Hanoi Times - Riding on a motorbike on burning National Highway 1 on a scorching sunny noon, I felt the difficulties of To he craftsmen from Xuan La village, I Phuong Duc commune, Phu Xuan district, Hanoi. Everyday, To he (toy figurine) craftsmen in Xuan La village have to leave their home in the early morning on bicycles to be timely present at parks, flower gardens and markets in Hanoi. With small wood boxes containing glutinous rice powder of various colours, some bamboo sticks and magical hands, Xuan La craftsmen create extremely lively toy figurines to sell to children at VND3,000-5,000/toy. Xuan La village has three thousand people and around 200 people are earning their living by making To he. Everywhere there is To he - that place has Xuan La villagers. The toy figurines which have brought a small joy to many generations of Vietnamese have experienced many ups and downs, but Xuan La people are faithful to this job, though this job can't make them rich. To he - folk … [Read more...] about The vitality of To he craft village
The art of performance tour
Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of coffee
(VOVworld) - Buon Ma Thuot city in Dak Lak province is known as the capital of coffee. This central highlands city is famous for its excellent coffee and numerous cafes. Today, Discovery Vietnam takes you on a tour of Buon Ma Thuot. Nothing is easier than drinking a cup of coffee in Buon Ma Thuot. All the streets in the city are lined with little cafes. Some have romantic names like "Purple afternoon", "Moon Light", "Hyacinth", or "Mimosa". If you want to enjoy your coffee in a quiet atmosphere, you should go to the "Green Bamboo", "Dandelion", "Little Alley", or "Now and Then", all of which offer a shady garden. The "Sun", "Rock" and "Melody" cafes, on the other hand, cater to a very young clientele. Trung Nguyen coffee village in the center of Buon Ma Thuot is surely the place that attracts the most tourists. Covering 20,000 square meters, the café embraces the architectural style and cultural identity of the Central Highlands. The café does double duty as a museum dedicated to … [Read more...] about Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of coffee
The art of Hat Boi
The art of Hat BoiThanh Uyen A Cultural Community Discourse with the topic “Echoing drums - The art of Hat Boi” will take place at 146 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, HCMC on August 26. Scholar Petrus Truong Vinh Ky once defined Hat Boi (traditional opera) as “a play with many characters, instead of only one.” This genre of art, which originated in village life in Vietnam, is based on the principles of old theater from China and the art of singing from Cambodia with Viet indigenous elements to create a unique kind of artistic performance. What are the factors that determine the success or failure of a Hat Boi performance? What are the potentials and challenges that Hat Boi faces? In the Cultural Community Discourse, performer Dinh Bang Phi, who has dedicated his life to Hat Boi, will answer those questions. Over the past 50 years, Phi has observed Hat Boi and had a lot of write-ups about the rules, techniques and methods of this performing art, thus … [Read more...] about The art of Hat Boi
Dancers learn the art of perfection
More than 100 young dancers and choreographers from 48 dance troupes in HCM City and other provinces are participating in a training course launched this week by the HCM City Dance School. Into the groove: Young artists from the HCM City Dance School perform in Luc Van Tien, a folk dance choreographed by Kim Quy. — Photo by Duc Ngoc "Without young talent, the art will decline," says People’s Artist Vu Viet Cuong, one of the organisers for the new Dance Creation course. Cuong says better training and management will play an important role in improving the country’s dance profession. The curriculum for the course includes 13 subjects, including ballet, music for dance, and the language of folk dance. Cultural researchers and theatre experts, Tran Huu Ta, Ngo Hong Khanh and Le Tien Tho, developed the curricula. Fact-finding tours to scenic landscapes, historical sites and museums will help the students gain deeper experiences about traditional folk dance skills. "We … [Read more...] about Dancers learn the art of perfection
Organize the Arts Performing in the framework of “Culture Week of Laos in Vietnam”
(Cinet)- Recently, MOCST has issued the Decision No 4363/QD-BVHTTDL on holding the Arts Performing in the framework of "Culture Week of Laos in Vietnam ". In preparation for the program, MOCST assigned to the Arts Performing Organization Center under the Department of Performing Arts to host to welcome the artist delegation of Democratic Republic of Laos (35 people) and organize the arts performing in the framework of "Culture Week of Laos in Vietnam" from 21 - 28/12/2010 at the Hanoi Great Theater and 01 location in the northern region. For the funding for the program: Laos will be charged to travel on the international journey; the Arts Performing Organization Center will pay the expenses such as meals, accommodation, gifts for members, transportation in Vietnam, translator, printing the materials of the promotion, reception, tour expenses, rents of performance location and organization, the remuneration of training and performing for the delegation, overtime salary for staff of … [Read more...] about Organize the Arts Performing in the framework of “Culture Week of Laos in Vietnam”