Lai Huong Thao competes in Miss World 2013

Vietnamese representative Lai Huong Thao arrived in Indonesia on September 3 to take part in Miss World 2013.

Huong Thao shared a room with Miss Malaysia Melinder Bhullar, who, in Thao’s opinion, is a pleasant and friendly young girl.

In preparation for the competition, Thao brought with her a range of jewelry accessories to co-ordinate with evening gowns made by designers Hoang Hai and Quynh Paris.

On September 4, contestants were asked to film a short introductory video clip about themselves.

The Miss World 2013 pageant is being held at the Pan Pacific Resort in Bali, Indonesia, and has attracted 128 contestants from countries and territories worldwide.

The grand finale is scheduled to take place at 8pm on September 27.  

There will be no bikini performance in this year’s event as it is taking place in a Muslim country. Instead, beauties are required to wear Indonesia’s traditional dress: sarong.

Popular Filipino artist exhibits in HCMC

Self-taught artist Roger Tibon, also known as Risab, of the Philippines will hold a solo exhibition called Renditions at the An Binh Gallery from September 15.

Works on display are more than 30 acrylic-on-canvas paintings which often feature images of women, children, toys and animals that are open to interpretation.

The artist has had 10 solo exhibitions and several group shows in the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Viet Nam. He has also won dozens of local and international awards.

The exhibition will end on October 15 at 230 Plot No 3 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1.

French artist inspired by street ads

Next Thursday (September 12), the 88 Lounge at 88 Xuan Dieu Street will transform into an art gallery featuring creations by French artist Lolo Zazar.

Each floor of the three-storey venue will offer a different atmosphere, with a diverse collection of artworks, including When Metal Dreams, Rencontres and B-Tong.

Thousands of advertisements for "Khoan Cat Be Tong" (drill and cut concrete) featuring only telephone numbers and written in graffiti colours, brought inspiration for the artist's B-Tong collection.

The collection When Metal Dreams is a fusion between stainless steel, elements and light, while Rencontres is a mixture of stainless steel sculpture and traditional Vietnamese lacquer.

Zazar will greet visitors and share his universe with them from 6.30-8pm.

The 88 Arts Exhibition will be open until October 12.

French monkey Fredy to thrill diners at New York Steakhouse

A French monkey who claims King Kong is his father will be waiting on tables at New York Steakhouse this week to kick off the eatery’s annual American Festival.

Fredy and his ‘bodyguard’ Christian Gabriel are set to entertain diners at the downtown eaterie from today until September 10.

The entertaining ventriloquist act, that has performed all over the world, was lured to HCMC for the first time by New York Steakhouse owner Herve Beal.

Fredy, and Christian, will actually go table to table to entertain the guests, at first he will help guests make their order and interact with them and the waiters, explained Beal.

After that, he will entertain guests between roughly 6:30 and 9:00 pm. It is more a close up for diners to be entertained than a show, he added.

New York Steakhouse takes pride in serving only U.S.D.A. corn-fed heavy western beef exclusively, selected from the best cattle.

The meat-centric menu offers grilled steaks in three sizes, The large bone-in version is huge at 800 grams, while smaller eaters can nibble on a 125-gram Petit Fillet. The medium 300-gram rib-eye really hits the carnivorous spot.

There are plenty of options among appetizers, salads and entrées. The perfectly cooked sea scallops wrapped with bacon are a recommendation. Try the Brussels sprouts and parmesan truffle fries as sides, and end with chocolate mousse if you have any room left. New York Steakhouse has eight wines available by the glass with Californian wines in particular popular choices.

The American Festival finishes up on September 16.

New York Steakhouse is located at 25-27 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 1, tel: +84 8 3823 7373, email: contact@steakhouse.com.vn, or www.steakhouse.com.vn.

Vin Gallery hosts family-friendly art market

Vin Gallery will host an art market on September 14 where visitors can buy works and meet the artists.

The market will include paintings, photographs, sculptures, handmade jewellery, fashion, ceramics and handmade houseware.

The gallery will set up a game zone for kids featuring paper craft, jewellery craft, and face painting.

The event will run from 10am to 4pm. Vin Gallery is located at 2 Le Van Mien Street in District 2.

Spanish DJ performs at Cargo

Spanish DJ Henry Saiz will hold a live show at Cargo Bar on September 13 as part of his album launch and world tour.

He will perform with three international DJs, Lupen Crokan and Pe Dro from Spain and Drew Tudose from Romania.

Saiz won Best Live Act, Best Label and Best Compilation in the 2012 DJ Mag Spain awards.

The show will begin at 8pm at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4.

Tickets are available at the venue, Decibel Lounge, Saigon Outcast and Yoko.

Film Friday lets fans get up close with movie makers

The first film industry networking and social event Film Friday was recently launched by the producers of 48 Hour Film Project - Cloud 9 Production.

The launch last Friday offered presentations and discussions with investors, producers and filmmakers, as well as short film screenings and film quizzes.

"We know there are lots of enthusiastic people who have the potential and wish to bring our film industry into the international spotlight, and to devote themselves to the development of it here in Viet Nam," said Jerry Le, manager of Cloud 9 Productions.

Ross Stewart, director of the event, said the group wanted "to create an opportunity for anyone interested in making films and being creative.  

This event is where you can build your dreams and make them come true. It's where you can be helped to live up to your life ideals".

The Film Friday event takes place on the last Friday of each month.

Dance highlights people's endurance in American War

French dance company Chiroptera John Bateman and a Vietnamese dancer will perform a contemporary dance on September 25 at L'Espace, inspired by the endurance of the Vietnamese people during the American War.

The performance, by dancers John Bateman and Nguyen Anh Duc, will depict the underground life of Vietnamese people in Cu Chi Tunnel during the fight against the US.

The tunnels of Cu Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in Cu Chi District of HCM City.

The tunnels were used by liberation soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous local fighters.

Free tickets are available at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street or the Japan Foundation, 27 Quang  

Trung Street, from September 19.

War-time posters go on display in Finland

An exhibition featuring over 100 posters of Viet Nam, Vietnamese films, documentary DVDs and postcard collections of Vietnamese films gathered since 1959 will be held at Virka Gallery, in Helsinki, Finland between September 12 and 18.

The event, which is organised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will also screen documentaries on Viet Nam with English subtitles.

Most of the posters feature famous Viet Nam films including Canh Dong Hoang (Abandoned Field: Free Fire Zone), Dat Nuoc Dung Len  

(Country Rises Up), Hoa Cua Troi (Flowers Of the Sky) and Nguyen Ai Quoc O Hong Kong (Nguyen Ai Quoc in Hong Kong).

The Finnish embassy also held a series of activities across Viet Nam earlier this year, including the 100 Years – 100 Posters exhibition, which featured posters on Finland from the early 20th century.

Vietnam’s drama hits China-ASEAN Theatre Festival

Vietnam’s Cải Lão Hoàn Đồng (Rejuvenation) was voted as the most favourite item at the China-ASEAN Theatre Festival held in the city of  

Nanning from August 28-September 2.

The play, performed by the Vietnam Drama Theatre under the direction of Tuan Hai in 55 minutes, had audiences shrieking with laughter.

Vietnam’s actor Tuan Hai and actress Le Ngoc were also voted as the most favourite.

The festival drew the participation of seven art troupes from ASEAN countries and eight from China within the framework of exchanges between China and ASEAN.

‘Even just for one day’ opens Yxineff 2013

The short film ‘Even just for one day’, directed by Nguyen Trong Khoi who was born in 1990 and lives in Danang, has been chosen to be the opening film of YxineFF international online film festival this year, at www.yxineff.com, on September 21.

This will be the world premiere of the film which is one of twelve short films in the International Competition of International Online Short Film Fest YxineFF 2013, Yxineff announced in a statement. The coming of age film follows three friends during a day of experiences at a highland area in the Central region of Vietnam, before they say goodbye to high school and each other.

Keen to have an amazing last day with his friends before leaving his hometown for university, Quan (Huynh Quang Triet) decides to finish the bicycle that he and Y Kong (Nguyen Hoang Long) have assembled for the last few months, in order to make a strong impression on Nai (Nguyen Dang Xuan Binh) – whom Quan has a crush on.

And it is during this time that the three of them recognize explicitly their honest and deep feelings now that they are on the verge of making big changes and choices for their lives. The story is told in a pure and bright way, is cinematically strong with subtle images, as well as attractive music. The simplicity and naturalness of actors and actress who have never ever stood in front of the camera before is a smooth transition as they express delicately hidden emotional feelings, leaving a deep impression on audiences.

The short has also been chosen to be screened on the Opening Ceremony of YxineFF 2013 on September 21 at Cinéma La Clef in Paris, France.

With the slogan ‘Sharing. Love. Cinema’, YxineFF’s target audience is young independent filmmakers and cinema lovers.

Since its inception in May 2010, YxineFF, a voluntary, non-profit and independent project has received support from many organizations, companies and individuals, including the IDFA Bertha Fund from the Netherlands, Danish Cultural Development & Exchange Fund, Goethe Institute Vietnam, British Council Vietnam and the U.S Consulate General in HCMC.

YxineFF 2013 will screen films in the following categories: International Competition, Local Competition, Panorama and In Focus.

YxineFF 2013’s jury panel for International Competition comprises of: director Charlie Nguyen (President), actress Tang Thanh Ha, cinematographer Ly Thai Dung, producer Ngoc Hiep and writer Thuan.

Korean Film Festival in Hanoi

The second Korean Film Festival will take place at MegaStar Vincom Towers Hanoi from Friday until September 11. The event will screen nine new Korean blockbusters: Killer Toon, Deranged, The Gifted Hands, Fist of Legend, Dancing Queen, Tower, A Wedding Invitation, A Werewolf Boy, and Pororo: The Racing Adventure.

During the six-day festival, aside from movie sessions with tickets priced at VND30,000, the organizers will offer a special screening session for Pororo: The Racing Adventure, the first Korean 3D animation movie.

This special session will be for students from the project We Are Filmmakers by the Center for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) under the Vietnam Cinema Association. Tickets are now available at http://www.megastar.vn/ and at the MegaStar Vincom Towers.

The best Vietnamese films will also be introduced to South Korean audiences at the first Vietnam Film Festival held in Korean capital Seoul in November.

Dance highlights people’s Vietnam War endurance

French dance company Chiroptera John Bateman and a Vietnamese dancer will perform a contemporary dance at L’Espace on September 25, inspired by the endurance of the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War.

The performance, by dancers John Bateman and Nguyen Anh Duc, will depict the underground life of Vietnamese people in Cu Chi Tunnels during the fight against the US.

The tunnels of Cu Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in HCM City’s Cu Chi District.

The tunnels were used by liberation soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous local fighters.

Free tickets are available at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street or the Japan Foundation, 27 Quang  

Trung Street, from September 19.

Vietnam, Japan set for royal music show

As many as 15 artists from Hue Royal Art Theatre have joined Japanese musicians to perform in Japan’s Nara prefecture in celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The royal music performance, titled A Meeting of Japanese and Vietnamese Royal Music, started on September 1 and will run until Sept. 8, according to the director of the theatre, Truong Tuan Hai.

Vietnamese artists are performing alongside their counterparts from Japan’s Noh Yokohama Drama Theatre, which is also host to the Nanto music orchestra.

Participating artists will have the chance to interact and discuss the similarities and differences in royal music between Vietnam and Japan.

Documentary on President Ho Chi Minh screened in Cuba

The Vietnamese Embassy, in collaboration, with the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, screened a documentary on President Ho Chi Minh in Havana on September 3 as part of activities to mark Vietnam’s National Day.

On September 2, 1945 President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of  

Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. September 2 has been since observed as Vietnam’s National Day.

At the function, ambassador Dang Van Dung highlighted the significance of the event 68 years ago, as well as the heroic sacrifice of Vietnamese people during the past struggle for national independence and freedom.

He took this opportunity to thank the Cuban people for their heartfelt support and solidarity to Vietnam in the past and at present.

The documentary featuring the late President’s revolutionary life and cause captured great attention from invited guests.

The guests also had the chance to see with their own eyes hand-made Vietnamese fine arts and handicrafts on display, as well as the images of Vietnam-Cuba relations.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Angola held a ceremony on September 2 to mark the National Day.

The Secretary of State for Science and Technology of Angola Joao Sebastiao Teta attended along with over 300 other guests.

Ambassador Do Ba Khoa spoke about the strong connection and friendship between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of both sides’ political determination to increase bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially agriculture, civil construction, social welfare, poverty reduction, labour, education, health care, trade, oil and gas and telecommunications.

Photo exhibition marks Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic ties

Over 50 photographs published by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), capturing the Vietnam-Singapore relationship over the last four decades, have gone on display in Singapore’s Shangri-La hotel on August 30.

The event, co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore and the VNA, marks the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (Aug.1, 1973-Aug.1, 2013).

The exhibition provides an insight into the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore in a range of areas, such as politics, economics, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Visitors may also learn about the land and people of Vietnam through the photos.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Hai Hau remarked that the VNA’s photos have truthfully reflected major events during the course of the growing friendship of the two countries.

Tan Seng Chye, a senior lecturer at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said that skilful selection and arrangement of the images helps the exhibition vividly mirror the Vietnam-Singapore relationship

Italian cultural centre exhibits Vietnamese painter’s works

A painting exhibition by Vietnamese artist Ta Thi Thanh Tam entitled ‘Stories about villages’, opened at the Casa Italia, No.18 Le Phung Hieu Street, Hanoi on September 4 as part of of Vietnam-Italy Friendship Year 2013.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Italy’s Ambassador to Vietnam Lorenzo Angeloni said the Casa Italia is intended as a meeting place between Italy and Vietnam where culture and art can be shared, which is why the Casa Italia is hosting the ‘Stories about villages’ exhibition.

The exhibition showcases the simple beauty of Vietnamese villages with images from the countryside, such as children riding buffaloes in the fields, playing marbles or flying kites. Young men and women walk beneath the moonlight, there are village pagodas with Buddhist bonzes and nuns, old men play chess.

‘Painter Tam’s works offer a feeling like from a blissful stream of childhood memories”, according to Hai, a visitor.

Ta Thi Thanh Tam, a Hanoi native and graduate of the Hanoi University of Fine Arts, is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. Her works have been shown in several countries in collective and solo exhibitions. Among these, her work “The Dragon and the Butterfly” was part of the 2006 Vietnamese Cultural Festival in Italy.

Artist Thanh Tam only paints the Vietnamese village because it offers peaceful feeling, she says. Her techniques, although modern, use simple and basic lines to reflect their roots in the traditions of engraving and wood sculpture.

Handicapped by poliomyelitis since her early years, art has helped her overcome incredible hardship and difficulties.

Her paintings on paper and lacquer portray the colourful figures and traditions of Vietnamese villages. The artist’s decorative tendencies are toned down by the choice of themes; interior scenes, processions and dances.

The exhibition runs until September 18.

VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri/ VNS/VNA