Three domestic carriers, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific, have opened sales for tickets during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday 2017. Accordingly, the low-cost carrier Vietjet Air put on sale 1.5 million air tickets for domestic and international travel from January 10th to February 12th, 2017. Ticket prices start from only VND390,000 (USD17) for the domestic routes of Ho Chi Minh city - Nha Trang/Phu Quoc/Da Lat/Buon Ma Thuot/Pleiku/Tuy Hoa. The routes Ho Chi Minh city - Quy Nhon/Chu Lai/Danang/Hue, Hanoi - Hue/Danang/Chu Lai, Danang - Hai Phong and Vinh - Buon Ma Thuot/Pleiku are priced from only VND480,000 (USD22). Prices are from VND660,000 (USD30) for Ho Chi Minh city - Dong Hoi, Hanoi - Pleiku/Quy Nhon, Hai Phong - Buon Ma Thuot/Pleiku, and Da Lat -Vinh routes. Tickets are priced from only VND900,000 (USD40) for Ho Chi Minh city - Hanoi/Hai Phong/Thanh Hoa/Vinh, Hanoi - Can Tho/Phu Quoc/Nha Trang/Da Lat/ Buon Ma Thuot/Tuy Hoa/Pleiku routes. The national flag … [Read more...]
Drake follows blockbuster album with film
Viet Nam News NEW YORK — Drake, the Toronto rapper whose latest album Views has topped this year’s charts, followed his success on Monday with a film set to the music. Entitled Please Forgive Me, the 21-minute movie was shot in the South African township of Soweto and features tracks from Views. Please Forgive Me starts with a wealthy man offering Drake’s girlfriend, played by Belgian actress Fanny Neguesha, money for the chance to sleep with her. It turns into an action flick as she and Drake seize the money. The film also stars Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan and Bob Nameng, whose nonprofit Soweto Kliptown Youth gives opportunities to street children through arts. Please Forgive Me was directed by Anthony Mandler, best known for filming videos by Rihanna. In 2013 he led a film of similar length by singer Lana Del Rey. Drake released Please Forgive Me exclusively on Apple Music, which has a longstanding partnership with Drake and has focused on original … [Read more...]
Social News 27/9
VND28 bil scholarships given to freshmen On the occasion of the new school year and the 9th anniversary, the Economic- Finance University in Ho Chi Minh City gave scholarships totally worth VND28 billion (US$1,255,520) to freshmen. At the ceremony of the new school year opening, the school gave 998 scholarships to freshmen who had good performance on entrance exam scores of entering university. In the first year, 38 students will receive full scholarships each worth VND60 million (US$2,692), 381 students will receive half scholarships each worth VND30 million and 580 will receive one-fourth scholarships each worth VND15 million. In addition, the school also gave 24 scholarships for gifted students in the school totally worth VND240 million as well as many other scholarships for students who are active in communist activities and scholarships for clubs. Total value of scholarships is nearly VND23 billion (US$1,030,998) Additionally, the school provided 618 scholarships to learn English … [Read more...]
Blistering barnacles! Exhibition shows Tintin creator’s dark side
Viet Nam News PARIS — A huge new exhibition about Tintin creator Herge does not shy away from showing how the cartoonist pined to be taken seriously as an artist nor his shame at his passivity during the Nazi occupation of Belgium. Herge, which opens on Wednesday at the Grand Palais in Paris, aims to lift some of the mystery that surrounds the enigmatic Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who lived in the shadow of his boy hero. It shows how the runaway success of the adventures of the young reporter became both a blessing and a curse for Herge, frustrating his hopes of being seen as an abstract painter. Nor does the exhibition, which claims to be the biggest retrospective of the artist ever assembled, try to gloss over his wartime work for a collaborationist Belgian newspaper. Curator Jerome Neutres said that although a section of the show was dedicated to his work during the war, "an art exhibition is not a court of history". "The period was a great source of pain for … [Read more...]
Vinh Long organizes hat boi shows for tourists
(VOVworld) - Shows featuring hat boi (classical drama) will be launched in southern Vịnh Long province in an bid to attract tourists and preserve traditional theatre, the province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has said. The program's young artists, mostly from local art troupes, have been studying at art schools and theatres, including the prestigious HCM City Hat Boi Theatre and the HCM City University of Culture, to improve their voice and performance skills. The department has worked with many tourist agencies in the region and HCM City to set up performance schedules. Fifty tourist guides, who have been trained in introducing the art to tourists, have also contributed their ideas as well. Hat boi or tuong is often performed at ceremonies and festivals at temples and pagodas in Vinh Long, Can Tho, Tien Giang and Soc Trang provinces and in HCM City. Stories in hat boi feature historical events and social problems. The actors, skilled in both singing and dance, do … [Read more...]
Ninh Bình hosts traditional opera festival
Viet Nam News NINH BÌNH - Nearly 800 chèo (traditional opera) artists from traditional troupes nationwide are performing at the Chèo National Festival 2016 in the northern province of Ninh Bình. The festival features some 27 shows performed by chèo troupes, such as the Việt Nam Chèo Theatre and the Hà Nội Chèo Theatre, Hải Phòng Chèo Theatre and others from the northern provinces. Chèo originated in the 10th century from folk music and dance and is popular in areas in the north. When farmers in the Red River Delta had finished harvesting, they organised a festival to entertain themselves and thank the gods who supported them.. "Chèo is very important to Vietnamese traditional culture," People's Artist Vương Duy Biên, deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, said. "Like many other traditional genres, chèo is facing the challenge of not attracting young spectators. Artists and art managers need to show their creativity by reflecting modern times. "Chèo artists need to try … [Read more...]
US sanctions Chinese firm tied to North Korea’s nuclear program
A new step in tightening the financial noose around North Korea's nuclear program. The United States said on Monday it had sanctioned a Chinese industrial machinery and equipment wholesaler, a new step in tightening the financial noose around North Korea's nuclear program after its fifth nuclear test this month. The U.S. Treasury said it was sanctioning Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development Co (DHID) and four of its executives, including the firm's founder Ma Xiaohong, under U.S. regulations targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction. It accused the firm of acting on behalf of North Korea's Korea Kwangson Banking Corp (KKBC), which has been under U.S. and U.N. sanctions for supporting proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. Department of Justice said it had filed criminal charges against the Chinese firm and the executives for using front companies to evade sanctions on North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The charges accuse … [Read more...]
Vietnamese and Norwegian music to be performed at HBSO’s concert
Music has always been an important vehicle in story-telling. Through-out the development of music over the ages, programmatic music has always found its place in the repertoire. HBSO's October 9th concert will feature programmatic works from Vietnamese and Norwegian composers. The late 19th century and early 20th century Norwegian composers had been instrumental to the development of Norwegian classical music. Their stories will paint a picture of Northern Europe of the previous century and the life a the people more than century ago. The first half will also feature works by Vietnamese composers Nguyen Manh Duy Linh and Vu Viet Anh. Their works, respectively, "A Gentle Wind" and "Skyline" are a look at Saigon through the eyes of an artist, touching on the simplicity of life among the busy and bustling life of a city. These HBSO commissions have appeared in programs featuring new Vietnamese music, allowing Vietnamese artists to experiment and express themselves through the … [Read more...]
Residents range from elation to rage over expanded walking zones
Viet Nam News Khánh Dương HÀ NỘI - A longtime resident of Hàng Chiếu Street, 75-year-old Nguyễn Văn Lợi has for many years maintained the daily habit of walking around the Old Quarters for excercise. After hearing the news that Hàng Chiếu Street will become a pedestrian street at the weekends, he is more than delighted. Last week, the People's Committee of Hoàn Kiếm District proposed to the municipal People's Committee to expand pedestrian areas in the Old Quarters. According to the plan, seven more streets and two alleys will be added to the weekend walking area, namely Hàng Chiếu, Ngõ Gạch, Nguyễn Siêu, Đào Duy Từ (in the section from Hàng Buồm to Hàng Chiếu), Hàng Bạc, Đinh Liệt, Gia Ngư streets, Trung Yên and Cầu Gỗ alleys. If the plan is approved, these nine streets will deny all vehicular traffic every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7pm to 12pm (summer time) or from 6pm to 12pm (winter time) starting next month. Restaurants and bars will remain open until 2am on these … [Read more...]
Vietnamese Muaythai fighter wins gold medal at Asian Beach Games
The Vietnamese boxer defeated his Chinese rival in a match on Monday. Tran Nguyen Duy Nhat, a Vietnamese Muaythai fighter, has triumphed over Chinese rival Wang Wenfeng in the men’s 60kg category to win a gold medal at the fifth Asian Beach Games in Da Nang. Wang, a strong fighter from China, was unable to shock the Vietnamese boxer. Nhat, who has been a world champion in his division six times in a row, defeated his rival 30 to 27, VTC News reported Monday. He is the son of famous boxing couple Nguyen Tran Dieu and Minh Anh Ngoc, and started training as a martial artist at a very young age. The year 2008 became a milestone in his career when he joined Ho Chi Minh City's Muay team. Since then, the 27-year-old boxer has always been one of the country's best Muaythai fighters. The fifth Asian Beach Games opened on September 24 and will last through October 3. The event, held on the Son Tra Peninsula, is expected to draw about 10,000 participants competing in 14 sports. … [Read more...]
Vietnamese Muaythai fighter beats Chinese rival to win gold at Asian Beach Games
The Vietnamese boxer defeated his Chinese rival in a match on Monday. Tran Nguyen Duy Nhat, a Vietnamese Muaythai fighter, has triumphed over Chinese rival Wang Wenfeng in the men’s 60kg category to win a gold medal at the fifth Asian Beach Games in Da Nang. Wang, a strong fighter from China, was unable to shock the Vietnamese boxer. Nhat, who has been a world champion in his division six times in a row, defeated his rival 30 to 27, VTC News reported Monday. He is the son of famous boxing couple Nguyen Tran Dieu and Minh Anh Ngoc, and started training as a martial artist at a very young age. The year 2008 became a milestone in his career when he joined Ho Chi Minh City's Muay team. Since then, the 27-year-old boxer has always been one of the country's best Muaythai fighters. The fifth Asian Beach Games opened on September 24 and will last through October 3. The event, held on the Son Tra Peninsula, is expected to draw about 10,000 participants competing in 14 sports. … [Read more...]
VN to focus on youth’s sexual reproductive health
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - Investing in the education and health, including sexual and reproductive health, of young people is of utmost importance to Việt Nam's productivity and development in the future, Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, secretary of the HCM Communist Youth Union Central Committee, has said. Speaking at a workshop on the implementation of "Youth led initiatives on promoting access to sexual and reproductive health information and services for Vietnamese youth and adolescents" held this morning, Tuấn said the youth played a significant role in the country's growth and they represented an increasingly large proportion of the labour force. "However, young people still lacked vital knowledge and life-skills on safe sex and consensual relationships, facing considerable barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services," Tuấn said. Sexual education for young people remained limited, particularly for ethnic minorities, migrants or those living in rural areas, he said. Young … [Read more...]
Vietnamese group holds lacquer painting exhibition
PANO – A lacquer painting exhibition of the Vietnamese “Son ta” (Vietnamese traditional paint) artist group is taking place at the Exhibition House, 29 Hang Bai Street, Hanoi. The art work “Groundswell” (Song ngam) by Nguyen Truong Linh The exhibition displays 50 lacquer paintings by 17 painters, featuring Vietnamese nature, landscapes, and people. The artworks were composed in various styles with the use of- Vietnamese traditional lacquer materials. Several outstanding works at the exhibition were “Groundswell” (Song ngam) by Nguyen Truong Linh, “A fallow garden” (Vuon hoang) by Hai Nam, “Aspiration” (Khat vong) by Tran Phi Truong and “Immortal Legend” (Huyen thoai bat tu) by Do Khai. The exhibition will run until September 27. Translated by Hong Thanh … [Read more...]
Contemporary dance held in Ho Chi Minh City
PANO - The “6th Europe-Asia meet: Contemporary Dance,” the biggest international festival of contemporary dances, launched by the Goethe Institute, took place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 25. During the three-day event, dancers will perform four selected contemporary dances, including "Nhung tiem giat la Ha Noi" (Laundries in Hanoi), "Vu cong Seismic" (Seismic dancer), Sac sac khong khong" (Being and non-being), and "Mai nha" (The roof). According to the festival’s organizer, all performances will feature both reality and imagination and a deep exploration of the inside of contemporary people. At the opening night, the art work "Nhung tiem giat la Ha Noi", a collaboration between German choreographer Riki von Falken and Vietnamese video art artist Nguyen Trinh Thi, was performed. Translated by Trung Thanh … [Read more...]
Viet Nam’s largest fish meal plant inaugurated
Illustration photo. The 10,000sq.m. plant is located in Song Doc Town, Tran Van Thoi District in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. — maychannuoi.com CA MAU (Biz Hub) — The largest fish meal plant of Viet Nam was officially put into operation on September 26. The 10,000sq.m. plant is located in Song Doc Town, Tran Van Thoi District in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. Its design production capacity is 30,000 tonnes per year, with modern technology imported from Europe, Phan Hoa Hiep, director of the plant, said. Hung Vuong Corporation (51 per cent) and Minh Thang Ca Mau JSC (49 per cent) have invested in the plant, with total investment capital of US$3 million. The director also said the location of the plant gives it easy access to abundant raw material source, with thousands of fishing vessels able to supply 400 tonnes of fish for the plant daily. The plant's operation will help our company actively control the input quality for producing foodstuff for animals, … [Read more...]
Vietjet offers 1.5m tickets for Lunar NY holidays
VietJet's passengers queue up to check-in at Tan Son Nhat In't Airport . — VNS Photo HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Vietjet late last week put up 1.5 million air tickets for sale for domestic and international travel during the Lunar New Year holidays from January 10 to February 12, 2017. Ticket prices start from just VND390,000 (US$17) for domestic routes from HCM City to Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat and Buon Ma Thuot, as well as Pleiku and Tuy Hoa. Flights connecting HCM City with Quy Nhon, Chu Lai, Da Nang and Hue and those linking Ha Noi with Hue, Da Nang and Chu Lai, as well as Da Nang to Hai Phong, and Vinh to Buon Ma Thuot and Pleiku are priced from just VND480,000 ($22). Other routes, including HCM City-Dong Hoi, Hanoi to Pleiku and Qui Nhon, Hai Phong to Buon Ma Thuot and Pleiku, and Da Lat-Vinh will have tickets priced at VND660,000 ($30). These discounted tickets will be available on all fares, thus early-bird passengers can enjoy tickets at lower prices, Vietjet said, … [Read more...]
Vietnam’s biggest fish powder mill inaugurated
Covering an area of over 10,000 sq.m in Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district, the plant has a designed capacity of 30,000 tonnes of fish powder a year with modern technology line imported from Europe. Vietnam’s biggest fish powder mill inaugurated in Ca Mau province (Photo: baothanhhoa.vn) According to Director of the factory Phan Hoa Hiep, abundant resources with thousands of fishing vessels in the area can supply 400 tonnes of fish for the plant daily. The US$3 million factory is a joint venture between Hung Vuong Group (HVG) with 51% and Minh Thang Ca Mau Joint Stock Company. … [Read more...]
Screening: Vietnam the Movie + Eleven Men
Out of Frame (OOF! Fest) As a prologue to what increasingly looks like an out-of-the-ordinary month of October to come, OOF! Fest presents a very special screening with Hanoian filmmaker / artist Nguyen Trinh Thi. For the first time ever, two of Trinh Thi's recent video works (deeply rooted in the found-footage tradition) will show in Saigon. With the filmmaker herself in attendance, this too marks a rare opportunity for those looking to find out more about found-footage films to have their curiosity satiated. The movies: Vietnam the Movie Nguyen Trinh Thi, 2016, 54' Languages: English, with Vietnamese and English subtitles Spanning the historical timeframe from the mid-1950s through the late 1970s, on the surface Vietnam the Movie appears to tell a chronologically-ordered development of the Vietnam War through a carefully-structured montage using familiar Hollywood classics, but also exploring the lesser-known or virtually-forgotten works by the likes of Farocki, … [Read more...]
Vietnam professional artists strive to rouse youngsters’ passion for classical music
Competent artists in two major Vietnamese cities all strive to stir and nurture the passion for classical music in young people. Competent artists in two major Vietnamese cities all strive to stir and nurture the passion for classical music in young people. In Ho Chi Minh City, two monthly activities for young music lovers include a concert organized by a group of talented artists and a program by the city’s Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO). Both events, free or selling tickets at affordable prices, target local youngsters in the hope of nurturing their passion for music. All performances are carefully selected to make sure that they are suitable for young listeners. Each program also features a concise introduction to provide participants with basic knowledge of musical instruments, artists, and different music genres. Nguyen Minh Tan, an HBSO representative, said that they will organize more events to bring classical music to students at middle schools, high … [Read more...]
Ha Noi announces nine more pedestrian streets
Ha Noi authorities plan to open nine more pedestrian areas in the Old Quarter in October this year. The proposed streets are Hang Chieu, Nguyen Sieu, Dao Duy Tu (from Hang Buom to Hang Chieu), Hang Bac, Dinh Liet, Gia Ngu, Cau Go, Gach and Trung Yen alleys. The streets will be closed to traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7pm to 12pm in summer and from 6pm-12pm in winter. Municipal authorities will build plans to ensure security and order, fire protection, rescue, transport management, environmental hygiene, and business management in the streets and adjacent areas. The streets are in the list of areas needing preservation and are similar to existing walking streets. The area also boasts many historical and cultural sites such O Quan Chuong and Thanh Ha communal house. When they are launched, they help promote cultural and historical values, culinary delights, architecture, and potential for tourism in the Old Quarter and areas surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake . They are … [Read more...]