The Hanoitimes - Local movie Jailbait (Em chua 18) smashed all expectations and dominated theaters in Vietnam during the holiday weekend. A scene in Em chua 18. Jailbait (Em Chua 18) has surpassed Hollywood blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy at the local box office and is expected to soon claim the title of the biggest Vietnamese movie ever. Opening on April 28, the rom-com about a school girl and her scandalous love story with a much older man has racked up VND86 billion ($3.78 million), local media reported. It stars Kaity Nguyen, a 18 year-old newcomer who has stunned critics and fans with her impressive acting skills. The film is likely to hit the VND100 billion mark in ticket sales soon, which means it will also dethrone the current champion Em la ba noi cua anh (Sweet 20), a rom-com released last year. Em chua 18 - a film of director Le Thanh Son, is rated C16 as it is deemed suitable for mature audiences only. According to the film database IMDB, its more provoking … [Read more...]

The music show “For a future day 2017” was organized by charity fund "Voice from the Heart" in Moscow, Russia on May 1st. Ms. Pham Van Anh, founding member and representative of the fund, reviewed the significant activities of the fund over the past year. In 2016, the fund donated many gifts to children at two schools caring for special children, visiting and giving gifts to the child and women-sponsored centers, victims of domestic violence, as well as policy beneficiary families in Moscow. In addition, the fund has devoted a part of its materials to contribute to the group "For a Future" in Vietnam to build houses for children in Ha Giang province. Ms. Van Anh also thanked all overseas Vietnamese for having always accompanied and positively contributed material, strength and sentiments, so that the fund will be able to carry out more and more charitable activities. At the program, parents and their children performed songs and dances, bringing happiness to disadvantaged … [Read more...]

This is the third consecutive year My Tam has appeared in the list of nominees at BAMA. In 2015 she won the Best Selling Artist of Asia award at BAMA. She received no prize in 2016. Tam began as a singer and songwriter in 1999. She plays guitar, piano, organ and is also a dancer. The Big Apple Music Awards is an annual event started in 2004 to recognise music from Central Asia, the Caucasus's and the Middle East. The BAMA Foundation is a non-profit organisation of recording artists, creators, professionals and technicians around the globe. They post a list of nominees on the web and call for votes from internet users. The 2017 awards will be given in New York, US on October 22. … [Read more...]

Apple Inc (AAPL.O) reported a surprise fall in iPhone sales for its second quarter on Tuesday, indicating that customers may have held back purchases in anticipation of the 10th-anniversary edition of the company's most important product later this year. Under pressure from shareholders to hand over more of its $250 billion-plus hoard of cash and investments, Apple boosted its capital return program by $50 billion, increased its share repurchase authorization by $35 billion and raised its quarterly dividend by 10.5 percent. Investors were unmoved, sending shares of the world's most valuable listed company down 1.9 percent at $144.65 in after-hours trading. Apple sold 50.76 million iPhones in its fiscal second quarter ended April 1, down from 51.19 million a year earlier. Analysts on average had estimated iPhone sales of 52.27 million, according to financial data and analytics firm FactSet. Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri argued the decline was not as bad as it looked, given … [Read more...]

The Eagles have filed a lawsuit accusing the owners of a Mexico hotel of using the name "Hotel California," arguably the band's most famous song, without permission. The Eagles have filed a lawsuit accusing the owners of a Mexico hotel of using the name "Hotel California," arguably the band's most famous song, without permission. In a complaint filed late Monday, the Eagles said owners of the 11-room Todos Santos hotel in Baja California Sur "actively encourage" guests to believe the hotel is associated with the band, in order to sell t-shirts and other merchandise, and make guests feel welcome. This allegedly included piping "Hotel California" and other Eagles songs through the hotel sound system, and selling t-shirts in that refer to the hotel as "legendary," resulting in apparent confusion among many guests who posted online reviews. The Eagles also noted that the defendant Hotel California Baja LLC has applied with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register the Hotel … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News Traditional artists from the Thăng Long Puppetry Theatre won gold and silver medals at the Traditional Musical Instrumentalist and Ensemble Festival 2017 which was held from April 15 -23 in the central province of Thanh Hóa. At the festival they performed Khoảnh Khắc Hà Thành (Moments in Old Hà Nội) with traditional instruments such as the đàn tam thập lục (zither with 36 brass strings), đàn đáy (a long-necked three-stringed lute) and đàn nguyệt (Vietnamese two chord guitar), accompanied by folk singers. The performance was staged by the theatre director, People's Artist Nguyễn Hoàng Tuấn. Director Tuấn spoke about the performance. Could you tell us about Khoảnh Khắc Hà Thành? First, I want to stress that I staged Khoảnh Khắc Hà Thành for traditional artists at the Thăng Long theatre, and not for puppeteers. The musical performance was performed by 15 artists featuring traditional xẩm and ca trù. Xẩm (blind busker's singing) is a form of northern Vietnamese folk … [Read more...]

Responding to a request from Tuoi Tre News, a number of educators have commented on a plan to comprehensively transform Vietnam’s national education system. Responding to a request from Tuoi Tre News, a number of educators have commented on a plan to comprehensively transform Vietnam’s national education system. Included in the plan initiated by the Ministry of Education and Training is a call to eliminate the annual nationwide high school exam as a prerequisite for graduation. The academic and social performance of high school students would instead be evaluated by students’ immediate educators, who will decide whether or not the students are qualified for graduation, according to the draft education program. The plan’s main aim is to put a larger focus on career orientation for 11th and 12th graders. A good idea In my opinion, eliminating the graduate exam is a good idea. Thanks to studies and research done in countries across Europe and North America, … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - Despite nearly 7,000km separating Azerbaijan and Việt Nam, the two countries share several cultural similarities, said experts at a recent conference entitled The Parallels of Azerbaijani and Vietnamese Cultures. The annual conference, now in its third year, was held on Friday by the Azerbaijani History and Culture Research Centre in Việt Nam, and the Azerbaijan Embassy. Most of the Vietnamese experts taking part in the event studied in Azerbaijan and have beautiful memories of the country. "We have been holding this conference already three years in a row, however this year it is particularly meaningful, because, this year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Việt Nam. Despite establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, friendship relations between Azerbaijani and Vietnamese people have a long-standing history and most of the attendees of today's event are the … [Read more...]

Forty Vietnamese artists are celebrating the upcoming national holiday with the release of a collaborative music video showcasing Vietnam’s most beautiful attractions. Forty Vietnamese artists are celebrating the upcoming national holiday with the release of a collaborative music video showcasing Vietnam’s most beautiful attractions. The MV, produced by T Production and Vietnamese Music Gala, is part of the artists’ long-term community project aimed at promoting Vietnam’s culture, tourism, and entertainment. The song, Viet Nam Tuoi Dep (Beautiful Vietnam), highlights the beauty of Vietnam and its people’s passion for exploring every corner of the nation. From the modernity and dynamism of metropolises such as Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquility of rural Vietnam, the MV takes viewer on a trip across the country’s most iconic landscapes and attractions, aided by fresh vocals from local pop icons. The MV was released ahead of Reunification Day, an … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News AN GIANG - The southern Mekong Delta province of An Giang will host a Food and Tourism Week from May 16 to 25 at Vĩnh Đông Trade Centre in Châu Đốc City. The event, organised by An Giang Tourism Promotion Centre and the Sài Gòn Biz Marketing Communication Joint-Stock Company, will introduce local specialties and encourage participating vendors to offer higher quality food and services, further boosting tourism. There will be 200 booths, displaying signature dishes and souvenirs from An Giang and other provinces, including Bình Dương, Bình Phước, Đồng Nai, Long An, Thái Nguyên and Thừa Thiên Huế, among others, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Food vendors from Thailand, Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the US and others will also join the event. Visitors will have an opportunity to meet famous international chef Martin Yan, who will have a cooking demonstration on May 20. To attract more visitors, event organisers will … [Read more...]

Saigontourist hotels prep for Reunification and Labor Days Anh Nguyen Tasty food at Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel in HCMC’s District 1 Hotels and restaurants of Saigontourist Holding Company have prepared special food programs for revelers to celebrate Vietnam’s Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labor Day (May 1). Royal Hotel Saigon, 133 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: (84-8) 38225 914: The hotel will host a gala buffet program called “Tastes of summer night”, which feature more than 48 tasty dishes like salted shrimp, steamed crab with garlic, grilled beef, and Go Cong-style shrimp cake. All dishes will be prepared by the chef who won the Golden Spoon 2015 competition. Diners can also enjoy a special music show and a lucky draw with many attractive gifts during the buffet. Guests who buy tickets before April 30 will get a 20% discount. Tickets are priced at VND599,000++ per adult and VND299,000++ per kid, including a … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - Vietnamese movie Em Chưa 18 (Jailbait) earned around VNĐ13billion (US$570,000) in a three-day screening last weekend, making it the highest revenue-earning local film from a sneak preview. The movie, which hits cinemas nationwide on Friday, is directed by Lê Thanh Sơn of Bẫy Rồng (Clash) fame, and Để Mai Tính's (Feel For Love) filmmaker Charlie Nguyễn. A romantic comedy, Jailbait is a love triangle involving high school student Linh Đan, her boyfriend Tony and a Sài Gòn playboy Hoàng. Linh Đan is in a relationship with Tony, a handsome sportsman who is every girl's dream, including Yến. Trouble begins when Linh Đan spots Tony kissing Yến at a school party and decides to make him feel jealous and hurt for cheating and losing a girl like her. She dresses up sexily to woo Hoàng, has a one-night stand with him and then blackmails him into pretending to be her boyfriend under the threat that otherwise she would make public their sex video, which will get him into … [Read more...]

Sydne (VNA) – Vietnamese and foreign youngsters have joined Vietnamese Culture Day 2017 held by the La Trobe Vietnamese Students Association (LAVISA) in Melbourne, Australia. The April 26 event drew hundreds of Vietnamese and foreign students studying in Victoria state and the locals. They together enjoyed vibrant performances by Vietnamese students in La Trobe University which have reflected the youth’s enthusiasm and their love for the homeland, and given a better understanding of Vietnam’s cultural identity to the international friends. The festival featured a fashion show introducing Vietnamese traditional costumes, folk games, and stalls selling Vietnamese souvenir and traditional foods originated from across Vietnam. It was the fifth edition of the Vietnamese Cultural Day, said LAVISA President Viet Ha, adding that it could not be successful without the enthusiasm of Vietnamese students in Melbourne, their solidarity and desire to promote Vietnam’s image … [Read more...]

HANOI PERFORMANCE Musical Night “Let’s Be Broadway!” L’Espace 24 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, In this special night, we are going to perform songs (or musical excerpts) from the timeless musicals such as “Wicked” and “Miss Saigon”. Also, guests can encounter a classic “Phantom of The Opera” and Disney’s all-time-favorite: “The Little Mermaid” and “Princess and the Frog” and many more. Ticket: VND400,000 – VND200,000 for students Contemporary Concert "Nine Chapters of the Rain" Manzi Art Space 14 Phan Huy Ich Street, Ba Dinh District, Contemporary music concert by the Hanoi New Music Ensemble features works by well-known international & Vietnamese composers. Ticket: VND200,000 EXHIBITION Exhibition "Manga Hokusai Manga" 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi The exhibition features Manga artworks by Katsushika Hokusai, focusing on genre, pictorial storytelling and … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - The winners of the 2017 Devotion Music Awards were announced and honoured at a ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City. Musician Khac Hung was honoured with the ‘Musician of the Year’ and the ‘Producer of the Year’ awards. Noo Phuoc Thinh was honoured with the ‘Singer of the Year’ award for his contributions to the development of Vietnamese music over the past year. In addition, the ‘Musician of the Year’ and the ‘Producer of the Year’ awards went to musician Khac Hung who received the special attention of young people around the country for his catchy songs as well as other music activities. The music video titled “Bong bong bang bang” composed by Only C Nguyen Phuc Thien and performed by 365 Daband won the ‘Best Music Video’ award. The song was a soundtrack in the blockbuster ‘Tam Cam- Chuyen Chua Ke’ (Tam Cam- The Untold Story) which was honoured with the Silver Golden … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News HCM CITY - More than 100 singers, dancers and musicians will perform in a special TV show produced by Hồ Chí Minh City Television (HTV) to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the country's Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1). The show, Son Sắt Một Tình Yêu (Love Forever), will feature musical performances about a young female volunteer called Mai who works on the Trường Sơn Range (Hồ Chí Minh Trail). Mai and her colleagues transfer food and weapons from North Việt Nam to battlefields in the South during the American War. The show's artists include young performers from local art schools and cultural houses. Musicians with the HCM City Conservatory of Music will also be featured. The show will feature more than 30 songs recognised as canons of revolutionary music, composed by respected writers, such as Huy Du, Hoàng Vân, Phan Huỳnh Điểu and Phạm Tuyên, all of whom played a role in the country's musical development. Tenor Anh Bằng will perform along with … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – As part of the Quest Festival 2017, the touring arm Quest Live will be launched in Hanoi in order to bring the best international artists from around the globe to Vietnamese audiences year round. To kick things off, and celebrate the launch of Quest Festival 2017’s ticket sales, the organizers will bring folk-pop band “Stars and Rabbit” of Indonesia to the Hanoi Rock City, 27 To Ngoc Van Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi for the very first time, proudly supported by local artists Dr Peacock and Empty Spaces. Indonesia’s Stars and Rabbit are at the forefront of a new generation of talented artists from the creative hotspot of Yogyakarta. Lead singer Elda Suryani’s incredibly unique vocals conjures memories of gifted female vocalists such as Björk and Lamb’s Lou Rhodes, while their ethereal dream-pop style has drawn comparisons with bands as diverse as First Aid Kit to Emiliana Torrini. The band had a breakout year in … [Read more...]

Le Thien Hieu wowed the nation in his very first TV appearance with his song 'My grandparents.' When singer-songwriter Le Thien Hieu debuted his catchy song mocking modern love in November last year, it was his first ever performance on live TV. The song, “Ong ba anh” (My grandparents), went on to become a big hit for the transgender artist. On Tuesday, it brought him "Song of the Year" at the Cong Hien (Devotion) Music Awards. Vietnam doesn't have a recording academy to hand out annual awards, and Cong Hien, based on critics' choices, has been the most sought-after recognition among local artists and producers since 2004. The local music industry is traditionally not known for diversity. But transgender artists like Hieu have managed to rise to the top, without drawing much attention to their identity or sexuality. In 2012, Huong Giang revealed that she is a transgender woman on Vietnam Idol. She was then voted into the top four that year. On Tuesday night, Hieu … [Read more...]

HCM City (VNA) - Young composer Khac Hung won the Musician and Music Producer of the Year at the 12th Cong Hien (Devotion) Music Awards 2017, organised by Vietnam News Agency's The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports & Culture) Newspaper. The musician, a graduate of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, became a sensation in 2015 when his production Khoi Hanh (Departure) for singer Nguyen Tran Trung Quan won the 2015 Devotion Awards for the Album of the Year. He has produced tracks for numerous pop stars such as My Tam, Thu Phương and Nguyen Ngoc Anh. In 2016, Hung was involved in many projects. He impressed critics and audiences with his own songs, including Sau Tat Ca (After All), Den Ben Em (Come to Me) and Yeu (Love), which became popular songs on local music websites. Violinist Hoang Rob, whose music video filmed at some of Vietnam's most famous tourist spots has drawn hundreds of thousands of views on Facebook, was named the New Artist of the Year. The 25-year-old musician released his … [Read more...]

Viet Nam News HCM CITY - Young composer Khắc Hưng won the Musician and Music Producer of the Year at the Cống Hiến (Devotion) Music Awards, organised by Vietnam News Agency's Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Sports & Culture) Newspaper. "I'm very proud to receive the awards. I want to express my gratitude to my soul mate, singer Trung Quân, who encouraged me to follow my producing career," said 24-year-old Hưng. The musician, a graduate of the Việt Nam National Academy of Music, became a sensation in 2015 when his production Khởi Hành (Departure) for singer Nguyễn Trần Trung Quân won the 2015 Devotion Award for Album of the Year. He has produced tracks for numerous pop stars such as Mỹ Tâm, Thu Phương and Nguyễn Ngọc Anh. In 2016, Hưng was involved in many projects. He impressed critics and audiences with his own songs, including Sau Tất Cả (After All), Đến Bên Em (Come to Me) and Yêu (Love), which became popular songs on local music websites. Violinist Hoàng Rob, whose music video filmed at … [Read more...]