Paris fashion academy backs TV show Project Runway

This year, "Project Runway Vietnam 2014" program has decided to cooperate with Atelier Chardon Savard Fashion Academy - one of the leading fashion institutes in Paris, aiming to improve its professional quality.

Accordingly, top three contestants of "Project Runway Vietnam 2014” will have the opportunity to go to Paris to practise and work with the academy’s fashion gurus to create the final collections for the Project Runway finale.

In addition, the competition winner  will be awarded a scholarship to train at Atelier Chardon Savard academy with VND200 million in cash from the leading fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar.

 "We are very excited and pleased to be given the opportunity to work  with Project Runway Vietnam this year,” said Dominique Chardon Savard, Headmaster of the leading Paris fashion academy.

“I hope that the cooperation will help young Vietnamese designers gain experience and skills as well as proving themselves on the way to becoming professional fashion designers.

“I believe that this will be a long-term collaboration between the academy and the Vietnamese fashion sector”, she said.

The program’s audition round will be held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in mid- March 2014.

The first episode will be broadcast on VTV3 at 20h on May 11.

Thailand organises concert against human trafficking

MTV EXIT, the world's largest behavioural-change campaign in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation, in collaboration with MTV Thailand, will hold a music festival in Udon Thani on March 15.

The show includes the bands Slot Machine and MILD from Thailand, Cells from Laos, and Kai Overdance, together with top artists from ASEAN.

Matt Love, director of MTV EXIT, said: "Once again, we expect to create a breakthrough in using methods to educate the young about human trafficking. We are moving to the places where offenders target young people."

Le Luong Minh, general secretary of ASEAN, said: "Human trafficking is one of the most popular transnational crimes, not only in ASEAN but also the world."

The MTV EXIT campaign is implemented with the assistance of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Power Jam make Hard Rock Café debut on Sunday

Power Jam, who won The Battle of the Bands in the Philippines in December 1996 as well as finishing first runner-up in an MTV songwriting contest, will be the new house band of Hard Rock Café HCMC from Sunday.

  Formed in 1996 in Manila, the six-piece outfit has performed in Singapore, Japan, Macau, Malaysia and Thailand. The band’s energetic and dynamic members are Allen Leyva (band leader/keyboard/percussion/vocals), Denice Camille P. Prado (lead vocals), Aldila Okyar (lead vocals), Romano Dolencio (bass guitar/vocals), Joey Cuenca (lead guitar/vocals) and Patrick Querubin (drum/vocals).

  The band’s versatile repertoire includes dance hits, classic rock tunes, contemporary pop music, rhythm and blues, funk, soul, popular Latino music, acid jazz and ballads.

  Daisy Phuong Vu, General Manager of Hard Rock Café HCMC, said: “As a market leader for entertainment in HCMC, we have recently introduced young and energetic U.K. band Radio City. We continue to offer our guests something different by introducing Filipino band Power Jam.”

  Catch Power Jam performing at the Hard Rock Café HCMC nightly, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 p.m. onwards with free admission.

  For more information and reservations, call (08) 6291 7595.

RoK photo project helps Vietnamese highland children tell their story life

Photos taken by Vietnamese children living in Sapa town, Lao Cai province, are now on show at an exhibition that opened this morning at the Korean Cultural Centre in Vietnam (KCCV).

More than 323 pictures and photo collections are on show, produced by students at Kim Dong secondary school and Sapa town elementary school with the help of arts instructors from the RoK’s Iksan Community Arts and Culture Centre during a RoK-sponsored two-month photo training workshop.

Participants were given cameras and provided with basic photography training. They were asked to take photos inspired by topic such as, ‘About me’, ‘My Friends’, ‘My Family’, ‘My Dreams’ and ‘Sapa – My Hometown’, in which they were free to capture anything and anyone they liked.

Through this the young amateur photographers were encouraged to observe objects, places and people seen a million times, through new eyes , while nurturing their and giving them a space to express themselves.

The teachers also encouraged their students to add information about the photos they took as well as their thoughts and feelings about their work.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, KCCV Director Park Nark Jong said that it is an honour for the centre to host the exhibition, adding that the photos on show beautifully reflect the innocence of the pupils.

Sharing the same idea, Director of the Vietnam’s Women Museum Nguyen Thi Bich Van said that the photos tell a lot about the children of Sapa including how they look at their friends, family, and fellow villagers.

Lee Soo Hyun, a member of the teaching staff, said that she felt very happy to be part of the workshop, adding that although it was over, she will continue to feel a great connection with the pupils.

The workshop was held under the framework of an ODA project on RoK – Vietnam culture and arts co-operation organised by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with the support of the RoK Institute for Education, Culture and the Arts Development, the KCCV and the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

“I highly appreciate the initiative of the RoK Culture Ministry for launching the programme, which helps children in northern mountainous region in Vietnam get access to photography and inspire their love for the arts,” said Nguyen Manh Phuc, who has long worked with the KCCV in boosting cultural co-operation between the two countries.

The exhibition, which was held earlier on February 10 in Sapa town, will last until February 19 at 49 Nguyen Du street, Hai Ba Trung district in Hanoi.

Hue kicks off restoration of ancient temple

The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre started the restoration of the Ta Tung Tu (Left Temple)-The Mieu in the Hue Imperial Citadel on February 13.

The VND11.5 billion (US$540,000) project, implemented by the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology’s (ISBT)’s central sub-institute, is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Director of the centre Phan Thanh Hai said recent scientific and technological advances in combination with original materials and traditional techniques will be applied in the restoration to properly preserve the relic’s intrinsic architectural, cultural, artistic and historical style.

Covering an area of over 210 sq.m, the temple was built in 1843, together with Huu Tung Tu (Right Temple), Sung An Palace, and Hien Duc Mon to worship King Minh Mang (1791-1841), his empress and other high ranking mandarins.

It was badly damaged by war, time and weather, Hai said, adding that the restoration will contribute to the preservation of the old imperial complex of Hue ancient capital.

Ben Tre has new heritage tree

A 300-year-old apricot tree in Phu Tu communal house, Phu Hung district, the southern city of Ben Tre, has been recognised as a national heritage tree.

A certificate was handed over to local authorities by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) at a ceremony on February 13.

The tree’s leaf canopy spreads over 200 sq. m., while its small trunks grew 14 metres in height.

The VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam Heritage Trees in 2011. To be recognised as heritage trees, the trees must be at least 200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for those planted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with historical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow.

Nearly 500 trees have been named Vietnam Heritage Tree so far.

Ancient Chinese pagoda restored to former glory

Nghia An Hoi Quan, or Ong pagoda, one of the oldest temples in Ho Chi Minh City, was unveiled on February 13 after four years of restoration at a total cost of VND66 billion (US$3.1 million).

Built by the Chaozhou Chinese population in the 19 th century, the pagoda was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national architectural and artistic relic site on July 27, 1993.

Noteworthy for its gilded woodwork, the pagoda is dedicated to Guan Yu, known as Quan Cong, a general who lived during the Han dynasty.

Over the past time, its monks and nuns have actively responded to charity activities, reaching out to the poor and talent across the city.

Festival held for renowned Vietnamese folk music

The Mekong Delta province of Long An on February 15 and 16 held a festival for “Don ca tai tu”, a musical art in southern Vietnam that has officially become a recognised UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Known as a musical art that has both scholarly and folk roots, “Don ca tai tu” (amateur singing) developed in southern Vietnam in the late 19th century.

It has been transmitted from generation to generation through official and unofficial forms of education. “Don ca tai tu” has continually been popularised through cultural exchanges among peoples.

The art form is played on a variety of different instruments including both traditional instruments such as ty ba (pear-shaped lute), tranh (16-string zither), bau (monochord), sao (bamboo flute), and the western instruments of violin and guitar.

The event attracted the participation of more than 100 master instrumentalists, master lyricists, master singers, instrumentalists and singers from 11 bands across Long An and nearby localities such as Vinh Long province and Ho Chi Minh City.

On the fringe of the festival, the 20th of its kind held so far in Long An, a photo exhibition was organised featuring artisans who have devoted their lives to “Don ca tai tu”.

The art is performed at numerous events, such as festivals, death anniversary rituals and celebratory social occasions. The audience can join in performances by suggesting new words to be included in the songs.-

Festival commemorates nation’s legendary father, mother

The Kinh Duong Vuong festival began at the historical site of the Kinh Duong Vuong-Lac Long Quan-Au Co temple and royal tomb complex in Thuan Thanh district, northern Bac Ninh province on February 15 (the 16th day of the first lunar month).

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan and local authorities respectfully offered incense to commemorate the nation’s legendary father Lac Long Quan and mother Au Co, and pray for peace and happiness to the country and people.

Legend has it that Lac Long Quan, whose real name was Sung Lam, the son of Kinh Duong Vuong and Than Long Nu, married the daughter of De Lai, fairy Au Co.

Au Co then gave birth to a pouch filled with one hundred eggs, which soon hatched into one hundred sons, believed to be Vietnam’s ancestors. But soon after, Lac Long Quan and Au Co separated. Lac Long Quan went to the coasts with 50 children while Au Co went to the highlands with the others.

Their eldest son was made the King, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (nowadays Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province), starting the 18 reigns of Hung Kings.

Along with the solemn rites to represent respect for the ancestors, a wide range of sport and cultural activities such as Quan Ho (love duet) singing, water puppetry performance, card game, chess, wrestling, swinging and earthenware pot smashing, will be held at the three-day festival.-

Vietnam attends Asian Cuisine Festival in Abu Dhabi

Traditional Vietnamese dishes, like Pho (noodle soup) and Nem (Spring Rolls) has received great attention from international visitors at a recent Asian Cuisine Festival.

Guests at the festival, which opened in Abu Dhabi last week, enjoyed the delicious flavours and stylistic plating, in addition to, the healthy appeal of the cuisine.

There were also long queues at a Vietnamese tourism pavilion which showcased special and unique Vietnamese handicraft products.

The Asian Cuisine Festival, held annually in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, provides an excellent opportunity for Asian countries to introduce their cuisine and culture to international friends.

Hanoi hosts traditional Bac Ha horse racing

Thousands of people gathered on February 16 at the Culture Tourism Village in Hanoi to enjoy activities from Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, as seen in their New Year celebrations.

The highlight of the event is the horse racing festival, put on by the H'Mong people in Bac Ha district, northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

Sixteen horses and their horsemen have travelled more than 400km to participate in the annual event, which is particularly special since this lunar year is the Year of the Horse.

The horse is traditionally the friend of the people of Bac Ha, as it helps them with transportation and their farming work, and the horse racing, which existed in the minds of the Bac Ha people as a myth, has become a unique traditional culture found on the ‘white plateau'.

The traditional form of riding, without a saddle, makes the race more interesting, coupled with spectacular performances. The rider who has the fastest horse and obtains the most goals is the winner.

During wartime, racing was not held for many years since horsemen were needed on the battlefields.

Now, the racing has been brought back as part of the activities to meet the cultural and spiritual demands of local ethnic groups, helping preserve their special cultural values.

As a race designed for "barefoot cavaliers", who have always been friends of horses, the festival has become an attraction for both domestic and international tourists, particularly as more tourists choose Bac Ha as their travel destination.

Students join int’l cultural festival in India

Vietnamese students at universities in New Delhi and neighbouring areas participated in the annual international cultural festival Antardhvani which opened in India on February 16.

A diverse programme of cultural exchange activities were held throughout the two-day event to help promote links between students and lecturers in New Delhi as well as international and Indian students.

The opening ceremony kicked off with art performances by international students, followed by a student march displaying traditional national dress from 13 different countries..

International students also organised a cultural camp with tents reflecting the unique characteristics of each nation. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in playing traditional music instruments and cooking national dishes.

The Vietnamese embassy’s counsellor in India Khieu Manh Dinh presented gifts to Vietnamese students who have contributed to promoting a positive image of Vietnam to international friends.

Ethnology museum receives precious elephant hunting tools

Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology has received a set of elephant hunting tools from the family of a so-called "Elephant King" in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) province of Dak Lak.

The tools, which were used to hunt down and tame wild elephants, belong to the Khun Ju Nop family which is well-known in the area for following the vocation of elephant hunting. The tools are now owned by Kham Phet Lao, a medical practitioner and the 11th son and official heir of the "Elephant King" Ama Kong in Ko Tam Hamlet, Ea Tu Village, Buon Ma Thuot City.

Most of the tools in the 20-tool set are more than 100 years old, and include rattan switch, timber hammer, cords made of buffalo skin, horn, a flat platform fashioned out of buffalo skin to sleep on during an extended hunt, among others.

Besides the set granted to the museum, the Kham Phet Lao family also owns two other kits passed down from their ancestors which they are expected to put up for sale through an auction for charity.

The museum director, Dr Vo Quang Trong, said this collection was precious because "these tools are not simply instruments to hunt for and tame wild elephants. They do help interpret the daily life, activities, culture and customs of M'Nong ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands."

Hoi An hosts first Cam Nam sticky corncob festival

Thousands of local residents and visitors flocked to the Cam Nam corncob festival in the ancient town of Hoi An in the Quang Nam, central province.

The festival provided an ideal opportunity for the Cam Nam craft village to promote the Cam Nam trademark of sticky corncob to both local and international visitors.

Those attending the event had the opportunity to learn how to cook the Cam Nam sticky corncob and enjoy the specialty.

During the event, the Cam Nam craft village demonstrated the production process of a variety of corn products which have brought high economic value to the region.

The event encouraged all kinds of of people to promote the culinary arts of Cam Nam and spread the  trademark...

Japanese winter festival opens in HCM City

Thousands of young locals are celebrating the Fuyu Matsuri winter festival at Ho Chi Minh City’s Youth Culture Theatre on February 15.

The festival offers Vietnamese attendees a valuable chance to learn more about Japanese culture by playing games, enjoying Japanese cuisine, costume play, and karaoke contests.

Traditional Japanese couture like Kimono, Yukata, and Furisode were available to try.

Stalls displayed and sold Japanese handicrafts including Hina dolls, Hagoita arts, Ichimatsu, and Maneko Neko towels.

Japan celebrates a major festival with the arrival of each of the four seasons. Winter begins in mid-December and lasts to the end of February.

Fuyu Matsuri is observed for two days.

Vegetarian feasts in Ho Chi Minh City

Many of Ho Chi Minh City’s most popular restaurants and hotels are offering lavish vegetarian buffets and a la carte selections throughout the first lunar month of 2014.

Vinh Nghiem Vegetarian Restaurant, on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 3, is a vegetarian buffet pioneer.  It prepares more than 400 different vegetarian dishes featuring natural produce and minimising oil in the interests of diner health.

Co Noi Vegetarian Restaurant on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 1 offers hungry residents lunch and dinner buffets priced at the very reasonable VND159,000 per person and VND169,000 per person respectively.

La Tia To restaurant in Phu Nhuan District serves its 200 vegetarian northern regional specialties on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month.

The city’s budget restaurants, tailored to the city’s students, labourers, and office staff, also expand their vegetarian options, available for only VND20,000 per set.

Ho Chi Minh City’s agricultural wholesale market management board says fruit and vegetable prices tend to drop after the Lunar New Year festivities, a trend very much appreciated by the city’s vegetarians.

A recent market survey showed a diverse variety of vegetarian food—both fresh and frozen—is widely available. Famous brands such as Au Lac Company, Cau Tre, Vissan, and SG Food can be purchased at supermarkets, shops, and traditional markets across the city.

German Film Week to open in Hanoi

The Goethe Institute’s Film Week, beginning on February 21 and lasting to March 1, will screen a selection of German cinema’s recent box office successes and critical hits.

Audiences can enjoy 12 diverse films including dramas, documentaries, and stories inspired by classic folklore.

The Hanoi screenings are part of activities celebrating the fifth German Film Festival in Vietnam.

Younger audiences will savour the silver screen adaptations of famous fairy tales such as “Snow White and the Seven Wharfs” and “Frog Prince”.

Danish Embassy showcases Vietnamese art

The Danish Vietnamese Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF) and the Embassy of Denmark have announced the launch of a third project to promote Vietnamese paintings.

Artists wanting to introduce their works can send their photos (size 20 x 30 cm) and personal information to the Danish Embassy, 17-19 Dien Bien Phu Str, Hanoi, before February 28. Each artist is allowed to submit no more than three works.

All the selected paintings will be hung in the corridors and offices at the Embassy from March to July 2014.

The promotion of Vietnamese artwork began on January 3, 2013 with nine paintings by eight artists. The second exhibition took place on August 8, 2013 with 26 works by 14 artists from three regions across the country.

The exhibition, hosted by Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen, aims to promote the work of Vietnamese painters and further boost mutual understanding between artists and the public.

Vietnam an honourable guest at Vesoul Film Fest

Vietnam and Indonesia have been invited as honourable guests to the 20th Vesoul Asian Film Festival being held eastern France.

About 100 films produced by Asian countries, including Iran, Turkey, China and Tajikistan will be screened during a week-long festival opening on February 11.

The festival’s organisation board allocated a special space introducing Vietnamese cinematography.

Accordingly, Vietnamese films will be screened at the festival, including “Bao gio cho den thang 10” (When October comes) directed by Dang Nhat Minh, “Me Thao-Thoi vang bong” ("Me Thao, Once Upon a Time) by Viet Linh, “Doi Cat” (Sand life) by Nguyen Thanh Van, “Song trong so hai” (Living in fear) by Bui Thac Chuyen, “Bi dung so” (Bi, Don’t be Afraid) by Phan Dang Di and “Chuyen cua Pao” (Pao’s Story) by Ngo Quang Hai.

In addition, four documentary films by Le Hong Chuong, Vuong Khanh Luong, Dao Thanh Tung and four cartoons will also be shown.

A “One day in Saigon” by French director Marie Christine Courtes will also be among eight documentaries nominated to compete for awards.

Over the past 20 years, the festival has become a gateway for Asian films to penetrate the wider world.

Last year’s event attracted more than 30,000 spectators.

A special programme featuring the culinary arts of Viet Nam will be held at Van Thanh Tourist Park in HCM City's Binh Quoi Tourism Village on Feb 21-23.

Called Ngay hoi que toi (Festive Day of My Homeland), it will take place from 4-9pm on three days to introduce food from all regions of the country, north, central, south, northwest and the Central Highlands, to both domestic and international tourists.

According to the organiser, this year's programme focuses on the country's traditional cakes and sweetened porridges.

In addition, there will be folk games, including demonstrations on how to make toys with coconut leaves and bamboo, and from coloured rice dough.

Musical performances include love duets, folk songs from Hue and the south- central region, and don ca tai tu (Southern amateur music).

A craft village area displaying cooking demonstrations of traditional cakes, and a fishing village with boats, tools and typical meals of fishermen along Viet Nam's coastal areas, will also be included.

Entry price is VND250,000 (US$11.9) per adult. Participants receive coupons that can be used to buy food and drinks.

Van Thanh Tourist Park is located at 48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh District, in HCM City.

Ha Noi launches design contest

A design contest to preserve the Hoang Thanh Thang Long Imperial Citadel's archaeological site on Hoang Dieu Street, was launched in Ha Noi yesterday.

Jointly organised by the Thang Long - Ha Noi Heritage Conservation Centre, the Ha Noi Department of Architecture Planning and the Institute of Planning and Urban Architecture of the University of Construction, the contest aims to attract winning designs to build a community cultural space that blends with the surrounding landscape and the infrastructure of Ba Dinh.

Organisers said the contest also aims to promote the Thang Long Citadel and the capital to domestic and overseas audiences and develop tourism.

The selection panel will be made up of local officials from the Ha Noi People's Committee, the Ministries of Construction and Culture, Sports and Tourism, the UNESCO representative office in Ha Noi and the Viet Nam Architecture Association.

The panel will review submissions until April 10 this year with all designs to be displayed at an exhibition on April 30.

The contest will award 6 cash prizes measuring a total of VND300 million (nearly US$15,000).

The Hoang Thanh Thang Long Citadel was built in the 11th century under the reign of King Ly Thai To. The site measures more than 18,000sq.m site, including the Ha Noi Ancient Citadel and an archaeological site.

Dr Bui Minh Tri, from the Viet Nam Archaeology Institute, said researchers and archaeologists over the past decade had discovered valuable artifacts from different periods, including bricks, band tiles and ornamental tiles with images of dragons and phoenixes.

Archaeologists have also recovered pieces from 95 separate architectural monuments, 22 wells and 31 sewers. Seven foundations of protective walls, lakes and embankments have also been found.

"Unique ceramic artifacts from Viet Nam and foreign countries made in different eras are on display. This evidence confirms the prosperity and trade networks of ancient Thang Long," Tri said.

Cuban band to perform in HCM City

The Cuban Brothers' gig is set to feature tunes inspired by Cuban historical fact and mythology in a show at the Cargo Bar on February 19.

The three-member band has performed at big music festivals around the world.

The show will be held at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4. Tickets are available at http://bnds.in/18gf9Qy.

Book reveals untold stories about Dien Bien Phu

Several untold stories about the historical Dien Bien Phu campaign, which led to the world-famous victory over French colonialism in Viet Nam and Indochina in 1954, have been revealed in the newly published book Dien Bien Phu – Ky Uc 60 Nam (Dien Bien Phu – 60-Year Memory).

Penned by veteran military writer Do Sam, the book unveils many stories about different processes of the campaign, from the strong preparation of all the military sources to the moment when the Vietnamese troops opened fire.

Developments of the 170-day battle also has been mentioned in the book through 25 stories told by witnesses.

The author, who was a young scout of an artillery regiment during the campaign, had interviews with the late legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap, who was the campaign's Commander-in-chief.

Other significant witnesses, including the Acting Division Commander of the 351 Artillery Brigade Dao Van Truong, regiment commanders Huu My and Doan Tue, supplied worthy sources for the book.

Heroes Dung Chi, Vu Dinh Hoe, Vu The Chau, and secret agents Bao Ninh, Nguyen Cong Binh, Phung Hien Thiet also contributed their stories.

Published by the People Army Publishing House, the release of the 200-page book is to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory 1954-2014.

The Dao ethnic community in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang are struggling to maintain their cultural traditions against the influence of modern life.

In particular, their highly-valued ‘cap sac rite’ (literally translated as Granting an Order) is under threat of dying out.

Their efforts to prevent this have received a boost recently thanks to State recognition of the rite as part of national intangible cultural heritage. The accolade brings with it more expert research and investment in preserving the unique custom.

All Dao men must go through the cap sac rite in order to be recognised by the community as mature enough to undertake communal positions

According to a local shaman, Chu Van Bich from Thai Hoa commune, the cap sac rite has its origins in a thousand-year-old legend of the Dao. The story goes that when the Dao community was attacked by devils, the Jade Emperor told fairies to teach magic to household heads in villages and issued an order (sac) for them to fight the devils.

The rite is usually conducted at the end or the beginning of the lunar year for one or more men, always an odd number. Three shaman chair the rituals with the assistance of three others over the course of three days.

Before undertaking the rituals, the men must keep themselves clean, refrain from speaking bad words or sexual activity.

On the first day, the ritual is conducted in the open air. The next day, the men enter the house to listen to the shaman praying and learn several traditional dances. The third day is dedicated to rituals paying respect to ancestors.

The Tuyen Quang provincial cultural department has made video and audio records of the rituals and undertaken extensive research of the cap sac rite of all Dao sub-groups in the province.

Tuyen Quang is home to 77,015 Dao people belonging to nine sub-groups, making up 11 percent of the locality’s population. The Dao is the third largest community among 22 ethnic groups in the province, after the Kinh and Tay-

Culture festival stages ethnic traditions nationwide

A horse race featuring ethnic Mong jockeys from the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai drew thousands of spectators to the Culture Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups on February 15.

The event was part of the three-day Sac Xuan Tren Moi Mien To Quoc (Spring in Every Region Nationwide) festival, which stages the festive spring rituals of various ethnic groups. The village is in Dong Mo, Son Tay Town, about 40km west of Hanoi.

Tran Huu Son, Director of the Lao Cai Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, explained that horses play an important role in Mong culture.

"In the past, to be considered a true man, a Mong guy must not only be able to play khen (traditional Mong bamboo pipe flute), but also ride a horse.

"Horse races in every village offer young men the chance to prove themselves," said Son, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Folklorists.

The most famous large-scale race took place in Bac Ha commune and attracted not only Mong, but also Tay and Nung ethnic people living in neighbouring regions. However, it was interrupted for a long time. Since its restoration in 2007, it has drawn thousands of people every year, even though the horses are not professional racehorses.

"The Mong people regard our horses as family members. The horses help us with farming and accompany us to the market, carrying many heavy packs on their backs," said 19-year-old jockey Vang Seo Vu.

First-time spectator Le Thuy Dung said the race brought her "a lot of laughs", especially when horses couldn't run forward but turned back to the starting point or threw the jockeys down to the ground.

Middle-aged visitor Tran Quang Hung said he was impressed by the brave ethnic jockeys who rode without harnesses.

"I enjoyed the event very much and I will definitely visit Bac Ha to experience the real race," he said.

The festival kicked off in the morning of February 15 with the staging of a ritual ceremony of the Lo Lo group in Meo Vac commune in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

Held from the 15th to 17th day of the third lunar month, the ritual involves praying for good weather and a bumper crop. The necessary offerings include chicken, pork, steamed sticky rice, maize wine, joss sticks, candles and joss paper, as well as a piece of red cloth and a sword, which the Lo Lo believe gets rid of evil spirits and bad luck.

To conduct the ceremony, the shaman gathers villagers and chants a prayer to the gods of the rain and wind and other genii from the four corners of the earth: "Please bring us a better life than last year. Please bless whatever we plant: rice, maize and beans. Once we plant a seed, let it become 10 seeds. Our rice plants will grow higher than the grass. Please offer us good weather and bumper crops and bring every family prosperity and happiness."

After the shaman finishes his chant, he burns the joss paper and offers the wine to the villagers. To conclude the ritual, the villagers then dance together.

Their dancing movements mimic the work of farming, such as rice terrace clearing and maize planting.

The February 15 event also presented to visitors the rice-planting rituals of the B'rau group in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum.

On February 16, there was a traditional wrestling contest and a bumper-crop praying ceremony of the San Chay group in the northern midland province of Phu Tho.

On February 17, the New Year Festival of the Cham people living in Binh Thuan Province will be staged, as will the cha chieng festival of the Thai group and the New Year gong festival of the Muong in Hoa Binh province.

The husband-catching festival of the Chu Ru group in Lam Dong and the rain-praying ceremony of the Cor people in Quang Nam will also be on display.

Coorganised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Culture Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups, the annual Sac Xuan Tren Moi Mien To Quoc festival aims to present the rich culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups to visitors and strengthen the solidarity between the groups.

Son La enjoys buffalo fighting festival

Phu Yen district in the northern mountainous province of Son La held its first ever buffalo fighting festival on February 15-16, attracting crowds of ethnic people from the surrounding area.

Twenty-eight buffalos from Hai Phong city and the provinces of Son La, Yen Bai, Vinh Phuc and Tuyen Quang competed in qualifying rounds.

After two days of competition and many interesting fights, the top three prizes went to buffalo trainers from the Song Hong (Red River) Company, the host district of Phu Yen, and Van Chan district in Yen Bai province respectively.

The festival offers a venue for people in northern provinces to engage in exchanges while preserving and promoting local tangible and intangible cultural values.

Fishing festival-goers pray for good fortune

Thousands of fishermen joined a festival i n Da Nang city’s Thanh Khe district on February 15 to pray for bumper hauls of fish and safe voyages at sea, as well as peace, happiness and prosperity throughout the year.

Cau Ngu Festival is held every year on the 16th of the first lunar month. It is the biggest festival of fishermen in the central coastal city.

Cau Ngu Festival represents the desire of the fishermen for a peaceful life, free from the difficulties and dangers that can occur when out at sea.

“Last year, we enjoyed big catches but encountered a number of storms as well. Now, we pray for safety first and foremost, while still hoping to harvest more fish than last year, said Tran Tien Thanh, captain of boat DN90340 in Da Nang City’s Thanh Khe district.

During festival days, there are many activities and traditional games which only take place in coastal areas, such as swimming and boat racing. Folk games such as net knitting competition and fish salad cooking are also held.

There are now around 1,900 fishing boats in Da Nang city.

“Xoe” folk dancers whirl around in Yen Bai

More than 1,000 local artists are slated to perform six popular xoe dances of the Thai ethnic minority people in Nghia Lo town of the northwestern mountainous province of Yen Bai on February 14.

The dances, collected by Lo Van Bien – a local Thai dance master, were once staged by over 2,000 local artisans in the largest-ever mass performance last year that set a Vietnamese record.

Xoe is an important collective dance of the Thai people who develop about 30 different variations of the dance.

The dance is charmed by its gentle and alluring rhythms. Dancers usually form a circle around a festive flame and move to the sound of melodic traditional music.

It plays a significant role in the country’s traditional dance canon, depicting the daily lives of the Thai ethnic groups and showing their wish for a peaceful and prosperous life.

Han Khuong – a unique traditional festival of the Thai inhabiting the Northwest is scheduled to take place the same day in Nghia An town.

During the festival, with “Han” meaning stage and “Khuong” meaning yard, young boys and girls together build a one-entrance stage with the height of 1.2-1.5 meters surrounded by wide-meshed bamboo lattice, where they enjoy dancing, singing together, making friends, and taking part in competitions. It is a brilliant chance for participants to find their future spouse.

The organisation of such events is part of efforts to develop Nghia Lo into a destination of culture and tourism, according to Deputy Chairwoman of the district People’s Committee Hoang Thi Hanh.

The project focuses on boosting a culture and sport environment tailored to meet the tastes of ethnic compatriots along with promoting the community-based tourism from 2013 till 2020.-

Bac Ninh – home to innumerable cultural heritages

The northern province of Bac Ninh is home to many cultural heritage, particularly UNESCO-recognised love duet singing (Quan ho) and ceremonial singing (Ca tru), along with Dau and But Thap pagodas that have recently won special national heritage recognition.

Love duet singing, an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics, costume and a unique style of singing reflecting the affinity between the singers, and featuring the distinctive culture of people in the region formerly called Kinh Bac, was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009.

The same year, Ca tru, an ancient type of music also known as “hat a dao” or “hat noi”, was also listed by the organisation as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection.

The most widely known type of ca tru involves only three performers: a female vocalist, a lute player and a spectator.

Located in Thanh Khuong commune, Thuan Thanh district, Dau pagoda was built in the 2 nd century AD and is claimed to be the “Cradle” of Buddhism in Vietnam .

The annual Dau pagoda festival, which falls on the 8 th of the fourth month, is a brilliant opportunity for visitors to study the pagoda’s history, myths, legends and outstanding architectural features.

Meanwhile, But Thap temple in Dinh To commune, Thuan Thanh district is one of only a few ancient pagodas in Vietnam with the unique architecture of the Le-Nguyen dynasties that still exist.

The temple houses unique statues, including the remarkable Avalokitesvara with one thousand eyes and one thousand arms, which was recognised as a national treasure in 2012.

As a cradle for various national historical and cultural vestiges, Bac Ninh province is making great efforts in conserving its intangible cultural heritage, looking towards the development of cultural tourism.

It has spent 13.5 billion VND (more than 600,000 USD) implementing a project to preserve Quan ho. So far, apart from in 44 original Quan ho villages, the folk art is practised at 329 more villages and is taught in various schools in the province.

At the same time, many Ca tru clubs have been established in Thuan Thanh, Gia Binh and Yen Phong districts with almost 100 regular members.

Between 2003 and 2006, the province spent over 15 billion VND (705,000 USD) restoring a number of items at Dau pagoda, and more than four billion VND (188,000 USD) in 2012 upgrading But Thap pagoda.

Local authorities have asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to consider and submit to the Government a number of local vestiges to be recognised as national heritage such as Phat Tich pagoda, Ba Chua Kho (Lady of the Storehouse) temple and Kinh Duong Vuong shrine.

With 547 festivals held annually, Bac Ninh is considered the locality with the most festivals in Vietnam . Many have become national events, such as Ba Chua Kho Festival, Lim Festival, Dau Pagoda Festival, Kinh Duong Vuong Festival and Phat Tich Pagoda Festival, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Over the past time, the province has undertaken numerous measures, aiming to preserve and develop these traditional festivals, and prevent superstition and the commercialisation of such events.

Camping trip organised for Central Highlands tourism year

The province of Dak Nong organised a camping festival at its Nam Nung historical tourism site on February 14-15, in the latest activity arranged for the 2014 Central Highlands – Da Lat National Tourism Year.

The event attracted the participation of more than 300 young people, who came to meet and build connections.

The festival was also attended by more than 1,000 tourists from inside and outside the province.

It offered a chance for visitors and entrepreneurs to understand more about the culture, history and people of Dak Nong.

On the occasion, a ceremony to worship spirits was also performed to make visitors aware of the unique ritual, which is practiced by the M’Nong ethnic group.