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MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

Hanoi- Concert by Vietnamese soprano

March 7,

L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien street,

Concert entitled Yeu or Love by Vietnamese soprano Hien Nguyen

The concert will mark her 15-year professional singing career after she became a student of the Vocal Faculty at the National Academy of Music and spent three years working in Italy.

HCMC-Hip hop competition

Mar 6

HCM City Labour Cultural House

There will be separate sections for men and women. Dancers will have 45 minutes to show their style.

Entrance fee is VNĐ100,000.

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EXHIBITION

Hue City- Exhibition of King Minh Mang’s artifacts

Featuring more than 40 artefacts dating to the time of King Minh Mang (reigning 1820-1839) at Ngu Phung Pavilion to mark the 200th anniversary of his reign in the former Imperial Citadel of Hue, a UNESCO heritage site.

Hanoi-Exhibition: Those who do not move, do not notice their chains

Hanoi-Fragments of Nostalgia

Until Mar 7, 10 am – 07 pm
Mơ Art Space, 136 Hang Trong Street, Hoan Kiem District

From the organizer:
A solo showcase of Phan Tuan Ngoc – Fragments of Nostalgia. The exhibition is a retrospective of the artists’ memories, delivered through desaturated colors, playful minimalism and poetry. Ngoc’s work experiments mainly with installation, oil on canvas and mixed media on Do paper.

About the artist:

Hanoi-Online exhibition featuring shared culture of Vietnam, Australia

The song “Xam Hanoi” by Ha Myo has surprised audiences. (Photo: tuoitre.vn)

The video “Xam Hanoi”, which shows young singer Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha (Ha Myo)’s love for the capital city through Xam (ballads sung by wandering blind musicians), was one outstanding example.

This is the first time the traditional Xam art of song was perfectly combined with rap and electronic music and modern choreography, creating a new music product bearing the charm and beauty of folk culture while featuring the freshness of the modern arts.

The video “Xam Hanoi” has rapidly received a warm response from a large number of young music listeners after arrived in the digital environment. This is on example highlighting the “connection” between modern and traditional music.

Young artist Ngo Hong Quang is also a remarkable face possessesing many works that exploit the rich traditions of music from around the country. He has finished an album entitled “Tinh dan” featuring many indigenous music styles of Vietnam.

Earlier, singers such as Hoang Thuy Linh and Bich Phuong also made their marks with pop songs imbued with folk music or inspired by traditional culture. It can be seen that this feature of traditional music in composition has become a trend for many young artists over recent years, contributing to a new wind affecting contemporary musical life.

This composition trend is considered a rope connecting modern music lovers with traditional music. It has not only brought about a new style but also highlighted Vietnamese identities in contemporary music.

On the contrary, many traditional art works now feature modern musical elements to conquer young audiences. One highlight is the Cai Luong (reformed opera) and circus play entitled “Cay gay than” (Magic stick) by the Vietnam Cai Luong Theatre and Vietnam Circus Federation.

The play was an audacious experience as the familiar Cai Luong ancient songs were added to a background of jazz music and featured the appearance of rap music in some scenes. All have created an interesting “opening” for Cai Luong that is not only admired young people but has also surprised veteran artists.

The newly released play “Son Hau – Beyond The Mountain” by young directors Nguyen Quoc Hoang Anh and Ha Nguyen Long has also rejuvenated the ancient art of Tuong (classical drama) through attractive performances of hip hop dance on a background of electronic sounds.

This exploitation of modern music is a way to bring traditional arts and music closer to young audiences as well as preserving and promoting traditional music values that are at risk of degradation over times.

Obviously, the reciprocal combination of modern and traditional elements in music has not only made both art forms newer and more impressive but also opened potential trends for the future, towards a new world of contemporary arts imbued with national identities.

This is also a way for Vietnamese music to define itself among international friends. This mission belongs to both traditional and modern artists.

However, it is not an easy “path” for artists who have a great passion for the arts and who also dare to deviate. Because, in fact, not any old combination creates the right “fit”. An inappropriate mix of modern and traditional elements can make art works rude and objectionable.

The unreasonable exploitation of ancient materials can also easily cause distortions of tradition. Creators must thus have a deep understanding of each art form so that they will not blur one another.

The successes of various art works using this combination in recent years was in part due to the participation of experts having strengths in each form.

With an in-depth understanding of each field, they support and adjust together, helping the works avoid crossing the delicate line between creativity and objection. Thereby, they will enhance the value of the country’s music in particular and the arts in general.

NDO

Passionate Bình Định FC supporters ahead of their match with Sài Gòn FC earlier this season. Photo laodong.vn

Peter Cowan

Legendary Celtic manager Jock Stein once said that football without fans is nothing, or something to that effect.

Even my Rangers supporting friends would have say he hit the nail on the head with that one and most people the world over would agree that the beautiful game is best served in front of a pair of baying mobs chanting bloody murder at each other.

While we’ve all gotten somewhat used to watching matches without a crowd due to the pandemic, even the money men in big-time football who normally couldn’t give a flying you-know-what about the punters are desperate to get the crowds (and their wallets) back in the grounds when it’s safe.

Everyone is itching for fans to return, except it seems, the VPF.

The organisers of domestic football recently announced that V.League 1 teams would return to action in two short weeks and also released fixture dates up until mid-April.

The announcement included the sad but probably sensible news that fans won’t be allowed to attend at least initially due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, but that’s not what’s got my panties in a bunch.

If things keep trending as they have been regarding control of the pandemic here, I reckon it won’t be too long before fans are allowed back onto the terraces.

Well, the supporters who can get off work will be able to go watch their team.

By my count, more than a whopping 35 per cent of the 54 matches scheduled for the month of action kick-off between 5pm and 6pm on a weekday.

To say this is treating the loyal fans of V.League 1 clubs with disregard would be putting it mildly.

Football is meant to be a working-class sport and clubs here are by and large supported by working people, so how exactly are they supposed to attend the third of matches that start before the working day even ends?

Such kick-off times are tough enough for home fans, to say nothing of away supporters.

While I understand the VPF is trying to pack fixtures into a short window to try and get the season finished, I can’t fathom the reasoning for playing so many matches that supporters will simply be unable to attend, whether there’s a pandemic on or not. Why can’t they kick off after 7pm to give home fans at least a puncher’s chance to make it to the ground?

Sadly, none of this will be a shock to anyone who has followed Vietnamese football for a while and ridiculous kick-off times have long been one of the biggest gripes of those who have been invested in the local game for far longer than me.

What may surprise some though is there is at least one club showing that Vietnamese football can be fan-friendly.

Phố Hiến FC in the V.League 2 saw a dip in their home attendance last season and have decided to do something about it.

Did they spend thousands of dollars on focus groups and more algorithms than a Bitcoin convention? Did they shrug their shoulders, blame it on the pandemic, cross their fingers and hope this year would be different?

No, they just asked supporters clubs and local people in Hưng Yên Province what stops them from showing up. The simple answer was too many weekday fixtures to be compatible with the working day finishing at about 5pm.

The solution? The club will play all their home fixtures at 6pm on either Saturday or Sunday, a decision that displays a staggering degree of common sense that seems to be all too uncommon in football boardrooms in Việt Nam.

Here’s hoping (and not just because I have a soft spot for them) that Phố Hiến turn their PVF centre home ground into a loud, intimidating fortress this season and more clubs (and administrators) see what can be gained by putting fans first. VNS

Võ Trí Thành

*Võ Trí Thành

Việt Nam has outlined its next-decade of socio-development strategy, setting its sights on becoming a developed and upper-middle-income country with modern industry by 2030. However, as success in the past cannot guarantee future triumphs, what are the keys to Việt Nam’s success in the next period?

We have talked about Việt Nam’s aspirations to become the next Asian economic dragon and the country has made great strides towards its goals. Amid a volatile world and unprecedented challenges arising from the pandemic, Việt Nam’s success in response to COVID-19 has been praised by international media. To ensure long-term growth, the country is also seeking solutions to key issues such as structural reforms, sustainable and inclusive development and innovation.

After many phases of reforms, Việt Nam has basically achieved its goals such as ensuring macroeconomic stabilisation, expanding more opportunities for all economic subjects to develop through institutional reforms, building a socialist market-oriented economy and promoting international integration.

Along with that, national capacity has been significantly improved which has been seen in strengthened institutional capacity, reflected in the more efficient State apparatus, enhanced capacity of enterprises through their greater competitiveness and sustainable development strategy and lastly the better-quality human resources.

Despite the fast-changing world, lessons and experiences from past reforms have significant value for further success which can be seen in many Vietnamese success stories.

When talking about the building of a socialist market-oriented economy, from a centrally planned economy in the early 1980s with little knowledge about the market economy, this has become the red thread throughout the country’s reform process.

Việt Nam has learnt and built regulations and good practices for the market through working experience and co-operation with well-known international institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asia Development Bank, collaboration with foreign experts, study exchanges and capacity building support from Asian and European countries.

Along with the country’s development progress, Việt Nam is perfecting its legal framework and improving the business investment environment to facilitate economic development activities. Building a modern and integrated economy, transparent and capable State apparatus is a must for sustainable development.

From the global integration lessons, Việt Nam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, since then, it has signed dozens of free trade agreements (FTAs) with many countries, including high-quality trade pacts such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Partnering with developed countries with advanced institutional development has helped Việt Nam recognise the importance of expanding the development space in association with domestic reforms, developing the capacity and competitiveness and confidence of homegrown enterprises.

Vietnamese enterprises have taken long strides from fearing to compete with foreign competitors to understanding the game and starting to build their competitiveness. Some have even reached out to the world and initially established brands in global markets such as Vinfast, Viettel, FPT Corporation, Vinamilk and Trường Hải Auto Corporation. We all hope they will succeed in the future.

From past lessons, Việt Nam can identify important factors that will determine its future success. First, we need to dare and know how to play with bigger and better-performing players. With this strategy, the country has learned and grown at all important dimensions including levelling up the national, corporate and human ranks; better understanding our own values, knowing our advantages to sharpen our competitive advantage.

Besides, playing with big countries will create pressure and push to go further more aggressively and with time, the country can build greater confidence, which is very important for global integration and success.

From Việt Nam’s success in controlling the pandemic and maintaining economic growth, besides learning from other countries, the nation has prepared for fighting against the disease and even come up with Vietnamese-style solutions. Vietnamese creativity is also shown in many other key issues such as digital transformation and policy planning.

Actively learning, building confidence and promoting creativity and innovation will help Việt Nam build its image, enhance its position and expand its influence outside, attaining its development goals.

*Võ Trí Thành is a senior economist at the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and a member of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council. The holder of a doctorate in economics from the Australian National University, Thanh mainly undertakes research and provides consultation on issues related to macroeconomic policies, trade liberalisation and international economic integration. Other areas of interest include institutional reforms and financial systems.

A seven-seat car collided with an ambulance in Mekong Delta Tiền Giang Province on February 13, injuring four people. — VNA/VNS Photo

Khuất Việt Hùng, Vice President of the National Committee on Traffic Safety, talks to the Voice of Việt Nam about the number of traffic accidents in Việt Nam

What are the main factors leading to a reduction in traffic accidents in the country in 2020?

According to statistics from the Ministry of Public Security, the traffic accident rate in the five-year period from 2016-2020 compared to the previous five years has seen a 43 per cent drop in accidents, a 19.01 per cent reduction in fatalities and the injured rate also dropped by 53.91 per cent.

Last year was the first year that our national Law on Preventing and Combating the Harmful Effects of Liquor and Beer and the Decree No.100/2019/ND-CP came into effect calling on all drivers not to drink and drive.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation nationwide dropped considerably, yet the police forces still applied many measures to ensure traffic safety.

The Ministry of Transport has regularly instructed the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam and concerned agencies nationwide have applied many specific measures to fight back against the COVID-19 while calling on all road users to practise traffic safety. As a result, in the last 10 years, traffic accidents nationwide reduced by 17.66 per cent while the injured cases reduced by 20.7 per cent and the fatality rate by 12.2 per cent (the fatality rate dropped to under 7,000 people).

What measures have the Ministry of Transport and the National Steering Committee on Traffic Safety adopted?

From 2016, all Vietnamese agencies nationwide have strictly implemented Instruction No.18 of the Party Secretariat and the Resolution 88 of the Government on road traffic safety, railways, waterways and other means of transport.

In addition, Việt Nam’s traffic infrastructure has been improved and expanded. Non-stop toll-fee stations were erected nationwide while a mass communication campaign was launched to encourage all motorbike riders wear helmets. As a result,80 per cent of motor riders wear helmets compared to 38 per cent rate in 2017.

Has the Government Decree 100 helped cut down the country’s traffic accidents significantly?

In 2019, the Law on Preventing and Combating the Harmful Effects of Liquor and Beer was promulgated and came into force on January 2020 and the Decree 100 giving sanctions on people who are drinking and driving.

The Decree 100 is a spotlight action of the Government in its current tenure.

Last year, the Public Security forces, particularly the transport police, played a pivotal role in putting the Government’s Decree 100 into life and since then the Decree has become a driving force for people nationwide to abide by traffic laws – a key factor in the reduction of traffic accidents.

How do you respond to a report saying that some statistics about the traffic safety is not really reliable?

Under the country’s Statistic Law, the Ministry of Public Security is the agency that will gather all information on transport accidents and make it available to the public. The National Steering Committee on Traffic Safety will then use the information from the Ministry of Public Security to write their reports and make those available to the public as well.

Under the Statistic Law, the Ministry of Health has the responsibility to make a report on the total injury number nationwide. However, due to different methods used in injury calculation, it leads to some disparity in the figures announced by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security.

Adding to that the number of traffic fatalities made public by the Vietnamese Government and the WHO is somehow slightly different. The main factor is that the definition of road fatality in Việt Nam is slightly different from that of the WHO. Under the Vietnamese Law, only people who are killed at the scene of the accidents are considered as accident fatality. Meanwhile, the WHO calculated the accident fatality case within 30 days from the day the accident happened.

It is reported that the Ministry of Public Security will soon make public a new regulation on road traffic accident calculation to make in line with the international law and practice. VNS