Trinh Cong Son’s paintings come to city

More than 50 paintings and sketches by the late Vietnamese song-writer Trinh Cong Son came to HCMC Fine Arts Museum on April 9.

Son was productive since he was a youngster in Hue city and then Saigon until he died at his home at 47C Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 3.

Son used water colors, chalk and oil on canvas to present his offerings.

Most of the works are in the care of Son’s family but some are owned by art collectors. Son’s fans who love his music will see another side of the gifted musician in his art.

The exhibition is one of series of activities to mark the 10th death anniversary of the folk legend.

The show runs at the museum until April 15, and then will relocate to Saigon Morin, 30 Le Loi Street in Hue City from April 22 to 26 before a final stint at Gallery 39, 39A Ly Quoc Su Street in Hanoi from May 5 to 12.

Vietnam preserves Buddhist heritages

Vietnam is a special nation in the preservation of Buddhist heritages, said the Deputy Head of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Yogeshwar Varma.

Yogeshwar made the statement on the sidelines of the International Buddhism Conference that took place in Hanoi on April 6-7.

He said, wherever he went in northern Vietnam, he saw Buddhist pagodas, even in small villages in the countryside, which proved the great influence of Buddhism on Vietnamese people’s life.

Yogeshwar recalled his special impression during his first visit to Vietnam. The My Son relic site in central Quang Nam province which is considered as one of the major Hinduism temple complexes in Southeast Asia, is really a wonderful heritage that deserved to be a world heritage site, he said.

Despite being ravaged in the two resistance wars against France and the US, many pagodas in the northern region still preserve their ancient architecture, he noted.

According to Yogeshwar, India and Vietnam have had long-term cooperation in Buddhism research.

He said he hoped there would be more Vietnamese scholars to study Buddhism in India. ICCR is willing to provide scholarships to Vietnamese students and scholars, he added.

Prize-giving ceremony for “Vietnam Today” photo competition held

A prize-giving ceremony for the third “Vietnam Today” photo competition themed “Dynamic and friendly Vietnam” was held at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi on April 8.

Sixteen prizes, including 2 first, 2 second, 2 third and 10 consolation, were awarded to the best photos and photo-essays.

An 8-image photo-essay about Professor Ngo Bao Chau winning the Fields Medal in 2010 was awarded the first prize. It was taken by photographer Nguyen A-Hoai Linh in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, a set of photos, dynamic images depicting Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung engaged in political, social and diplomatic activities in domestic and foreign countries, won the second prize. They were taken by photographer Duc Tam, who works for Vietnam News Agency in Hanoi.

For individual photos, Nguyen Van Xuan from the central province of Quang Ngai was awarded the first prize for his image of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery. The second and third prizes were awarded to “Royal Palace at Night” by Truong Vung (in Thua Thien-Hue province) and “Charming” by Vu Dung (Hai Phong City).

The competition was launched by The gioi Anh (World Photo) magazine in June, 2010. The organising board received 5,988 photos and essays by 456 photographers across the country.

All entrees recorded impressive photos of Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes, and dynamic, self-confident and friendly people in the process of global integration. They also showed achievements of the renewal process in the fields of politics, economics, culture and society as well as activities of key economic corporations and outstanding business’ contributions to the nation’s development.

The best photos will be displayed at the Temple of Literature until April 10.

Ancient Hoa Lu festival opens

Hoa Lu Festival, the largest and most spectacular in the northern province of Ninh Binh, openned on April 8.

Among the highlights of the festival will be a water-carrying procession from the Hoang Long River to the King Dinh and King Le temples, a requiem, displays of coloured lanterns and flower garlands, a calligraphy competition and sporting activities.

Organisers also plan to release 1,043 balloons (symbolising 1,043 years since King Dinh Tien Hoang came to the throne).

For the first time, a temple gate-opening ceremony was held on April 7 during which gods and goddesses were asked permission to open the festival.

Hoa Lu was the first capital of Vietnam (968 to 1010). The festival serves to honour the achievements of the Ly (544-602), Le (980-1009) and Dinh (968-1010) dynasties.