NDO – The following are some outstanding events that made the headlines over the past week selected by Nhan Dan Online. Over 866,000 candidates sit 2017 national high school exam More than 866,000 students nationwide from June 22-24 took part in the 2017 national high school exam - the largest test of the year - to obtain results for high school graduation and university admission. This year is the first year that the national exam is assigned to be hosted at venues held in 63 cities and provinces across the country. Localities have set up 63 exam councils to actively organise local examinations. There are a total of 2,364 exam venues, with 36,832 exam rooms and approximately 90,000 staff members and teachers facilitating the exams. This is also the first year, the exam has been developed and organised in a new way, except for the Literature test, in the essay form, the remaining tests - Foreign Languages, Natural Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – French pianist Célimène Daudet will have a soloist night at the Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi on May 11th. French pianist Célimène Daudet The winner of J.Françaix, the Fnapec competition and Pro Musicis award, Célimène Daudet is praised for her lyrical, exquisite and blazing piano sound. The French-born Haitian pianist, known as the “Artist of Spedidam generation”, is particularly famous for performances coordinated with the performing arts, especially dance. She has performed Bach’s l’Art de la Fugue, along with Yoann Bourgeois, more than 100 times. In Hanoi, she will perform Bach-Busoni’s Choral “Ich ruf zu dir Herr Jesu Christ”, Bach’s excerpt from Art de la Fugu and Franck’s Overture Choral & Fugue. Tickets are available at L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi from April 17. T. Van … [Read more...]

It was built starting in 1901 to plans by French architects and modelled after the famous Palais Garnier concert hall in Paris and ever since has offered its international audiences top-calibre music theatre on some 300 days a year. A peek behind the scenes of the Hanoi Opera House, reveals lots of things that are otherwise hidden from evening opera-goers. A tour provides lots of interesting information about the rich and vibrant history and architecture. Guided tour dates, languages On the website of the Hanoi Opera House, those interested can find the times at which the tours in English and Vietnamese are offered. Dates for tours in other languages such as Italian, French, Russian and Japanese can be requested by using the contact details shown. Registration Registration is not required for individuals, who can simply report to the entrance 15 minutes before the tour is scheduled to commence. Groups are encouraged to contact the Hanoi Opera House in advance. For more information … [Read more...]

Hanoi Opera House will open to welcome tourists who have demand to study history, architecture and enjoy artistic performances from June, 2017. The activity aims to implement policy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to use Hanoi Opera House for performing high quality artistic works, preserving traditional arts and building high quality artistic works for regular performance. Accordingly, the Department of Performing Arts, Hanoi Opera House and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will turn the Opera House into a special cultural destination, an iconic performing arts location of the city without commercialising it. If tourists have no demand to enjoy artistic performance, they can still visit the opera house, take photographs, and study its architecture and history. The programme will be regularly organized in connection with activities at pedestrian streets and exhibitions, becoming a cultural tourism product to diversify tourism products in Hanoi./. Compiled … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - At first glance, an unexpected rain shower may put a damper on your holiday, but there are plenty of indoor activities in Hanoi. Visit a Museum There are plenty of museums in Hanoi where you get to learn more about the Vietnam's rich culture and turbulent history while escaping daytime downpours during your holiday. Home to unique artefacts and photographs, detailed (and often harrowing) stories and local artworks, must-visits include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Vietnam Women's Museum. Tickets are priced between VND 10,000 and VND 25,000 per person, depending on which museum you choose to visit. You can also choose Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi - offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam in an effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote socio-cultural diversity within the country. Visitors are welcome to browse some of the vast research on offer at this public museum which is also a centre for ethnographic research.Explore … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - The Hanoi People’s Committee has recently issued an agenda to mark the 42nd anniversary of Reunification Day (April 30), 131st anniversary of International Labor Day (May 1), 63rd anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7) and 127th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (May 19). This is the opportunity to educate national tradition of revolution, culture and heroism of the country and the capital city, create significant progress in labor and production in all fields, and realize socio-economic development targets in 2017. Through popularization and education activities, the city expects to continue traditional patriotism, express gratitude towards previous generations for their contribution and sacrifice for freedom and independence, assert the role and significance of Dien Bien Phu Victory, the liberation of the South of Vietnam and national reunification in the history of national construction and defense, and honor the spirit of … [Read more...]

The tours aim to implement the policy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on exploiting the Hanoi Opera House as a place to perform quality art works, preserve traditional art and build academic art works. The Department of Performing Arts, Hanoi Opera House and Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will offer two tours, including a Hanoi Opera House tour and a combination tour of Hanoi Opera House and art shows. Visitors will have an opportunity to be welcomed at the VIP room of the theatre, learn about history and architecture, visit the displaying room and enjoy art programmes. The programme will connect with other cultural activities at the Hanoi walking street, which is expected to become a special cultural attraction for tourists in Hanoi. … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - Unlike any other capital in Southeast Asia or the even the world, Hanoi is a city with so many unique things to do at night. Here we've picked out the Top 5 most popular spots in Hanoi for those looking for a great time after sunset. Fresh Beer Junction This junction in the centre of the Old Quarter is the absolute classic night time activity in Hanoi. You really haven't seen the city until you have spent a few hours soaking up the atmosphere and maybe sinking a few beers at the most famous Beer Hoi (Fresh Beer) spot in Hanoi. Several shophouses have plastic stools spilling out onto the streets, with beers and street vendors serving steamed peanuts, beef jerky and other exotic snacks. The beer is quite weak compared to European standards, but for an all round experience it is quite something. Open throughout the day and late into the night, the ever-bustling beer haven is located at the corner of Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen streets in the Hanoi Old Quarter, where … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - If you only have 48 hours in Hanoi, bypassing some attractions is a must to make the most out of your stay in Vietnam's capital city. First day On morning of the first day in Hanoi, start your day of sightseeing by making your way to Hoan Kiem Lake, where you can find locals jogging, enjoying a coffee. This peaceful lake surrounds Ngoc Son Temple, an 18th century pagoda sitting in on a small island that's accessible via an ornate wooden bridge. There are altars dedicated to military leader Tran Hung Dao, large bronze bust, some ancient artefacts including ceramics, and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake weighing 250kg. Plenty of cafes and restaurants are found in this area, too. Afternoon, Hanoi is a walkable city with many historical landmarks, cultural museums, colonial buildings, and war memorials, some of which are conveniently located in the Old Quarter. Notable hotspots include Hoa Lo Prison (or Maison Centrale), Hanoi Opera House, and … [Read more...]

On the anvil for about a decade, Culture Ministry gets serious about transforming the Ha Noi Opera House and its environs, Thien Huong reports. The iconic Ha Noi Opera House will ‘open up’ to become the centrepiece of a special cultural space that incorporates the August Revolution Square, the Co Tan Park and the Museum of National History. The grandiose plan that would aesthetically and functionally transform downtown Ha Noi and enhance its status as a major tourism destination was announced at recent press briefing by Culture Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien. Thien said his ministry would invite foreign consultants to landscape the area around the Opera House. The Opera House itself would be renovated, surrounding fences removed and the café beside it turned into an open park that connects with the August Revolution Square in front of it. The new site would be one that presents both featuring traditional and contemporary shows of fine arts and performing arts, he said. … [Read more...]

(VOVworld) – Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on Friday met with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh, who is on a four-day visit to Vietnam. Both sides agreed to enhance diplomatic cooperation and effectively organize activities during Vietnam-India Friendship Year 2017. The leaders said that the two countries should fully tap potential for economic, trade, and investment cooperation. They also discussed international issues of mutual concern and pledged to support each other at regional and international forums such as the ASEAN-India cooperation, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and UN cooperative mechanism. They affirmed their determination to work towards peace, stability, security, and safety of aviation and overflight in the East Sea based on international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They underscored the need to comply with the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (COC), … [Read more...]

Indian classical dancers and the Indian Army Symphony Band are going on tour in Vietnam from April 21st to 25th to celebrate the Vietnam – India Friendship Year 2017. The performances will be held by Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam. Accordingly, the performance will begin at 8pm at Hanoi Opera House on April 21st; at 8pm at Ho Chi Minh Opera House on April 22nd and at 8pm at Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre on April 25th in the central city of Da Nang. The Indian Army Symphony Band was founded in 1990 with players from Army bands. Subsequently, to add variety to the music, Indian classical musical instruments like santoor, sitar and jaltarang were incorporated. The band performs during the visits of foreign dignitaries to India and during national ceremonial events./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Deputy Director of the VNSO Trinh Tung Linh granted an interview to Thoi nay (Present day) publication of Nhan Dan (The People’s) Newspaper on the development of classic music in Vietnam. Q: This is the 12th year the ‘subscription concerts’ were held. How do you assess their overall efficiency? A: Actually, this programme has been very effective because the audiences know the orchestra's annual schedule in advance and can choose a time to see performances. This has of course required us to make plans very early and invite guest performers up to half a year earlier. We have already arranged the schedule with foreign conductors for shows in 2018. This performing model has attracted a larger numbers of people to the performances. In most programmes, around 70% of tickets are sold, including 15%-20% regular clientele. In recent years, the number of people attending the VNSO’s concerts has been relatively stable. Q: So, have those concerts brought profits to the … [Read more...]

Hanoi (VNA) – The National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) has mobilised more than 5.5 trillion VND (243.3 million USD), goods and volunteers to support some 30 million children across the country. The information was released by NFVC Director Hoang Van Tien at a meeting with press on the organisation’s 25th anniversary in Hanoi on April 18. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan underlined the remarkable contributions the organisation has made to Vietnamese children. The fund has served as a bridge connecting the community, society, international organisations and children, encouraging the community to protect and educate children. Over the past 25 years, the fund has organised numerous activities, including the 15-year “For children’s hearts” programme funding heart surgeries worth nearly 80 billion VND (3.54 million USD) and a functional rehabilitation programme for children with disabilities, particularly victims of … [Read more...]

The Hanoitimes - The Vietnam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) and Spanish musicians perform classical operas, music pieces and ballets at Hanoi Opera House on April 15. The first part of the show have artists performing opera arias and music pieces; and the second part will be a ballet by Meritorious dancer Phan Van Luong, Viet An and other dancers from the VNOB. Conductor David Gomez Ramirez lead both the orchestra and piano soloist Jesus Ma Gosmez Rodriguez to play pieces by contemporary Spanish composers Vicente Ortiz Gimeno and Joan Eric Canet Todoli. Conductor David Gomez Ramirez will lead Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet at Ha Noi Opera House. After the interval, audiences see the ballet, The Rite of Spring, written by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky in 1913. It depicts a pagan spring ritual, where a group of elders observe a dance in preparation for the death of a girl whom they are offering as sacrifice to the god of spring for his benevolence. It was be staged by … [Read more...]

According to historical sources, the ancient streets have been the true core of Thang Long-Hanoi since its foundation over a thousand years ago. Ancient architecture The ancient streets form a triangle, with the top at Hang Than street and the base on the axis of Hang Bong, Hang Gai, and Cau Go streets; the eastern side is a section of the Red River Dyke and the eastern side runs along Hang Cot, Hang Dieu, and Hang Da streets. Before the French colonial period, all these streets looked the same and were laid out in an order similar to that of a chessboard and most of them were named after the goods manufactured or sold there. For example, Hang Duong means Sugar Street, Hang Bac - Silver Street, and Hang Bo is Bamboo Basket Street. The tube houses along these streets are very long and narrow and sometimes connected to another street at the back. All of them are arranged similarly with their front rooms serving as a shop leading to a small open courtyard, which is usually decorated … [Read more...]

The exhibition will give local visitors the chance to view 45 photographs of Ha Long Bay, Cat Tien, Cat Ba and Ca Mau Cape taken by photographers Kevin Vang and Wojciech Dabrowka. The photos feature landscapes, wildlife and local villages in and around the national parks with an emphasis on Vietnam’s spectacular bird life. Sponsored by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP), the exhibition aims to mark World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. It also commemorates a decade-long partnership between AusAID and the AFAP to tackle environmental challenges in the region, including Vietnam. “The exhibition demonstrates the Australian Government’s long-term commitment to helping Vietnam address environmental issues and climate change,” said the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Allaster Cox. The show is scheduled to take place in the Hanoi Opera House, the Vietnam … [Read more...]

The event which will be broadcast live on Hanoi Radio and Television from the Hanoi Opera House on December 20. The performance will be divided into two parts: Part one will feature the hard struggle of Quang Tri people and soldiers over the course of 81 days and nights to protect the Quang Tri Citadel. Part two will tell the story of wounded soldier Lang Sy Thuy. After recovering from his wounds, he returned to his squad to continue fighting the enemy to protect the citadel. All money raised during the performance will be presented to relatives of war martyrs and veterans in Quang Tri and Ha Nam provinces and victims of the ninth storm in Quang Tri. … [Read more...]

Vietnam ‘fell asleep’ from 8.30pm to 9.30pm – the rush hour for using electricity – in a demonstration of the effectiveness of saving electricity. Together with more than 20 provinces and cities, Hanoi actively joined Earth Hour 2010 with the message “small action for big change”. The Hanoi municipal People’s Committee asked the municipal Department for Electricity to switch off non-essential lights for an hour at major public places, such as Ngoc Son Temple, Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, the Hanoi Opera House, West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, as well as the headquarters of the Hanoi municipal Party Committee, the Hanoi municipal People’s Council and the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee. Lights were also switched off at the headquarters of the People’s Councils and the People’s Committees in 29 towns and districts nationwide. Many business, organisations and families also participated in this year’s Earth Hour to … [Read more...]

The information was released by President of Vietnam Journalists’ Association, Dinh The Huynh at a press briefing in Hanoi on June 15. He said that a series of activities to mark the event will take place across the country. An exchange among journalists on the theme of the societal and citizens’ responsibility of journalists will be held on June 17 at Hanoi Opera House. The Central Commission of Propaganda and Training, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Academy of Journalism and Communication will hold a national seminar on building the Vietnam revolutionary press on June 19. The 2009 national press award has received a warm response from press agencies across the country with 962 entries from 93 press units. The jury agreed present one A award, 19 B awards, 54 C awards and 56 consolation awards. … [Read more...]