2015 news headlines

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Phuc Viet Nam Thoi Nguyen (Vietnamese ceremonial clothes under Nguyen Dynasty) (1802-1945) is divided into four parts: historical documents on Nguyen Dynasty costumes; photos of painter Nguyen Van Nhan's 54 works on ceremonial costumes at the An Nam Court; an index in French with illustrations of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...] about Art & Entertainment News Headlines 5/3

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...] about Art & Entertainment News Headlines 27/3

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...] about Art & Entertainment News Headlines 8/4

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...] about Art & Entertainment News Headlines 1/5

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...] about Art&Entertainment News Headlines 23/5