Valuable stamp collection depicting President Ho; Hanoi historical and cultural relic complex opens; Int’l hair styling contest to be held in VN; Vietnam’s most ancient citadel in need of conservation

On the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Autumn Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2), we have a chance to contemplate a valuable stamp collection depicting President Ho Chi Minh by philatelist Pham Trung Kien.

Kien had spent 15 years collecting these precious stamps, according to Ho Van Cu, Chairman of the Da Nang Philatelists’ Society.

The collection is divided into two volumes with five chapters on a common theme of ’Great President Ho Chi Minh lives forever in our cause’.

This collection once received a Silver Prize at the National Postal Stamp Exhibition in 2005 and several certificates from the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Vietnam Stamp Association, the Ministry of Post and Telematics and the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation as well.

Up until May 19, 2009, it was added and edited with 96 pages, collecting about 500 domestic and international stamps, 400 various envelops and a lot of postcards portraying President Ho Chi Minh and other famous figures in different periods of time. Especially, all of the stamps and envelopes are original or the first variants.

Pham Trung Kien, a cadre from the Da Nang Telecommunications Company has a great passion for collecting stamps depicting President Ho Chi Minh. He once travelled all the way to the southern provinces of Soc Trang, Ca Mau to collect only one stamp printed with a picture of Uncle Ho postmarked in 1970. Kien joined the Revolution when he was only 14 and received many orders and titles for his contributions during the anti-US resistant war.

Ha Noi historical and cultural relic complex opens

An exhibition titled “Ba Dinh District Historical and Cultural Vestige Complex –Ho Chi Minh’s cultural heritages preserved and brought into full play for 40 years” opened at the Ho Chi Minh museum in Ha Noi on August 25.

It is meant to mark 40 years of implementing Ho Chi Minh’s testament, preserving and protecting his body and cultural heritage.

It includes 200 pictures and many documents that are on public display for the first time.

Visitors can also learn about the development of the Ba Dinh District Historical and Cultural Vestige Complex and the efforts of the district staff and soldiers to maintain the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Int’l hair styling contest to be held in VN

Fifteen finalists from the international hair styling contest, “L’oreal Colour Trophy,” will be revealed at the White Palace Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City, October 16.

Beginning in May, this year’s competition, “The beauty of French style,” organized for the first time in Vietnam, attracted more than 500 submissions from hair stylists around the country.

Many creations impressed the contest’s judges, especially well-known Japanese hair stylist Shunji Matso.

The contest is a chance for local hair stylists to show their talent and compete for overseas scholarships.

Beside the special prize, a scholarship in Republic of Korea will be given to the first winner, a scholarship in China to the second winner, and two third prizes, worth US$1,500 each, for the winners to upgrade their salons.

Publications related to President Ho Chi Minh’s Testament announced

The National Political Publishing House and the Central Committee for Information and Education have announced a range of publications to mark the 40th anniversary of implementing the testament of late President Ho Chi Minh (1969-2009) and the 64th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Twenty-four special publications, comprising the works by President Ho Chi Minh and studies about his life, career, ideology and ethics will be released.

The National Political Publisher has also reprinted the complete works of Ho Chi Minh (12 volumes) and launched their CD-ROM version, which contains documentary films (40 minutes) and nearly 1,000 file photos, and 220 minutes of his recorded voice and 26 selected songs featuring the former leader.

Posters of President Ho Chi Minh exhibited in Laos

Over 100 posters featuring the late President Ho Chi Minh are on display in Laos’ capital city of Vientiane.

The four-day exhibition, which began on August 26, is just one of many activities organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to mark the 64th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day.

Those present at the opening ceremony included Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Ta Minh Chau.

The original paintings, created by Vietnamese artists, depict the late President going about his business during important stages of Vietnamese history as well as in his daily life, and receiving great affection from the Vietnamese people, especially young children.

The exhibition is expected to last till August 29.

Vietnam’s most ancient citadel in need of conservation

The capital city of Hanoi has begun a project to conserve the Co Loa citadel, which is Vietnam’s oldest citadel, dating back to the Stone Age.

The Relics Site Management Board said the project costing over VND27 billion (roughly US$1.5 million) would cover survey, research, zoning and evaluation of the site to work out the most suitable way of conserving it.

A website will also be launched to help collect information on the site.

Located in Hanoi’s suburbs, the Co Loa citadel is a mixture of architectural styles, dating back to different stages of Vietnamese history, from the stone to the bronze and iron ages.

PV