Friday, December 24, 2010

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.

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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
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.

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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.

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Vietnam all set to welcome Christmas, New Year

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).

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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.

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

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. -- VNS

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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

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

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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

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

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