VietNam Life Style: 12/19/10

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Technicolour images of the abstract artist

by Vo Le Hong

Naked ambition: Van Duong Thanh poses next to one of her works. — VNS Photo Sunny Rose

A load on their shoulders: Women Carrying Rice on a Shoulder Pole, a painting by Thanh.

HCM CITY — Colour has the strongest influence on emotion, according to artist Van Duong Thanh. Her art is not about the tangible but about the abstract. But although the universe is like a fantasy, it does evoke very strong images and feelings.

Her collection of 40 abstract paintings on display at the Sai Gon Rex Hotel in HCM City reflect her worldview.

"My strongest inspiration is the Sarus crane and other animals in the Mekong Delta," Thanh says.

"I love the green of the Delta's submerged fields."

Me Con Tren Canh Dong (Mother and Children in the Field), Bay Seu Duoi Anh Trang (Cranes in the Moonlight), Nhung Nguoi Dan Ba Ganh Gao (Women Carrying Rice on a Shoulder Pole), all on display at A Sense of Homeland, are testimony to this.

The overwhelming theme of Thanh's paintings is joy, whether it is an image of a winter's evening or a rainy afternoon.

For her, dark colours are just a "low musical note in a vivid concert".

"Art is a sublimated minute of a great accumulation."

Considered one of Asia's most talented female artists, Van Duong Thanh grew up in Ha Noi where she studied for 12 years at the Fine Arts College and the Academy of Fine Arts.

She was a researcher at the Institute of Culture in the capital from 1981 to 1987, and now divides her time between Sweden, where she teaches art, and Ha Noi.

The Vietnamese National Museum of Fine Arts in the capital added Thanh's works to its collection when she was just 21.

Since then, many of her works have gone on permanent display at national museums in several other countries including Thailand, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden.

Thanh was born in Phu Yen Province and during the war often had to evacuate to the countryside to hide in tunnels or finding shelter with peasants.

It was during this period that she developed an empathy for the rural way of life and the country's traditions. After the war ended, she completed her formal education at Ha Noi's Fine Arts College in 1980.

She has held many exhibitions in Viet Nam, France, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, the US, and Sweden.

A Sense of Homeland will be on display until June 30 next year. — VNS

Archaeology has community benefit

Dig that: Archaeologists at an excavation site in Khuoi Nang Cave in the northern province of Ha Giang, where various traces of prehistoric human beings have been found. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Ha

THANH HOA — Local people, authorities and archaeologists will both spiritually and materially benefit from a "community archaeology" model, according to participants at a recent conference in the central province of Thanh Hoa.

Thai specialist Boonyarit Chaisuwan gave an example of the Phu Khao Thong archaeological site, located 71km north of Bangkok, where local thieves used to excavate antiques to sell.

"When we reached the site, we were amazed because there were 2,000-year-old antiques scattered all over the site," Chaisuwan said, "The thieves just took the gold and left the rest there."

"We decided to educate local people about their heritage," he said pointing at a photo featuring local students listening attentively to a lecturer. Beside the students were souvenirs made by locals to sell to tourists.

"So, from the Phu Khao Thong site, which means ‘Golden Mountain' in English, locals have learnt to earn money without having to dig," he said.

"Tourists flock to see the site, where locals can talk for hours on the archaeological heritage and sell souvenirs. Locals understand that their livelihoods are secure as long as the site is protected."

According to Nguyen Giang Hai, general secretary of the Viet Nam Archaeology Association, community archaeology was still a fairly new concept in Viet Nam. "But there are still reputed examples," he said.

Pham Van Hung from Ha Noi and Nguyen Cao Lu from the northern province of Ninh Binh are good examples of locals who have spared no efforts in protecting local archaeological sites.

Hung has worked with local people to prevent looting at the Vuon Chuoi archaeological site, where traces of Dong Son Culture (2,000BC-200AD) and even older dynasties were discovered in 1994.

Lu became interested in the subject after reading books on archaeology belonging to his son, and since then, he has discovered 22 caves with traces of early human life in Ninh Binh which he has reported to local scientists.

"Archaeological sites in Viet Nam are often located in residential areas, so most are discovered by chance by local people," said Lam Thi My Dung, deputy chairperson of the Viet Nam Archaeology Association, "We say that in Viet Nam, locals are the eyes and ears of archaeologists."

Lu came to the conclusion that community archaeology should be the "people's archaeology".

Archaeologist Rasmi Shoocongdep from Thailand said that communication was the most important thing in community archaeology.

"We reported our finds using simple language instead of professional terms so that locals could understand," he said.

Vietnamese archaeologist Le Hai Dang from the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute agreed with his Thai colleague.

"We should organise workshops at the excavation sites, rather than bringing artefacts to far-away meeting halls," he said.

Archaeologist Nishimurra Masanari from Japan said community archaeology had been introduced in schools in his country, where students were given various parts of a broken jar and asked to put them back together, following the styles of certain historical periods.

"With minimal expense, community archaeology has been introduced in schools and merged with subjects such as history and fine arts," he said, "Viet Nam can do the same."

Im Sokrithy from the National Conservation Centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia, insisted that such systematic heritage protection required assistance from local authorities.

"In order to protect Angkor Wat, authorities have helped locals relocate, and provided them with housing and land with proper infrastructure."

Pham Sanh Chau, secretary general of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, said that the methods of conducting community archaeology discussed at the conference were similar to those recommended by UNESCO.

According to a UNESCO convention in 2003 on protecting intangible heritage, a heritage is only recognised by the organisation when the local community agrees and participates in the protection process.

UNESCO educates all levels of people on cultural, archaeological and artistic heritage.

UNESCO also facilitates the creation jobs for both locals and people living near the sites.

"These sentiments work well in Viet Nam because Vietnamese people have a high community spirit," he said. — VNS

Children need quality TV programmes

CAN THO — The need for more airtime and better scheduling for children's programmes was stressed by local filmmakers as well as television stations TV broadcasting officials at a seminar held in Can Tho city early this week.

Airtime for children's programmes on Da Nang Television was 10.3 per cent, on Ha Noi Television (HNTV), 9.1 per cent, and on Viet Nam Television (VTV) is 8 per cent, and in several provincial stations, just 2 per cent, said Huynh Mai Huong of Ho Chi Minh TV (HTV).

"Children programmes are broadcast at 2.30pm, 6.30pm or 7.30pm every day failing to attract young viewers, who are either at school or are beginning to do their homework at home," she added.

Musician The Long of the VTV in Can Tho said: "We produced 147 programmes in different styles for children in 2008; this dropped to 51 programmes in 2009 and just 47 this year. "

A recent survey by psychologist Dr Huynh Van Son and his team showed that only 30-45 per cent of children in HCM City and neighbouring provinces watched TV programmes designed for them.

"Most viewers prefer watching foreign productions on cable channels such as Disney Channel and Cartoon Network, because domestic works are poorly made and boring," he said.

Cartoon time is the highlight of the afternoon for children, but over 90 per cent of the cartoons shown on TV are imported productions.

The relatively few Vietnamese cartoons shown use outdated technology and uninspiring scripts, and they are losing out in a big way to high-tech, sophisticated productions from Japan, China and the US.

To produce a programme for children, VTV spends around VND3.7 million (US$ 160) – including the royalty of VND500,000 ($25) for the show's director – these meagre figures tell their own story, according to speakers at the seminar.

Many skilled producers and directors refuse to make children's programmes because they see it a poor business opportunity.

One official with Ha Noi Television (HNTV) said that without increased financial investment and new policies, "our TV programmes will continue to fail to attract children".

He said many provincial TV stations still lacked professional staff, modern technology and support from related offices to promote their broadcasts.

Also attending the seminar, held within the auspices of the National Television Festival held in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta city, were representatives from foreign TV stations including Australia's ABC, China's CCVT and Japan's NHK. — VNS

Ha Long Bay ranks sixth on National Geographic list

HA NOI — National Geographic magazine has ranked Viet Nam's Ha Long Bay sixth in a list of the world's 10 best sailing cruises.

The magazine describes Ha Long Bay as consisting of "strangely sculpted limestone islands and outcrops, dotted with small floating villages and deserted sandy beaches. In spring and early summer the water is particularly calm and clear. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is best explored by a cruise on a junk."

The list also included the Nova Scotia and Labrador Tall Ships cruise in Canada; US Washington state's San Juan Islands; a Pirate Cruise of the Grand Cayman Island; the Star Clipper to French Polynesia; a Junk Cruise in Andaman Sea, Thailand; the Seychelles Islands; a Dhow Cruise through the Strait of Hormuz, Oman; Lamu Island, Kenya and the Evia Island Cruise, Greece.

Last month, the Lonely Planet magazine also introduced Ha Long Bay as one of the world's top ten best boat journeys.

HCM City university kicks off fashion design contest

HCM CITY — The HCM City University of Technology's annual design contest for young fashion hopefuls opens tomorrow.

HUTECH Designer 2011 will be themed Hanh Tinh Xanh (Green Earth) to send the message of environmental protection to students around the country.

Contestants can send up to 10 designs.

The jury, including designer Sy Hoang, supermodel Ha Anh, and fashion lecturers from HUTECH and the HCM City University of Architecture, will select 15 best collections that will qualify for the final.

The finalists have to make clothes from their designs for the final to be held next April at the Phan Dinh Phung Gymnasium in District 3.

The winner will get a prize of VND30 million (US$1,540).

The contest was first held in 2009 for the HUTECH student and expanded to students and young people across the country in 2010.

Last year's contest was themed We Make Change, attracting contestants from 31 universities and colleges around the country and 100 others who submitted in all 332 designs.

Vo Thi Quynh Nhu of the HCM City-based Hoa Sen University won first prize with her collection titled Vu Dieu Mau Sac (Dance of Colours).

Da Nang student wins international film award

HA NOI — Ho Thi Hieu Hien, a student at the Tay Son School in the central city of Da Nang, has won the special prize at the Japan International Film Contest for Asian Children for her film Buoi Hoc Cua Thuy (Thuy's Learning Time), beating out 65 entries from 10 Asian countries and territories.

The film previously won first prize in a film contest for Vietnamese students.

Hien also won first prize in the 39th Universal Postal Union International Letter Writing Competition in September.

Ethnic man wins prize in traditional architecture contest

HA NOI — An amateur design for a stilt house of the Chu Ru ethnic group has won second prize in the Viet Nam Institute of Architecture, Urban and Rural Planning's Traditional Vietnamese Architecture Contest.

The designer, Jahieng from Pre' village in the Central Highlands province accepted the award in Ha Noi on Thursday.

The contest, organised by the institute's Architectural History Research Department, was part of a project to collect and gather information on traditional Vietnamese architecture. — VNS

Hotels shares Xmas spirit with children

The Ramana Hotel’s staff members with Anh Sang orphanage’s children at the Xmas Charity party - Photo: Courtesy of Ramana Hotel Saigon

Somerset HCMC, a serviced residence managed by Ascott Limited (Ascott), has organized a ‘Sharing Happiness” Day at Dieu Giac temple orphanage in District 2 and donated VND30 million to the disadvantaged children there.

Richard Tan, Ascott’s country general manager for Vietnam, and some 40 staff, residents and families joined the event with a lot of food, games, songs and art competitions. The children had a lot of fun running around and taking photos with the Santas.

Somerset HCMC has been decorated with a key card Christmas tree at its lobby. There are 125 special edition key cards for sale and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the orphanage on Christmas Day. Extra donations are expected to total VND10 million which will be used to cover foods and education needs for the children there.

*DuxtonHotel Saigon

In the spirit of giving for this Christmas season, Duxton Hotel Saigon visited and sent Christmas gifts to orphaned children, sightless people and elderly at Bamboo Village in Dong Nai Province on December 18.

*Legend Hotel Saigon

Management and staff of the Legend Hotel Saigon have visited Hoang Mai Center in HCMC’s Go Vap District to serve buffet lunch to disabled children and give the center VND20 million and Christmas gifts. The donation was contributed by the hotel’s management and staff, and funds saved through not sending printed seasonal greeting cards as a commitment to the environment and community.

*Ramana Hotel Saigon

The four-star Ramana Hotel Saigon on Thursday hosted Xmas Charity party for 50 orphans from Anh Sang and Ga Saigon orphanages in HCMC’s District 3.

“We have never enjoyed such delicious foods and happiness in a luxurious place like this. We are so happy and hope that next year we gather again in this place to celebrate Xmas,” an orphan identified as Phuc said.

The total amount spent on the charity event was VND90 million.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Cambridge ESOL launches competition for teachers

Cambridge ESOL, part of the U.K-based University of Cambridge, has announced the 2011 Cambridge English Competition for teachers worldwide who do not speak English as mother tongue.

Those joining the competition will submit a 150-word essay by March 1, 2011 to talk about their experience, difficulties and challenges that they have faced when teaching English in their countries.

The topic of this year’s competition is “Briefing your solution for difficulties as teaching English and what you do to create a better learning experience for your students.”

Six winners will be selected and each of them will be offered one of three development courses, including Language and Methodology Refresher (Young Learners), Language and Methodology Refresher (Secondary/Adults), and Teaching Business English for two weeks.

These six teachers will start their courses at the U.K-based Bell Teacher Campus, Homerton College in Cambridge and will be fully-funded for their trips to the U.K from August 14-27, 2011.

In 2010, Cambridge ESOL received over 2,000 entries from teachers in 45 countries. Vietnam and four other teachers from Taiwan, Poland, Kazakhstan and Argentina won the trip to Cambridge to improve English teaching methods.

For more information, visit www.cambridgeesol.org/wow/events/cambridge-english-competition.html or email at info@cambridgeesol.org.vn, and for registration at www.surveymonkey.com/s/camenglishentryform

City welcomes in festive season

Seasonal cheer: Singer Minh Hang performs at a music show. Young performers will tour the streets for charity before entertaining audiences with popular Christmas and New Year songs. — VNS File Photo

HCM CITY — Christmas Eve music and other performances in HCM City tonight will feature some big names and promise to provide something for everyone.

Pop superstars like My Linh, Hong Nhung, Phuong Thanh, and Ho Ngoc Ha, and dance groups like Hoang Thong will perform at many places in the city.

A large, open-air show sponsored by Maritime Bank and others will be held at District 10's Thong Nhat Gymnasium.

The concert, Toi Tin (I Believe), will be directed by Pham Hoang Nam and his Vietnamese and foreign crew, including music director Duc Tri, theatre design director John Park, and visual effects specialist Yap Kok Wai.

Young stars like Ha Anh Tuan, Phuong Linh, and Minh Hang will perform along with the more experienced Quang Dung and Dan Truong.

The free concert is expected to attract more than 20,000 people.

Young artists will tour the city streets for charity before going to people's houses and singing popular Christmas and New Year songs.

A fashion show at the Youth Cultural House will feature the latest collections by young designers from the city's Fine Arts College.

Dam Sen Park's theatre festival, Gala Xmas 2011, which will feature popular cai luong (reformed theatre) stars and comedians, has already attracted thousands of migrant workers and students.

The World of Bethlehem Legends, an ice sculpture festival which has some of the world's architectural wonders carved in ice, opened at the Suoi Tien Tourist Park this week, attracting thousands of children and their parents.

Dozens of ice sculptors have been invited to make the sculptures for the event that will go on into the new year. Thousands of bulbs make the show a blaze of colours.

Santa Claus and his helpers will give away gifts and food to young visitors to the park.

The city Young People's Association has got hundreds of young volunteers to dress in traditional red and white costumes to spread the Christmas cheer to poor and homeless children around the city.

"I volunteered to be Santa because for me Christmas is about giving and making children happy," Tran Minh Chien, a third-year student at the city's Law University, said.

Chien and his friends will visit orphanages and shelters in the rural districts of Nha Be and Binh Chanh. "We will sing and dance with the children and hope to cheer them up," he said. — VNS

King Le historical novel wins top prize

HCM CITY — Veteran author Nguyen Quang Than's historical novel, Hoi The (Revenge Vows), has received the first prize for fiction from the Viet Nam Writers Association in Ha Noi.

The prize is given every three years to honour the best books in fiction, a literary genre that is often highly challenging for both veterans and young writers.

Hoi The features the tales of Emperor Le Thai To and his loyal courtier Nguyen Trai, one of Viet Nam's greatest politicians and poets.

They began their campaign against China's Ming occupation in 1418.

The novel vividly portrays the heroic deeds of the king and his people, highlighting the strength of the people's inner life.

Seventy-four-year old Than is known for his realistic writing style that sensitively hides romantic feelings.

Although he began writing in 1957, he did not receive a prize until 1983 when his children's book Chu Be Co Tai Mo Khoa (The Boy Can Open Every Door) was given an award by the association.

Than's best-known works, including Huong Dat (The Flavour of Land) in 1964, Ba Nguoi Ban (Three Friends) in 1970, and Con Ngua Man Chau (The Manchu's Horse) in 2000, have been issued by leading publishers and attract both old and young readers.

The association selected Hoi The for the award this year from 247 literary works authored by veteran and young writers across the country.

The association presented three second prizes to Huu Phuong's Chan Troi Mua Ha (The Sun Above the Horizon in Summer), Nguyen Quang Ha's Vung Lom (Main Point), and Nguyen Van Tho's Quyen. All of the works feature a slice of contemporary writing.

With her latest book Xuan Tu Chieu, the Ha Noi-based writer Y Ban shared third prize with nine writers who also showed their writing skills on their work's papers.

Published by the Phu Nu (Women) Printing House in 2008, Xuan Tu Chieu tells the stories about life and love of three married women named Xuan, Tu and Chieu, who try to escape from fixed social mores to free thoughts and lifestyles.

In her interview with the Mot&Cuoc Song (Fashion&Life) magazine after her book's release, Ban said: "I tried to put myself into every word in Xuan Tu Chieu."

In the book, she uses a new, simple and candid writing skill that leaves a very strong impression on readers' minds.

The association wants to honour fiction writers and encourage people, especially the young, to read novels, which often include serious topics about history, culture, life, according to poet Huu Thinh, chairman of the association. — VNS

Folk cultural researchers honoured in Ha Noi

HA NOI — Valuable pieces of research on folk literature and art were granted prizes by the Viet Nam Folk Arts and Literature Association on Wednesday in Ha Noi at an annual association event.

Research on the spiritual customs of the Thai ethnic group who live in the northern mountainous region of Viet Nam by Luong Thi Dai and Lo Xuan Hinh and a book on the geography of Quang Xuong District in the central province of Thanh Hoa by Hoang Tuan Pho received the most prestigious awards on the occasion.

Pho's work provided a range of information on the coastal district of Quang Xuong including its history, geographical traits and potential development in tourism and traditional handicrafts.

Dai and Hinh researched the long-standing traditions of the Thai people, concentrating on their marriage ceremony, known as sen phan be.

The association awarded 66 prizes selected from 89 entries in the fields of philology, folk culture, performing arts, geography, traditional customs and folk knowledge, according to To Ngoc Thanh, the association's president.

Academy to present quarterly concert for children

HA NOI — The Viet Nam National Academy of Music will offer a special concert for children every quarter at the academy's campus, according to piano instructor Ta Quang Dong, who initiated and organised the programme.

"We spare a regular concert for children as we hope to bring them a real appreciation for European classical music, " Dong told Viet Nam News. "Vietnamese audiences have little knowledge of this kind of music, which is partly a result of our improper music education.

"Children audiences like to see children perform," he said. "At the same time, young artists will get a chance to perform in front of a real audience rather than waiting for scarce opportunities to perform in major shows."

"Classical music is the root from which a music student begins before concentrating on other genres," Dong said. "Today, more wealthy families are facilitating their children's music education, not to earn a living but to enhance their aesthetic sense."

17th century stone steles found in northern province

VINH PHUC — Sixty-eight stone steles dating from the 17th century have been catalogued by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the northern province of Vinh Phuc.

Stone steles, often found in pagodas, temples and community halls, provide valuable information on history, tradition, geography and customs, said Tran Van Quang, the department's director. Contents carved on the steles recorded notable events, he said.

However, Quang warned that communities were often not aware of the significance of the carved stone and that regional authorities had no plans to preserve it.

Heavy rains bring brighter news as artefacts are unearthed

NGHE AN — People in Do Luong District and Cua Lo Town in the central province of Nghe An have collected 40 pottery pieces dating from the Ly and Tran dynasties (the 10th-18th centuries) in recent months.

Most of the artefacts, including dishes, bowls, pots and cups, were found by farmers after heavy rain washed the soil away.

Many of the pieces were decorated with lotus and daisies, enamelled in different colours. They are now being stored at the provincial museum. — VNS

Renaissane Riverside names director of finance

Stathi Kallinikos

Stathi Kallinikos has been appointed as director of finance of the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon.

Stathi Kallinikos has been through many positions at the Nikko and Hyatt hotels before he joined Marriott in 2000, first working at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel in London. In the following years he assumed managerial positions at the Renaissance Leipzig Hotel in Germany, the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London, the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, and the JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta.

Stathi Kallinikos received his BSc in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the United States and his Diploma in Accountancy from the Bournemouth University in Great Britain.

“Personally I am looking forward to the full Vietnamese experience and I will most likely be spotted out and about at HCMC’s cafés, restaurants, markets and green spaces….(and anywhere in Vietnam where there happens to be a beach),” Stathi Kallinikos said, hinting at his habit of going places.

‘As for the new role at the Renaissance Riverside Saigon, it’s great to be back with the Renaissance brand after a few years away, she’s looking as good as ever!” he added.

Vietnam’s landscapes through Van Duong Thanh strokes

Artist Van Duong Thanh poses next to her artworks - Photo: Courtesy of the organizer

An exhibition named “Mot thoang huong que” (A glimpse of hometown) by leading Asian female artist Van Duong Thanh is on at the five-star Rex Hotel Saigon in HCMC’s District 1 to mark the launch of the hotel’s new lobby and the return of artist Van Duong Thanh after her exhibition at the HCMC Fine Arts Museum 20 years ago.

Gérard Boivineau, consul general of France in HCMC who is also a close friend of the artist, cut the ribbon and made the speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The exhibition showcases 70 oil paintings which mostly feature landscapes in the South of Vietnam, from Saigon to the Mekong Delta in the past and at the present. All the artworks were painted in strong and bright colors which carry deep emotion and feelings of Thanh towards the images of nature, women, children and ancient architecture.

“I painted all these artworks will all my heart and enthusiasm with a hope to bring the beauty and joy to everybody,” said Van Duong Thanh.

Van Duong Thanh was born in Phu Yen Province and studied the art of paintings for twelve years during difficult times of war. She was also a student of late well-known artist Bui Xuan Phai. She lives in both Vietnam and Sweden where she teaches paintings.

Thanh has also been known in the world for her 65 international exhibitions. Some of her 1,600 works have been displayed at museums in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Sweden. Thanh has been conferred the title of “Nguoi vinh danh dat Viet” (person who brings glory to Vietnam) and “Dai su van hoa cua Vietnam” (Vietnam’s cultural ambassador).

The exhibition runs until June 30, 2011 at the lobby of the Rex Hotel Saigon.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Vietnam’s landscapes through Van Duong Thanh strokes

Artist Van Duong Thanh poses next to her artworks - Photo: Courtesy of the organizer

“I painted all these artworks will all my heart and enthusiasm with a hope to bring the beauty and joy to everybody,” said Van Duong Thanh.

The exhibition runs until June 30, 2011 at the lobby of the Rex Hotel Saigon.

Secrets of pyramid to be revealed in Hanoi

Xmas at West Lake

The circus drama called “Secrets of the Pyramid” will debut for Hanoians at the Central Circus on December 24 to 26 and January 1 and 2, revealing mysterious stories and secrets of the pyramid in Egypt.

The show will be performed by the Vietnam Circus Federation in collaboration with artists of the Youth Theater and Hanoi Opera House. The show as a combination of circus with other genres of arts such as drama or comedy will bring viewers many new experiences and help them explore a legendary Egypt.

Tickets are available at the circus theater, 67-69 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hanoi, at prices of VND120,000, VND200,000 and VND300,000 per person.

*On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the West Lake Water Park in Hanoi will hold a colored lantern exhibition with 100 Santa Clauses

Santa Claus will play fun games with the kids and give them gifts. Christmas Eve by the lake will also feature live music, juggling and dramas by Vietnamese and Chinese artist troupes.

There will be 35 colored lantern displays some lit by more than 8,000 light bulbs. The exhibition will run till February 22.

Tickets are available at the park, 614 Lac Long Quan Street, Hanoi’s Ho Tay District, for VND40,000 to VND140,000. The organizers donate VND5,000 for each ticket sold to the flood victims in the central and buy 100 gifts for poor children in the city.

Vietnam all set to welcome Christmas, New Year

People flock to Saigon downtown at night to celebrate festival

Photo: Tuoi Tre

With just a few days to go for Christmas and then New Year, festive cheer is blanketing the nation.

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will have music, circus, food, dancing, and comedy shows during the festivals.

The HCMC Youth Cultural House will have music and hip-hop dance performances and fashion shows from December 24 to 31 while Children’s House in District 1 will organize the “Winter Day” fest on December 24 featuring folk games, music, and circus. Tickets cost VND20,000 (US$1).

The annual Taste of the World Festival at the September 23rd Park from Dec 26 to Jan 2 will offer visitors the chance to sample food from more than 20 countries.

Chefs and representatives from hotels, restaurants, and hospitality agencies in Germany, France, Brazil, the US, and other countries will take part.

There will be comedy, music, and theater performances at HCMC’s Dam Sen Cultural Park from Dec 24 to Jan 2, while Binh Quoi Tourist Village will host a Russian Cuisine Festival from Dec 24 to 26.

In Hanoi, two nights of music titled “Pho cu tinh xua” will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on December 24-25. It will feature marquee names like Thanh Lam, Siu Black, Quang Linh, Tung Duong, Ngoc Anh, and Phuong Anh, and tickets will cost VND500,000 (US$25) to VND2 million ($100).

The Circus Center at 67 – 69 Tran Nhan Tong Street will offer spectacular performances of “Pyramid’s Secret” from December 24 to January 2. Tickets are on sale at VND80,000 to VND300,000 ($4 - 15).

Folk cultural research honoured

HA NOI – Valuable pieces of research on folk literature and art were granted prizes by the Viet Nam Folk Arts and Literature Association on Wednesday in Ha Noi at an annual association event.

Pho's work provided a range of information on the coastal district of Quang Xuong including its history, geographical traits and potential development in tourism and traditional handicrafts.

Dai and Hinh researched the long-standing traditions of the Thai people, concentrating on their marriage ceremony, known as sen phan be.

The ceremony is thought to help break ties with loved ones from a previous life, so the participants can find happiness in the current one.

Ancient tomb found in Ha Noi

Unearthed: Artefacts belonging to the Dong Son culture (2,000BC-AD200) excavated at a site on the outskirts of Ha Noi. — VNS Photo Hai Kim

HA NOI — A tomb estimated to be about 2,000 years old has been excavated at an archaeological site on the outskirts of Ha Noi.

And other objects found at the site indicate that there was an earlier settlement dating back as far as 4,000BC – to the beginnings of Viet Nam's history as a trading nation.

So far, scientists have found an earthenware jar and cooking pan – plus, most significantly, a bronze axe, all of which are thought to belong to the renowned Dong Son culture (2,000BC-AD200).

But they have also uncovered various working tools, weapons and daily wares made from stone, bronze and pottery from the preceding Dong Dau culture, which existed from 4,000 to 2,500BC.

Human bones were found inside the tomb, but they were said to have been almost destroyed by time. They could provide evidence of the physique and type of the people of the time.

The excavation site, named Go Den Ran, covers a total area of 3,000sq.m. The discoveries have been brought to light by archaeologists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities who have been working for more than a year.

The site is within the allocated border for an urban development area named Kim Chung – Di Trach Urban Zone. Scientists have asked concerned agencies to stop construction so that further study can be carried out. — VNS

Judgement day beckons idols

Stars in their eyes: Top 2 Viet Nam Idol 2010 Van Mai Huong and Tran Nguyen Uyen Linh. The winner of the series' third season will be announced on Saturday night. — File Photos

HA NOI — Female students Tran Nguyen Uyen Linh and Van Mai Huong will vie to be crowned Viet Nam Idol in the finale of the series' third season on Saturday night.

Performances last Saturday were the final chances for Uyen Linh and Mai Huong to impress judges and viewers with their talents, performing foreign and Vietnamese songs, including a new tune by composer Huy Tuan.

Huong, at only 16 years of age, was not seen to be in a position of strength going into the final, but she has consistently wowed audiences and judges with voice and professionalism.

She sang a fresh rendition of Trai Tim Am Nhac (Music Heart) last week and said the song represented her thoughts about music over her four-month journey with Viet Nam Idol.

Huong bowled over audiences with her cover of Hot and Cold by Katy Perry when she surprised everyone by appearing in a black wig and glasses.

"You can definitely be called a music star despite being only 16 years old," said judge Diem Quynh. "You are very professional to sing a song that makes viewers forget your age."

Quynh believed the young student at the Military Culture and Arts College had a long career ahead of her because of her talent.

Meanwhile judge Quoc Trung said that Huong would be a new image for pop singers and an idol for the teen music audience.

Linh, 22, is a recent graduate of the Viet Nam Academy of Diplomacy. Last week, she sang Sao Anh Chang Ve (Why You Don't Return), composed by the Viet Nam Idol judge, Trung.

She entertained viewers with a wonderful improvisation on the melody and even changed a few words.

"I can sue you for changing my song without permission," laughed Trung. "But I will share the royalties with you because you made it fresh."

Linh's performance of Take Me to the River was so infectious it had the judges joining in singing and dancing along to her performance, which also demonstrated her ability to sing fluently in English.

For the final song, she performed Cam On Tinh Yeu (Grateful for Love) which Huong had performed before. Linh modulated her voice in the song and turned in an emotional performance that moved judge Siu Black.

"I don't want to compare you and Mai Huong, but your singing added much more emotion to the song," said veteran singer Siu Black.

Linh is herself a "veteran", having competed in the previous Viet Nam Idol and Viet Nam Television's song contest. — VNS

Southern amateur music sees revival

HCM CITY — Efforts to preserve and secure UNESCO recognition for don ca tai tu, a form of music performed by amateur artists in the south, are gathering pace.

A seminar held in HCM City on Tuesday sought to gather materials and information on the art for submission to the UN agency.

Dozens of researchers, educators, cultural administrators and musicians attended the meeting at the HCM City Museum.

Vu Kim Anh, deputy director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said don ca tai tu has lost none of its "miraculous vitality" after more than 100 years of existence.

There are 97 clubs and groups with 1,133 members that propagate the music.

Researchers said the art form is becoming more and more popular among Vietnamese and foreigners though its format has changed for the worse, according to some experts.

Songs are now played as short extracts rather than in full, often leaving listeners unable to understand the meaning.

Composer Ngo Hong Khanh said the art form must be preserved and developed in a creative manner while still retaining all its original values.

Don ca tai tu performer Minh Duc said it is necessary to create a cultural space for the art and popularise it among the younger generations and teach it in schools.

Professor Tran Van Khe presented a CD on don ca tai tu that he and folk artist Bach Hue had made in 1963 for UNESCO.

Viet Nam Traditions of the South, featuring 11 songs, has since found a place in a series called UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music of the World.

Other researchers and composers offered valuable references on the art to a city don ca tai tu research group that was established in August. — VNS

Culture Vulture

The National Fine Arts Exhibition, held only once every five years, represents the best of Vietnamese arts. Vi Kien Thanh, chairman of the culture ministry's Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, spoke to Culture Vulture about the event.

How is this year's exhibition different from previous ones?

The exhibition is the most significant event in Vietnamese fine arts as it reviews five years of creativity by artists from around the country.

This year, the 18th exhibition is displaying paintings, lacquer, sculpture, graphics and installation art which is quite fresh. Not many installation artworks are displayed in comparison with other kinds, but they reflect the importance and position of contemporary fine arts.

The jury board selected entries from photos, not from original items as they had in previous years. This has helped artists from remote regions submit works to the board and saved time and effort. This year the Art Councils has also included new members to guarantee the equity and accuracy of the result.

Why aren't all cities and provinces represented in the national exhibition?

In the previous exhibition, the organising board tried to show representative works from all cities and provinces, but this year only the most excellent have been honoured. In fact, we couldn't select any artworks from nine provinces.

The selected works include 500 from Ha Noi, 143 from HCM City and 26 from the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, while 28 other provinces and cities are represented by five to ten works each. Many other locations have only one or two works on display.

The national fine arts exhibition is the most professional and prestigious rendezvous for artists nationwide, so only the most outstanding artworks are selected and recognised regardless of where they originate. This exhibition's quality and value have been affirmed. We are moved when many artists carrying their works from remote areas but can't give them prizes if they are not worthy.

The selection process was fair and objective and works were chosen based on their content and quality. There is no privilege for any artist.

But the number of work selected is uneven in between large and small cities and rural provinces, indicating uneven development in the fine arts. How do you think about this problem?

This is true, but it's quite normal. We cannot and do not expect equal development of high quality fine arts based on geographical criteria. Talent and good quality comes from the individual artist. We care more about bringing those good artworks to viewers in different regions so as many people as possible can enjoy the achievements of the country's best artists.

What do you think of the works of the many young artists in this exhibition?

The content of the works in this exhibition is quite diverse, ranging from the country's development, defence, and industrialisation and modernisation process, to historical topics and contemporary social issues, as well as the country's international integration.

Artists have had opportunities to join in field trips to such places as Pac Bo Cave in the northern province of Cao Bang, Nam Dan District in the central province of Nghe An, and the former Ho Chi Minh Trail. However, some young artists are not really interested in the country's common and current issues. I think they should be more responsible. I have strong belief in the young generation of artists. They are well-educated and have good professional skills as well as enthusiasm and creativity. We need to be more patient, as fine art is not something easy.

What will be the direction for Viet Nam fine arts after this exhibition?

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Viet Nam Fine Arts University. Viet Nam's fine arts have a long tradition.

The goal for Vietnamese fine arts will to continue producing new and high-quality works of art and contributing to the aesthetic awareness and development of the Vietnamese people. We are working on many things right now, including education, training, and planning and creating a framework for the development of the fine arts in Viet Nam and for bringing more works to the people. The ultimate goal for the development of Vietnamese fine arts is to contribute to an advanced artistic culture that is uniquely Vietnamese. — VNS

Miss Earth Viet Nam ranks 17 in Miss Globalbeauties' list

Miss Earth Viet Nam Luu Thi Diem Huong has ranked 17th in the Miss Grand Slam list on the Globalbeauties website.

HA NOI — Miss Earth Viet Nam Luu Thi Diem Huong has ranked 17th in the Miss Grand Slam list on the Globalbeauties website.

Huong, a 20-year-old model from HCM City, is the fifth beauty from Viet Nam to be placed among the top 50 in the website's annual vote.

Miss Viet Nam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy and Truong Tri Truc Diem, who won Miss Fashion title at the Miss Earth 2007 contest, also finished in the top 50.

In 2008, Nguyen Thuy Lam, Miss Universe Viet Nam 2008, came 57th while Tran Thi Huong Giang, Top 16 Miss World 2009, was in last year's top 10. Giang also won Miss Asia in the same list.

The top ten Miss Grand Slam list this year includes Miss Universe Albania, Miss Supranational Czech Republic, Miss World Botswana, Miss Earth Ecuador, Miss Earth India, Miss Universe Mexico, Miss Universe Ireland, Miss Supranational Panama, Miss Universe Puerto Rico and Miss World Venezuela.

Apollo English language students enjoy Christmas party fun

HA NOI — Nearly a thousand Apollo English students have attended a Christmas party in Ha Noi.

The event was held to boost student confidence in communicating in English as well as teaching them more about the customs of other countries, organisers said.

The party not only included a quiz with Father Christmas dishing out gifts, but also saw hip-hop dance and rhythmic ballet performances.

Other activities included making Christmas decorations, a Christmas card design contest and gift-giving to disabled children.

Students also participated in 10 Christmas games such as pin the nose for the snowman, Christmas card making, colouring and a dancing race.

"We enjoyed the party very much, but we were particularly excited by being given presents by Father Christmas," 14-year-old student Nguyen Quynh Anh said.

Training universities urged to teach students ethics and values

HCM City — Pedagogy universities and colleges should offer courses in ethics and values as well as more professional training, speakers at a HCM City workshop said on Tuesday.

At the workshop, Nguyen Thi Ha Lan of the Hong Duc University in central Thanh Hoa Province said teaching of values was very important in the educational sector, especially at the kindergarten level.

More programmes at pedagogy universities and colleges should emphasise that their students' behaviour will often mirror the conduct of the teacher.

Lan said authorities of local education offices and leaders of kindergartens as well as nursery schools should promote the teaching and application of values.

She said the ministry and local education and training departments should also offer more refresher training courses for existing teachers to improve their skills.

Dr Mai Thi Lien Giang of the Quang Binh University said the ministry should ask pedagogy universities to review and amend training programmes, and offer more courses in values and ethics. — VNS

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Ancient tomb found in Ha Noi

HA NOI – A tomb estimated to be about 2,000 years old has been excavated at an archaeological site on the outskirts of Ha Noi.

And other objects found at the site indicate that there was an earlier settlement dating back as far as 4,000 BC – to the beginnings of Viet Nam's history as a trading nation.

So far, scientists have found an earthenware jar and cooking pan – plus, most significantly, a bronze axe, all of which are thought to belong to the renowned Dong Son culture (2,000BC-200AD).

But they have also uncovered various working tools, weapons and daily wares made from stone, bronze and pottery from the preceding Dong Dau culture, which existed from 4,000 to 2,500 BC.

Human bones were found inside the tomb, but they were said to have been almost destroyed by time. They could provide evidence of the physique and type of the people of the time.

The excavation site, named Go Den Ran, covers a total area of 3,000sq.m. The discoveries have been brought to light by archaeologists from the University of Social and Humane Sciences who have been working for more than a year.

The site is within the allocated border for an urban area named Kim Chung – Di Trach Urban Zone. Scientists have asked concerned agencies to stop construction so that further study can be carried out. – VNS

Phase II of My Son restoration completed

Restored grandeur: Visitors at the My Son Holy Site. The Group G tower site has been restored with financial support from the Italian Government. — VNA/VNS Photo Van Son

HA NOI — The safeguarding of the My Son World Heritage Site took another step forward with the completion this month of the second phase of a preservation project, said Italian ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni.

The tripartite project between UNESCO, and the Italian and Vietnamese Governments focused on the preservation of Group G of monuments, the most important collection of remains at My Son Holy Site located in the central province of Quang Nam's Duy Xuyen District.

The group, consisting of five monuments, was selected for UNESCO preservation and sponsorship from the Italian Fund-In-Trust due to its unique decoration and materials and outstanding example of how a Cham sacred area was organised.

It lies on an elevated area never affected by seasonal flooding, and had never been restored, despite its considerable archae-ological importance.

Five key results of Phase II of the project were presented at a press conference held in Ha Noi yesterday.

Consolidation of the restoration of the G1 monument (the sanctuary), the most important of the Group G monuments was completed; with the lessons learnt from the Group G restoration to form a basis for future restoration of Cham brick monuments; and continued training of Vietnamese archaeologists, architects, conservationists and site managers in safeguarding cultural heritage in accordance with international World Heritage standards of conservation.

Training would include evaluation of the archaeological risk factors and vulnerability index of the monuments, which can be used as effective tools in the decision making for the long-term conservation of the World Heritage Site, according to Katherine Muller-Marin, representative and head of the UNESCO Ha Noi office.

She also highly appraised the catalogue of all Cham monuments in My Son which will provide the necessary database for the long-term protection of the site.

The project also helped develop a comprehensive site interpretation plan and design options of a plan for the entrance to the Group G site.

Besides these key results, the most significant success of phase II, was a project dedicated to replicating ancient Cham brickwork.

The success of this project was attributed to a local brick producer, technical staff and researchers from Institute for the Conservation of Monuments in co-operation with Italian experts from Lerici Foundation and University of Polytechnic of Milano.

"Although this research and experiments will continue, this has definitely contributed to taking the conservation work forward," said the ambassador.

In addition to the success gained in brick experimentation and production, the Guidelines for the restoration of Cham Towers with documented lessons learned from the G1 restoration in My Son would act as an important resource of knowledge and experience for conservators, particularly those working with ancient Cham monuments in central Viet Nam and other Hindu-influenced temples in the region.

The project was the first intervention since My Son was added to the World Heritage list in 1999 and only the second following the initial efforts by Polish and Vietnamese architects led by Kazimierz Kwiatkowski and Professor Hoang Dao Kinh in the early 1980s. A project which lacked the conditions to conduct more research into the materials and techniques used in the construction of the Cham monuments.

Phase I of the project began in 2003 and concluded in 2005 with the breakthrough discovery of an organic resin which was very similar to the ancient Cham material utilised as brick mortar.

The project cost 1.3 million euros (US$1.8million) from 2003-10.

"I'm convinced by the results of the project and I'm happy for the project to continue," said the ambassador. — VNS

South Korea hosts Vietnamese art exhibition

SEOUL — The biggest ever exhibition of Vietnamese contemporary art is taking place at the Fine Arts Museum of Gwangju City, the Republic of Korea (RoK), until February 6, 2011.

The exhibition themed Viet Nam Scenery and Spirit – Close up the Past, Looking to the Future introduces nearly 50 works of outstanding contemporary artists selected from collections of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum and the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association.

The painters include masters graduating from the Indochina Fine Arts College, which was established in 1924 and is the precursor of the Viet Nam College of Fine Arts, and well-known painters of next generations.

The paintings, which use a wide range of materials from oil paint, lacquer to silk, are arranged based on historical periods of Viet Nam from the 40s of the previous century to the first years of the 21st century. They introduce Vietnamese landscapes, people and their production life, traditional customs, as well as the country's resistance wars.

The exhibition reserves a solemn place for paintings on the theme of President Ho Chi Minh.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Tran Trong Toan underlined that the paintings to some extend reflect the history, culture, traditions, spiritual and material life, resistance wars and national construction of Vietnamese people.

He added the exhibition shows Vietnamese people's spirit and goodwill to befriend other nations for peace, independence and prosperity.

A representative of Gwangju city highlighted the positive achievements of the two countries' relations and the development of the Vietnamese community in the RoK. He said the exhibition would be a breakthrough for the two countries' cultural exchange activities, thus boosting their mutual understanding.

According to him, the organisation of the Viet Nam exhibition is one of Gwangju's efforts to become a centre for Asian cultural exchange. — VNS

Actor does charity star-turn

Doing his bit: Actor Chi Bao at a ceremony held to review the UHP charity programme in HCM City last week. — VNS Photo Vo Le Hong

HCM CITY — A charity programme run by popular actor Chi Bao has sold a self-improvement book by Zen master Minh Niem to raise money for providing heart and cleft palate surgeries for poor children.

The programme, called Hieu ve Trai Tim (Understanding the Heart Programme), has sold 27,000 copies of Understanding the Heart and the proceeds have funded operations for 78 children with congenital heart diseases.

Carried out in co-operation with the Heart Beat Viet Nam and VinaCapital Foundation, the programme will benefit a further 22 this year.

Bao, deputy president and manager of the UHP, told a ceremony held to review the programme last week: "I recently read by chance some stories in [the book] which I found very useful for myself. The book helps readers understand some basic concepts like happiness, unhappiness, love, and suffering.

"I introduced the stories to some people and received positive feedback. So, I decided to gather friends to publish the book for charity."

He has also lectured about the book at clubs attached to dozens of colleges and universities around the country and firms.

The 50 psychoanalytical stories in Understanding the Heart are simple and practical but profound, enabling youths to look into their soul.

Niem, the author, has followers around the world. His writings help readers discover themselves, seek to sow good traits like generosity and selflessness in their soul, and transform negative energy caused by anger, envy and other sentiments. — VNS

Battle royal between star captains in Vietnam Hat final

Captain of the Brown Team, Jason Lopez (L) leaps for the disk against the Blue Team in the Vietnam Hat semifinals on Sunday - Photo: Pieter Funnekotter

A see-sawing scoreline and a desperate physical contest between rival teams and captains kept spectators riveted to the final in the Vietnam Hat Ultimate Frisbee Tournament on Sunday.

The team captains, David Jensen, an American who resides in Saigon, of the Orange Team and Jason Lopez, a Filipino who works in Singapore, of the Brown Team, both veteran Asian Ultimate Frisbee players, faced off in a desperate competition of high flying grabs and belly sliding layouts.

Lopez said he had been the bridesmaid at the last three Vietnam Hat tournament finals and was determined to be the bride this time

After Sunday’s tense 10-13 loss in the fading daylight, Lopez, whose Brown team was underdog to Jensen’s Orange, could only wait for next year. Jensen’s masterful long throws and high grabs stole the match from Lopez whose focus on the flying disc and athleticism was akin to a border collie.

Brilliant performances from team members on both sides kept the scores moving neck and neck throughout the long match.

“In seven years of playing in the Vietnam Hat this is the highest level of play and the most breathtaking plays I’ve seen in a final,” Jensen said.

The opposite to Lopez, Jensen has won the four finals he has played in the Vietnam Hat – two of them against the Filipino.

The Vietnam Hat 2010 over the weekend at the RMIT International University fields in HCMC’s District 7 was the biggest Ultimate Frisbee tournament held in Vietnam so far with nearly 200 competitors from at least 13 countries.

There were 50 Vietnamese players, 20 expats in Vietnam with the remainder traveling from around the world to play at the tournament.

Most of the international visitors were taking a short holiday in Vietnam after the tournament before going home.

One of the Orange team players, Barry Labendz, 29, of Brooklyn New York, who is on a six week holiday in Asia, said, “That’s what’s cool about playing Ultimate, people travel around so much.”

“I have never traveled in Asia so I wanted to entrench myself in the Frisbee community,” he said.

The Saigon Times Daily was the proud media sponsor of Vietnam Hat 2010.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010