Miss Vietnam 2006 apologized for sexy photo shoot Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy on Wednesday sent an official apology to her fans for a controversial photo shoot featuring her in the traditional ao dai four years ago. Taken two years after Thuy claimed the crown, the photo collection, which captured Thuy donning a sleek and transparent white ao dai in different sexy poses, was recently released on some local online newswire last Friday. The shoot, 10 black and white photos of Thuy, accessorized with Vietnamese "non la" (cone hat) and symbolic lotus flowers, was done by photographer Quoc Huy. A number of netizens have strongly criticized the photos, saying Thuy's too erotic poses damaged the traditional and beautiful image of ao dai. Some said she only used the dress to show off her body's curves. However, another group of commentators praise Thuy's body, arguing that the photos have captured the delicate, gentle and fragile image of Vietnamese women. Thuy, in her … [Read more...] about ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 10/2
Academy of culinary arts
ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 21/11
Vietnamese language promoted in FranceThe Vietnamese language, culture and cuisines were introduced at the 37 th International Language Festival that took place in Tours city of France on November 19-20. With two display booths, seminars and film screening, Vietnam helps international friends understand more about the country. In particular, this year’s festival features Vietnam ’s lunar New Year (Tet) festival and many traditional customs. Vietnamese language has become part of the annual event since 2006 thanks to the Touraine-Vietnam Association, which gathers French people in Tours city who love Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese people. This year’s event featured more than 40 different languages such as French, English, Spanish, Arabia, Esperanto and Vietnam . Since its inception in 1995, the event has contributed to promoting diversification of language, thus bringing people worldwide closer. Vietnam celebrates Teacher’s DayPoster of the Vietnam University of … [Read more...] about ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 21/11
ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 3/10
Canadian jazz star to light up capital One of Toronto's most in-demand vocalists in Canada, jazz singer Kate Bowen, will swing audiences in Ha Noi when she performs for six nights a week from October 1. Sultry, alluring and often called an old soul, Bowen's voice never ceases to captivate audiences with its depth and vocal maturity. Her passion for music and singing was nurtured from a very young age and in her early 20s she was signed to a record label in the US, where she worked on her own album and wrote songs for other singers. In Toronto, she has been a regular act at several of the city's popular live music venues, regularly performing with her band. With a maturity beyond her years and outstanding poise on stage, Bowen has become a sought-after vocalist in her Canadian hometown, recording with some of the best local musicians and producers and receiving offers from international bands. Before coming to Ha Noi, Bowen was invited to perform at the iconic luxury Peninsula … [Read more...] about ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 3/10
ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 10/10
Germany's Ma'a lot-Quintett to perform in Vietnam Germany's Ma'a lot-Quintett will take part in European Music Festival 2011 in Hanoi and HCM City. The group is famous for playing classic and modern pieces of works written by Mozart, Ligeti, Glanert and Piazzolla. It is listed among leading international chamber music ensembles. After its debut in 1986, the Ma'alot Quintett soon rose to fame as the winner of four first prizes in major international chamber-music competitions, including one in the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. The ensemble regularly appears in the major concert halls of Germany and has been invited to many of Europe's capitals, such as Berlin, Vienna, Amsterdam, London, Bern, Lisbon, Belgrade, Athens, Instanbul. It has toured extensively in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Vietnamese tourism ambassador votes for Ha Long Bay Ly Nha Ky, tourism ambassador of Vietnam, met with a number of businesses involved in … [Read more...] about ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 10/10
ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 19/10
HCMC kicks off international piano fest The first International Piano Festival in Vietnam was kicked off at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory yesterday to mark the conservatory's 55th birthday. The event, which will last until October 23, is gathering instructors and students from the conservatory's piano department as well as the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Hue Academy of Music and music experts from America, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Singapore, and South Korea. Seminars about the history of piano as well as piano classes will be held during the festival. The concert titled "Piano concert" featuring foreign pianists will take place on October 21 and 23 and a show titled "Young Pianist" presenting outstanding young Vietnamese pianists, on October 22. Tickets for the shows cost from VND100,000 to VND350,000. The conservatory plans to make the festival a biennial event. National ca tru fest draws to a successful conclusion The national ca tru (ceremonial … [Read more...] about ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 19/10