NDO/VNA – Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City will closely coordinate with the Republic of Korea to prepare for the Ho Chi Minh City – Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2017, said Permanent Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem on July 20. He made the statement during a reception for Secretary General of the event’s Organising Committee Lee Dong Woo in the city. Speaking highly of the significance of the festival, Liem noted that the event, which is featuring an array of cultural exchange activities, will help deepen mutual understanding and solidarity between people of the two nations and enhance their bilateral strategic partnership. The two sides’ competent authorities are actively cooperating with each other for the hosting of the expo, which demonstrates the interest and goodwill of the two local governments, the official said. He commended the Organising Committee for drawing up a detailed master plan for the … [Read more...]

The work "A wounded soldier" by Pham Muoi   Visitors at the exhibition Themed “Unforgettable memories”, the ten-day event showcases 48 outstanding works, carefully selected from the Vietnam Fine Art Museum’s collections. The fine art works created by veteran artists To Ngoc Van, Tran Dinh Tho, Nguyen Van Ty, Quang Phong, Ha Xuan Phong, Do Son, Le Tri Dung, and Le Duy Ung are expected to help viewers have deeper insight into resistance wars and great sacrifices of the Vietnamese people as well as the war aftermath. Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien emphasized the contributions of the talented and hard-working artists who devoted much of their time and energy to arts, creating high quality art works about people at work and in battlefields, indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in wartime, … [Read more...]

NDO – Vietnam Summer Camp 2017 kicked off at a ceremony held by the Foreign Ministry’s State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, in Ho Chi Minh City, on July 19. Under the theme ‘Young expats proud of the southern land’, activities in the program aim to teach the tradition of “when drinking water, think of its source”; about the national historical culture, customs and people of Vietnam; charitable activities; promote exchanges between young people and students in localities; and to teach them about cultural preservation and natural environment protection in the Mekong Delta. The event takes place from July 18 to 31 in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho city and other provinces in the Mekong Delta, featuring the participation of 110 students and young people aged from 16 to 23, who are the children of Vietnamese overseas. Speaking at the launch ceremony on July 19, Vice Chairwoman of the … [Read more...]

Ngoc will play The Four Seasons by Vivaldi, a group of four violin concerti, each of which features a season of the year. It was written in 1721 and first performed in 1725 in Amsterdam.  Vietnamese-French violinist and chamber music performer Stéphane Tran Ngoc. Photo courtesy of HBSO  The musician will also perform Distant Light, a concerto for violin and wind orchestra written by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks in 1996.  The concert’s conductor is Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach.  Ngoc completed his training in violin and chamber music at the Paris National Superior Conservatory of Music when he was 15. He received a master’s degree at the Brooklyn College’s Conservatory of Music before pursuing a doctorate at Juilliard School.  He has performed with leading orchestras, such as the Radio-France Philharmonic, Monte Carlo Philharmonic, National Orchestra … [Read more...]

Co-organized by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vietnam Writers’ Association, the ceremony is among the activities designed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Wounded Soldiers’ and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947-2017).  Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung (first, left), presents first prize to writers in the literary works writing contest. Photo: Vietnam+  Honorary awards were presented to three writers - Le Van Ba, Dang Vuong Hung and Minh Chuyen. In the prose category, the organization board awarded three first prizes, six second prizes, five third prizes and six fourth prizes. In the poem category, there was no first prize; however two second prizes, 11 third prizes and five forth prizes were rewarded.  According to Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, the literary works writing contest to honor … [Read more...]

At a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on July 18, he said, “We have the chance to enter the final round of the AFC tournament so we will take the opportunity. Vietnamese fans have high expectations of the Vietnam team this time, so the pressure on us is high.”  Vietnam’s U22 team seen in a training session in preparation for the qualifying round of 2018 AFC U23 Championship. Photo: bongda.com.vn  Vietnam is in Group I along with the Republic of Korea, Timor Leste and Macau.  Vietnam will play Timor Leste in the first qualification match today at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.  The team will next face Macau on July 21 and the Republic of Korea on July 23.  The top two teams in the group will qualify for the AFC event’s final round held in China, next year.  “I don’t care whether Timor Leste is playing hard or not. The most … [Read more...]

Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) yesterday launched the Toyota Concert 2017 performed by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) under the support from Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism. With the main theme “The Romantic Love Songs”, the concert nights this year will continue to be under the baton of the Japanese experienced conductor Honna Tetsuji – the conductor that has supported and accompanied with Toyota Concert from the first days, as well as the first-time partipation of young talented pianist Nguyen Viet Trung and two famous Vietnamese singers Dang Duong and Dao To Loan. This is the 20th year that TMV has co-operated with VNSO to organise this event, in order to bring classical music nearer to music lovers, by that, contribute to bring a better life for Vietnamese. This year, beside three concert nights in Ho Chi Minh Theatre on August 16 and Hanoi Opera … [Read more...]

NDO – A wide range of activities took place on July 17 in celebration of the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties(September 5, 1962-2017) and 40 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977-2017). A ceremony was held on July 17, at the Lao National Cultural Hall, to open the ‘Vietnamese Culture and Tourism Days in Lao’in Vientiane, with the attendance of Vietnamese Politburo member and National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong; and Lao Politburo member and Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee Saysomphone Phomvihane. As part of the event, there will be an exhibition featuring 60 photos on the landscape, culture and people of Vietnam, particularly focusing on the natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritages that have been recognised as world heritagesites. Nearly 100 posters and photos on major cities, as well as traditional festivals in Vietnam, will … [Read more...]

The Quảng Ngãi Sea and Island Culture Week will be held on the South Central Coast of the Quảng Ngãi Province and other coastal districts at the end of August. Quảng Ngãi beach tourism is famous for breathtaking and pristine beaches like Mỹ Khê, Dung Quất, Sa Huỳnh, Lý Sơn. - Photo baodulich.com.vn The event, organised by the Quảng Ngãi People’s Committee, will include relevant outdoor activities such as a seminar titled ‘The Cultural Legacy of Quảng Ngãi’s Seas and Islands,’ release of books on seas and islands including the Bé island, and ranking of the Giếng Tiền and Thới Lới mountains among the top beautiful spots in the country by the government. The opening ceremony scheduled to be … [Read more...]

The orchestra of the HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will join the performance under the conductor, Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach. Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has ever been performed by many local and international artists, including Bui Cong Duy, Sarah Chang. Composed in 1723, ”The Four Seasons” is considered one of the most daring works from the Baroque Period.   Vietnamese-French violinist Stéphane Tran Ngoc The violin concerto Distant Light, premiered in 1977 describe the ideal world that is never absent. The work is also a nostalgia with a touch of tragedy and images of childhood memories. Stephane Tran Ngoc was born in Paris. He graduated in violin and chamber music at the Paris National Superior Conservatory of Music when he was 15 years old. He later went to the United States being awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study at Brooklyn College's Conservatory of … [Read more...]

Present at the opening ceremony were journalist Ha Dang, former member of the Party Central Committee, former chief of the Central Committee for Culture and Ideology; Senior Lieutenant General, Academician Nguyen Huy Hieu, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Minister of Defense; Lieutenant General Do Can, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; Major General Pham Van Huan, Editor-in-Chief of the People's Army Newspaper, President of the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation and Chief of the organizing panel; representatives of General Department of Sports and Physical Training (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism); sponsors of the tournament; and cyclists of 14 participating teams. Major General Pham Van Huan speaking at the opening ceremony  Major General Pham Van Huan opened the tournament and read State President Tran Dai Quang's … [Read more...]

NDO – A ceremony was held at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi on July 13 to officially open the ASEAN Festival, as part of activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8). The event features the active participation and response of embassies and representatives from ASEAN members, creating conditions for the member nations to enhance close coordination for a diverse and united ASEAN community. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Information and Communications Truong Minh Tuan said that over the past 50 years, ASEAN has experienced many stages of development and overcome many difficulties and challenges to enhance cohesion and become the successful ASEAN community it is today. The bloc continues to strengthen relations via the three main pillars of Politics-Security, Economics, and Culture-Society to affirm the position and prestige of a leading regional organisation, he added. The Minister … [Read more...]

The information was revealed by Major General Pham Van Huan, Editor-in-Chief of the Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) Newspaper, President of the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation and Chief of the organizing panel, at a press briefing on July 12 in Hanoi. Major General Pham Van Huan speaking at the press conference.  The race is co-organized by the People's Army Newspaper, the General Department of Sports and Physical Training (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), the Vietnam Motor-Bicycle Sports Federation and the military-run telecommunications corporation (Viettel). During the return to the Truong Son range from July 15 to 20, the organizers will conduct a number of social activities, including presenting 300 gifts to policy families, 15 gratitude houses to national contributors, 200 tons of rice to disadvantaged people, and 300 scholarships to poor children with good academic … [Read more...]

The Đồ Sơn Buffalo Fighting Festival of the northern city of Hải Phòng will lose national intangible heritage status if its organising process does not fulfill its safety commitments, according to a report submitted by the Agency of Grassroots Culture to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện. Culture or cruelty? The Đồ Sơn Buffalo Fighting Festival was recognised as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013. - VNA/VNS Photo Hoàng Ngọc The report was compiled after a man was gored to death by his buffalo during a fight on July 1. Authorities halted the festival after the incident. The agency has also proposed a meeting between the minister and Hải Phòng City’s People … [Read more...]

NDO – The Nang Hai festival, in worship of the moon, which is observed annually by the Tay ethnic groups in Tien Thanh commune, Phuc Hoa district, Cao Bang province, has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In the Tay people’s belief, mother Moon and her 12 fairies-daughters, ‘Nang Hai’, take care of the life and crops of people on earth. Therefore, every first lunar month, they host the festival to invite the mother Moon and her daughters down to earth and pray for happiness, favourable weather conditions and bumper crops. To prepare for the festival, elders in the village pick a woman who has a happy family and is good at singing to play as Mother Moon. Fourteen ladies are also selected to play the fairies. Offerings during the festival include a pig, a chicken, and a tray of five-coloured glutinous rice. A tent is set up in the village and is decorated with flowers and … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietjet Air kicked off its three golden-day promotion, offering 200,000 air tickets priced from zero dollars on July 12 to celebrate its two newest international routes. The promotion, which is available at www.vietjetair.com, applies on all international routes from Vietnam to Seoul, Busan (the Republic of Korea)/ Hong Kong (China)/ Kaoshiung, Tainan, Taichung and Taipei (Taiwan)/ Singapore/ Bangkok (Thailand)/ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)/ Yangon (Myanmar)/ Siem Reap (Cambodia) and for travel between September 1 and December 31. Vietjet’s new routes connect passengers between Seoul/Busan (the Republic of Korea) and Siem Reap (Cambodia), easing the travel of individuals, tourists and businessmen to the famous locations, the airline said in its statement. The Seoul – Siem Reap route is operated daily with tickets priced from VND1.3 million (US$55) for one way while the daily Busan – Siem Reap route will start from VND1.6 million (US$70) for one … [Read more...]

When mentioning Dong Nai, we often think of its industrial strength, but Dong Nai is also known as a land of diversified tourism potential, especially ecotourism. About natural scenery, Dong Nai has Cat Tien National Park (special national monument), Dong Nai Nature Reserve - Cultural Complex combined with part of Cat Tien National Park recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve; the Dong Nai River is one of the most beautiful and longest rivers in Vietnam and Tri An Lake, a beautiful scenic spot, which is planned as a national tourist destination. In addition, Dong Nai has 55 national and provincial-level monuments and about 1,500 other monuments. Over the past few years, dozens of ecotourism projects, restaurants, hotels have been established to create various choices for visitors. Typical projects include: Chua Chan Cable Car (Xuan Loc) with investment capital of VND … [Read more...]

“All treasures that will be auctioned this time were evaluated by leading experts and we completed all necessary juridical and scientific dossiers granted by competent institutions to guarantee the quality and legality of those treasures,” said Quan Van Minh, chairman of the No.5 National Auction JSC, at a press conference on July 10. A gold-plated bronze statue of General Tran Quoc Tuan, created by artisan Le Ba Chung from Ki​eu Ky village, is among those to be auctioned  Three unique antiquities on the block include a 2,000-year-old bronze vessel of the Dong Son culture;  a ceramic jar with brown patterns from the Tran Dynasty (13th century), and an enamel box of the royal family from the Nguyen Dynasty (mid-19th century). The latter is a treasure of the Hue Imperial Court, which was used to contain offerings to the Kings and members of the Nguyen royal family. Minh said Vietnamese and … [Read more...]

Besides the design of a modern apartment, the urban areas also invest in creating a green environment with a variety of amenities so that residents are always comfortable in their daily activities. Celadon City—Convenient transportation is the foundation of development Located in the heart of Tan Phu district, one of the golden spots of the “Silk Road” of the southwest of the city, Celadon City is located in an area with complete transport infrastructure, connected to key transportation routes of the city, such as Truong Chinh, Le Trong Tan, Tan Ky Tan Quy, National Route 1A, Metro, and Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The highlight of the 82-hectare Celadon City is the 16.4-ha central park with a big lake that helps to provide fresh air for the area. Around the lake are lush green parks where residents can take a … [Read more...]

VUFO Vice President and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong (R) and ISCUF Secretary General Bijay Kumar Padhihari at the signing ceremony (Source: vov.vn)   Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship (ISCUF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation for the 2017-2022 with a view to enhancing exchange and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Indian people. The document is also hoped to further promote cooperation between the two countries in politics, economy, culture, tourism, science-technology and people-to-people exchange. Addressing the signing ceremony in Hanoi on July 10, VUFO Vice President and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong highlighted the traditional relations between Vietnam and India, saying that the two nations have always supported … [Read more...]