The house was rebuilt on the foundation of an old one, which was burnt down in May 2010.

The house is measured at 22 metres in height, 17 metres in length, and 6.5 metres in width, on a total area of 100 sq.m. It is built using traditional materials such as iron wood, bamboo and leaves.

Local people contributed materials and working days to build the house which is expected to be an attractive destination for visitors.

Art programme marks Vietnamese Press Day

Writer-cum-journalist Minh Chuyen exchanges with audience. (source: VNA)

A charity and art programme entitled “Journalists – Events and Witnesses” took place in Hanoi on June 20 to celebrate the 86th Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925-2011).

Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association Ha Minh Hue city attended the event, which was jointly held by the Journalist & Public Opinion newspaper, the Labour and Social Affairs newspaper, Vietnam Digital Television VTC and the Capital Media Joint Stock Company.

The programme, the fifth of its kind organised so far, provided an opportunity for the public to exchange and share moving memories with Vietnamese journalists as well as honour and pay tribute to more than 400 journalists who sacrificed their lives for national independence.

On the occasion, the Organising Board presented 60 savings books, each worth 5 million VND, to Agent Orange victims and wheelchairs to 50 war invalids.

Two houses of gratitude, each worth 50 million VND, will be built for families of fallen soldiers.

The audience listened to writer-cum-journalist Minh Chuyen, who has authored many articles stirring public opinions, such as “Cha con nguoi linh” (Solider Father and Son) and “Linh hon Viet Cong” (Vietnamese Communist Soul).

Chuyen said a journalist must stand firm against any difficulty.

After four times of organising, the programme built 10 houses of gratitude and presented 200 savings books, 100 wheelchairs and gifts worth over 2 billion VND in total to martyrs’ relatives, AO victims and war invalids with special difficulties

Fete de la Musique opens for summer solstice

Sofitel Legend Metropole Ha Noi will co-ordinate with other cities throughout the world tonight to host the French musical event, Fete de la Musique.

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, the Fete de la Musique is held in more than a hundred countries around the globe to celebrate the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

Fete de la Musique is a celebration of all music styles and a tribute to the custom of free French-style street fetes. It was designed to encourage both amateur and professional musicians to perform in public and on the street. It aims to appeal to a large audience, and is intended to inspire young and not so young people from all social backgrounds to perform music.

French jazz diva Charmagne Tripp will serenade Le Club, while special guest violinist Nguyen Manh Hai will present French masterpieces at the French restaurant Le Beaulieu.

Guests can also enjoy a performance by the Phong Lan band, comprised of traditional Vietnamese instruments including the monochord zither, long zither, bamboo xylophone, and bamboo flute at the Vietnamese restaurant Spices Garden. DJ Cache will spin a selection of music from all over the world at Angelina Italian restaurant.

Vietnamese cooking course targets young people

Young people will have the chance to learn more about traditional Vietnamese cuisine when they take part in a new cooking course in Ha Noi.

Hosted by the restaurant chain Highway4 and Investment Consultancy Business Assistance Company (ICBA), The Highway to Life course targets young adults who are on the verge of becoming independent.

In addition to traditional dishes, attendees will also learn how to prepare unique cocktails using local ingredients.

HCM City recognises two new city-level relics

The HCM City People’s Committee has recognised the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Thien Ton Pagoda as official city-level relics.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum, located at Nha Rong Wharf in District 4, is classified as an architectural relic.

Built from 1864 to 1863, the building is well-known for its unique architecture which combines Vietnamese and French styles.

The French-style building has two dragon-shaped statues on its rooftop, a detail that can often be found in the architecture of traditional Vietnamese temples and pagodas.

The museum has been expanded to attract more students and visitors. The new construction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year.

The city has also recognised the Thien Ton Pagoda in District 5 as a historical and cultural relic.

The pagoda, built in 1947, was a revolutionary base and meeting place for Vietnamese revolutionary leaders like Nguyen Van Linh, Huynh Tan Phat and Nguyen Huu Tho during the French and American wars.

Vietnam attends 6th ASEAN festival in Japan

The Vietnam Youth and Student Association (VYSA) actively participated in activities during the 6th ASEAN Festival, which was held in Tokyo, Japan on June 19.

Through the event, themed “the World is One”, ASEAN youths and students expressed the solidarity among ASEAN member nations and their support for Japanese youths, students and people who are working hard to overcome earthquake and tsunami consequences.

This was also a chance for ASEAN students to introduce to Japanese and international friends the traditional history and culture of their own countries.

The festival was co-organised by the ASEAN Youth Network in Japan (AYNJ) and the Japanese Student Network for International Exchange (JSNIE).

AYNJ was set up by the youth and student associations of the ten ASEAN member countries in Japan in 2006 to encourage regional young people and students’ active participation in developing the friendship between ASEAN countries and Japan.

VNN/VOV/VNS/Tuoi Tre