Architectural heritage crumbles

Safe as houses? This unique two-storey wooden house in Gia Hoi Old Town is in a bad shape, but local authorities remain unsure how best to protect it. — VNA/VNS Photo Thai Loc

THUA THIEN HUE — Historic buildings in two localities that functioned as commercial port towns during the Nguyen dynasty are in a severely dilapidated condition.

The Bao Vinh Town, which hosted a busy port in 18th century, had 39 old buildings standing at the end of the American War.

Meanwhile, Gia Hoi, a bustling port town in early 19th century, had 140 old buildings featuring traditional Vietnamese, Chinese as well as French colonial architecture.

These buildings have been so badly damaged by the rampant urbanisation of last two decades, that only 15 of them still stand in Bao Vinh, while Gia Hoi has 55.

Residents complain that they are caught in a bind. One the one hand, they cannot repair their houses to make them safe or expand it to meet their needs because authorities have banned such actions. On the other hand, the authorities themselves have taken no action to preserve the old buildings.

"Many old houses in Bao Vinh are in ruin and vulnerable to floods and hard weather," said Nguyen Van Bon, chairman of Huong Vinh Commune.

A conservation project to protect the two towns was set up by Thua Thien Hue Province in 2003, but only three houses were repaired with funds from the French Parliament. In Gia Hoi, one pagoda had its gate and entrance restored.

Experts have called on authorities to act before it is too late.

"Architecture reflects history, so there is a need to protect Bao Vinh and Gia Hoi. Authorities should promptly come up with ways to deal with the conflict between conservation and locals' benefits," said Nguyen Viet Tien, chairman of the province's Planning Association.

Nguyen Xuan Hoa, former director of the province's Culture Department, said it was not possible to restore Bao Vinh as an old town because not many old house remained in it.

"But Gia Hoi has unique architectural values with a national-heritage pagoda, a Hindu temple, the house of a Japanese karate master, overseas Chinese club house, French colonial buildings and palaces of royal family members. It would be interesting to restore the old town," he said. — VNS

Related Articles

• Musicians seek UNESCO nod

Province brews up coffee fest

HCM CITY—A coffee festival to be held in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dac Lac in the Central Highlands, will highlight the central role of the crop in the province's and Central Highlands' economy and society.

Y Dham ENuol, Dac Lac's deputy chairman, has told the media that the four-day event starting on March 10 will promote tourism, coffee trade, and investment in the industry as well as the image of his province as a coffee city.

The opening day will be dedicated to thanksgiving for the bean and will feature a lion-dance parade and elephants carrying the coffee symbol.

Trung Nguyen Corp will display the more than 10,000 items to be housed at a World Coffee Museum it plans to build later this year in the province.

An exhibition on the coffee industry that will run through the festival will be attended by 160 companies, both from Viet Nam and overseas, who will display their products, technologies, and services at 500 booths.

There will also be performances by ethnic groups living in Tay Nguyen and art groups from coffee growing nations.

A national record for largest coffee filter will be created on March 11.

Pele, widely considered the King of Football of all time and a citizen of Brazil, the world's largest coffee growing country, will attend the festival. — VNS

Related Articles

• Vietnam masters lose at HDBank 2011 chessfest
• President Triet on official visit to Laos
• North should ensure sustainable growth
• HCMC begins to think about giving up meat
• Social insurance enrollments surge

Festival to savor coffee

More than 150 Vietnamese and foreign coffee entrepreneurs will showcase their latest coffee products and technology at the third Buon Me Thuot Coffee Festival, the organizers have said.

The event will take place from March 10-14 in the Central Highlands Buon Me Thuot town.
It aims to boost the development of Vietnamese coffee exports and to promote the investment potential of Dak Lak Province.

Vietnam plans to turn the Central Highlands town of Buon Ma Thuot into the “coffee capital” of the world as part of efforts to make Vietnamese coffee better known in the world market.

Buon Ma Thuot Town in Dak Lak Province is the largest coffee growing region in Vietnam.

Under the plan, designed by Trung Nguyen Group, one of the leading coffee exporters in Vietnam, Buon Ma Thuot town will be developed into a tourist destination where visitors can learn more about coffee cultivation and the culture of drinking coffee.

The plan also focuses on promoting the town's coffee products to the world.
Coffee is one of Vietnam’s top exports, generating more than US$1 billion last year.

Vietnam is the world’s biggest grower of robusta, used in instant drinks and espressos.

Related Articles

• HCMC begins to think about giving up meat
• Food promotions at Grand and First hotels
• Culture Vulture
• Writers’ temple to display bronze drums
• Ethnic minorities, poor to receive free legal aid

Some musical attractions of "Don ca tai tu"

Don ca tai tu has won international admiration, especially among connoisseurs of traditional music. South Korean expert Sheen Dae-Cheol is one of them with his report on the charm and special characteristics of the genre.

He is one of dozens of experts who will take part in an international conference on don ca tai tu to be held in Ho Chi Minh City from January 9-11 ahead of its presentation for UNESCO recognition as a world heritage.

Tuoitrenews makes some excerpts of his report prepared for the meeting.

Since the influx of western and foreign music, Vietnamese traditional music genre of don ca tai tu has survived and not lost its unique musical flavor or aesthetics.

Don ca tai tu is comparatively young Vietnamese music, appearing in the 19th century. However it is loved by many southern Vietnamese people and openly holds a very good position in the nation’s music.

Lyrics of don ca tai tu can be accompanied by several musical instruments as dan tranh (16-stringed zither), dan bau (one-stringed gourd zither), dan nguyet (moon shaped two stringed lute), dan nhi (two-stringed fiddle), song lang (two pieces of bamboo struck against each other to keep rhythm, guitar phim lom (concave-fret guitar) and also likely with western violin, flute of Chinese origin.

Vietnamese musicians accepted the Western guitar for don ca tai tu but they transformed and Vietnamized it to be a suitable one for playing their don ca tai tu.

They improved the guitar by making the frets deeper, turning them into deep fret guitar and changing the way to attune the instrument.

The instrumentation to accompany the song is very peculiar and unique. Upper mentioned musical instruments are used to accompany the songs of don ca tai tu as ensemble, however, the instrumentation is very flexible as only two or three of them can form up an ensemble.

Vietnamese doctor Tran Van Khe said, “Of the instruments for the ensemble, the dan nguyet plays the most important role. The dan tranh embellishes center tones of music and dan nhi ornaments other tones. Off all musical instruments of the ensemble, the role of these three is more important than any other.”

The monochord dan bau is a very peculiar and charming musical instrument. It is one of real Vietnamese traditional musical instruments and its sound is amazingly beautiful. Vietnamese musicians widened the range of it and dan tranh to play higher and lower tones respectively.

Originally the musicians of don ca tai tu did not perform for their livelihoods, just to entertain themselves or others and that is a reason why it is called amateurs’ music. But it doesn’t mean to be a musician of don ca tai tu is easy. Its musicians have to practise very hard for a long time so that don ca tai tu musicians can be called as professional musicians even if they don’t perform it for materialism.

As an amateur, it needs not any special prepared stage as professional art music. Accordingly it can easily and deeply goes into every corner of usual Vietnamese life so that it can be played at festivals, various parties, after harvests, under shade of trees, on boats, temples and romantically under a bright moon night.

It can be said it possesses a musical and magical power of charming Vietnamese people. Especially it is said that the emotion and the soul of southern Vietnamese people are melted in it.

Don ca tai tu has some extemporaneous nature when musicians perform it, but maintaining the integrity of music is very important. Don ca tai tu has to learn it by heart the basic tune of each repertoire from which they can improvise, yet still maintain the integrity.

Don ca tai tu players are free to create their own musical style as the spirit if impromptu is highly respected in don ca tai tu as such.

Accordingly it can be concluded that don ca tai tu, from the point of musical and cultural view, is very valuable traditional music to be preserved, disseminated and enjoyed. Naturally, don ca tai tu is qualified to be the center of public attention from Asia and the world. In addition, it is qualified to be designated as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity as well.

Related Articles

• Australia wants stronger cooperation to vocational education
• City promotes prepaid bus cards
• Saigon-Hanoi charity caravan heads north
• USDA forecasts strong corn import from Vietnam
• North should ensure sustainable growth

Harmonizing heritage preservation and locals’ rights

Two experts offer opinions on how to harmonize the clash between efforts to preserve national heritages and residents’ rights to a comfortable life inside modern, well-equipped buildings. 

Fine art expert Phan Cam Thuong:

It’s very difficult to preserve heritages, even in developed countries. The government needs strategic solutions such as maintaining a certain population density, thinning out the population, boosting cultural tourism revenues, and building resettlement areas for locals.

Besides, the government should take measures like taking back ancient houses and not developing tourism services in areas being preserved, sponsoring traditional crafts aiming at boosting up locals’ income.

The government should resolutely force them to move to other places if they want to renovate or construct houses.

As I know, governments in developed countries always build new resettlement areas in ancient towns to balance locals’ welfare and develop tourism.

The most important thing is that locals’ right to live in modern houses also needs to be taken into account and the government should work with them to reach an agreement.

Based on the country’s economy, we cannot take comprehensive measures. Instead, we should do it step by step.

Hoi An ancient town is a typical example. All houses are used for commercial purposes.

If the locals are not allowed to renovate or construct them, they will have to sell them or move to another place to build new homes.

Consequently, wealthy people from other places have gradually replaced the locals.

The same thing happens in neighboring country China and in western countries, where rich residents like to preserve ancient houses as a means to earn more money.

We have witnessed cultural bankruptcy in Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi, where the locals are not proud of traditional houses.

For example, the landscape surrounding the Kiem Lien Pagoda has been turned into a matchbox as more and more hotels and guesthouses are being built there.

Vong Canh hill, ancient citadels Tuyen Quang and Son Tay, O Quan Chuong - the last remaining ancient gate in Hanoi - has also fallen victim to commercialization.

How to preserve Duong Lam ancient village

Ngo Kieu Oanh of the National Institute of Science and Technology told Tuoi Tre her opinions on how to preserve the Duong Lam ancient village in Son Tay near Hanoi.

The government has to prioritize the locals’ rights and hand over the power of preserving ancient houses to them.

Many travel agencies have developed home-stay tourism in Mong Phu hamlet, Duong Lam ancient village.

I think that is a good way to preserve the village through tourism activities.

In addition, the government should focus on the village’s specialties and promote them to the world.

The locals need to abide by preservation laws in not building tall houses. But in turn, the government needs to give assistance and support to them.

Part 1: Modern-loving locals turn back on ancient village

Part 2: Hue residents not keen on heritage, government dithers

 Some photos of Duong Lam ancient village by Dat Viet Newspaper:

Mong Phu village gate in Duong Lam

Nine-floor tower in Mia pagoda

Ancient houses in Duong Lam

Mong Phu communal house

Tich River

Related Articles

• IFC: Vietnam needs to increase PPP to support economy
• HCMC to relay grand sale program to November

Esquire dubs singer-actress Viet Nam's sexiest woman

Exquisite: Actress Ngo Thanh Van becomes the first Vietnamese woman to be selected for Esquire magazine's Sexiest Women Alive Atlas. — File Photo

HA NOI — Esquire magazine has chosen singer and actress Ngo Thanh Van as the sexiest woman alive in Viet Nam, the first time a Vietnamese woman was selected for the magazine's Sexiest Woman Alive Atlas, which anoints one woman per country.

In Asia, Chinese model Liu Wen and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were also included on the list.

Van, 32, has also been named as 2010's most beautiful woman by Vietnamese magazines.

"All the selections are valuable," said Van. "I have to try my best to maintain a beautiful image."

Van moved to Norway with her family at 10 years of age but returned to Viet Nam in 1999, when she participated in a beauty pageant sponsored by Vietnamese Women's World magazine, finishing as second runner-up.

She began a career as a pop singer 2002 with the help of producer Quoc Bao and has since had a successful acting career, with roles in popular films likeSai Gon Love Story, 2 in 1, and The Rebel. She won the Best Actress award at the 15th Viet Nam Film Festival in 2007. Her latest movie, Oriental Pearl, will be released in March

Last year, she became the first champion in the Vietnamese version of Dancing with the Stars, and she has been active in supporting the charity Heartbeat Viet Nam, which brings needed heart operations to disadvantaged children. — VNS

Related Articles

• Vietnam Air accepts web check-in for int’l flights
• Richest women hold $1.2 bn
• Mothers share sorrow of war
• ASEAN role sought to resolve temple conflict
• NA Committee debates Law on Denunciations

Choir festival welcomes opening of 11th Party Congress

HCMCITY — A choir concert bringing together more than 1,000 performers will be held here to welcome the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam that opens in Ha Noi next Tuesday.

The event, Nhung Bai Ca Dang Dang (Songs offered to the Party), will feature more than 1,000 amateur and professional performers from 11 different universities around the city.

The choir will perform famous works of veteran composers including Do Nhuan, Huy Du, Vu Dinh An and Pham Minh Tuan. The patriotic songs praise the country, the Party and President Ho Chi Minh.

A series of contemporary dances will be choreographed to support the choir on stage, said the event's art director Hoang Diep.

The festival will open at 8pm next Monday at the city's Opera House. It will be aired live on the Ho Chi Minh Radio and Ho Chi Minh Television's HTV9 channel.

Later the choir will perform for students at the city's National University and Economics University.

Dong Thap Province to welcome in Tet with art shows, festivals

DONG THAP — Cao Lanh Town in the Mekong Delta Province of Dong Thap is preparing to usher in the Lunar New Year early next month with five days of art performances and other events.

Hoi ngo tren dat sen hong (Meet in the land of the pink lotus), to be organised by the local Culture Centre and Say Cheese Event and Media Company and opening on February 2, will spotlight the culture of Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds).

Flower-shaped coloured lanterns will light up the city's Van Mieu Park where ornamental creatures will also be on display.

Visitors will also have the chance to see cultural symbols from around the country: there will be models of Ha Noi's Khue Van Cac Pavilion, considered a symbol of literature, and Tortoise Tower; terraced fields from the misty north-west; the moss-grown Cham Tower in the central region; stilt houses from the Central Highlands; and the floating markets of the Mekong Delta.

Costumes worn by the country's 54 minorities will be on show.

Visitors can take part in traditional games and game shows based on traditional culture, the Viet Nam – My Fatherland painting competition for children, a calligraphy contest, and a poetry recitation contest.

There will be fights between nightingales and cocks.

A beauty contest for cats will be the highlight of a festival meant to welcome Tan Mao, or the Year of the Cat.

Hundreds join Ha Noi High School English Festival

HA NOI — Hundreds of students plan to attend the final round of the Ha Noi High School English Festival on Sunday, organised by the Department of Education and Training and Apollo English.

Nineteen outstanding performances that include English pronunciations, singing, dancing and aerobics will be conducted by the winners selected from the previous two rounds in December.

There are two first prizes worth VND4 million (US$200) each and three second place prizes each VND3 million ($150) among others, said organisers, adding that two special awards will be given to the most devoted schools.

The festival, which started last November, has attracted hundreds of students from 16 high schools in the capital.

The final round will take place at the Youth Theatre at No11 Ngo Thi Nham Street, Ha Noi. — VNS

Related Articles

• General Secretary inspects 11th Congress preparations
• HCMC begins to think about giving up meat
• Culture Vulture
• Writers’ temple to display bronze drums
• PM launches news channel