Vietnam-ASEAN photo exhibition opens in Hanoi; Over 12,000 people to parade on Hanoi anniversary;  Vietnam presents book on Uncle Ho to Cuban library

Vietnam-ASEAN photo exhibition opens in Hanoi

A photography exhibition entitled “Vietnam-ASEAN, Imprints of 15 Years”, opened in Hanoi on July 20 as part of the sideline activities of the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM 43).

The exhibition aims to introduce a broad range of typical images of the daily life in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in all fields including culture, science and technology, economics, politics, diplomacy and sports.

It also includes photos of landmark events during the 15 years Vietnam has been a member of ASEAN and the friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries as well as Vietnam’s positive contributions to the bloc.

These are marvelous images of Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN over the past 15 years, said ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan.

He also emphasised Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN, saying that the country has played an active and useful role in its development helped create a dynamic Association.

Co-organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam News Agency, the exhibition hopes to contribute to the overall success of Vietnam’s 2010 ASEAN chairmanship and promote the country and its positive contributions in its position as ASEAN chair and mark the 15 years of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership and the 43rd anniversary of the Association.

The exhibition will be at the My Dinh National Conference Centre until July 23 and the photos will be shown at the Hanoi Opera House on August 7, 2010 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Vietnam’s admission to ASEAN.

Vietnam presents book on Uncle Ho to Cuban library

Vietnam’s Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong on July 20 presented a book on late President Ho Chi Minh, printed in Spanish, to the Jose Marti National Library to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Cong highlighted President Ho Chi Minh’s life and revolutionary career, as well as his patriotism and international spirit.

The Vietnamese Communist Party and people are making an effort to follow Ho Chi Minh’s moral example and build a better and wealthy country as he desired.

The ambassador expressed his thanks to Cuba for helping Vietnam in its national struggle for independence and in the nation’s construction and defence.

The library’s Vice General Director, Nancy Machado, thanked the Vietnamese party, government and people for the precious gift.

Mr. Cong also presented the book and other publications to 14 local libraries across the country.

Vietnam promotes language teaching for expatriates

A delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has completed a working visit to Germany to promote the teaching and learning the Vietnamese language among Vietnamese people in the western country.

The delegation, led by Tran Ba Viet Dung, Head of MoET’s International Co-operation Department, was on the study tour from July 15-18.

During their stay, the education officials met 40 teachers of the Vietnamese language that are currently working at different language centres for overseas Vietnamese in Germany and introduced two new textbooks to the trainers namely “Vietnamese For Fun” and “Viet Motherland.”

The delegation also worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany and the Cultural Association of Overseas Vietnamese to organise a workshop on teaching and learning Vietnamese. The event was attended by representatives of many unions and associations as well as social workers and former teachers who used to teach Vietnamese in Germany.

Earlier, they had working sessions with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Frankfurt am Main and joined with the Overseas Vietnamese community in Dillingen, Bayern to put the new textbooks into use at language centres in the state.

There is an urgent need for teaching and learning Vietnamese among Vietnamese expatriates because parents want their children who are born and grow up in Germany to learn their mother tongue and not forget their origins.

Teaching the Vietnamese language was once only done in large cities with many overseas Vietnamese but is now being taught in small cities.

Vietnamese Culture Centre in Laos celebrates 15th anniversary

On July 21, the Vietnamese Culture Centre in Vientiane, Laos celebrated its 15th anniversary and the reception of the Labour Order, third class from the State in recognition of its contributions to promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Over the last 15 years, the centre has carried out various cultural activities to mark major events in Vientiane and Lao provinces, provided books and newspapers in Vietnamese for Lao’s libraries, agencies and leaders, and helped both countries’ relevant ministries boost bilateral cooperation in culture, sports and tourism.

In 2010, the centre launched a contest for original songs about President Ho Chi Minh, which attracted many renowned Lao singers.

Addressing the ceremony, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam, Soonthorn Xayachack praised the achievements the centre has made. The centre’s efforts have served as a bridge to the promotion of cultural exchanges as well as the time-honoured friendship and solidarity between Laos and Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Culture Centre covering an area of 400 m2 in Vientiane, the first of this kind ever known abroad was established on August 31, 1995.

Deputy PM addresses VCA 7th congress

The Vietnam Cinematography Association (VCA) began its 7th congress in Hanoi on July 21 with 500 delegates from across the country taking part.

Addressing the congress, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said the association made strong contributions to the country’s cinematography. Since and during the national battles for independence, film artists made sacrifices. Many even gave their lives to produce works to inspire the people of Vietnam. He said even after the years of conflict, the cinematography sector had still done so much for preserving Vietnam’s cultural identify.

Mr Nhan proposed that in the future, the association should pay more attention to other issues, such as human resources training, working with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education and Training to make development plans. He also asked the association to promote cinematographic works to public, especially viewers in remote and mountainous areas as well as foreigners.

VCA president, Tran Luan Kim reported that despite great efforts, there are Vietnamese films to mention but a few for a country with a population of nearly 90 million people. The national cinematographic sector is suffering from increasing pressure in an unequal competition with foreign ones. In business, the sector is not strong enough to develop on par with market demand.

Over 12,000 people to parade on Hanoi anniversary

As many as 12,300 people will participate in the celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi slated for October 10.

At a meeting on preparations for the anniversary in Hanoi on July 20, Nguyen Dinh Lan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said a total of 8,000 people will join the mass parade, and 1,000 children will release balloons and doves while a drum and gong performance will be staged by 1,000 others.

Vice chairwoman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, who is also deputy head of the organising board of meetings and parades, asked districts, departments and agencies to mobilize public participation and make plan for cultural and sports activities to serve people as well as visitors during the celebration.

The municipal Department of Construction is responsible for ensuring environmental hygiene, lighting and decoration of streets and public areas that host important events, especially Ba Dinh square.

The municipal Industry and Trade Department needs to increase the provision of cooking and advertising of several products that embody outstanding cultures of Thang Long-Hanoi as well as services for visitors, she added.

Hundreds of delegates attend Int’l Council of Traditional Music in Hanoi

Hundreds of delegates from 30 nations in the world attended the International Council of Traditional Music (ICTM) which opened in Hanoi on July 20.

The event offered an opportunity for music composers, musicians, managers and researchers of Vietnamese and international culture to share experiences in traditional music.

This is also part of activities to mark the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the 60th anniversary of the National Music Academy.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr Le Van Toan, head of the National Music Academy said that the event has contributed to affirming the development of Vietnamese music in the context of international integration. Many groups of musicians from HCM City and northern provinces will perform at the event.

Mr Toan expressed the hope that through the ICTM, there will be more plans for cooperation in the field of culture and music between Vietnam and international friends.

The ICTM will run through July 28 in Hanoi and Quang Ninh.

PV