Young Vietnamese talent honoured in France The final round of a music competition for Vietnamese students in France was held at Reuilly Theatre, Paris, on February 22, leaving a lasting impression on the international audience. The twelve finalists took part in the event, held by the Vietnamese Students Association (UEVF) in France, to welcome the new spring and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties. Tran Trung Kien, a Vietnamese student from Lille city, won  first prize for his piano performance, while second prize went to 20-member Action dancing group that stole the show. Vu Ngoc Han from Amiens city was awarded third prize for her sweet voice in presenting songs in both English and French. In addition, The UEVF and the association of Vietnamese experts and scientists, presented six certificates of merit to Vietnamese students who achieved excellent academic results in 2013. Italy dedicates new library to Vietnam A library introducing books on … [Read more...]

VN women feature in film festival About 10 Vietnamese filmmakers have been honoured at the 36th Creteil International Women's Film Festival in Paris. The filmmakers including veterans Viet Linh, Siu Pham and Nguyen Trinh Thi, and emerging ones such as Truong Que Chi and Nguyen Hoang Diep. The 77-minute film Homostratus by Siu Pham and Jean-Luc Mello is a joint submission by Viet Nam and Switzerland in the long fiction feature category. Film screenings and discussions are being held on the sidelines of the festival. Prominent Vietnamese film director Viet Linh will bring her film Chung Cu (Living Quarter). The film was entered into the 21st Moscow International Film Festival in 1999. Linh's films have been screened in France, the United States and Australia. Established in 1979, the Creteil International Women's Film Festival is an annual event held in Creteil, Paris, which showcases the talents of female directors. Author reprints inspiring book After its debut in 1970, the … [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...]

Excavation begins at ancient tomb in Ben Tre A museum from the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City on April 26 began the excavation of an ancient tomb in Cho Lach town. Assoc. Prof. Pham Duc Manh, dean of the university’s Faculty of Archaeology, said this is a large-scaled double tomb dating back to the late 18th or the early 19th century. It embodies features of tombs built for officials under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). However, the tomb has degraded due to natural and human impacts, he added. The dig will be conducted on an area of 100 square metres over 10 days. The Ben Tre Museum will preserve artefacts unearthed during the excavation.- Japanese wisteria tunnel to bring flowery display to Ha Noi The first festival inspired by wisteria (or fuji in Japanese) will be organised today at Times City urban area in Ha Noi to honour Japanese culture. Titled Fuji Matsuri, the two-day festival will recreate … [Read more...]

Thang Long Royal Citadel archeological site handed over to Hanoi authority The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences held a ceremony on April 27 to hand over management authority of Zone D at the Thang Long Royal Citadel archeological site to Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee. Earlier, the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee received the authority for Zone A, B and C of the vestige. With the handover of Zone D, the Hanoi administration now has control of the whole area of the historic site located at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi. The handover is part of the Government’s commitment to UNESCO to preserve and promote Thang Long Royal Citadel, which was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 2010. Apart from the site space, the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee also received 1,177 cubic metres of bricks, tiles and stone artifacts, as well as reports on outcomes of excavations at the site. Fine arts exhibition honors General Vo Nguyen … [Read more...]