Saturday, October 16, 2010

Friendship Association issues book about Ho Chi Minh

HCM CITY — The book Russians Talk about Ho Chi Minh was introduced at a meeting organised by the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association in HCM City this week.

The 160-page book written in Russian is a collection of stories and memoirs of 16 Russian writers, journalists and diplomats, who met President Ho Chi Minh from the 1920s to 1967.

In Russia, the book's debut was made at a ceremony to celebrate the 120th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh and to open the Ho Chi Minh Institute in Saint Petersburg on May 19.

"We're proud and happy that today the book is introduced to Vietnamese readers in the city named after Ho Chi Minh," the President of the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association, Vladimir Buiyanov, said.

"In Russia, the book helps readers better understand about President Ho's works and life, " he said.

The book also includes a number of photos of the President during various periods of his life.

Hong Kong all-male choir to perform fund-raiser in City

HCM CITY — The Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir will return to HCM City for a special charity event Songs for a Brighter Future at the Caravelle Hotel today.

The choir will perform folk songs of Wales, following appearances from the Chamber Music Group of Tieng Duong Cam Company and a fashion show.

Founded in 1978 by a small group of expatriates in Hong Kong, the all-male choir has 70 amateur singers. Many of its performances are for charity fund-raising purposes.

In 2004 and 2008, the group performed in London's Royal Albert Hall, and in 2009, the choir sang from the Great Wall of China.

The choir performed for the first time in HCM City two years ago.

The charity event is organised by Sai Gon Children's Charity to raise funds for education of disadvantaged children.

The funds will be raised through both entrance ticket sales and sponsors. Tickets are VND1.5 million (US$75) per person.

Letter writing contest gets under way in Da Nang

DA NANG — A ceremony was held in the central city of Da Nang on Friday to mark the 136th World Post Day and to launch the 2011 Universal Postal Union International Letter Writing Contest.

The annual contest for children up to 15 years old aims to develop children's creative writing skills and help to strengthen friendships among nations, while giving young people an understanding of the postal sector's role in social development.

The contest has the theme, "imagine you are a tree in a forest, then write a letter explaining why it is important to protect forests" in response to the 2011 International Year of Forest.

The contest has been held in Vietnam 21 times since 1987, with eight school children winning prizes, including a first prize awarded to Ho Thi Hieu Hien from the Tay Son Secondary School in Da Nang's Hai Chau this year.

Hien received a certificate of merit and awards from the UPU, MoET, the Health Ministry and the HCMCYU. — VNS

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Chung Thuc Quyen represents Vietnam at Miss International

Chung Thuc Quyen in a bikini photo shoot - Photo: Courtesy of Elite Entertainment Group
The Department of Performing Arts under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved model Chung Thuc Quyen to compete at Miss International 2010 in Chengdu, China from October 21. The crowning night will take place at Sichuan Province Gymnasium in the night of November 7.

The 23-year-old is working with designers to make her wardrobe for the event. All her evening gowns will be sponsored by designer Quynh Paris and her national costumes will be designed by Thuan Viet who created her winning national costume outfit at Miss Supernational pageant in 2009.

Chung Thuc Quyen and ladies from 80 countries and territories will take part in training courses and charity activities in China.

This year the beauty contest marks its 50th anniversary. The winner will become the Ambassador of Peace and Beauty.

Miss International began in 1960 in Long Beach, California, where it was staged until 1967, before moving to Japan from 1968-1970 to commemorate the Osaka World Expo.

Part of the pageant asks entrants to participate in regional exchange activities such as the Miss International Forum, charity events and environmental campaigns.

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"Floating Lives" deeply moves Korean audiences

"Canh Dong Bat Tan” (Floating Lives) has brought audiences of the 15th Pusan International Film Festival to tears in a room filled with the weight of human despair and the beauty of resilient emotions.

It competed in the New Currents category at the film festival which wrapped up today in Pusan port city, South Korea.

South Korean audiences saw the film before Vietnamese can do as of October 22. Silence fell in two projection rooms with nearly 800 seats in Lotte movie-theater as the Monochord’s lament came to a halt. The silent sound of tears was only broken by a heavy round of applause.

Adapted from Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tu’s novel, "Boundless Rice Field", the movie directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh centers around a family living in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and a man’s search for romantic redemption.

Father Vo (Dustin Nguyen), daughter Nuong (Lan Ngoc) and son Dien (Vo Thanh Hoa) live nomadically on a boat after the father burned their house down in retaliation for his wife's infidelity.

They drift from one rice field to the next, rearing ducks and doing occasional handy jobs. When Suong (Do Thi Hai Yen), a hooker, joins the family to evade an angry mob, Nuong and Dien welcome her as a surrogate mother and object of pubescent fantasy, while a volatile relationship develops between Vo and her.

Young director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh reaches his audiences most deep-seeded emotions as he digs down through his characters’ cruelty, loss and despair to the most fundamental need and desire for love.

The waterways not only hold and lead the family’s boat, but also symbolize the characters sifting, drifting and endless fluid emotions while also embodying the graceful flow of Binh’s visual storytelling.

The actors deliver an outstanding performance. Nuong conveys not only her suffering but also her strength in containing it and mastering it while living on the edge of that painful abyss seen only through her piercing look. She is able to elicit strong emotions and bring her audiences to earnest tears without long and elaborate dialogues, but with the sheer strength of her acting.

Hai Yen (Suong) surpasses all expectations and proved her critics wrong as she aces a role many had deemed unsuitable for her talent. Her performance makes the onscreen Suong come to life more powerfully than even the carefully described one in the book. Her careful balancing of emotions, with love and compassion on one end and despair on the other, bursts out of the screen with unmatched vigor.

Dustin Nguyen (Vo), plays the most challenging role, as his rage builds up throughout the movie fueled by the pain and shame caused by his wife betrayal.

His is a very articulated acting tale of pain and interior torments ordered through daily acts of cruelty.

The carefully arranged and paired soundtrack talks directly to the audience’s hearts. The sad and lonely sound of the traditional Monochord and the melodies composed by Vietnamese Quoc Trung emerge as direct testimonials from the true soul of the Mekong Delta.

Nguyen Ngoc Tu’s "Boundless Rice Field" was published in the South Korean version in 2007.

All 12 films competing in the New Currents category at Pusan International Film Festival reflect contemporary issues like poverty, war, overpopulation and loss of traditional values. The movies include “The journal of Musan” (South Korea), “Eternity” (Thailand), “Strawberry Cliff” (Hong Kong), My Spectacular (China), The Quarter of Scarecrows (Iraq) and Ways of the Sea (Philippines).

Tickets to “Floating Lives” were sold out one week before the screening, according to organizers.

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French Cultural Center to host Indochina themed discussion

A collection of about 500 postcard depicting life in early 20th century Indochina in Jean Despiere’s “The old Indochina” will elicit a roundtable discussion at L’ Espace French Cultural Center in Hanoi on October 18.

Professor Nguyen Khac Phi, historian Duong Trung Quoc, translator Duong Cong Minh, and Vietnamese Education Publishing House’s Editor in Chief Nguyen Quy Thao will participate in the discussion themed “The old Indochina”, educing 20th century life in Cambodia and Laos and the three regions of Vietnam.

With “The Old Indochina” Jean Despierre wished to introduce its readers to the visual richness and uniqueness of life in Le Tonkin (Vietnam’s North), L’Annam (Vietnam’s central region), La Cochinchine (Vietnam’s Southern region), Le Cambodge (Cambodia) and Le Laos (Laos).

The name “Indochina” first appeared in “World Mathematical, Physical and Political Geography” a multi-volume cartographic collection by Danish-French geographer and journalist Conrad Malte Bruun (1775-1826) published in 1804. The 12th volume refers to Indochina as comprising Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The discussion is free and open to the public at L’Espace-French Cultural Center at 24, Trang Tien Street, Hanoi.

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Friday, October 15, 2010

Host provinces set for tourism year

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the list of provinces that will host the annual National Tourism Year from 2012 to 2017.

Thua Thien-Hue will do the honours in 2012, Hai Phong in 2013, Lam Dong in 2014, Thanh Hoa in 2015, Kien Giang in 2016, and Lao Cai in 2017.

The National Tourism Year is the biggest event on the Viet Nam tourism calendar and is intended to encourage investment in infrastructure facilities and services.

Started in 2003 it has been held in Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Nghe An, Quang Nam, Can Tho, Thai Nguyen, and Ha Noi. Phu Yen is scheduled to host it next year.

Phan Thiet attracts Russian visitors

The number of Russian tourists visiting Phan Thiet has shot up in the last few years and they now account for 30 per cent of all foreign tourist arrivals.

The number of Russian visitors to Mui Ne in Phan Thiet rose from 17,000 in 2007 to 60,000 in the first nine months of this year.

So far this year, Binh Thuan Province tourism authorities have received delegates from 14 travel agencies in Novosibirsk, Russia who came on fact-finding tours to Phan Thiet.

Viet Nam-Thailand bus link approved

Thailand's Phakbhum Company is set to launch a bus service from Thailand to Viet Nam through Laos enabling travellers to complete the trip in 24 hours.

Fares will cost 1,000-2,000 baht (US$33 - 66), according to Surapong Prasert, the company's CEO.

He said his company will spend 300 million baht ($10 million) to upgrade the 200km Route 12 which runs from Nakhon Phanom province in northeastern Thailand through Kham Muon province in Laos to Quang Binh Province in central Viet Nam.

Surapong said the plan has been accepted in principle by Lao and Vietnamese authorities.

Vinpearl offers half-price promotion

Vinpearlland Tourism JSC has launched a special half-price offer for entry to its theme park for residents of Khanh Hoa Province and people over 40 years old.

The special offer, valid until December, will cut ticket price to VND160,000.

Visitors to the park will get free two-way transport by cable car or ferry to the island and unlimited access to indoor and outdoor games and entertainment at Vinpearl Water Park and Vinpearl Underwater World besides a visit to Truc Lam Tinh Vien monastery.

Visitors can also see musical fountain shows, a circus, and other shows.

Cham celebrate Kate festival

Thousands of Cham people in the central province of Ninh Thuan celebrated Kate, their biggest festival, at the Poklong Gia Rai tower complex last week.

Poklong Gia Rai is a group of Cham temple towers built in honour of the legendary King Po Klaung Garai, who ruled the Champa kingdom from 1285 to 1307. Ninh Thuan has nearly 70,000 Cham people. — VNS

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Supermodel contest to crown winner in HCM City on Saturday

HCM CITY — The annual Super Model Competition will crown its winner in HCM City tomorrow.

Forty finalists will take part in talent and quiz competitions before the jury.

The event, produced by HCM City Television (HTV) and Cat Tien Sa Company, is organised by Thoi Trang TreĆ» (New Fashion) magazine.

The aim is to discover young and talented models for the country's modelling industry.

The jury chose 40 finalists to compete in fashion shows and dozens of cultural and charity activities.

The top two women and men will receive trophies and cash prizes of VND50 million (US$2,500) each.

Organisers will also give prizes to both women and men for the Best Photograph, Best Appearance and Favourite Fashion Model.

Paris exhibition presents Ha Noi through photographer's eyes

PARIS — Photos of Ha Noi by French artist Dominique De Miscault are on display at an exhibition in Paris.

The exhibition entitled Ha Noi Nowadays introduces the 1,000 year old city with photos of its ancient quarters and large landmarks like the Ha Noi Opera House and the Metropol Hotel.

The exhibits features many beautiful sites in Viet Nam and Ha Noi.

Dominique De Miscault exhibited her work in the capital in 1994 and 1998, and in HCM City in 2003.

Luxury yoga, fitness centre opens in Ha Noi

HA NOI — After opening two immensely successful clubs in HCM City, California Fitness&Yoga Centres have landed in Ha Noi.

Located in the new Sky City Tower at 88 Lang Ha Street, the new fitness centre offers fitness programmes, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and other services, including five yoga studios, an aerobics studio, a juice bar and internet lounge, a kids fitness centre, and a swimming pool. The centre also offers holistic beauty treatments.

The club offers four membership levels and operates from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.

Apollo students earn Cambridge English certificates

HA NOI — Apollo English has granted certificates to more than 300 young learners in Ha Noi and HCM City.

The Cambridge English certificates were awarded to Apollo English students, aged 7 to 12 years old, who sat for three tests titled Starters, Movers and Flyers.

The Cambridge English tests for young learners are part of Apollo's summer programme each year.

Chairman of Apollo English Khalid Muhmood said students at the school gain confidence in their English skills.

"Seeing the children's progression in their English learning is a great joy to me and also for their parents," he said.

"The certificates are the students' ‘shields' that makes them more confident and familiar with international-style examinations. It's a good start for their future". — VNS

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Little stars not dreaming of big time

Bored with walking: Phuong Trinh, 17, began her career on stage at the age of 10 playing a gamut of roles in city theatre productions. —VNS Photo

Bored with walking: Phuong Trinh, 17, began her career on stage at the age of 10 playing a gamut of roles in city theatre productions. —VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Does every actor dreams of becoming a movie star?

Five-year-old Dang Khoi of HCM City, who has acted in many films and TV serials, says: "Being a movie actor is not my dream. I dream of becoming a doctor who takes care of poor women and children."

The most important things in his life are his parents, teachers and friends, he says.

Khoi, who took part in Nhat Tam Lasta Studios' actor training programme for children, has played leading roles in TV series like Giac Mo Co Tich (Legendary Dream) and Mot Ngay Khong Co Em (A Day Without You).

He is now shooting for the film Ve Dat Thang Long (Returning to Thang Long Citadel), a 40-episode work on Ha Noi's history and culture produced by HCM Television.

Like many of his friends, he enjoys watching films but never seriously thinks of himself an actor.

"I saw my son's acting ability and wanted him to join the field because it can make his life more joyful," Khoi's mother says.

But she admits that while her son laps up the adulation he gets from people who have seen him on the screen, his true interest is his family and friends.

Seventeen-year-old Phuong Trinh, who has been an actress from a very young age, retains a child-like innocence despite the accolades she gets from fans, colleagues and critics.

Five years ago, when a director needed a pretty child actor, his first choice was Trinh whose maturity then belied her age.

She had begun her career on stage at just 10, playing a gamut of roles in city theatre productions like Ba Me Nhi (The Little Mommy).

Her latest TV offering is Nhung Ong Bo Doc Than (Single Daddies), a sentimental, 30-part series produced by MT&Pictures.

"I like to act in movies and commercials," she says.

But she is wary of the ivory tower many stars are forced to occupy and wants none of it.

"I love acting in movies but do not want to become a lonely star."

She adds she prefers spending time with her parents and friends who mean everything to her.

Like normal children, she has to finish her homework every day and study hard.

Le Thanh, a theatre director at Nhat Tam Lasta Studios, says: "Most of my students are children and teenagers who enjoy acting for fun but not as a career."

Most of her young wards learn acting for at least six months before joining the industry.

"But the most important lesson I teach them is how to become a good kid. That's what their parents want." — VNS

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