UK travel magazine Lonely Planet has unveiled its list of the 120 most breathtaking human constructions on Earth, and a bizarre building in Vietnam has made the list. The Crazy House in Da Lat. Photo by Xuan Lan The magazine's new "A Spotter's Guide to Amazing Architecture" introduces the world's "coolest" constructions and where to see them. Hang Nga Guesthouse, dubbed the "Crazy House" in the Central Highlands town Da Lat, has been recognized for its extraordinary exterior which resembles a monstrous banyan tree. Around one kilometer from the center of Da Lat, the guesthouse was officially opened in 1990, and has been compared to the amazing architecture of world-acclaimed constructions such as the Salvador Dalí Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The design by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga was inspired by the poetic natural scenery of the dreamy city and the architectural works of Catalan master Antoni Gaud. Once forgotten, it has now emerged as one of the most … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s ‘crazy house’ named among world’s ‘coolest’ buildings
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Vietnam’s ‘crazy house’ named among world’s most ‘coolest’ buildings
U.K. travel magazine Lonely Planet has unveiled its list of the 120 most breathtaking human constructions on Earth, and a bizarre building in Vietnam has made the list. The magazine's new "A Spotter's Guide to Amazing Architecture" introduces the world's "coolest" cosntructions and where to see them. Hang Nga Guesthouse, dubbed the "Crazy House" in the Central Highlands town Da Lat, has been recognized for its extraordinary exterior which resembles a monstrous banyan tree. Around one kilometer from the center of Da Lat, the guesthouse was officially opened in 1990, and has been compared to the amazing architecture of world-acclaimed constructions such as the Salvador Dalí Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The design by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga was inspired by the poetic natural scenery of the dreamy city and the architectural works of Catalan master Antoni Gaud. Once forgotten, it has now emerged as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam’s city … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s ‘crazy house’ named among world’s most ‘coolest’ buildings
World sings, lights up in solidarity with wounded France
Monuments from the Sydney Opera House in Australia to One World Trade Center in New York were adorned with France's red, white and blue, while the "Peace for Paris" symbol combining the city's iconic Eiffel Tower with the peace sign of the 1960s went viral online. New York's Metropolitan Opera led by star tenor Placido Domingo mourned the victims of France's worst-ever such attacks with an unscheduled performance of the distinctive French national anthem. Many of the 6,000 participants in a march in the Irish capital were draped in the French blue, white and red flag, while others also sang the national anthem. London paid homage to the victims as some 2,000 people gathered at an evening vigil in the British capital's Trafalgar Square, where fountains and the grand portico of the National Gallery opposite were lit to resemble the Tricolour. Around 150 people displayed flags and home-made placards reading "London stands with Paris" and "Nous sommes Paris" (We are Paris) in reference to … [Read more...] about World sings, lights up in solidarity with wounded France
Vietnamese music talent in Australia
Van Anh was one of few young talented people who were invited to play the piano at the Sydney Opera House when she was just eight years old. Van Anh's parents are both professional artists. Her father Nguyen Xuan Anh is a classical guitar player and her mother Phan Thi Kim Oanh is a music lecturer and a pianist. From an early age, Van Anh won numerous musical prizes in Sydney, particularly in competitions for young pianists. In 2003, she won a prize at the "Vienna International Pianist Summer Festival" in Austria. Her education achievements have also earned a lot of respect for her. However, Van Anh was modest in saying: "I don't think I am a "music talent" as some small awards are not enough for me to deserve the title. If any one had the chance to study like me, they could be as successful." In 2007, Van Anh returned to Vietnam for the third time and performed in Ho Chi Minh City. She said every time she comes back to Vietnam, she receives a warm welcome from the audience. "The … [Read more...] about Vietnamese music talent in Australia
HCM City’s egg artist
An art teacher in Ho Chi Minh City has a very special way of making little statues. He makes them from eggs and then he adds colours. When he was young, he made one for a girlfriend and decided to carry on making them for the rest of his life. He uses different types of birds' eggs for his different little statues. by Duong Kim Thoa What would you do with an egg shell? To teacher Nguyen Thanh Tam from Ho Chi Minh City, egg shell is a material with which he creates artworks. With only a small pair of scissors, half a lime to erase the colour of the egg, and a bit of nail lacquer in appropriate colours, Tam can magically turn an egg shell into a cute beetle, adding another item to his collection of unique creations. Over ten years ago, Tam stopped working for a foreign company to start offering English language classes at home. His love for his students and ambition to raise their interest in learning English encouraged him to conceive many lively teaching aids. After many trials using … [Read more...] about HCM City’s egg artist
Art comes out of its shell in the classroom
VietNamNet Bridge – What would you do with an egg shell? To teacher Nguyen Thanh Tam from Ho Chi Minh City, egg shell is a material with which he creates artworks. With only a small pair of scissors, half a lime to erase the colour of the egg, and a bit of nail lacquer in appropriate colours, Tam can magically turn an egg shell into a cute beetle, adding another item to his collection of unique creations. Over ten years ago, Tam stopped working for a foreign company to start offering English language classes at home. His love for his students and ambition to raise their interest in learning English encouraged him to conceive of many lively teaching aids. After many trials using different materials, he recalled a time when he had made a gift out of an egg shell and presented it to his girlfriend when he was quite young. He decided to take this childhood idea further. Tam began by creating a Santa Claus using egg shells for the next Christmas season. His first creation … [Read more...] about Art comes out of its shell in the classroom
Gifted pianist Nguyen Van Anh to grace city opera house
Gifted pianist Nguyen Van Anh to grace city opera house My Tran By My Tran in HCMC Pianist Nguyen Van Anh will perform at a concert to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations at HCMC Opera House at 8 p.m. on Friday. The concert, organized by HCMC Union Of Friendship Organizations, Vietnam – Australia Friendship Association and HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO), will take place under the baton of conductor Tran Vuong Thach. Audiences will be entertained by the sweet melodies of famous pieces such as Hungarian Dance No.1 by Brahms, Concerto A Minor for piano & orchestra by Grieg and Symphony No.1 in C Major, op. 21 by Beethoven with the HBSO also participating. Anh, born in Sydney in 1987 to Vietnamese parents, started learning the piano as a baby aged just 15 months thanks to the guidance of both her parents who are professional musicians. At four she was accepted into the Young Artists Program for gifted and talented … [Read more...] about Gifted pianist Nguyen Van Anh to grace city opera house
Exhibition of Australia photos in town
A photographic exhibition entitled "Australia - Land of Contrast" will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from Feb. 20 to Feb. 27, featuring pictures taken by Australian photographers, the Australian Consulate General has announced. The exhibition, which will be open free to the public at the Youth Cultural House in Dist. 1, will conclude the Australian Consulate General's cultural program celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam. The exhibits show a collection of Australian images, ranging from familiar City Scapes such as the Sydney Habour Bridge and Melbourne architecture to the very unique Australian outback and breath-taking Australian coastline. Australian icons such as the kangaroo, Sydney Opera House and Uluru are not missed in this exhibition. The Australian Consul General in HCM City, Mr. Graeme Swift, says, "We are very pleased to be able to bring to HCMC residents an opportunity to enjoy the mystery, … [Read more...] about Exhibition of Australia photos in town
Australia – Land of contrast
An exhibition themed "Australia - land of contrast", launched last week at HCMC Cultural Youth House (4 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 1), wrapped up the series of cultural events held to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. The exhibition features 36 pictures by popular Australian photographers such as J.B. Anderson, Chris McLennan, H.W.Ziegler and Nick Rains. Visitors will see a collection of familiar Australian images, such as the Sydney Opera House and kangaroos, as well as beautiful beaches and the sandy landscape of the Northern territory of the country. A young visitor at the exhibition takes a picture of a photo featuring a camel train in the Northern territory of Australia - Photo: Thuy Nguyen The exhibition lasts until February 27. * A photo exhibition titled "Music and traditional performance arts of Vietnam" is being held at Women's Cultural House (192-194 Ly Chinh Thang Street, District 3), Nguoi Lao Dong reports. The … [Read more...] about Australia – Land of contrast
The many faces of Australia
A photo exhibition showing different aspects of Australia opens in Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow, wrapping up a year-long celebration to commemorate 35 years of diplomatic relations with Vietnam. “Australia - Land of Contrast†features pictures by renowned Aussie photographers like Steve Parish, J.B. Anderson and Barry Skipsey. The collection of Australian images is comprehensive, ranging from familiar sights like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the breathtaking outback and natural landscapes. Other Australian icons are also captured on film, most notably the kangaroo and the huge sandstone formation Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. Announcing the show, Australian Consul-General in HCMC Graeme Swift said, “We hope the photo exhibition will bring Australia even closer to Vietnamese people. “For those who have not yet traveled to Australia, we hope the exhibition will entice them to choose Australia as their destination for future adventures,†… [Read more...] about The many faces of Australia