Signing up the Kitchen God to popularise Vietnamese food

HCM CITY – The head of the Institute of Vietnamese Gastronomic Research wants the 23^rd of the 12th lunar month to be designated "Ngay Bep Viet" or Vietnamese Stove Day in honour of Ong Tao, the Kitchen God.

According to traditional belief, the Kitchen God returns to heaven on that day every year to report to the creator about all households on earth during the past year.

The Institute, along with Saigontourist Hospitality College, MINT Culinary School, and others also has a programme to popularise Vietnamese cuisine globally called "Together Build Vietnamese Stove in the World."

A meeting they held last weekend to discuss plans for the programme's second year attracted more than 100 gastronomy and nutrition professors, members of the Saigon Professional Chef Association, and heads of restaurants in HCM City.

"Using the Kitchen God's Day to popularise Vietnamese food will remind everyone about their mission to develop Vietnamese cuisine as the nation's pride," Nguyen Nha, the head of the Institute, said.

Individuals and organisations who join the programme should help each other not only on Vietnamese Stove Day but also during the rest of the year to promote Vietnamese cuisine to food lovers around the world, he said.

"Tourist companies should be close fellow-travellers with Vietnamese restaurants in helping international tourist enjoy special local foods, " he said.

The Institute took the initiative to launch the "Together Build Vietnamese Stove in the World" and apply to UNESCO for recognition of Vietnamese cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage.

Under the programme, it offers courses for foreigners who want to learn how to cook Vietnamese food and for Vietnamese who plan to go abroad to work or study.

It is also teaming up with local firms to export Vietnamese cooking utensils. - VNS

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HCM City to hold Lunar New Year festival

Party time: The 3D design of the gate on Nguyen Hue Flower Street is set to help kick off the Tet Tan Mao (New Year of the Cat) Festival in HCM City's centre. — File Photo

HCM CITY — The HCM City People's Committee has assigned local tour company Saigontourist Holding Company and other administrative agencies to organise the Tet Tan Mao (Lunar New Year of the Cat) Festival in the city's downtown.

Since the first time it was held in 2004, Tet Giap Than (Lunar New Year of the Monkey), the Nguyen Hue Flower Street and the related Banh Tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake) Festival has been a hit with residents and tourists in HCM City.

The event has become one of the city's unique cultural offerings, and is welcomed by both local and overseas Vietnamese.

It also offers a great sightseeing opportunities for tourists coming to HCM City during the Tet holiday.

Tet Tan Mao holiday is going to be bigger and better than ever with lots of interesting activities: Nguyen Hue Flower Street and Banh Tet Festival, fireworks, special lighting, snapshots of New Year, The Face of Tet decoration contest and door shows.

The eighth Nguyen Hue Flower Street will be held from January 31 until February 6 (December 28 – January 4 on the lunar calendar) and will be hosted in the area along Nguyen Hue Boulevard from City Hall to the Sai Gon River.

It will be closed to traffic for the holiday week.

In addition, the nearby Le Loi Street from Quach Thi Trang Square to the Municipal Theatre will be open for pedestrians from 6-11pm on February 6.
This year's Flower Street is titled New Heights as the city strives for higher achievements in economy, politics and society.

The street will be divided into several smaller parts decorated in different spring themes: Hon Viet (Viet Nam's Soul), Tet Phuong Nam (Southern Tet), Noi Vong Tay Lon (Circle of Unity), Tam Cao Moi (New Height), and Xuan An Vui (Happy and Peaceful Spring).

The entire street will be especially colourful, illuminated by a myriad colour.

Attractions will include flower arrangements, a wishing pond to collect money for charity, coffee stalls, folk music and games.

The Banh Tet Festival from January 26 to 31 is jointly organised by all the city's 24 districts.

Activities will include a banh tet cooking contest and a 10,000 banh tet gift programme for disadvantaged children and alms houses in the city, organised by Saigontourist in co-operation with the HCM City Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Dam Sen Cultural Park.

The fireworks displays on Lunar New Year's Eve (February 2) will take place at eight places around the city while Le Loi and Dong Khoi streets will be decorated with hundreds of lights from January 26 to February 14.
Saigontourist will also hold the The Face of Tet decoration contest and door shows, and a series of performances including lion dances, folk music, and drumming at the Caravelle, Rex, Majestic, Grand, Continental, Kim Do, Oscar, Bong Sen and Palace hotels from January 31 to February 6. — VNS

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Weirdly-shaped fruits as unique Tet gifts

Gourd-shaped pomelos, sycee-shaped melons and square watermelons are among this year’s widely advertised and much sought-after Tet gifts. The price of these one-of-a-kind gifts has increased by 1.5 times over last year.

Melon gold bars’ price – as good as gold

This year, weirdly-shaped melons are still considered one of the extraordinary gifts for Tet, not only for their shapes but also for their unprecedented price.

Sycee-shaped melons are exorbitantly priced from VND5,500,000 to VND6,500,000 per pair (US$333). Square green watermelons have also soared to VND2,500,000 - VND3,000,000/pair, while yellow ones VND3,000,000 – VND3,500,000.

Le Minh Tuan, seller of these melons on the website thegioiquatet.vn, further described that sycee-shaped melons have red flesh, weighing from 2.2 to 2.4kg, while square melons weigh around 2.5kg, with each side 14cm in length. These types of melons can last for as long as normal ones.

Square green and yellow melons range from VND2,500,000 to VND3,500,000/pair. Despite the price, around 30 customers have already pre-ordered these melons.

The store owner also noted that they would stop receiving orders from the 24th of the last lunar month because “these melons are very expensive, thus requiring great care in their transportation; besides, they are quite limited in number, so orders must be made as soon as possible.”

Gourd-shaped pomelos of wealth and prosperity

On the website vatgia.com.vn, a very catchy ad for gourd-shaped pomelos that has drawn a lot of attention reads, “Gourds are the symbols for prosperity and peace. In feng-shui, gourds are the indispensible tools to neutralize evil spirit and bring good health…”

Quoc, owner of the ad and also a seller on cuahangtructuyen.net, said that he has three different types of gourd-shaped pomelos with three very distinguished prices. Type 1 have embossed word “Tai” (Wealth) or “Loc” (Prosperity) on their skins, with full stems and leaves, and come with a basket.

Type 2 also have full stems and leaves but no embossed word on their peels. A couple of days ago, type 1 were sold for VND650,000/pair and type 2 VND450,000/pair; however, until today, January 5, type 1 have gone up to VND850,000/pair while type 2 have also increased to VND500,000.

Orders of over 10 pairs will enjoy a 20% discount, the ad says.

Gourd-shaped pomelos range from VND500,000 to VND850,000 a pair

Most expensive is the “Special gourd-shaped pomelos”, which are highly selected with clearly embossed word “Tai” (Wealth), or “Loc” (Prosperity) on their peels, weighing around 1.5kg each. This special type can be 30 to 50% more expensive than type 1, depending on weight and design.

Bought directly from Vo Trung Thanh’s orchard in Hau Giang, these pomelos already cost VND300,000 a pair.

Quoc has received over 20 orders in these few days and he expects more orders to come until the 20th of the last lunar month.

Last year, Quoc said he had to turn down many late orders.

Gourd-shaped pomelos are copyrighted products of Vo Trung Thanh from Phu Huu Ward, Chau Thanh District, in Hau Giang Province, and have been acknowledged by the National Office of Intellectual Rights.

Last year, he provided the market with 600 gourd-shaped pomelos, and this year promises a number of 4,200 ones with embossed good-luck words.

While Thanh turned normal Vietnamese Nam Roi pomelos into gourd-shaped ones, Tran Thanh Liem from Binh Thuy District in Can Tho City could turn round melons into sycee or square shapes.

This year, Liem has grown about 300 melon vines, which may yield approximately 200 pairs of square melons and 30 pairs of sycee-shaped ones.

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Weirdly-shaped fruits as unique Tet gifts

Gourd-shaped pomelos, sycee-shaped melons and square watermelons are among this year’s widely advertised and much sought-after Tet gifts. The price of these one-of-a-kind gifts has increased by 1.5 times over last year.

Melon gold bars’ price – as good as gold

This year, weirdly-shaped melons are still considered one of the extraordinary gifts for Tet, not only for their shapes but also for their unprecedented price.

Sycee-shaped melons are exorbitantly priced from VND5,500,000 to VND6,500,000 per pair (US$333). Square green watermelons have also soared to VND2,500,000 - VND3,000,000/pair, while yellow ones VND3,000,000 – VND3,500,000.

Le Minh Tuan, seller of these melons on the website thegioiquatet.vn, further described that sycee-shaped melons have red flesh, weighing from 2.2 to 2.4kg, while square melons weigh around 2.5kg, with each side 14cm in length. These types of melons can last for as long as normal ones.

Square green and yellow melons range from VND2,500,000 to VND3,500,000/pair. Despite the price, around 30 customers have already pre-ordered these melons.

The store owner also noted that they would stop receiving orders from the 24th of the last lunar month because “these melons are very expensive, thus requiring great care in their transportation; besides, they are quite limited in number, so orders must be made as soon as possible.”

Gourd-shaped pomelos of wealth and prosperity

On the website vatgia.com.vn, a very catchy ad for gourd-shaped pomelos that has drawn a lot of attention reads, “Gourds are the symbols for prosperity and peace. In feng-shui, gourds are the indispensible tools to neutralize evil spirit and bring good health…”

Quoc, owner of the ad and also a seller on cuahangtructuyen.net, said that he has three different types of gourd-shaped pomelos with three very distinguished prices. Type 1 have embossed word “Tai” (Wealth) or “Loc” (Prosperity) on their skins, with full stems and leaves, and come with a basket.

Type 2 also have full stems and leaves but no embossed word on their peels. A couple of days ago, type 1 were sold for VND650,000/pair and type 2 VND450,000/pair; however, until today, January 5, type 1 have gone up to VND850,000/pair while type 2 have also increased to VND500,000.

Orders of over 10 pairs will enjoy a 20% discount, the ad says.

Gourd-shaped pomelos range from VND500,000 to VND850,000 a pair

Most expensive is the “Special gourd-shaped pomelos”, which are highly selected with clearly embossed word “Tai” (Wealth), or “Loc” (Prosperity) on their peels, weighing around 1.5kg each. This special type can be 30 to 50% more expensive than type 1, depending on weight and design.

Bought directly from Vo Trung Thanh’s orchard in Hau Giang, these pomelos already cost VND300,000 a pair.

Quoc has received over 20 orders in these few days and he expects more orders to come until the 20th of the last lunar month.

Last year, Quoc said he had to turn down many late orders.

Gourd-shaped pomelos are copyrighted products of Vo Trung Thanh from Phu Huu Ward, Chau Thanh District, in Hau Giang Province, and have been acknowledged by the National Office of Intellectual Rights.

Last year, he provided the market with 600 gourd-shaped pomelos, and this year promises a number of 4,200 ones with embossed good-luck words.

While Thanh turned normal Vietnamese Nam Roi pomelos into gourd-shaped ones, Tran Thanh Liem from Binh Thuy District in Can Tho City could turn round melons into sycee or square shapes.

This year, Liem has grown about 300 melon vines, which may yield approximately 200 pairs of square melons and 30 pairs of sycee-shaped ones.

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Fans give local series thumbs down

HCM CITY — An increasing number of locally made series are being aired on national TV networks, but audiences are displeased with the quality of the offerings and the broadcast schedules.

Many viewers, mostly youth, have complained about the quality of the TV series Full House and Doctor Brothers, remakes of Korean hits by domestic companies BHD and VietcomFilm.

"The Vietnamese versions are not interesting although several well-known artists were for the productions," said Tran Thi Mai, a second-year student at HCM City University.

"With more and more TV series produced each year, studios face a shortage of interesting scripts. Many studios have bought the copyright for several series from other countries," Do Thanh Hai, director of Viet Nam Film Company, said.

"Several series have many similarities," said Phan Chau, a second-year student at HCM City's University of Social Science and Humanities.

"We've seen dark schemes and revenge in Doi Mat (Confrontation) and Niem Dau Chon Giau (Hidden Pain)," he said. "We also don't like to see the same faces in series after series."

"We see Dinh Hieu and Ngoc Lan in Cong Mat Troi (The Sun Gate) and we're seeing them again in Cuoc Goi Luc Khong Gio (The Phone Call at Midnight)," Chau said.

Several film studios in Ha Noi and HCM City have made at least five historical TV series about King Ly Thai To, the founder of the city Thang Long-Ha Noi, to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the nation's capital.

The 30-episode series Thai Su Tran Thu Do (The Great Tutor Tran Thu Do) and Ly Cong Uan – Duong Toi Thanh Thang Long (Ly Cong Uan-The Road to Thang Long Capital) were among the series that began filming in 2009.

Viet Nam Televsion (VTV) announced the series would be aired during the millennium celebration.

"We're waiting for these series since producers have said they will have interesting content," 12th grader Nguyen Thi Hoa said. "However, until now, nobody knows when both the series will be aired."

The filming of Tran Thu Do was estimated to cost around VND50 billion (US$2.5 million), while Ly Cong Uan cost VND100 billion.

Ly Cong Uan was shot in many locations in Viet Nam and China. The showing of the series was postponed after concerns were raised that they contained many scenes that made it look like a Chinese production.
"We can't launch it during the millennium celebration, especially because it's controversial," producers said.

The producers of the Great Tutor Tran Thu Do have not explained why the series was not shown last year.

Last week, the 40-episode Ve Dat Thang Long (Arriving in Thang Long) began showing on HTV 9 to greet the Ha Noi millennium celebrations.

"After several months' delay, we can now see one of the first historical series about King Ly Thai To made to greet the millennium," Minh Nga, a film fan, said.

The series describes historic events taking place in the country and the capital Hoa Lu before and after Ly Cong Uan was enthroned as the first king of the Ly dynasty. — VNS

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"Social Network" electrifies Golden Globes

(L-R) Executive producer Kevin Spacey, producers Cean Chaffin, Dana Brunetti, Scott Rudin, and Michael De Luca pose with their award for Best Motion Picture - Drama "The Social Network" at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 16, 2011

Photo: Reuters

Facebook film "The Social Network" won four Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, including best drama, making it a front-runner in Hollywood's Oscar race after sweeping several honors from critics and industry groups in recent weeks.

"Social Network" also won the best director award for David Fincher, best screenplay for writer Aaron Sorkin and best musical score, written by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The film recounts the story of the founding of social networking site Facebook, an international phenomenon with 500 million users that was started in a college dormitory by founder, billionaire Mark Zuckerberg.

The Facebook founder did not cooperate with the movie's makers, and the film is a piece of fiction. Nevertheless, producer Scott Rudin and Sorkin pointed out that Zuckerberg's creation has been a phenomenon that has changed the way the world communicates.

"I want to thank everyone at Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg for his willingness to use his life and work as a metaphor for communication and the way we relate to each other."

Another big Golden Globe winner was "The Kids Are All Right," which featured two lesbian parents whose children search for their sperm donor father. "Kids" also picked up the award for best actress in a film comedy for its star Annette Bening, who portrayed one of the mothers in the film.

British actor Colin Firth was named best actor in a film drama for his portrayal of stuttering King George VI in "The King's Speech," while Natalie Portman took home the Golden Globe trophy for best actress in a drama with "Black Swan."

 

Actress Natalie Portman poses with her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for 'Black Swan,' backstage at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 16, 2011

Backstage, Firth was asked about his chances for an Oscar in the same role, but all the actor said he could do was get through his big night on Sunday.

Tips on Oscar race

The Golden Globe Awards, which are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are one of the major Hollywood shows leading to the film industry's most-prized honours, the Oscars, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Many film industry watchers look at the winners of Golden Globes and other honors for clues as to which films, performers, directors and writers might win Oscars. This year, "Social Network" has swept many early honours and added the Golden Globe to its cache of trophies.

In other Golden Globe movie honours, Paul Giamatti won the prize for best actor in a comedy film for his role as a caustic man in "Barney's Version."

Boxing drama "The Fighter" picked up two Golden Globes for Christian Bale as supporting actor portraying a drug-addicted fighter and for Melissa Leo as supporting actress playing the mother of Christian Bale's character.

"Toy Story 3" was named best animated movie for what director Lee Unkrich called ""an animated movie that beat with a human heart." And Denmark's "In a Better World" was named best foreign language film.

Host, comedian Ricky Gervais, got the show off to a start by poking fun at movies like "The Tourist" and actor Charlie Sheen, who in recent weeks has been reported partying wildly, causing concern at the CBS television network that airs his comedy, "Two and a Half Men."

Gervais also referenced a scandal that has rocked the HFPA this year. A former publicist sued the group claiming its members received favors in exchange for nominations from movie studios.

Before the show, glamorous actresses in colorful dresses and shimmering jewels paraded down the red carpet. Natalie Portman, wore a light pink Viktor and Rolf dress with a red flower across the front, and Nicole Kidman donned a cream-colored, off-the-shoulder dress by Prada.

Michael Douglas, fresh from treatment for throat cancer, and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones turned out for the show. Douglas presented the trophy for best film drama and received a standing ovation.

"There's just got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation," he said. "Thank you all very much. Needless to say, I'm very, very, very happy to be here tonight.

Unlike the Oscars, Golden Globe voters also honor TV programs and actors. HBO crime series "Boardwalk Empire" was named best TV drama. Its star, Steve Buscemi, won best actor in a TV drama.

Musical "Glee" picked up three honors: best TV comedy, best supporting actor for Chris Colfer who plays a gay high school student and for Jane Lynch, a scheming cheerleading coach.

"Carlos" was named best made-for-TV movie. Al Pacino took the Golden Globe for best actor in a TV movie or mini-series for "You Don't Know Jack," and Claire Danes won best actress in a TV movie or mini-series with "Temple Grandin."

"Social Network" electrifies Golden Globes

(L-R) Executive producer Kevin Spacey, producers Cean Chaffin, Dana Brunetti, Scott Rudin, and Michael De Luca pose with their award for Best Motion Picture - Drama "The Social Network" at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 16, 2011

Photo: Reuters

Facebook film "The Social Network" won four Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, including best drama, making it a front-runner in Hollywood's Oscar race after sweeping several honors from critics and industry groups in recent weeks.

"Social Network" also won the best director award for David Fincher, best screenplay for writer Aaron Sorkin and best musical score, written by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The film recounts the story of the founding of social networking site Facebook, an international phenomenon with 500 million users that was started in a college dormitory by founder, billionaire Mark Zuckerberg.

The Facebook founder did not cooperate with the movie's makers, and the film is a piece of fiction. Nevertheless, producer Scott Rudin and Sorkin pointed out that Zuckerberg's creation has been a phenomenon that has changed the way the world communicates.

"I want to thank everyone at Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg for his willingness to use his life and work as a metaphor for communication and the way we relate to each other."

Another big Golden Globe winner was "The Kids Are All Right," which featured two lesbian parents whose children search for their sperm donor father. "Kids" also picked up the award for best actress in a film comedy for its star Annette Bening, who portrayed one of the mothers in the film.

British actor Colin Firth was named best actor in a film drama for his portrayal of stuttering King George VI in "The King's Speech," while Natalie Portman took home the Golden Globe trophy for best actress in a drama with "Black Swan."

 

Actress Natalie Portman poses with her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for 'Black Swan,' backstage at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 16, 2011

Backstage, Firth was asked about his chances for an Oscar in the same role, but all the actor said he could do was get through his big night on Sunday.

Tips on Oscar race

The Golden Globe Awards, which are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are one of the major Hollywood shows leading to the film industry's most-prized honours, the Oscars, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Many film industry watchers look at the winners of Golden Globes and other honors for clues as to which films, performers, directors and writers might win Oscars. This year, "Social Network" has swept many early honours and added the Golden Globe to its cache of trophies.

In other Golden Globe movie honours, Paul Giamatti won the prize for best actor in a comedy film for his role as a caustic man in "Barney's Version."

Boxing drama "The Fighter" picked up two Golden Globes for Christian Bale as supporting actor portraying a drug-addicted fighter and for Melissa Leo as supporting actress playing the mother of Christian Bale's character.

"Toy Story 3" was named best animated movie for what director Lee Unkrich called ""an animated movie that beat with a human heart." And Denmark's "In a Better World" was named best foreign language film.

Host, comedian Ricky Gervais, got the show off to a start by poking fun at movies like "The Tourist" and actor Charlie Sheen, who in recent weeks has been reported partying wildly, causing concern at the CBS television network that airs his comedy, "Two and a Half Men."

Gervais also referenced a scandal that has rocked the HFPA this year. A former publicist sued the group claiming its members received favors in exchange for nominations from movie studios.

Before the show, glamorous actresses in colorful dresses and shimmering jewels paraded down the red carpet. Natalie Portman, wore a light pink Viktor and Rolf dress with a red flower across the front, and Nicole Kidman donned a cream-colored, off-the-shoulder dress by Prada.

Michael Douglas, fresh from treatment for throat cancer, and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones turned out for the show. Douglas presented the trophy for best film drama and received a standing ovation.

"There's just got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation," he said. "Thank you all very much. Needless to say, I'm very, very, very happy to be here tonight.

Unlike the Oscars, Golden Globe voters also honor TV programs and actors. HBO crime series "Boardwalk Empire" was named best TV drama. Its star, Steve Buscemi, won best actor in a TV drama.

Musical "Glee" picked up three honors: best TV comedy, best supporting actor for Chris Colfer who plays a gay high school student and for Jane Lynch, a scheming cheerleading coach.

"Carlos" was named best made-for-TV movie. Al Pacino took the Golden Globe for best actor in a TV movie or mini-series for "You Don't Know Jack," and Claire Danes won best actress in a TV movie or mini-series with "Temple Grandin."