Hard work, persistence and maybe a little bit of luck have paid off for Pasadena's 22-member Southwest Chamber Music, which in March will embark on the largest-ever cultural exchange between the United States and Vietnam. Members of Pasadena's Southwest Chamber Music are getting ready for the upcoming Ascending Dragon Music Festival and Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, coinciding with the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Hanoi. The group was was one of just three nationwide to receive a State Department grant for cultural exchange programs (Courtesy Photo) In its third attempt, the Grammy-winning group was awarded a highly competitive $300,000 U.S. State Department grant for its six-week Ascending Dragon Music Festival and Cultural Exchange. For three weeks in March, 19 members of Southwest Chamber Music will travel to Vietnam, while 19 Vietnamese will come to Pasadena for three weeks in April and May. "It's a big deal," Artistic Director Jeff von der Schmidt said. "Playing in … [Read more...] about U.S Grammy-winning group to perform in Vietnam
Vietnam plus
Fires consume warehouses, restaurants in Vietnam capital
Vietnam attends World Travel Fair in Japan
Vietnam is attending the World Travel Fair 2010 by the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), which opened in Tokyo on Sept. 24. At the event, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam Airlines, Da Nang city and several travel agencies are introducing foreigners to the Vietnamese people and country, especially the popular tourism sites and products. The JATA World Travel Fair 2010 will run until Sept. 26 and is expected to welcome 100,000 visitors. Also on Sept. 24, VNAT, Vietnam Airlines and Da Nang jointly held a seminar in Tokyo to promote Vietnam, which drew many travel agencies from Vietnam and Japan. Addressing the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Nguyen Phu Binh, said Japan is a potential market for Vietnam and it is necessary to accelerate activities to promote the country's image in Japan. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Head of VNAT Department for Tourism Promotion, said that Japan has been among Vietnam's top five tourism … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends World Travel Fair in Japan
Thailand boosts tourism in Vietnam
Thailand will focus on developing strategic tourism areas, especially in labouring countries like Vietnam, said Thai Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism Vichai Srikwan at a press briefing in Ho Chi Minh City on September 30. As many as 16 tourism agencies from Thailand are taking part in the International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2010) in HCM City, Vichai Srikwan said, expressing his hope that the Thai participants would be satisfied when meeting with partners from different tourism markets across the world, including Vietnam. Vichai considered the expo as an opportunity to expand tourism cooperation between Thailand and other nations. He also took the occasion to report on his country's tourism development as well as marketing strategies carried out by the Thai Tourism Administration (TTA). Thailand plans to welcome 15.5 million foreign arrivals next year, reaping about US$18.5 billion. The number of Vietnamese tourists to Thailand each year stands at 370,000 while the number … [Read more...] about Thailand boosts tourism in Vietnam
Vietnam and Indonesia celebrate the exhibition “Inside out”
(CPV)- The exhibition called "Inside out" with 34 artworks including paintings and sculptures by 17Vietnamese and 17 Indonesian artists will be open from August 9th to 18th, 2010 at the thematic exhibition room of Vietnam Fine Arts Museum at 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Str, Hanoi. … [Read more...] about Vietnam and Indonesia celebrate the exhibition “Inside out”