VietNamNet Bridge - Related to APEC Summit 2017 in Vietnam, one of interests of the public is the costume of APEC leaders this time. According to the latest information released by Mr. Huynh Vinh Ai, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Chief of the Subcommittee on Media and Culture of the National Committee for APEC Year 2017 at a press conference on December 9: the costumes designed for leaders at the APEC Summit 2017 will be made by the materials mainly produced by Vietnam, demonstrating the Vietnamese tradition, and easy to wear. Ai said the highlight of the cultural activities in the APEC Week 2017 is the Gala Dinner, where the APEC leaders will wear the costume. The subcommittee on media and culture invited five leading fashion designers of Vietnam to design the outfit. Ai further noted that this is not the national costume of Vietnam but the costume for the APEC Summit held in Vietnam. The costume will be made by mainly material produced by Vietnam, and … [Read more...] about Vietnam prepares costumes for APEC leaders at APEC Summit 2017
Special Reports
The cultural sector and the 4Ps
VietNamNet Bridge - There is no magic wand that can help the cultural institutions to work smoothly and force the audience to flock to theatres with just one touch. The cultural sector of Vietnam needs decades to mature and develop. The development of a country is measured not only by the number of luxury cars, the skyscrapers, shopping centers but also by the number of museums, libraries, sports areas, parks, and theaters that are lighted up every night. There is no magic wand that can help the cultural institutions to work smoothly and force the audience to flock to theatres with just one touch. The cultural sector of Vietnam needs decades to mature and develop. However, if we do not start from today so when?The stage in intense competition In the past, we could see that the Western-style theaters for a narrow range of audience - the bourgeois and elites - were always crowded as the demand for cultural products, entertainment for this group was very high. During the wartime and … [Read more...] about The cultural sector and the 4Ps
The most famous spring festivals in Vietnam
VietNamNet Bridge - Across the country, the first month of the lunar year is considered the month of festivals. This is the time for the most unique festivals of Vietnam such as Huong (Perfume) Pagoda, Yen Tu... Huong Pagoda Festival in Hanoi Together with Bai Dinh and Yen Tu Pagoda Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival is among the greatest Buddhist festivals in northern Vietnam. Huong Pagoda Festival plays an important role in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people in general and Vietnamese Buddhists in particular. Huong Pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70 kilometers away from Hanoi to the south. This festival lasts for three months from the first to the third month in Lunar Calendar. In fact, the official opening day for the festival is on the 6th day of the first Lunar month. According to folklore, once upon a time, there was a beautiful and kind-hearted princess named Dieu Thien—the third daughter of King Dieu Trang, Huong Lam Kingdom. However, at the age of marriage, … [Read more...] about The most famous spring festivals in Vietnam
Foreign tourists complain of early closings in Vietnam
VietNamNet Bridge – Big cities in Vietnam do not lack bars, cinemas, theatres, night markets and art shows but most of these places close before 12am, too early for many foreign visitors. Hanoi’s Thang Long Puppetry Theatre and the A O Show at the HCM City Opera House (Saigon) are two venues attracting many international tourists. Every night, many individual travelers or groups of tourists are taken to these theatres to enjoy traditional performances. The streets for foreign travelers such as Ta Hien, Nha Tho or Xuan Dieu (Hanoi) and Bui Vien (Saigon) are home to hundreds of bars, cafes and restaurants for foreigners. Hanoi and HCM City also have night markets. However, all of these place close quite early. For the water puppetry show and A O Show, the latest shows start at 8pm and end at 10pm. HCM City’s Ben Thanh night market is always crowded but it closes at 12am. At Hanoi night market, stalls begin to close at 11pm. At this time, Ta Hien Street becomes more … [Read more...] about Foreign tourists complain of early closings in Vietnam
The odd jobs
VietNamNet Bridge – Some people are earning a living by crying or singing and dancing at funerals. When I approached Mr. Huu, 41, a mourner at funerals with almost 10 years experience, to learn about his special job, he said: "I have nothing to say about my job in your newspaper. I don’t want to be sneered at by others." Then, a few days later, my phone rang and it was Huu. "I think I should tell people about my job. Yesterday, I just cried at a funeral but then I was beaten by a local group of mourners. This profession is both shameful and miserable!" Huu said. Huu was tired when he met me. He said he had undergone a lot of bitterness and humiliation. He came to Saigon as a construction worker. After a motorcycle accident, his leg was injured and he could not do difficult jobs so he became a mourner. Huu said all members in his group were ill because their everyday work is with the dead. When asked why he doesn’t look for another job, he said: "This profession … [Read more...] about The odd jobs