamed as the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Festival.

During the past 30 years, the Sen Village Festival has drawn increasing numbers of visitors from across the country while helping to promote Ho Chi Minh's ethical ideas.

Plans to expand the festival were announced on its 30th anniversary on Thursday in the central Nghe An Province's Vinh city.

On the same day, Viet Nam Institute of Culture and Arts and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a workshop titled 30 years of Sen Village Festival and preserving and promoting Ho Chi Minh cultural heritage.

Historical sea route depicted in TV series

An HTV series about the Ho Chi Minh sea route is expected to be aired from October 20 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The historical route was opened in 1961 to transport military troops and supplies to the southern battle front during the American War.

From six wooden boats with 38 officers and crew, the force grew into what became known as Brigade 125. They transported 152,876 tonnes of supplies, including weapons, medicines and equipment and carried more than 80,000 troops.

The boats kept in close co-ordination with other forces and the lives of many crew were sacrificed rather than have details of the sea route leaked or consignments fall into enemy hands.

The 40-episode series will be produced by HCM City Television and the Giai Phong (Liberation) Studio at a cost of VND16 billion (US$800,000), director Nguyen Quy Hoa said.

Concerts raise money for terminally ill

The HCM City Labour Culture Palace will raise funds to aid workers with terminal illnesses by organising two music concerts this weekend.

Nhung Giai Dieu Kho Quen (Unforgettable Melodies) will feature singing and instrumental performances.

Guitarists Nguyen Tri Doan and Tran Quang Phuong and the Guitar Trio band will play works by Francisco Tarrega and Isaac Albeniz.

Pianists Tran Le My, Phan Gia Anh Thu, and Nguyen Ngoc Tram will perform compositions of Alberto Ginastera, Charles Camille Saint–Saens.

Dieu Hien and Bich Hien will sing compositions by Nguyen Aùnh 9, Trinh Cong Son, and Ngo Thuy Mien.

Today and tomorrow will be a solo saxophone performance by Le Tan Quoc and Nguyen Aùnh 9 on the piano playing his own Tinh khuc chieu mua (Love Song for a Rainy Afternoon), respectively.

The shows will be held on May 28 and 29 at the Labour Culture House, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.

French school donates books

The management board of the Nguyen Du Relic Area received two precious books from the French School of Asian Studies.

The books, Dong Khanh Dia Du Chi (Dong Khanh's Map) and Technique Du Peuple Annammite (The Technique of An Nam People), are regarded as having great historical value.

Dong Khanh's Map is a survey of provinces in the north and the central of Viet Nam and features maps of these areas.

Technique Du Peuple Annammite describes the craft techniques used by Vietnamese people, including notes on sculpting, cooking arts and traditional paper production.

VN, Mongolia writers to co-operate

The Viet Nam Writers Association signed a co-operation agreement with the Mongolian Writers Association on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Activities between the two associations include exchange of books and publications, providing news on literature from both countries and establishing a joint literature fund.

Poet Huu Thinh, association chairman, said: "We will select writers, poets and translators of both countries to exchange and learn each other's languages to aid in work on direct translations. This way we don't have to translate a book from Vietnamese into English, before it is again translated into Mongolian."

Vietnam joins cultural heritage exhibition in China

Vietnam will participate in the world intangible cultural heritage exhibition in China from May 27 to June 6, 2011, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam will bring to the event five intangible cultural heritages that have been recognised by UNESCO including: Hue Royal Music, Saint Giong Festival, Ca Tru (ceremonial songs) ,Bac Ninh love duets, and the Cultural Space of the Gong in the Central Highlands.

The exhibition is not only a chance for the world’s cultural heritages to converge and excel but also opens up opportunities for countries around the world to meet, exchange and learn about the each others cultural identity.