Horror flick shows on Valentine's Day Famous comic actor and theatre director Thai Hoa appears to have further enhanced his talent in a leading role in the new horror film Qua Tim Mau (Vengeful Heart). Hoa and his partner, Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu, worked together on his script for the film that will be released on Valentine's Day. The 90-minute film features secrets about Linh (played by Nabi Nha Phuong), Phuong (played by Tu Vi) and Cu Hu (played by Hoa). The film includes visual and sound effects by Christopher Wong. After its premiere in HCM City yesterday night, Qua Tim Mau was praised by many viewers. Hoa said he worked hard to "prove himself to the talented director Victor Vu". Based on a script by Hoa, the film was rewritten by director Victor and Doan Nhat Nam. Vu is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in US. He won the jury prize at the International Film Festival in Ha Noi in 2012 for his kung fu film, Thien Menh Anh Hung (Blood Letter). Last year, his … [Read more...]

Concert celebrates late composer Son The Institute of Cultural Exchange with France on February 28 will host a concert featuring compositions by late musician Trinh Cong Son. Ha Noi's singer Giang Trang, who has released two albums highlighting Son's music, will perform along with guitarist Nguyen Van Tuan and contrabassist Minh Duc. The show will begin at 8pm at 31 Thai Van Lung Street in District 1. Canadian singer to perform in HCM City Canadian composer, vocalist and pianist Mary Ancheta will perform at the Boudoir Lounge of Sofitel Saigon Plaza from February 25 to May 4. She taught piano at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. Ancheta also played at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, as well as venues in Asia, Middle East, North America and Europe. The shows will start from 8pm daily, except Mondays. The hotel is at17 Le Duan Street in District 1. Melting Pot Festival features art, dance The Saigon Outcast will hold the Melting Pot Art Festival on February 22 and … [Read more...]

US Embassy funds documentary film project in Vietnam The Vietnam Cinema Association and the Center for assistance and development of movie talents (TPD) plan to launch a project under the sponsorship of the US Embassy in Hanoi. The project, entitled “10 months, 10 documentary films”, is set to run from February to December 2014, and aims to nurture the development of Vietnam cinema by providing guidance and other assistance for movie talents. It is considered a pioneer project in effectively assisting young filmmakers to make their own films that do not require massive expenditure or huge investment in technologies. Those involved in the project will learn about the process of short film making from script-writing to production, and have a chance to exchange and learn experience from famous local and foreign filmmakers. The project deals with issues on gender equality, homosexual, women’s rights, and environment protection. The jury includes renowned directors Bui … [Read more...]

First ao dai festival to be held in town The HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host the first Ao Dai Festival at Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 on March 3 and 9 to mark International Women’s Day. The festival will feature a wide range of activities such as displaying ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) collection used in offices, festivals as well as wedding ceremonies together with ao dai  accessories, themed exhibition “Vietnamese ao dai through war fire” and workshop on ao dai. Moreover, there will be an ao dai drawing contest and fashion show. The festival aims to honor the traditional cultural features and charm of Vietnamese ao dai as well as the beauty of Vietnamese ladies. The festival is also a chance to promote the fashion to tourists, an exchange between designers and the public as well as to add a touch of festivity to Women’s Day in the city. Mekong Arts Club displays 50 works More than 50 pieces from the Mekong Arts … [Read more...]

VN cameraman strikes gold in Italy and Turkey competitions Vietnamese photographer Truong Huu Hung has been awarded gold medals for his works Tren Duong Ra Cho (On the Way to the Market) and Ngu Phu (Fisherman) at international photography in Italy and Turkey. The Italian contest was sponsored by FIAP, an international federation which links national photography associations. Hung's work was based on the theme "Women in Society". He also won an honorary certificate for his work Nhip Dieu Lang Chai (Rhythm of a Fishing Village). Hung's fellow photographers Ha Van Dong, Le Chau Dao, Nguyen Vu Phuoc and several others were awarded silver medals and honorary certificates by FIAP, the organisers said. The awards ceremonies for the two contests will be held in Montevarchi, Italy on March 15 and in Mersin, Turkey on March 22. Annual carnival to bring colour to Ha Long City The Ha Long Carnival 2014 will be held on April 30 in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh. The carnival, … [Read more...]

Book delves into Nguyen apparel There is no trace of the paintings that vanished three years ago, but Nguyen Van Nhan's works can be seen in the nation's first book on ceremonial costumes of the Nguyen Dynasty released last week. Researcher Tran Dinh Son's Dai Le Phuc Viet Nam Thoi Nguyen (Vietnamese ceremonial clothes under Nguyen Dynasty) (1802-1945) is divided into four parts: historical documents on Nguyen Dynasty costumes; photos of painter Nguyen Van Nhan's 54 works on ceremonial costumes at the An Nam Court; an index in French with illustrations of costumes for civil and military mandarins; and a picture collection of the dynasty's emperors, queen and courtiers. Nhan's paintings are said to offer the most systematic and detailed picfures of costumes worn during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty - from the emperor, prince, princess, consorts, civil and military mandarins, to the uniform of royal music bands and servants. The paintings were taken overseas and eventually auctioned … [Read more...]

Awards recognise contributors to culture The 2014 Phan Chau Trinh Culture Foundation's awards for contributions to Viet Nam's culture, education, translation and research have been presented to four Vietnamese and one foreigner. Veteran southern folk music composer Lu Nhat Vu and poet Le Giang received an award for their collection and promotion of southern folk culture. They are co-writers of folk music works such as 300 Dieu Ly Nam Bo (300 Southern Folk Songs) and Tim Hieu dan Ca Nam Bo (Studies on Southern Folk Songs). The translation prize was awarded to Asso. Prof. Ngo Duc Tho for his significant contribution to translating Han-Nom (old Vietnamese characters based on Han Chinese characters) monographs including Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu (Encyclopedia of Vietnamese History) and Dong Khanh Dia Du Chi (The Descriptive Geography of Emperor Dong Khanh). Historical researcher Ta Chi Dai Truong was presented a prize for his research on the country's history, with best-selling books … [Read more...]

American band to perform at Hue Festival Acclaimed American music band The Amigos will perform at a free public concert and take part in outreach events for disadvantaged people from April 12 to 14 during the Festival Hue. Its performance will be part of an eight-day tour of Viet Nam as part of a cultural programme sponsored by the US consulate in HCM City. "With The Amigos band, we are also happy to support the arts and music, which are so important to the history and culture of both Viet Nam and the United States," Alex Titolo, the consulate's public affairs officer s quoted as saying in a release. The Amigos performed more than 40 concerts in New York City schools, hospitals, and community centres as part of the famous Lincoln Center's outreach programme in 2012 – 2013. Before coming to Viet Nam the band was in Cambodia, China, Laos, and Myanmar. Liu Xiao Ling Tong meets with Hanoian fans Chinese movie star Liu Xiao Ling Tong on April 6 met with hundreds of his loyal … [Read more...]

Local fashion designer heads for Audi Star Creation final Designer Nguyen Hoang Tu (center) and models. Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Tu has become one of 12 finalists in the fashion design competition Audi Star Creation 2014 (ASC) in Singapore. ASC is one of the four main events of the Asia Fashion Exchange festival. The finalists, who hail from seven Asian countries and are aged between 16 and 25, have been picked following the screening of 418 entries from 14 countries. They will face off at the Runway Showdown, organized at the [email protected] in Singapore on May 12. They will be required to submit six original and commercially viable designs that reflect this year’s theme “The Asian Perspective”. All the contestants must have less than two years’ fashion design experience.  Three winners will be named by a panel of judges who are leading experts in the fashion industry. Prizes include 10,000 Singapore dollars and a one-year internship at high-end fashion … [Read more...]

The Amazing Race to unveil nine celebrity teams Transgender singer Huong Giang from Vietnam Idol 2012 contest and her partner, Vietnamese Canadian athlete Criss Lai, will be one of the nine teams to compete in the third season of The Amazing Race 2014 Nine couples who are models, singers and actors had a meeting with local media to announce the third season of The Amazing Race Vietnam. Models Trang Khieu and Trang Khan, singers Kiwi Ngo Mai Trang, Huong Giang Idol, Son Ngoc Minh Vmusic, Miko Lan Trinh, Dinh Khai Anh, and actors Long Dien and their partners showed up at the meeting. However, the names of the 9th couple will not be unveiled until the last minute. This year the reality show will be broadcast on VTV6 and VTV9, instead of VTV3 as in two previous years. Each pit stop of the race will be divided into two episodes and screened from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday starting from June 21. The Amazing Race Vietnam, produced by BHD and VTV3, is a 30-day race around … [Read more...]