First blind musician releases album and MV

Vietnamese blind music composer Ha Chuong’s single album themed Xin cam on em (Thank you) has received good feedback from listeners. As such, he will introduce a music video of this single on the Internet as well as Vietnam’s music channels this Thursday.

This is the first music video done by a blind composer in Vietnam. Through the song, he wishes to spread a message on true love by which people will push to their limits and overcome social barriers.

The music video is about a young female student faced with a lot of pressures. She is too exhausted and loses faith in her own future. Her life is so hard that she has to change places of residence several times. One day, she happens to listen to an optimist and lively melody from the neighboring house and gradually reclaims her faith.

It even startles her to learn that the song comes from a blind musician. Inspired by his courage, she falls in love with him. The musician greatly welcomes her genuine heart and their romantic love gets them stronger and stronger to go through all the challenges.

The blind composer’s real name is Ha Van Chuong. Born in 1982 in the central province of Quang Ngai, he is a member of Danang’s music guild. Even though his family does not have history of music, Chuong soon showed off his talent from early age.

His first song called Anh sang doi em (Your light) was composed when he was only 15 years old. His music is humble and cozy accompanied by meaningful lyrics. Additionally, he possesses a warm and sweet voice; hence, performing a number of genres such as R&B, pop ballad... His first album called Mon qua cua song (A gift from the ocean wave) was released in November 2005 by Phuong Nam Film.

The Garden of Music to beautify city opera house

A concert called The Garden of Music will offer unique colors from repertoires of Western music at HCMC Opera House at 8 p.m. today.

The 20th century music shattered the traditions and rules of Western music with its innovations in form and harmony and created new styles and concepts. In this period, the combination of classical harmonies and forms with material from African music appeared, creating the most impressive result called Jazz. American and French composers are most notable for such accomplishments.

The Garden of Music will present famous works of the result. These magnificent colors will be brought out by guest artist Ju Sun Young and HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO)’s talented musicians such as Dao Nhat Quang, Cho Hae Ryong, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, Vo Thuy Ngoc Tuyen, Tran Hong Vy, Tran Duy Linh and Pham Trang.

The concert will be conducted under the baton of Tran Nhat Minh and performed by HBSO Choir. David Hermann is the stage director.

In the first half of the evening, audiences will be taken to the “Chamber Music” section of the garden with examples of American ragtime music at two very different eras.  The William Bolcom’s suite The Garden of Eden will help audiences easily imagine a full orchestral arrangement of this ragtime suite. However, this version for two pianos offers audiences a chance to imagine all those orchestrations themselves.

Then, The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, the king of ragtime, will feature very whimsical colors while still preserves qualities of cozy feelings under the particular arrangement for woodwind quintet by Sjoerd Van Der Veen.

2 Arabesques by Claude Debussy will present the charm of jazz and the Suite for Wind Quintet No.1, op. 57 by Charles Lefebvre is a trademark of French music in using woodwind instruments in orchestras as well as in chamber works.

The second part of the concert will entertain audiences to visit different traditions of the operatic arts. Arias by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart such as Sull’aria…che soave zeffiretto from opera The Marriage of Figaro and La ci darem la mano” from opera Don Giovani are great works propelled the operatic arts forward.

The concert also presents arias Je veux vivre from opera Romeo et Juliette by Charles Gouno and Lippen schweigen from opera Merry Widow by Franz Lehar. Italian romantic operas Extraits from opera La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Extraits from opera The barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini and Wedding scene from opera Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti will be staged to add more colors for the garden.

Admission is priced at VND200,000, VND350,000 and VND400,000 per person and VND80,000 per student. Tickets are available at HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square in HCMC’s District 1.

Miss Vietnam International 2014

The first Miss Vietnam International 2014 hosted by Viet Show Entertainment and Future Star has launched its audition rounds in Vietnam as well as many different countries since end-March 2013. This aims to seek and honor Vietnamese beauty globally.

After the audition, the chosen contestants will enter official rounds held in 11 U.S. states including Chicago, Florida, Atlanta, Houston & Dallas, Denver, Iowa, Boston, New York, North Carolina, Philadelphia, San Jose & Orange Country California from May 10 to July 6, 2014. According to the organizers, the judges will pick one winner and two runners-up for every tour in each state. Eventually, the judging panel will select one Miss Vietnam International and two runners-up for the entire competition.

After the finale held in the U.S., the top 10 finalists are slated for a fashion show at Hoa Binh Opera House in July 2014. The event will also feature famous comedians and singers such as Hoai Linh, Chi Tai, Ung Hoang Phuc, Kasim Hoang Vu, and Hong Ngoc.

The criteria for the competition includes Vietnamese nationality, height above 1m63, no physical defects, no stutter, no plastic surgery, being single and having no children. For registration, visit and sign up at www.vietshow.pro or www.ngoisaotuonglai.pro.

Da Nang holds Bodhisattva Festival

A painting and photo exhibition on landscapes by Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain) kicked off the Quan The Am (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) Festival yesterday in Ngu Hanh Son District, southeast of the city.

The festival, which is the biggest ritual event of the year, will include a prayer ceremony for a year of peace, prosperity and happiness for the nation; as well as a folk music performance of bai choi (a card game in which players also sing).

A zen-tea exhibition, a candle-lit flower releasing, boat-races and traditional folk games will also be on display. Visitors will also be able to witness a rare martial arts performance.

The main festival, which begins tomorrow, will also attract the participation of the Thai Sangha delegation during the major religious ceremony.

The annual festival is one of the 15 largest events in Viet Nam.

French singing duo debut in Ha Noi

French band Brigitte will rock the stage in Ha Noi on Thursday night.

The band consists of two songstresses Sylvie Hoarau and Aurelie Saada, who pursued their own careers as solo artists before forming a duo.

They named the band Brigitte as a tribute to famous French women such as movie star Brigitte Bardot, singer of avant-garde music Brigitte Fontaine and actress Brigitte Lahaie.

In addition to regular performances in Paris music clubs, the duo has also contributed to the soundtrack of many movies. Their remix of Ma Benz by Supreme de NTM got significant airtime on major music channels in France, including MTV.

In 2011, the band released their debut album Et vous, tu m'aimes (And You, Do You Love Me?), which went platinum with 150,000 copies sold. The following year, they won Victoires de le musique, an annual award granted by the French Ministry of Culture to recognise the best musical artists of the year.

Brigitte's performance in Ha Noi will start at 8pm on Thursday night at L'Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street. On Friday the duo will travel to Hue where they will perform again.

Workshop highlights Vietnamese literature in Paris

Vietnam’s contemporary literature, movie industry and language are being introduced at a workshop taking place in Paris, France, from March 17-19.

The event was organised by four French universities (the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations (INALCO), the Paris Diderot, the Paris-Est Creteil and the Aix-Marseille) in conjunction with the Hanoi National University, the San Francisco University of the US, Japan’s Tokyo Foreign Language University and Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University.

The workshop has attracted more than 50 researchers and translators from many countries over the world.

Benoit Paumier, General Commissioner of the France-Vietnam Year, noted Vietnam’s literature is drawing increasing interest of French people and publishers.

Aboubakr Chraibi from the INALCO said the event contributes to promoting cultural exchange among countries across the world, with the French language and culture serving as a bridge to connect Vietnamese literature with international contemporary literature trends.

Meanwhile, Doan Cam Thi, who is author of many studies on Vietnam’s literature, affirmed that the event also provides a good chance for Vietnam to introduce its contemporary literature and movies to international friends.

Truong Sa photo book published

A bilingual English-Vietnamese book on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, comprising 400 photos and notes taken by the photographer Hoang Chi Hung, has been launched in HCM City.

In the 220-page book, entitled Suc Song Truong Sa (Truong Sa's Vitality), the photographer shot images of daily life in Truong Sa's nine floating and 12 submerged islands.

He focuses on visitors from the mainland, showing their love of the sea and the close friendship between the soldiers and the people.

Hung, a member of HCM City's Photographic Artist Association, has held seven individual exhibitions, of which five were about Truong Sa.

Central Highlands stages music fest

A two-day music festival kicked off yesterday in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. The festival is being held to develop the music industry in the Central Highlands and the southern provinces.

The festival brings together about 20 composers and artists from 19 cities and provinces who meet and exchange notes about their work experiences.

This is also an opportunity for the festival attendees to introduce their new works. The festival is expected to boost musical activities in the region, and meet the increasing demand for local entertainment.

Vietnam Book Day to be observed nationwide

The Vietnam Book Day will be celebrated for the first time this year with many organisations and businesses nationwide expected to join in activities promoting the habit of reading.

Chu Van Hoa, Director of the Department of Publication under the Ministry of Information and Communications, said at a meeting on March 17 that a range of activities have been planned for the day, from book exhibitions, fairs and forums to book collection for disadvantaged children and rural libraries.

April 21 was designated as the Vietnam Book Day under Decision 284/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister on February 24 this year.

The annual event aims to encourage and develop reading in the community, while raising the public’s awareness of the significance of books as not only a source of knowledge but as a way to develop one’s thought and personality.

The event is also a chance to appreciate the efforts of those who are involved in book publishing such as book collectors, writers, publishers and distributors, the decision said.

The observance of the day will contribute to raising the responsibility of ministries, sectors and social organisations towards the building and promotion of the reading culture in Vietnam.