ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF 8/5 Vietnam

Book on Dien Bien Phu victory published in France; Over 300 journalists to attend 2010 Hue Festival; Hanoi to host National Fine Arts Exhibition 2010; World cuisine festival attracts 50 countries

Book on Dien Bien Phu victory published in France

A book entitled “Dien Bien Phu – seen from the other side” has been published in France by the World Publishing House (Nouveau Monde).

The book, written in French, reviews the memories of those who participated in or witnessed the battle and mentions the historical documents relating to France’s war in Vietnam.

It is a valuable book which provides French people with the truth about the war won by Vietnamese people after enduring so many sufferings and inflicting heavy losses on the French, says historic professor Jean Pierre Roux.

Professor Roux emphasised that the victory at Dien Bien Phu was praised around the world and had an important influence on other French colonies in Asia, Africa and South America.

Overseas professor Ngo Manh Lan says that the book reflects the war in a very objective way and that it is very important in order to influence French public opinion.

The book has received a lot of attention in France.

Over 300 journalists to attend 2010 Hue Festival

Three hundred journalists from 43 domestic and foreign press agencies have registered to cover the 2010 Hue Festival.

In recent times, wide coverage has been given by domestic press agencies, including Radio the Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Television, the Thanh Nien (Young People), Tuoi Tre (Youth) and Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspapers.

During the 9-day festival, major events will be held in Thua Thien-Hue province to turn it into a festival city.

Ngo Hoa, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of the organising board, said he hopes that the festival will receive extensive coverage.

Hanoi to host National Fine Arts Exhibition 2010

The National Fine Arts Exhibition 2010 will be held at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts in Hanoi from November 30 to December 20.

The event is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

This exhibition representing Vietnam’s fine arts industry is one link in the chain of big festivals Vietnam is celebrating in 2010.

On display will be representative works from the 5-year period 2006-2010 to gauge fine arts development during the process of national industrialisation and modernisation towards global integration.

German books exhibited in Hanoi

An exhibition of more than 400 German books opened in Hanoi on May 5.

On display are books about literature, art, philosophy and economics written by famous authors from Germany, Switzerland and Austria – all translated into Vietnamese.

The exhibition, organised by the Goethe Institute and the National Library, creates an opportunity for translators and publishers to promote cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Germany.

The Head of the Goethe Institute, Almuth Meyer Zollitsch, says the exhibition aims to help Vietnamese readers, especially students, better understand German literature, culture and society.

Responsible Tourism Initiatives introduced in Vietnam

40 travel agencies and leaders of the Hanoi, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Tri provincial Departments for Culture, Sports and Tourism attended a seminar on “the introduction of Responsible Tourism Initiatives in Vietnam” in Hue City on May 4.

The seminar, organized by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), is designed to respond to challenge facing the developing tourism industry.

It is also aimed at providing information on environment management and attracting the participation of poor people in cultural and tourist activities.

A recent SNV survey of five major tourist attractions in Vietnam shows the visitors’ satisfaction at high level, but also their concern about tourist-related problems like garbage dumping in public places, environmental pollution and benefits poor people.

World cuisine festival attracts 50 countries

The World Cuisine Festival will be held in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province from July 21-25.

Almost 50 countries and territories from around the world and three provinces and cities in Vietnam have registered to take part in the event.

It will take place along a 3km stretch of Vung Tau beach. The organising board hopes that the festival will be listed as a Guinness world record as the culinary festival occupies a wide space and that it will become an annual event for Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Visitors will have the chance to taste special dishes and enjoy live concerts featuring different cultures around the world.

“Don’t burn” screened in Paris

“Don’t burn!” – a film by director Dang Nhat Minh, was shown on May 1 at the Vietnam Culture Centre in Paris, a Vietnamese and French audience.

After the film, they had the opportunity to join in discussions with the director. They expressed a great respect for Dang Thuy Tram, the central character and also the army doctor who dedicated her life to the country during the American war.

The film was premiered in France late last month during the Vietnamese film festival to celebrate the country’s 35th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification.

“Don’t burn” is expected to be screened in other large cities around France such as Lyon and Toulouse.