Free film screenings open Viet Nam Film Festival

VietNamNet Bridge – Free film screenings opened the 19th Viet Nam Film Festival in HCM City yesterday, Dec 1.

A scene from Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh by director Victor Vu. — File Photo

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in co-operation with Viet Nam Cinema Department and Distribution and Screening Film Company (Fafilm VN) together with local cinemas, there are 26 feature and video films, and 23 animations.

Feature films, including Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) and Huong Ga ( Rise), directed by Vietnamese-American director Victor Vu and Vietnamese-Canadian Cuong Ngo, have attracted many fans.

Other highlights are Chang Trai Nam Aáy (Dandelion), Scandal- Hao Quang Tro Lai (Scandal: Comeback), Diu Dang (Charm) and Lac Gioi (Paradise in Heart). They are all produced by private companies.

“I got a ticket for Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh at BHD Star Cineplex after two hours of queuing. I learned that the film is one of the most nominated for the festival’s best film,” said Nguyen Thi Van Huong, a student at the HCM City University of Law.

Organised biennially by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the five-day Viet Nam Film Festival features 92 nominations in different categories of feature and video film, documentary and scientific film, and animation.

The films will compete for Golden Lotus and Silver Lotus prizes for the best film, best director, best scriptwriter, best cameraman, best actor and best actress.

According to the organisers, the screenings are offered at Galaxy, BHD Star Cineplex, Mega GS and CGV cinemas.

The screenings will end on the award ceremony day on December 5.

Source: VNS

Free film screenings open Viet Nam Film Festival

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HCM City sculpture camp to begin

VietNamNet Bridge – The second HCM City International Sculpture Camp opens in HCM City’s Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park in District 9 today, Dec 2.

Illustrative image — File photo

The event features 50 works by Vietnamese and foreign sculptors from Russia, Iran, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belgium, Romania, Japan and China.

The artists have used different materials such as stone, aluminium and stainless steel. They spent 15 days on the sculptures at the camp.

Their works symbolise hope for a peaceful world and improved economic and cultural progress for Viet Nam.

Bui Hai Son, deputy chairman of the city’s Fine Arts Association, said the works were “vibrant, and talk to those who see them”.

Son said his association worked with city authorities to organise the camp

In an effort to encourage artists to create sculptures that reflect the city’s development in economy, education and culture, and its integration with the world 40 years after liberation.

“Through the camp, we also hope young people learn more about art,” he added.

Organisers will present prizes on December 17.

The best works will be placed near Nguyen Hue walking street and Bach Dang Wharf in District 1, the banks of the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal, Vo Van Kiet Boulevard, and destinations on the city’s boat tour.

Source: VNS

HCM City sculpture camp to begin

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The 500-year wood sculpting village in Vietnam

Bao Ha Village in Dong Minh Commune, Vinh Bao District (Hai Phong) has been famous for wood sculptures for over 500 years. Recently,  bust sculpting has developed strongly in the village.

Do Van Buong is one of the few artisans there who possesses a good command of sculpting techniques to make unique busts. His works are not only similar to but also convey the countenance of the model.

Three generations of Do Van Buong’s family are involved in wood sculpture. Do Van Buong started to learn the basic skills of statue making techniques from his father when he was very small. 30 years ago, his maternal grandmother passed away and a statue for worship was needed. With his skills and natural artistic ability, Buong made his very first bust based on an old picture of the late woman.

After the bust was completed, all the members of Buong’s family were surprised because the statue looked exactly the same as the picture. Since then, locals have been coming to him to make busts for their late relatives and bust sculpting has become the main livelihood of his family.

Buong often makes statues of people who have passed away in varying sizes depending on the demand of his customers. It is hard to turn a piece of wood into a statue and he often needs a week or even a month to complete one.

After receiving the orders, Buong often spends time studying the picture of the subject to find a way to sculpt the statue, which helps him produce a statue that not only is identical to but also resembles the expression of the person captured in photos.

Then, he starts to select a piece of wood and cut it into blocks. Jackfruit wood is the most popular  because it is durable and easy to sculpt. Sculpting the face is always the hardest part because just a tiny incorrect detail can change the appearance of the face dramatically.

After completing a sculpture, Buong paints the statue with several layers of colours. Once finished, statues are left to dry and then polished with sandpaper to form a smooth surface and remove splinters. In the end, he covers the statues with a layer of golden paint and draws details to finalise the busts.

After nearly 30 years making busts, Buong has sculpted over 5000 statues of every size. He said that besides a skilful sculpting ability, sculptors must have creativeness and a good artistic sense to produce realistic and beautiful busts.

Do Van Buong selects suitable wooden blocks to make busts. Do Van Buong uses pencils to sketch before sculpting.  Finalising details on the face of a statue. Details on the face are carefully made to convey the countenance of the model. A child is interested in bust making. A statue sculpted according to a picture of the model.   Do Van Buong’s skilful hands. Covering the statue with a layer of black paint. Busts are sculpted according to pictures of the subjects. Do Van Buong has made many beautiful busts with rudimentary tools. Statues of various sizes and colours:

Thanh Giang – Tat Son

Vietnam Pictorial

The 500-year wood sculpting village in Vietnam

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Designers vie for Project Runway crown

VietNamNet Bridge – The creativity and passion of 14 young fashion design hopefuls will be on show every Saturday night from December 19 on Viet Nam Television.

Illustrative image — File photo

Chosen from more than 1,000 contestants in the 2015 Project Runway Viet Nam, they will live together for the reality show under close supervision of judges while filming.

The jury this year comprises model and actress Truong Ngoc Anh, host and designer Nguyen Cong Tri, journalist Tran Nguyen Thien Huong and mentor Tung Leo.

Like in previous seasons’ qualification rounds, participants were required to perform several skills to show their basic understanding of fashion design including sketching of designs, cutting of fabric, and sewing.

One of the contestants, Ha Thi Thong, is disabled, while Le Chau Kha, Le Minh Tuan Phuong, and Tran Nguyen Anh Minh are already fashion designers.

This is the third season of Project Runway, and will air on VTV3 at 8pm.

The winner will get a two-year work contract worth VND300 million (US$14,227) and the chance to study at Paris Atelier Chardon Savard.

In the first two seasons the programme unearthed two talents — Hoang Minh Ha and Ly Giam Tien — who have achieved popularity even abroad.

First aired in the US in 2004, Project Runway has since been produced and broadcast in more than 100 countries, attracting millions of viewers.

The programme was brought to Viet Nam by Multimedia JSC.

Source: VNS

Designers vie for Project Runway crown

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Exploring “Back to the roots” tourism

The delegation at Hung Lo communal house (Photo: Huong Le/TITC)

On the first day, the delegation visited Truc Lam An Tam and Truc Lam Tay Thien monasteries (Vinh Phuc Province), Hung Temple historical site and Hung Lo ancient village (Phu Tho Province). In Hung Lo Village, the delegation enjoyed Xoan singing performances by artisans and students and also learnt how to make delicious traditional peanut candies.

The famtrip took place from 23 – 27 November 2015. This was an opportunity for tour operators to explore local tourism products, boost linkage of tourist sites and routes; also for media agencies to promote local tourism potentials.

Hong Nhung

Exploring “Back to the roots” tourism

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Promoting Viet Nam tourism to Malaysia’s travel agents and media

Delegates took souvenir photos

The workshop had the presence of Mr. Ngo Hoai Chung, Deputy General Director of VNAT; H.E. Dato Azmil Zabidi, Ambassador of Malaysia to Viet Nam; Mr. Ahmad Zaki Mohd Salleh, Director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in Viet Nam; representative of Ha Noi Department of Tourism, tourism enterprises and media agencies in Malaysia and Viet Nam.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong, Director of Travel Industry Management Department (VNAT) emphasized that Malaysia has been one of the largest tourist markets among ASEAN countries. Viet Nam and Malaysia have favorable conditions to enhance tourism cooperation thanks to close location which is convenient for travelling by air, sea or land. In the coming time, Viet Nam hopes to further cooperate with Malaysia in tourism development to boost the number of exchange tourists between the two countries.

Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong, Director of Travel Industry Management Department (VNAT)

Representatives of Malaysia’s travel agents and media expressed their thankfulness for support of VNAT, Viet Nam’s travel agencies and hotels for the fam trip (from 18-25 November) and appreciated the beautiful landscapes and hospitality of Viet Nam. They had very exciting experiences at famous destinations in Viet Nam such as Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, Non Nuoc stone carving village (Marble Mountains), Hoi An Ancient Town, the Complex of Hue Monuments, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Trang An Landscapes Complex, Ha Long Bay, The Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ha Noi Old Quarter.

Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town (Photo: Goldentours)

On the boat to visit Ha Long Bay (Photo: Goldentours)

Thanh Tam

Promoting Viet Nam tourism to Malaysia’s travel agents and media

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Activities celebrate Hoi An’s world cultural heritage status

Highlight of the events will be the December 3 inauguration of Nguyen Phuc Chu walking street where numerous activities promoting ancient Hoi An’s culture, including traditional games, art performances and lantern-making and portrait drawing instructions, among others.

A Hoi An wedding photo contest and photo exhibitions are also scheduled, along with a traditional run tournament expected to draw the participation of both locals and tourists.

On this occasion, free tickets to relic sites in the city will be provided for holiday-makers.

According to Vice Chairman of the Hoi An People’s Committee Nguyen Van Son, the event creates a chance for the city to look back on its achievements as well as popularises Hoi An images to domestic and international friends, contributing to raising public awareness of cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development.

Covering 60 square kilometres, Hoi An has 22.5 square kilometres of agriculture and forest land and 11 square kilometres of lakes and channels.

The city’s Ancient Town was a renowned international trading port in the 17th century where ships from Japan, China, and European countries docked to exchange wares. Cultural exchange also took place in the port, influencing the town in ways that remain visible today.

In 2012, Hoi An was shortlisted for the top ten Asian cities in the US-magazine Conde Nast"s Traveler"s Readers Choice Awards. The following year, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage was chosen for the Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia.

Activities celebrate Hoi An’s world cultural heritage status

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