Entertainment News 20/1

Hanoi to host Tet DOME

Hang Da Galleria, in cooperation with the management of the old quarter in Hanoi, launched an artistic craft fair called Tet DOME 2016 at 39A Ly Quoc Su Street, Hanoi on Friday, according to Vietnam News Agency.

Lasting until February 2, the fair themed “Tet trong ngoi nha Viet” (Tet at a Vietnamese home) aims to promote the conservation of Tet traditions in modern life.

The event will feature around 200 paintings, 200 ceramic works, 50 ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dresses) and hundreds of handicraft items.

Famous painters Le Thiet Cuong, Do Dung, Duong Viet Nam, Vu Thanh Nghi, Do Khai, Dao Anh Viet, Doan Hoang Lam, and Tao Linh; ceramic artisans Nguyen Viet, Bui Hoai Mai, and Nguyen Tuan; and ao dai designers Vu Van Gioi, Nga CoCoon, Trinh Bich Thuy, and Adrian Anh Tuan will be attending the fair with their original works.

The organizer said major activities at the fair include Ao dai fashion show, display of ceramic items and handicrafts from famous craft villages, exhibition of 30 selected spring newspapers, and culinary program.

The fair also has seminars to create an opportunity for the participating artists to interact with visitors. For instance, artisan Vu Van Gioi will introduce and perform hand embroidery, painter Dinh Duc Hai will present lacquer wares of Chuong My craft village, artisan Pham Anh Dao will directly show how to make a ceramic work by hand, and Nguyen Huu Tao will hold a demonstration of Dong Ho painting production. Other artisans will introduce traditional dishes for Tet.

Phu My Hung Flower Fair to feature Vietnamese countryside

Phu My Hung Flower Fair 2016 featuring typical scenes of the Vietnamese countryside will take place from February 2 to February 7 (from the 23rd to the 29th of the twelfth lunar month) at the Crescent Lake in District 7, HCMC.

According to Phu My Hung Development Corporation, the flower fair themed “Ve lang” (Back to the village) will have four main areas. Of them, the Duong Xuan (Spring Street) area will feature winding roads, gates of villages and other typical scenes of the countryside in Vietnam. Visitors will have a chance to get an insight into cultures of different regions from the north to the south via the gates.

There will be many typical images of the country like wells in the north, watermills and thuyen thung (bamboo basket boat) in the central region, and vo ca (a bamboo tool used to catch fish) in the south in the Spring Street area.

To welcome the Year of the Monkey, the organizer of the flower fair will reproduce a corner of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve where there are monkeys in the Spring Street area. Besides, visitors will see vegetables and fruits such as tomato, pepper, gourd, squash, melon, grapefruit, plum, guava, papaya, pomegranate and paddy fields, among others.

There will be boats decorated with flowers, flower garlands and colored lanterns at the Ben Xuan (Spring Wharf) area in the Crescent Lake. This area will also display works of artisans and farmers from Dong Thap, Ben Tre, An Giang and Lam Dong provinces and HCMC.

Free wifi to be available for tourists during Huong Pagoda Festival

Free wifi service will be available for tourists during Huong Pagoda Festival, which is scheduled to open on February 13.

The information was unveiled at a press conference held on January 18 by the My Duc district People’s Committee to announce the major events of the upcoming festival.

The festival is held annually from the sixth day of the first lunar month throughout the third lunar month.

The pagoda is the second area in Hanoi, after Hoan Kiem (Sword) lake, to launch free wifi service.

It is a joint effort of the district’s authorities and relevant agencies to create the most favourable conditions for visitors to celebrate the festival.

According to Vice Chairman of the district’s People’s Committee Nguyen Van Hau, the organising board has worked out plans to ensure traffic safety, social security and food safety during the festival.

Nearly 4,400 boats have been mobilised for the festival. All of the boats’ operators have been trained on waterway traffic law and are asked to sign a commitment to not overload cargo and not charge customers higher prices than regulated.

The operators are also asked to protect the environment and to call on tourists to do the same.

Exhibition gives insight into Communist Party of Vietnam

More than 800 books and documents featuring the foundation and development of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) are on display in Hanoi.

As part of activities to welcome the upcoming 12th National Party Congress, the event introduced the public to guidelines and policies of the Party throughout its 11 national congresses, as well as milestones and achievements made by the nation under the Party’s leadership since 1930 – especially during its 30-year Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

The exhibit includes a number of memoirs and documents from the lives and political careers of Party leaders, along with writings and interviews printed in books.

The event offers visitors a chance to learn about the birth of the CPV and the crucial role played by President Ho Chi Minh.

It also highlights the leadership of the CPV in promoting the country’s Doi Moi process and international integration.

The exhibition, which kicked off on January 15 in the Vietnam National Library, will last until February 25.

Tra hoa vang festival opens in Quang Ninh

A festival on Tra hoa vang (scientifically known as camellia chrysantha) is underway in the northern province of Quang Ninh, with the aim of promoting the plant’s medical and economic value.

Addressing the event, Vu Van Dien, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the two-day festival’s objective is to encourage locals to increase the production and processing of medicine, including those made from Tra hoa vang, while luring investors into this field.

Tra hoa vang is a species of plant in the Theaceae. It was found growing naturally in forests in Ba Che district a long time ago, but its real values were only discovered in recent years.

The compound found in camellia chrysantha has the ability to curb the growth of tumors up to 33.8 percent and helps reduce up to 35 percent of cholesterol in the blood.

The plant is also able to relieve the symptoms of atherosclerosis caused by blood fats, control blood pressure and treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and tumors, among other health issues.

Residents of Ba Che often charge 15 million VND (660 USD) per kg of dried camellia chrysantha buds and flowers. Ba Che district is cultivating around 100ha of Tra hoa vang and the area is expected to grow 500ha by 2020.

Within the framework of the festival, to last until January 18, there will be art performances and a range of folk games.

Vietnam winery wins ASEAN award

Nhat Hong Food Technology Co, Ltd has unveiled that it’s red dragon fruit wine has been honoured with an ASEAN best new product award at a recent ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We are honoured to receive the award,” said General Director Duong Nhat Thong and have high expectations for future sales of the wine produced from fruit grown in the Duc Linh District of Binh Thuan Province.

Not only does red dragon fruit make an excellent wine, but it is very good for human health thanks to high content of lycopene, which has scientifically been shown to lower the risks of prostate cancer.

HCM City fines Chinese man for unlicensed trading business

A court in Ho Chi Minh City has ordered a Chinese man to pay VND20 million in fines for trading nearly VND3 billion worth of LED lights without any license, local media reported.

Zhao Qi Bin was arrested in December 2014 when a truck delivered a large number of lights to his rented apartment in District 8, news website Phap Luat said, citing the indictment.

Police then raided his place and found nearly 30,400 lights with dubious origin. The man said he bought them from another Chinese national whose identity was still unknown, it reported.

Zhao Qi Bin during a break of a trial in Ho Chi Minh City on January 15, 2016. He is found guilty of doing business illegally. Photo credit: Phap Luat

Before being caught, Zhao once attempted to trade LED lights here when he came to Vietnam in November 2013.

He then brought with him some lights and offered them to a local shop in Ho Chi Minh City, but was rejected as the lights’ quality was not good, according to the website.

Singer Toc Tien attends premier of ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’

Renowned Vietnamese singer Toc Tien has arrived in California for the premier of famous 3D American-Chinese computer-animated action comedy martial arts film ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’.

According to the Vietnamese representative, she will voice Mei Mei – a new character in the film) when it debuts in Vietnam.

The premier also attracted well-known foreign actors and actresses including Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie and her kids.

‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ is scheduled to screen in Vietnam on March 18.

Film producer surprised by illegal copies

Many Vietnamese like to buy funny movies to relax during Tet ( Lunar New Year) holiday, which adds laughter to gatherings with family or friends.

This time, in the run-up to Tet, is considered the busiest time for Tet filmmakers to launch their products.

However, Tet film producers in Viet Nam seem not happy because of rampant illegal copies.

Comedian and film producer Tran Binh Trong said on Viet Nam Television (VTV) on Saturday that he was surprised how fast his film was illegally copied and sold at markets across the nation.

“We launched the film in the morning and in the evening, it went viral on the Internet and the next morning, illegal disks are available at almost all street corners,” he said.

He said that illegal copiers called him to say thank you.

What a special thanks!

‘Breaking Dawn’ play – an encounter for the youth with revolutionary history

A ‘Cai luong’ (southern folk opera) play, entitled ‘Hung Dong’ (Breaking Dawn) featuring revolutionary Phan Dang Luu, has been presented as part of activities to celebrate the 12th National Party Congress.

The play shows the gratitude of younger generations to former revolutionaries who fought and sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence and freedom.

The energetic rock performance by a young music band right from the beginning scene of the play surprised audiences. This is the first time a director appears on the stage as a character of the play. In this three-minute part, the director invites the band’s members to see the play staged himself, creating the introduction.

Lasting more than two hours with seven scences, ‘Breaking Dawn’ reproduced the career of revolutionary soldier Phan Dang Luu from1923 to 1940 period. The second scene depicts his time working for Thanh Ba silk camp in Phu Tho province and return home to Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province; and the third part features his revolutionary activities in Hue city.

The fourth and fifth scenes introduce the 1929-1936 and 1936-1939 periods when Phan Dang Luu was arrested by French colonists and imprisoned in Buon Ma Thuot as well as struggles in the fields of parliament, press and culture in Hue.

The next part tells about the time he went to the north to attend the conference reestablishing the Party Central Committee and ask for the adjournment of the Nam Ky Uprising. While coming back to the south, Phan Dang Luu and many other revolutionaries died for freedom and independence.

Regarding why Phan Dang Luu was chosen as the basis of the script, Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen The Ky, the play’s author, said that he was a special, ingenious and wise communist soldier. Many historical documents are written about him, however there are few theatrical works referring to this outstanding revolutionary.

During the difficult revolutionary period, Phan Dang Luu used the press as a sharp weapon to fight against enemies. In ‘Breaking Dawn’, his lucidity and incisive analysis are clearly shown through the detail of consulting the Party Central Committee about the adjournment of the Nam Ky Uprising.

The intelligence, talent, bravery, morality and personality of the steadfast leader Phan Dang Luu have contributed to creating a stormy and glorious historical period, an important premise for the success of the August Revolution in 1945.

How to truly and lively convey history through a traditional arts form is a great challenge. However, Meritorious Artist Trieu Trung Kien, who is also the play’s director, brings a fresh breath of modern life into ‘Breaking Dawn’. The most impressive scene in the play is the presence of the members of HUB band who contribute to the play through rock, jazz, hiphop and contemporary folk performances.

‘Breaking Dawn’ has made the natural continuation between the past and presence as well as between former and younger generations, bringing historical figures and events closer. The play offers an opportunity for younger generations to learn more about the heroic traditions of the nation.

Arts programme held to celebrate upcoming Party Congress

The People’s Army newspaper in co-ordination with the State Bank of Vietnam and Vietnam Television organised an arts program entitled ‘In Party We Believe and Love’ at Hanoi’s Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labour Cultural Palace on January 16.

The event, broadcast live on Vietnam Television Channel 1 and others, was held to celebrate the upcoming 12th National Party Congress, scheduled to take place between January 20-28 in Hanoi.

In his opening speech, Major General Pham Van Huan, Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Army newspaper and head of the organising board, stated that on February 3, 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was born. Over 86 years with 11 congresses held, the Party has led Vietnam to overcome difficulties and challenges to earn important achievements.

The Party deserves to be highlighted as a symbol of Vietnam’s success, intelligence and culture, Major General Huan affirmed, adding that practices over the 86-year tradition of the Party have become the pride of the communists and the people of Vietnam, laying a solid basis for people to have trust in the Party and vice versa, forming a consensus and strength of the great unity between the Party and the people.

Short reports presented at the event informed the audience of the 86 year-long history of Vietnam’s revolution under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over its 11 congresses; confirming the absolute leadership of the Party in national achievements and demonstrating the absolute trust of the entire Party, army and people to the Party.

Famous revolutionary songs were also sung by popular singers, artists, and musicians, recalling the development of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnam’s revolution.

On the occasion, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan and National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, together with representatives of the organising committee, presented gifts to officers and soldiers who are on duty guarding the peace of the nation.

Festival kicks off tourism stimulus programme in Hue in 2016

A culture, sport and tourism festival kicked off in Thua Thien-Hue province on January 15 as a starting event of the tourism stimulus programme in the locality for 2016.

The three-day festival opened with a walk attracting the participation of nearly 1,300 people on major streets in Hue city.

Visitors to the event are invited to take part in folk games, taste Hue’s signature dishes, and enjoy art shows to greet the new spring being held from 8 am to 10 pm daily at the provincial Culture and Information Centre.

Booths display indigenous products of the province are also set-up as part of the festival.

At the opening, the provincial hospitality sector announced major culture and tourism events to be staged for visitors in 2016.

As part of the festival, businesses operating in tourism and press agencies are invited to join farm trips to Thanh Toan tiled-roof bridge in Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy town in order to promote a new community tourism route for visitors to Hue.

According to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Phan Tien Dung, the locality welcomed over 3.1 million visitors in 2015, including more than 1 million foreigners.

Turnover from the local tourism sector exceeded VND 3 trillion (US$ 133.8 million) in the past year, an increase of 10.25% over the same period last year. The sector contributed over 55% to the provincial GRDP.

Exhibition on Hoang Sa, Truong Sa comes to Ba Ria-Vung Tau

An exhibition displaying documents, objects and maps on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes is underway in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The January 19-23 event, organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Vietnam Maritime Police Zone 3, forms part of a communication campaign to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes and raise public awareness, especially among the youth, about the issue.

The exhibits include documents and cartography dating from the past few centuries written in Han (classical Chinese), Nom (Vietnamese ideographic script), Vietnamese and French. They were variously issued by the Vietnamese feudal states, the French Government in Indochina, and other foreign nations.

Of note, four atlases and 30 maps officially published by the Chinese states show that China had never managed the archipelagoes.

Many photos and documents on display also reflect the process Vietnam exercised and defended its ownership of the two archipelagoes from 1930 until China occupied Hoang Sa in 1974.

A collection of 65 maps testify Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagoes, and is confirmed by even Western nations from the 17th century to the present day.

Similar events were held in 32 cities and provinces across the country, and are scheduled to be rolled out in other localities in the time ahead.

Hai Phong opens exhibition on party congresses

A photo exhibition on national party congresses throughout history opened in Hai Phong on January 18.

A total of 130 photos and documents are on display, demonstrating 86 years of Party leadership and eleven national party congresses.

The event was organised by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to welcome the 12th congress, which will convene on January 20.

The exhibition will run until January 28.

Collaborative performing arts project to be launched

A project to promote co-operation in culture and performing arts between the Viet Nam Youth Theatre and Japan’s Marionette Edo Youkiza Theatre will begin on January 28.

Under the project, a six-member group, comprising actors, stage designer, sound and light technicians from the Viet Nam Youth Theatre, led by veteran People’s Artist Le Khanh, will go to Japan to study and improve their performing skills.

After two months, a stage adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck is expected to be performed by the Viet Nam Youth Theatre at Theatre East and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

The project is being funded by The Japan Foundation Asia Centre.

Viet Nam Youth Theatre’s Director Truong Nhuan will attend a workshop on Ibsen from January 28 to February 1 at Digital Hollywood University in Tokyo.

Nhuan has adapted Ibsen’s literary works such as Doll’s House, Brand and The Wild Duck.

National park seeks to attract visitors from HCM City

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh will keep the entrance fee unchanged until the end of next year to attract more visitors.

Revealing this at a conference to promote the park held in HCM City on Monday Hoang Hai Van, its deputy director, said the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Tourism Centre has already made a similar commitment to travel agents.

There are not many visitors from HCM City due to various reasons like long distance, inconvenient travel, and ineffective promotion, he said.

“We have yet to reach out to many partners in HCM City to introduce the park’s potential.”

He called on travel companies in HCM City to develop tours to the park.

The number of visitors to Quang Binh hit three million last year, three times the number in 2013.

It expects to welcome 3.5 million, including 50,000 foreigners, this year.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, called the Kingdom of Caves, has more than 300 caves, including Son Doong, the world’s largest.

Season of films to celebrate the 12th National Party Congress

A season of films will be screened until February 5 nationwide to celebrate the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, which is kicked off on Thursday.

The season also aims to mark the Party’s 86th founding anniversary (February 3) and the Lunar New Year festival, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.

The series, consisting of two films and two documentaries, will help review the Party’s glorious tradition, consolidate trust in the Party and reinforce national unity.

At the Ha Noi opening ceremony on Monday at the National Cinema Centre, the documentary film Dat Nuoc Doi Moi (The Nation Renovates) was screened. The film features the country’s development process and its achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party.

Also screened was the film Tren Dinh Binh Yen (On the Peaceful Land) which features Cham ethnic groups making ceramic products in southen Central Viet Nam and the change in their way of thinking to develop the economy of the family .

Another opening ceremony for film season started yesterday in Phan Thiet city, in the central province of Binh Thuan.

VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri

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