Thousands of pro-democracy protesters thronged the streets of Hong Kong early on Wednesday, ratcheting up pressure on the pro-Beijing government that has called the action illegal and vowed to press ahead with National Day celebrations. There was little sign of momentum flagging on the fifth day of a determined mass campaign to occupy sections of the city and to express fury at a Chinese decision to limit voters' choices in a 2017 leadership election. That was despite widespread fears that police may use force to move crowds before the start of celebrations marking the anniversary of the Communist Party's foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The crowds have brought large sections of the Asian financial hub to a standstill, disrupting businesses from banks to jewelers. Overnight thunder, lightning and heavy rain failed to dampen spirits as protesters sought shelter under covered walkways, while police in raincoats and hats looked on passively nearby. At dawn on … [Read more...]
What’s on March 6-12 (Daily updated)
MUSIC&PERFORMANCES Hanoi-Special Concert “A Night of Tchaikovsky” Mar 9 and 10, 8pm Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien Street Special Concert “A Night of Tchaikovsky” features a performance by conductor Mark Kadin from Russia, Piano Soloist Luu Hong Quang and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. Ticket prices: VND 200,000—VND 350,000—VND 500,000. Hanoi-Jazz Manouche Mar 11, 8 pm L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street A music night with Jazz Manouche and pre-war Vietnamese romantic songs played in the Jazz Manouche style. Hanoi-Piano Concert with Boris … [Read more...]
What’s on July 2013 (Daily updated)
MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES Hanoi – “HYPNOSIS”- a Zentangle Workshop and Performance Madake, 81 Xuan Dieu Street Workshop and Experimental performance: July 27, 2pm, Works display: July 27 – Aug 10 Zentangle workshop “HYPNOSIS” is organized for the first time in Hanoi with the guiding of young henna & Zentangle artist Phuong – Mad Meo. This is a chance for young people to learn about a new form of drawing using simple shapes, patterns to create paintings with attractive motifs, fancy, emotional and creative. Workshop, from 2pm to 5pm. For registered members only Experimental performance: From 8pm to 10pm. Free entry. Free henna painting and Zentangle tattoo design Lucky draw with coupon For more information, please contact: Vuong Bich Ngoc: … [Read more...]
What’s on September 2013 (Daily updated)
MUSIC AND PERFORMANES Music Night with The London Underground Hanoi- Japanese Dance “Alphard” in Europe Meets Asia Sep 26 and 27, 8 pm, Youth Theater, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Street Young Japanese dancer Mikiko Kawamura brings her masterpiece to add unique value to Europe Meets Asia in Contemporary Dance 2013. A 25-minitue dance piece is made with Kawamura’s inspiration from the same name’s lonely bright star, standing alone in the position of the snake’s heart in the constellation Hydra. Free tickets available at: Goethe-Institut, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien, Japan Foundation, 27 Quang Trung, and British Council, 20 Thuy Khue. Hanoi - Concert “Contemporary Experimental Music” Sep 23, 8 pm, Goethe Institut, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street In 2013 German Professor Bernd Asmus spent six weeks in Vietnam conducting workshops and seminars for students of the National Music … [Read more...]
What’s on July 2015 (Daily updated)
MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES Hanoi- Performance by Danish rock bandJul 26, 7pm National Convention Centre, 1 Thang Long Boulevard Danish Michael Learns to Rock will perform some of their most popular hits, Silent Times, Sleeping Child, Call on Love, Romantic Balcony and Love Will Never Lie. Vietnamese singer Nhat Thuy and the band Oplus were chosen to perform before MLTR takes the stage. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at . Call 0978 35 1010 for ticket information. Hanoi-Movement and Contemporary Dance Workshop “Pendulum" Jul 31, 7.30 pm Blossom Art House, 94B Tran Hung Dao This class will focus on the fundamental aspect of contemporary dance, the pendulum concept, the idea that our body has two main weights (our head and our hips) and all movement is created by the pull and push of these two weights working together. Think of how a baby moves. When it stands up it lifts its bottom first … [Read more...]
What’s on May 2014 (Daily updated)
MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES Hanoi-Rock concert with Dissonant Nation May 31, L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street Featuring Rock band Dissonant Nation with the resonating album titled We Play We Are in Their Credit, the trio from Aubagne have a dynamic style of rock performed in three languages: French, English and Marseilles. Their energy guarantees to burn the night away, and expect a vigorous yet refreshing performance. Ticket price: VND120,000 or VND60,000 for members of L'Espace and students. HCMC- New Orleans jazz fest May 31, 4pm 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street , District 4 The New Orleans Bourbon Jazz Festival featuring music, dance, Cajun food and coolers. The event, organised by Arts for Mobility, an organisation that raises funds for charity, will feature blues and soul singer Eugene "Hideaway" Brides from New Orleans and jazz singer Shun Sakai from Tokyo. … [Read more...]
Nations come together to celebrate day of Buddhism
More than 10,000 Buddhists, dignitaries, scholars and guests from 95 countries and territories attended the opening of celebrations for the eleventh United Nations Day of Vesak at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province. The opening ceremony of the United Nations Day of Vesak at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province yesterday. The event hosted by the National Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha attracted more than 10,000 Buddhists, dignitaries, scholars and guests from 95 countries and territories. — VNA/VNS Photo Lam Khanh. The festival, which marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, is being hosted by the National Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha. In a message read out at the opening, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon said that "while the Buddha's teachings are eternal, the Buddhist perspective is also valuable now as we accelerate our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and steer the world onto a more sustainable and equitable path of development". The message, … [Read more...]
Nation must improve economic competitiveness: think-tank
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue speaks to members of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council at a meeting on September 30 in Ha Noi. — Photo cafef.vn HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam must continue to maintain stability, accelerate restructuring and improve the competitiveness of the economy in the face of ongoing global headwinds, members of a think-tank report. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue asked members of the National Financial and Monetary Policy Advisory Council to closely monitor the financial situation throughout the world, during their third-quarter meeting in Ha Noi today. The members agreed that it was necessary for Viet Nam to create a stable business and investment climate, renew its growth model and expand labour productivity. Viet Nam has targeted its gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at 6.7 per cent, along with exports to grow at 6-7 per cent, next year. Further, the consumer price index (CPI) is expected to rise by some 4 per … [Read more...]
Three-day cold snap expected to grip northern region today
VietNamNet Bridge – The first cold spell of the year would blanket the northern region early Thursday morning, warned the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Le Thanh Hai, deputy director of the centre, said that the cold spell has the same intensity as the previous cold spell, which attacked the northern region last Sunday. This spell would last at least three days, Hai said. "The temperature will drop to 11-14 degrees Celsius in Ha Noi and neighbouring provinces and 6-9 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, dropping as low as 0-3 degrees Celsius in Sa Pa Town", Hai said. "Frost is expected to appear in high mountainous areas including Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province and Mau Son Tourism Area in Lang Son Province", he said. Authorised agencies in northern mountainous provinces were advised to take measures to prevent livestock from freezing. Exited by the icy weather, numerous young visitors travelled to northern mountainous Lao Cai Province's Sa Pa Town … [Read more...]
President Sang addresses the nation
Marking the 67th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), President Truong Tan Sang reiterated the great significance of these two historical milestones. He also used the occasion to voice the determination of the entire party, the armed forces and people to join efforts to take the country forward on the road to everlasting development. Here is the translation of his article. National Day always brings about a special feeling in each and every Vietnamese person. Each year, I'm able to remember my feelings on this special day, regardless of the time and the place, be it in the city or the countryside, at noon or at midnight when everything lies in deep slumber. Though the one feeling that has always overwhelmed me is the sacred and great significance of this Independence Day for the Vietnamese nation. I have always wondered what would have happened to all the people, houses, street corners, trees, villages and even the sound of a pagoda's … [Read more...]