Hollywood discovers Phong Nha-Ke Bang caves

US studio Warner Brothers has shot for a new Hollywood version of Peter Pan at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site in the central province of Quang Binh.

The film crew was at En Cave on May 7-9 and is traveling to places like Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Bac Can, Ha Giang, and Cao Bang to film rice paddies and mountains.

Howard Limbert, chief of the British Royal Team of Cave Researchers, who studied caves at Phong Nha-Ke Bang, said 39 new caves covering a total length of 17 km have been discovered in the park.

They bring the park's total explored cave space to 200 kilometers.

Limbert led the American film crew around the park, which was recognized by UNESCO for in July 2003.

Project Runway Vietnam all set to begin

VTV3 will air the Vietnamese version of US fashion-design reality show Project Runway from May 11.

The 12 finalists will live together during the competition.

The jury for the first season comprises designer Nguyen Cong Tri, journalist Tran Nguyen Thien Huong, and mentor Tung Leo. Actress Truong Ngoc Anh will host the show.

The winner will get a cash prize of VND500 million, a scholarship to go to Atelier Chardon Savard, a leading French fashion school, and a chance to present their collection at the New York Couture Fashion Week in September.

The coronation will take place on July 6.

Project Runway, which premiered in 2004, sees contestants try to create the best clothes, but with restrictions on time, material, and theme.

Celebrity judges whittle out contestants every week.

EU Days program 2014 opens in Vietnam

The annual Europe Days program aiming to increase relationship with nations in the world with European countries will kick off with a series of diverse cultural and intellectual activities in Vietnam.

This year, the month-long Europe Days 2014 program will  include a jazz concert performance of the Bavarian Youth Jazz Band, one of the most gifted band in Germany.

The band will be under the artistic direction of Harald Ruschenbaum. The jazz concert will be performed in the National Cinema Center in Hanoi on May 9, in Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City on May 11.

Another noticeable trio band will perform in Hanoi’s Youth Theater with internationally reputable violinist Alicja Smietane from Poland.

The cinematic event is an integral part the program. European Film Festival 2014 showcases Europe's fascinating diversity and rich cinema tradition, portrayed in 14 films from 14 different EU member states. Viewers will be spoilt for choice with genres ranging from children's animated films, drama, romance, thriller, comedy to documentary.

The festival also introduces a short film about European countries made by a Vietnamese director. Most of the films screened in the festival are recent and have gained growing acclaim, notably by being selected in international film festivals and having won awards all over the world.

Films will be screened in the National Cinema Center in Hanoi, Vinh Trung Plaza in the central city of Da Nang and BHD Star Cineplex Icon 68 cinema at 2 Hai Trieu Street, inside the 68-floor Bitexco Financial Tower in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1.

Most of films in the festival are award winning films. For instance,  ‘How I live now’ – the UK film directed by Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald, will be featured in the EU Film Festival 2014 in Vietnam.

Free of charge tickets can be collected for screenings at Goethe Institute in Hanoi and HCMC.

Smiles through the lens of French photographer

A photo anthology by French photographer Réhahn casting the spotlight on the smiles of Vietnamese children and the elderly opened at L’Espace at 24 Trang Tien Street in Hanoi on May 9.

The exhibition explores the complexities of a seemingly simple emotion through as many as 25 of Réhahn’s best photos from a collection of over 30,000, part of his – Vietnam: Mosaic of contrast – photography book.

The book is the culmination of Réhahn’s innumerous trips around the Southeast Asian nation, which has been cited by online Camerapixo photography magazine for its exceptional quality.

"What I express in each photo is very real, even though the circumstances of the characters in real life may be poor, hungry, or dirty, their smiles are very beautiful,” Réhahn said.

“During my work, I am keen on capturing small children and the elderly, because children always seem to show the best natural smiles for the camera without any arrangement, while the elderly, especially those who live in the central highlands, have kind faces," he added.

Last year he held a photo exhibition on Vietnamese women in the capitalcity and published a book of picturesque photos he had taken during trips to northern provinces.

The “Visage” exhibition runs until May 29.

Bavarian jazz artists dazzle Hanoi audiences

The Bavarian Youth Jazz Band amazed Vietnamese audiences with its rendition of ‘First Herd’ under the baton of conductor Harald Ruschenbaum at the Hanoi Opera House on May 9.

The jazz virtuosos played a variety of traditional jazz, Dixieland and swing from the 1920s and 1930s with pieces by renowned composers like Count Basie and Duke Ellington to modern genres such as Bebop, Latin, Funk and fusion compositions.

They also introduced an interesting combination of jazz and famous Vietnamese folk songs, including Inh La oi and Trong Com.

The band, considered one of the most brilliant in Germany, comprises members discovered at the federal music competition “Jugend jazzt”.

Besides meeting four times per year for intensive working phases, they regularly perform on national and international stages in USA, Russia and the Czech Republic.

Their aim is to build bridges between music and musicians from different cultural backgrounds.

The Bavarian ensemble is scheduled to give a performance at the Goethe Institute in Hanoi on May 10 and another show at Do Thanh housing estate in Ho Chi Minh City on May 11.

Photo exhibition illustrates World Heritage in Vietnam

An exhibition, opened in Haiphong city on May 10, is showcasing 280 photos, featuring Vietnam’s world heritage examples, as part of activities to celebrate the Red Flamboyant Flowers Festival 2014.

On display are photos of UNESCO-recognized tangible and intangible heritage examples of Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Citadel of Ho Dynasty, Hue Citadel, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An, Hue nha nhac (royal music), the Highlands’ gong culture, Quan Ho love duet, Ca Tru (ceremonial singing), Giong Festival in Phu Dong and Soc temple.

The exhibition also includes images of Cat Ba Island which has been recognised as the Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).

It boasts an ecological system traditionally typical of Vietnam, including tropical rain forests on limestone islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, sea grass, sand beaches and mysterious caves.

Cat Ba is home to some 2,320 different types of fauna and flora, including 740 land animals, 280 forest species, 540 seabed creatures, 200 fish species, 180 coral reef organisms, 80 sea grass species and 20 different wetland plants.

Haiphong city is working on a Cat Ba Archipelago profile for submission to UNESCO for recognition as a world natural heritage site.

The exhibition will run until May 20.

Thuan An Sea Festival opens in Thua Thien-Hue

Festival ‘Thuan An-Call of the Sea’ was opened to start the sea tourism season 2014 in Phu Vang District, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on May 10.

The festival will take place on May 10-11 with various activities.

They include a music program attended by several artists and amateurs, a trade village fair with 40 stalls introducing handicraft items and local specialties.

Other activities like beach football soccer, boat racing at sea, kite flying, model aircraft performance and calligraphy will also be held.

Two scientists to receive inaugural Ta Quang Buu award

The first ever Ta Quang Buu Award for basic research in the natural sciences will be conferred to two Vietnamese scientists at a ceremony on May 18.

Initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the award will be held each year on Vietnam's Science and Technology Day (May 18).

Named after famous Vietnamese scientist Professor Ta Quang Buu (1910-1986), the award honours individuals and groups who have made outstanding achievements in the field and published excellent scientific research in prestigious international journals. It is believed that the award will contribute greatly to promoting basic scientific research as well as science and technology development in Vietnam.

The organising board selected two winning entries from the 52 submissions it received. Professor Nguyen Ba An from the Vietnam Academy of Science And Technology will accept the award for his work ‘Joint remote state preparation via W and W-type states’, which was published in Optics Communications in 2010. Professor Nguyen Huu

Viet Hung, from the University of Science under Vietnam National University in Hanoi won for his work ‘The homomorphisms between the Dickson-Mùi algebras as modules over the Steenrod algebra’, which was published in Mathematische Annalen in 2012.

Each will receive cash prize of VND200 million at the award ceremony on May 18.

Spiritual cultural area to be built in Bac Giang

The construction of the Tay Yen Tu spiritual cultural area will begin on May 17 in Tuan Mau commune, Son Dong district in the northern province of Bac Giang.

The provincial People’s Committee made the announcement this morning, adding that the project has a total cost of over VND305 billion (US$14.335 million), sourced from a socialisation fund.

The 13.8ha area includes four pagodas: Trinh, Ha (Under), Trung (Middle) and Thuong (Upper), along with technical infrastructure system, public service works and cables.

Tay Yen Tu will connect with many cultural, historical and Buddhist relics such as Vinh Nghiem, Bo Da and Am Vai pagodas and the Truc Lam Phuong Hoang Buddhist centre in Bac Giang; and the Yen Tu relic site in Quang Ninh province.

The first phrase of the project, which runs from 2014 to 2018, will see the construction of Thuong and Ha pagodas, and will include an upgrade to provincial road 293 to Ha pagoda. Trinh and Trung pagodas will be constructed during the second phrase, scheduled to go from 2018 to 2020.

The final stage will be built between 2021 and 2025 to complete all items and technical infrastructure.

The construction of the Tay Yen Tu spiritual cultural area aims to preserve, restore and promote the values of national relic sites and heritages, contributing to the development of Bac Giang province in and the country at large.

French pianist Gabrielle Jeanselme performs at Sofitel Saigon

Gabrielle Jeanselme, a French classical pianist and Jazz singer, will serenade at the Boudoir Lounge on the ground floor of the Sofitel Saigon Plaza from May 20 to July 20.

Jeanselme, who studied at the National Conservatory of Music of Lyon, France, is a great admirer of Jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Fats Waller, and Louis Armstrong. Aside from performing regularly as a classical concert pianist, she has developed skills as a jazz singer and has been featured in both festivals and concert halls.

Her show starts from 8 p.m. from Tuesdays until Sundays.  Sofitel Saigon Plaza is at 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, HCMC.

HCM City exhibition features work of Dutch artists

Contemporary artworks by 30 Dutch artists are on show at the HCM City Exhibition House this week.

The 70 paintings in various styles feature life, love, and people. At the exhibition, visitors can also discuss about art with artist Roby Bellemans and his Vietnamese assistants.

It is being organised by the HCM City Fine Arts Museum with support from the Netherlands consulate in HCM City.

The venue is at 97A Pho Duc Chinh, District 1, and the exhibition will remain open until May 18.

Freshman wins writing contest on VN's soldiers

Do Ngoc Quynh Nhu, a first-year student at the private University of Saigon, has won the first prize in a writing contest on Vietnamese soldiers held by the HCM City Youth Union.

The contest for young people in HCM City, titled Bo Doi Cu Ho (Uncle Ho's Soldiers), opened on December and attracted 4,000 entries.

Meant to provide young people a chance to learn about traditional heroes and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country and to improve their political awareness, the

contest required entries to explore various aspects of President Ho Chi Minh and the nation's troops.

Thirty made it to the final round last week and from out of them Nhu's work was chosen for the top prize.

The organisers plan to print the best entries and distribute them. Popular authors were invited to be on the jury.

Forum talks literary works on Dien Bien Phu Victory

A forum on literary works on the Dien Bien Phu Victory was held by the Preservation and Research Centre for Viet Nam Traditional Culture and its partners in Ha Noi this week.

The forum's theme is "Music and Poetry about Dien Bien Phu," and it attracted musicians, composers, and writers from across the country.

It highlighted famous works by talented composers and writers Do Nhuan, Van Cao, Luu Huu Phuoc, Trong Bang, and To Huu.

Flying start to international kite fest

The fifth International Kite Festival kicked off yesterday at the Vung Tau Intourco Resort in Vung Tau.

The festival, titled Bay cung Viet Nam (Flying with Viet Nam) this time, is a biennial cultural and tourism event organised by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Ho Van Loi, director of the province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and head of the organisation department, said: "This is an occasion for Vietnamese artists to exchange experiences with those from other countries as well as for Viet Nam to promote its image as a friendly and hospitable country to international tourists."

The festival has brought together 70 leading kite artists in Viet Nam and 60 others from 21 countries and territories in all parts of the world.

Australia Paul Rowe said that activities such as kite exhibitions and kite-making classes would help visitors know about new technologies in kite-making.

Kim Long Xuyen of HCM City said he has taken part in all four previous festivals but found this one the most interesting.

"Both Vietnamese and international participants are bringing their best kites to the festival to display and compete," he said.

"I can learn more about the use of technology in making traditional Vietnamese kites."

The festival will also feature art kites with a light, a flute, and with and without frames, a Rokkaku kite competition, and an art kite performance at the Paradise Resort golf course.

The festival will go on until May 12.

The ancient city will host the annual kite competition on the beach at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa next Saturday. A total of 100 competitors from Hue, Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phan Thiet, Can Tho, An Giang, Cambodia and Hoi An will be contesting in the one-day event for a total cash prize of VND46 million (US$2,200).

The organising committee will also give away awards for the most impressive and uniquely designed kites.

The annual event, which was introduced in 2005, aims to boost beach festivals during the summer break.

Last year, competitors demonstrated their large kites shaped as snake, octopus, butterfly, dragon and heart.

Hoi An is home to the most beautiful beaches Cua Dai and An Bang. Last year, An Bang, 3km east of Hoi An City, was voted as one of the top 100 beaches in the world by CNN Summer Travel.

Theatres line up several summer shows for children

Theatres in Ha Noi are ready to welcome children with entertainment shows during the summer vacation and on Children's Day, June 1.

The Youth Theatre is introducing a play Hoang Tu Gau Va Hat Dau Than (Bear Prince and Magic Beans) and a music show Phieu Luu Trong The Gioi Hoat Hinh (Adventure in the World of Cartoon).

The play is about a Bear Prince and the magical adventures and obstacles he encounters in his life. Despite the challenges that befall him, the prince continues to believe in love and offers help to others.

The play will be performed by veteran and young actors, including Ngoc Huyen, Duc Khue and Nguyet Hang, who will display their skills in playing music, dance, pantomime and circus tricks.

Costume designers and specialists in sound and light techniques will add a realistic element to the play through beautiful clothes, accessories and interior designs suited to the play's theme.

"We want to convey certain messages to the young audience through the show. It is not just pure entertainment," said artist Chi Trung, the theatre's deputy director.

Hoang Tu Gau Va Hat Dau Than is a new version of the original play performed at HCM City's stage IDECAF. It is part of Ngay Xua Ngay Xua (Once Upon A Time), a theatre programme for children which was launched in 1997.

Parents and children will be mesmerised by the music show Adventure in the World of Cartoon. Through songs composed by musicians Tuong Van, Tuan Nghia and Luu Thien Huong, a long-haired princess narrates a story about a missing master Co in the forest.

The princess asks popular cartoon characters such as Shrek, Panda bear, Rio and Angry Bird to help find master Co.

The shows are scheduled to be performed at the Youth Theatre at 11 Ngo Thi Nham Street from May 12 to June 1.

There will be other shows for children, namely, Magic Bubble; The Story's Secret 2; Angel's Smile and Circus Shows.

The show Magic Bubble will be shown from May 28 to June 1 at Cultural Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao. The palace will also host Circus Shows from May 30 to June 1.

The Story's Secret 2 will be performed by comedians Xuan Bac and Tu Long at Au Co Theatre, 8 Huynh Thuc Khang. It promises to be an enjoyable time for children from May 29 to June 1.

The Ha Noi Opera House will also hold the show Angel's Smile on Children's Day, June 1. The show will feature the Hoa Mi Club and the Ly Bang Troupe from Viet Nam's Got Talents show.