A day at Tao Dan Park

No 3, Vol.10 , September  -  October 2015

I went to Tao Dan Park at 7 a.m. People of all types were jogging, walking, doing exercise, dancing, practicing martial arts and playing badminton. 
At the parking lot, I thought I had stepped into a forest with the noise of hundreds of birds. Many people were sitting in the café listening attentively to songs performed by the bird orchestra. This was a bird club established in the park long ago. Mr Dung, a bird-lover, said that most of people here knew each other well. Many come every morning for an exchange of ideas. Mr Dung has come here every weekend for over 10 years. He said it was not difficult to raise birds, but you must have a passion for them. At first, there was a conflict between him and his wife; she was jealous because he spent so much time feeding and bathing them. 

Particularly, to own a bird with a good voice, you have to usually bring it to the bird clubs to learn new songs or voices from other birds. A bird or a bird cage ranges from a few hundred thousand dongs to a few hundred millions. Then he pointed to a small wooden cage cost VND30 millions and was imported from China. He introduced me to an old man who released a bird costing $2,500 to the sky because the bird had a wound on its eyes. I thought that the bird would to survive in the outside world after being in the cage for long time. Mr Dung told me that the club organized bird contests in public holidays and attracted a lot of audiences to the events.

I met Frank, aged 54, from Holland, while he was visiting outdoor museum of daily life. He and his wife have been on a trip visiting Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta and Cambodia. Frank said he had an interesting morning in Tao Dan Park while the others in his group were sleeping. He also admired a Vietnamese tradition when I told him my husband, I, my brother and my parents lived in the same roof. My parents would help me take care of my babies and we also would do this when my parents get old. 

Then I met the Kung Fu master Ly Hong Hon, 85, who was teaching Thieu Lam Con Luan to his grandson, aged 8, and a few students. His voice was so clear although he had recent heart surgery. He showed me a picture with the caption, ‘Mr Ly Hong Hon teaches martial art in Tao Dan Park in 1976’. He said: ‘Going to school helps you can earn a lot of money. Studying martial arts brings you nothing except for health, which is an essential condition to get everything you want.’ Later, I searched online and knew that his family emigrated from China to Vietnam in 1932. He was one of the descendants of the inventors of Thieu Lam Con Luan in 1954. This martial art originated in China. 

I had a discussion with Mr Nguyen Thanh Cong, a scout of the Thang Long League. He said that all children could join the scout teams free of charge every Sunday morning. It was established with the aim of teaching the children necessary skills in life.
The best activity in Tao Dan Park is sitting on the bench inhaling the oxygen from a lot of lush trees, observing everyone and watching the fearless birds walking on the grass. Every time I come here, it always reminds me about good memories with my friends when we were high school girls. Everything in the park is still the same except us and trees getting old. 
Tao Dan Park completely does its job well providing a beautiful garden for citizens and tourists.n

The park located in District 1 between four roads of Cach Mang Thang Tam, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Nguyen Du and Huyen Tran Cong Chua. After 1812, General Le Van Duyet, who helped Gia Long King open up, control and develop the land in the South, used the area as a bonsai garden to enjoy the flowers, cock fighting and performance of hát bội. So the garden was called ‘Vườn Ông Thượng’.  In the French reign, the garden joined to the land of Dinh Toàn Quyền (Reunification Palace now). In 1869, the French built Miss Clavel Street (Huyen Tran Cong Chua St) to separate the garden from the palace. The garden officially named Jardin de la Ville. The garden was also called ‘Vườn Bờ Rô’. When the French withdrew in 1954, it was changed the name to Vườn Tao Đàn (Tao Dan Garden).
Now, it is called Tao Dan Park. Several years ago, Truong Dinh Street divided the park into two parts. It is the place to organize festivals and fairs in public holidays. Moreover the park has a collection of sculpture stone statues, a Cham Tower and a Hung Kings Temple.
References:
The website of Culture Information Department of District 1
‘Sai Gon Nam Xua’ by Vuong Hong Sen and ‘Sai Gon Trong Mat Toi’ by Phung Nghi

Earthen wall houses

No 3, Vol.10 , September  -  October 2015 A Ha Nhi rammed earthern wall house in snow at Y Ty, Bat Xat Dist., Lao Cai Province. Photo: Pham Bang Legends have it that a long, long time ago, the Hmong, Yao and Ha Nhi peoples on the Y Ty highlands, in Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province farmed their terrace fields and lived peacefully. But one winter, the weather was so cold that water froze. Bamboo houses could not withstand the severe cold and collapsed. The old ones couldn’t bear the cold and died. People cried day and night, and their grief penetrated to heaven. Bulding a rammed earthern wall house at Nam Dam Town, Quan Ba Dist., Ha Giang Province. Photos: Nguyen Bach Chien During that time, brigands from all around came to loot the villages. They used catapults to destroy dwellings, thus making the cold even colder. Giang (Heaven) heard the laments of the local people, and sent Hong Ngai Mountain God down to teach the Hmong, Yao and Ha Nhi peoples the way to build rammed earthen wall houses to protect themselves from the cold and the bandits. Since then, the Hmong of Hong Ngai Village knew how to make rammed walls. This is also the village with the best rammed wall houses of Y Ty highland commune in Bat Xat Dist. Bulding a rammed earthern wall house at Nam Dam Town, Quan Ba Dist., Ha Giang Province. Photos: Nguyen Bach Chien The Hmong people of Hong Ngai Village have a special procedure of house building. According to Mr Vang A Su, 56, an ex-chairman of Y Ty Commune, before making a house, a Hmong family has to choose a good day and time and a flat area of 40 - 50 m² of land. They have to cook a chicken and some sticky rice to make a sacrifice and pray their house would be strong and endure the centuries. To have four walls as strong as steel that even bullets can’t penetrate, they have to find an adhesive kind of mountain soil. First, Hong Ngai villagers use stones to make the house foundation. The foundation is built on the ground, without digging in to it as people in the low lands. Then, they reinforce strong boards to make formwork, much like those for making concrete slabs. The walls of a 40 m² house must be 40 cm thick. They fill the form with the selected soil and beat and bray it hard with pestles until blows leave no mark. The boards removed, the wall looks smooth, as if filed. Building a rammed earthern wall house at Nam Dam Town, Quan Ba Dist., Ha Giang Province. Photo: Nguyen Bach Chien Then they make the next level on top of the built wall. Each such level is about 40 cm high. They fill it with soil and bray it again exactly the same way. The upper layer would bond with the lower as one. Layer upon layer, it takes months to finish the walls. Mr Vang A Su told us that five-six form layers would be enough, but some families make seven-eight layers. Some in Pha Long of Muong Khuong District even make nine layer-tall walls. Building a rammed earthern wall house at Nam Dam Town, Quan Ba Dist., Ha Giang Province. Photo: Nguyen Bach Chien The walls finished, they use oak, Fujian cypress or menghundor wood to make the house frame. None of the walls have piers. Wooden pillars inside do the reinforcement. After the frame come the roofs. The Hmong of Hong Ngai used to thatch their roofs. Since the Government introduced the 135 Program, they modernized their houses with cement sheets. In Bac Ha District, Mr Vang A Tuong built a two-storey house in 1921, roofed with peeled layers of cypress wood, still a wonder of Lao Cai architecture for visitors to contemplate. A Ha Nhi Village at Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat Dist, Lao Cai Province Photo: Nguyen Tuan Anh Hmong rammed wall houses at Y Ty have a front door in the middle and a back door connected with a buffalo or horse stable at the back. They also have one or two hive-like windows for ventilation near the front door. A rammed earthern wall house at Y Ty Commune. Photo: Nguyen Binh Ha Nhi rammed houses at Y Ty are somewhat different from the Hmong ones. They are square instead of rectangular. The wall faces, both inside and outside, are buffed smooth. In the house they build another wall, also earthen, about 1.5m from the door. Behind this wall is the kitchen and bedroom of the house owner. A Ha Nhi rammed earthern wall house in snow at Y Ty Commune. Photo: Nguyen Cong Binh Seen from above, the ethnic rammed wall houses of Y Ty look like giant mushrooms on a mountain slope, very nice, cosy and cute. Major Ha Duc Hon of Y Ty border patrol outpost, who spent long years living on this land and studying rammed wall houses, told me that this is a unique feature of residential architecture of the Y Ty highland. Inside the house, it’s warm in the freezing cold of winter and cool in 37 the summer. The walls are bulletproof and don’t shake at all, even when butted by buffalo. A rammed earthern wall house at Y Ty Commune. Photo: Pham Bang When building rammed wall houses, the ethnic people of Y Ty avoid bare hills and mountain slopes near creeks, where landslides are frequent. Otherwise, even hurricanes and tornadoes can take away only the roofs. The house remains strong like a castle. Dao Do people building a rammed earthern wall house at A Lu Commune, Bat Xat Dist. Lao Cai Province. Photo: Pham Bang Hong Ngai Village of Y Ty Commune currently has 71 very beautiful rammed wall houses. Lao Chai, Sin Chai 1 and Sin Chai 2 Villages have about 30-40 rammed wall houses each. Some decade-old thatched roofs are covered with moss, which makes them look even more attractive. Groups of domestic and foreign visitors and researchers have come here to see the houses. Many couldn’t help remarking ‘What a wonder!’

Binh Thuan Province offers wild and pure beauty

No 3, Vol.11 , October – November 2015

On October 24th, 1995, a total eclipse occurred in Phan Thiet. Scientists and tourists from all over the world congregated here in this remote area to behold the miracle moments when the solar flower magnificently blossomed in the Binh Thuan sky. According to the Oriental I Ching philosophy, this is the sacred moment of the harmony between Yin and Yang.

Bau Trang or White Lake, Binh Thuan Province, 2008.Photo: Do Huu Tien

Binh Thuan features a gorgeous, nearly 200 km-long coast line, stretching from Tuy Phong to Bac Binh, Mui Ne, Ham Thuan Nam and Ham Tan. Captivating tourist attractions in Binh Thuan such as Mui Ne, Co Thach, Bau Trang, Doi Hong, Suoi Tien, Ke Ga and Ta Cu have gradually become common knowledge.
Binh Thuan has always been generous in serving guests with its unique, natural yields; tropical warm sunlight, long beaches lined with fine sand, lots of sea breezes and clear blue water. Countless secluded streams, waterfalls and rapids are found in the primal forests that make up Truong Son mountain range in the West of Binh Thuan.

Releasing a boat model, a ritual in the Whale Worship Festival, Binh Thuan Province, 2014.Photo: Tran Khanh Hung

This land, moreover, is also extremely attractive to curious tourists who are interested in learning about the local history and culture. Cham culture has been in Binh Thuan for ages. Through many changes, Poshanu Cham tower is still solemnly standing on the top of Ba Nai Mountain, contemplating the universe’s transformation. The Cham traditional dances, music, festivals and handicrafts have been maintained and conserved until today.

Mui Gio, 30 km away from Mui Ne, Binh Thuan Province, 2015, Photo: Nguyen Minh Tan

Ke Ga lighthouse, which was established in 1900, plays an essential role in the international maritime routes in the East Sea area. The water tower is Phan Thiet city’s symbol. It was designed by the Kingdom of Laos’ Prince, Suphanuvong, in 1928. This is also the symbol of the Vietnam – Laos nation’s friendship.
Inside the Truong Tho Linh Son Pagoda on the Ta Cu mountain top lies a statue of Buddha entering Nirvana.

Watering on the farm, Phu Long Town, Binh Thuan Province, 2014. Photo: Truong Anh Vu

It is a totally refreshing and different experience to wake up early in the morning and visit the fish landings scattered along the Binh Thuan coastal line. The festive atmosphere of those fish landings cheerfully ignite a new day. The seaside air has imbued Binh Thuan people with certain characteristics; hard-working, honest and especially friendly.

Co Thach Beach,Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province,2015. Photo: Vo Hoai Huy

As a place rich in marine life, fish sauce-making has been Binh Thuan’s special and famous profession since ancient times. The fresh, sweet and healthy blue dragon fruit is another distinctive specialty of Binh Thuan.
The formation and development of Binh Thuan tourism began with ‘the Pearl’ Mui Ne. Beside the natural potential, policies and plans of the local government and the support of local people, there are also great and meaningful contributions from investors from all over the world.

Kite surfing in the sea Binh Thuan Province, 2015. Photo: Nguyen Quoc Huy

Today, Binh Thuan welcomes millions of new and old tourists every year, thanks to its own glamour. Those who come to visit Binh Thuan find the activities at sea most interesting. Outdoor sports such as water jetting, surfing, windsurfing and ballooning take place here.

Bringing a dead whale to the shore for a funeral, Binh Thuan Province, 2012. Photo: Pham Ngoc Hoang

Sea Links City stands out among all Binh Thuan’s tourism projects. This is an architecture ensemble with 5-star hotels, high-class restaurants, villas for rent, golf courses and many other entertainment services.
Most notable is probably the Champagne Castle, where there is a wine cooling cellar, demonstrations of champagne making procedures and a display of many kinds of rare champagne from all over the world.

A festival of Cham peopler praying for rain, Binh Thuan Province, 2014.Photo: Do Huu Tuan

Bau Trang (White Lake), a magnificent landscape, has been planned and conserved into a wonderful eco-tourism zone in Binh Thuan. This place offers you not only a chance to enjoy nature, but also a thrilling experience of driving an ATV on a winding road over the sand dulls.
Together with the overall booming of the province, Phan Thiet City has also renewed itself to be a young, fresh and potential urban area. Investors and international brands are pouring here to do business and service of all types, contributing to the whole land’s development.

Dragon and unicorn dances, Binh Thuan Province, 2014. Photo: Dang Thanh Lan

Ca Ty River charmingly runs through the ports before pouring into the ocean, adding to the special beauty that is full of the vitality of Phan Thiet.
After 20 years of planning and developing, Binh Thuan Province has become a renowned destination with millions of local and international tourists every year. One of the most interesting features of Binh Thuan tourism is: ‘Binh Thuan – Green Convergence’. It is the harmony of heaven and earth, of mountains and seas of rivers and lakes and the unity of cultures.

A dragon fruit plantation in Binh Thuan Province, 2015.Photo: Do Huu Tuan

Text from film Binh Thuan - Green Convergence 2015, script writer Phan To Hoai, Director Tran My Ha
Photos from the Vietnam Heritage Photo Awards 2015, photos selected for display at 8 exhibitions in Vietnam

Home to storks

Home to storks

Located in Hai Duong Province’s Thanh Mien District, about 70 km southeast of Hanoi, Chi Lang Nam, also known as Stork Island, is home to over 16,000 white storks and 6,000 night herons.

Usually tourists will hire a car to travel directly from Hanoi to Thanh Mien, but we chose to take a train to Hai Duong City and then a motorcycle taxi to the island.

In total the journey took around an hour and 45 minutes. After passing through fragrant fields of young green rice we reached the island, which lies in a large and crystal clear lake named An Duong. The weather was sunny, but not very hot, which made Hai Duong a welcome escape from the humid heat of Hanoi.

The entrance ticket was VND20,000 (US$0.9) per person while the cost hire a boat was VND100,000 (US$4.6).

“This boat can carry up to 20 people,” share Truong, a 30-year-old boat driver with rich, tanned skin. We decided to take a boat although there were no life jackets or any other kinds of protection. Still, we had a guide to help and tell us more about these beautiful islands.

This is truly the kingdom of the white stork. Hundreds gather and there was no sense of panic when our boat approached. “Storks go searching for food in the daytime, so if you cone here in late afternoon, you will see thousands of them,” Truong said. “In contrast, night herons go hunting at night and that’s why the two species can live in harmony.”

Tourists come here to capture pictures of storks and many are willing to wait for hours to get a perfect shot.

“When I was born, storks had already gathered around this lake,” Truong shared, adding “Citizens here used to hunt storks for meat, which tastes similar to chicken or duck.”

According to the boat river, storks and night herons are easy to catch: “They are not scared of people so you can slowly approach them and grab their legs. You have to quickly put them into a bag so that they don’t have a chance to peck you.”

After stork island became one of the province’s most attractive tourist sites, the provincial government created new policies to protect and preserve the storks and night herons. “The rules are very strict. I remember two guys hunting 21 storks to sell in the market. Having been caught by the island’s security, they were fined VND21 million (US$1,000), which is a great amount of money in this commune,” he said.

Back on dry land we sat in a beverage stall run by 60year-old woman named So. She told is that there used to be seven families living on the main island but they had to move because more and more storks were invading their living space.

If tourists are interested, they can visit An Duong temple, which lies right on the bank of An Duong lake. The temple is a place to worship the village’s god and the locals usually come here on the first and the 15th day of the lunar month to wish for health and luck.

On the up

Since Chi Lang Nam has become famous, the life of people here has been improved. “Tourists come during every season so we can have stable incomes. We are all farmers but proving services in this tourist site brings us an easier and fuller life,” said So.

At around six in the afternoon when the sun sets, storks come back in large flocks, which create a spectacular view. After witnessing this sight we headed back to Hai Duong City and took a late train to Hanoi, each of us sure of our future return.

Time Out

The beauty of the ancient temple in Hoa Lu

The beauty of the ancient temple in Hoa Lu

 The King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple is the only place in Vietnam worshipping King Dinh Tien Hoang, his parents and his sons, with ancestral tablets of the generals of Dinh Dynasty.

The Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang is an important monument of the special protection zone of the heritage complex of Hoa Lu ancient capital in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu District of Ninh Binh Province.   The middle compartment has an altar and statue of King Dinh Tien Hoang.   The temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang is a unique structure with wood carvings made by Vietnamese folk artists in the 17th century    In the yard is a king’s bed, made of blue stone.   Around the bed are flags symbolizing the army ...   It is said that the temple was built on the grounds of the ancient Hoa Lu palace.   A screen in the temple.   Facing the screen is a stone bed, with two lion’s whelps standing on two sides.   Lion’s whelps carved on monolith stone.   Behind the screen is a semicircular lake. The temple is part of the world cultural heritage site of Trang An, recognized by UNESCO in 2014.

Photo: VNE

Mai Van -Vietnamnet

WHAT'S ON SEPTEMBER 1-15 (DAILY UPDATE)

Exhibition “Mixed: Vietnam” by Nguyen Da Quyen

Exhibition: 03 Sep – 03 Oct 2015

Toong Co-working Space

3rd, 08 Trang Thi, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Come to an art showcase “Mixed: Vietnam” of artist Nguyen Da Quyen – winner of Asian Creative Awards Vol. 1 2014 in Japan.

NGUYEN DA QUYEN:

– Self-studied & started to create since 2012.

– Currently living & working in HCMC, Vietnam.

She won “Asian Creative Awards Vol. 1 2014” organized by Asian Creative Network with over thousands of artists from 26 Asian countries. The inaugural Asian Creative Awards was initiated to look for graphic artworks that will be the forefront of the Asian creative scene. The aim of ACA is to support the next generation of artists in the region by providing them with opportunities to present their works abroad.    

Exhibition “The Vacant Chair” by Bang Nhat Linh

Opening: Sat 12 Sep 2015, 6 pm

Artist talk: Sat 19 Sep 2015, 4 pm

Exhibition: 12 – 22 Sep 2015, 10 am – 6 pm

Nha San Collective

24 Lý Quốc Sư, Hà Nội

Nha San Collective is pleased to introduce a solo exhibition of artist Bang Nhat Linh, titled “The vacant chair”.

Bang Nhat Linh is a visual artist who is also a collector of war memorabilia. The primary concerns and inspiration for his artistic practice is human beings. This exhibition is part of Ling’s long-term project, in which, the whole process reflects “the surveys into the depths of memories, history, submerged psychological spaces, and of oblivion…”, in which “war memorabilia are taken from their original contexts to be placed within a new context, or they are positioned in a relationship with human as communicable and interactive objects…”

“The vacant chair” is a multi-layered video installation. It is an intimate narrative, whereby social issues derived from modern history of a turbulent Vietnam are unveiled: the wounds, tolerance, optimism, as well as the special relationship amongst those who remain. From a broader angle, it suggests an universal sense of existence and death, particularly the limited nature of the human race… On the other hand, through the act of transforming a powerful symbol of war into a symbol of love and loss, the work steps out of its geographical context to tell a universal story of all humanity. “The vacant chair”, therefore, is a song of humanity, and for humanity…

*”The vacant chair” is a popular song during the American Civil War written by George F. Root in 1861 based on a poem by Henry S. Washburn. The song signifies the loss and emptiness of those who lost their loved ones in the Civil War, it specially gained empathy from both the North and the South of the United States during the war.

The exhibition is curated by Le Thuan Uyen.

Music Night with Jan Oberlaender

Sat 12 Sep 2015, 9 pm

Hanoi Rock City

27/52 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho

Come to a music night with:

✔ JAN OBERLAENDER// KATERMUKKE [GER]

✔ Jack Swift (UK)

✔ Jody O’Dea (IRL)

✔ Dee.F (Viet)

✔ Blip Blop (UK)

✔ Live visuals by Lizo

✔ Installation and concept by GingerWork

Tickets at Door: 130k plus 1 free drink.

Jan Oberlaender

The only way to explain Jan Oberlaender is by listening. His podcasts are legendary, as is his status as a firm resident of the globally renowned Fusion Festival. Able to command dance floors in the tens of thousands, Jan has a versatility and style that is rarely seen anywhere, let alone in Hanoi. Playing deep through to tech house and techno with some disco elements and a generally hypnotic mastery, this is two hours worth losing yourself in. Here is his Fusion Set from 2014 to whet your appetite…

Jack Swift SJ – House/Tech house/ Techno

A very welcome newcomer to the burgeoning Hanoi music scene. Jack is an accomplished DJ – with supports for serious players such as Oliver Huntemann and Sam Paganini under his belt. His sound is solid and driving and we are very much looking forward to welcoming him for his Hanoi debut, whipping us up for Jan.

Jody O’dea [IRL] DJ – House / Nu Disco

Jody is an elusive Hanoi gem, venturing out rarely to lay down an eclectic mix of beats, melody and groove. Well known for his ability to lift a dance floor with positive sounds, he makes the perfect choice to open up the Red Room. Starting around 9.30 – he is worth coming early for.

Dee. F [Hanoi / VN] DJ – Genre, Techno / Experimental

// Founder of Hanoi Rock City, the very first and still most prestigious and independent live & electronic music venue in the capital of Vietnam, acclaimed for its open deck policy and promotion of emerging and underground as well as established international artists (https://www.facebook.com/hrc.hanoi).

// Performed with Kangding Ray (Stroboscopic Artefacts / Raster Noton), Samuel Kerridge (Contort / Dowards..), Martin Eyerer (Kling Klong), Kode 9 (Hyperdub), Untold (Hemlock Recordings) and many more.

// Co-host of two acclaimed annual electronic music festivals, Sonic Moon Festival. (https://www.facebook.com/sonicmoonfestival) (https://www.facebook.com/hanoiexperimen.tet)

// Numerous live performances and DJs through out Asia and Europe from 2010.

Blip BLop (Hanoi/Uk)

The bear of boom is a Hanoi stalwart – versatile is style and passionate in his occupation. As Music Director of Vietnam’s Quest Festival, Luke’s lives and breathes musical exploration and curation. We sometimes know what he might play but to be frank this musical chameleon will lay down what is right for the night, he’ll be tickling your fancies in HRCs open air courtyard to loosen you up for the explosion upstairs.

Roundtable Discussion “How has Hanoi changed?”

Wed 09 Sep 2015, 6 pm

L’Espace

24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội

You are invited to the round-table discussion “How has Hanoi changed?” with the participation of architect Pho Duc Tung, Dr. Dang Hoang Giang, researcher Tran Quang Duc and artist Nguyen The Son.

For over a century, Hanoi has seen many physical changes, not only in buildings but also in its planning. We can see the changes through pictures taken by foreigners who have crossed or lived in the city published in books. Then how did it change?

Language: Vietnamese

Free entrance.

Film Screening “Mune: Guardian of the Moon”

02 – 13/09/2015

L’Espace

24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội

You are invited to the daily animation screening “Mune: Guardian of the Moon” (2D) from 02 Sep at L’Espace!

Director: Alexandre Heboyan & Benoît Philippon (France, 86 mins)

Cast: Jun 365, Chi Pu

For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post.

Language: Vietnamese dubbed with English subtitles

Schedule:

Wed 02 Sep 2015: 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00

Thu 03 Sep 2015: 18:00, 20:00

Fri 04 Sep 2015: 18:00

Sat 05 Sep 2015: 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00

Sun 06 Sep 2015: 14:00, 18:00, 20:00

Mon 07 Sep 2015: 18:00, 20:00

Tue 08 Sep 2015: 18:00, 20:00

Wed 09 Sep 2015: 18:00, 20:00

Fri 11 Sep 2015: 18:00

Sun 13 Sep 2015: 14:00, 18:00, 20:00

Ticket:

Price: 60 000 VND

Tickets are available at L’Espace.

Tel: (04) 39 36 21 64

Film Screening “For No Eyes Only” in German Film Festival 2015

Wed 09 Sep 2015, 8 pm

National Cinema Center

87 Lang Ha Str, Hanoi

As a special guest in Hanoi for the 6th German Film Festival, Tali Barde – young film director, actor and scriptwriter of “For no eyes only” – is looking forward to a lively  

discussion about the film with the audience.

– Genre: youth thriller

– 97 Minutes, Germany 2013

– Age restriction: 12 years

– German with English and Vietnamese subtitles

Due to a hockey accident, computer nerd Sam is forced to stay home with a broken leg. Just when he is about to die of boredom, he hits upon a hacking software that  

enables him access to external webcams. The shy teenager becomes a hidden voyeur and finds out everything about the intimate secrets of his classmates: Aaron, for  

example, the mysterious new boy at school, apparently has serious issues with his father. When Sam observes Aaron hiding a knife in his room – and after the incident  

there is no trace of Aarons father – Sam becomes suspicious. Together with Livia, his classmate and secret crush, he tries to get to the bottom of the situation – but soon  

they end up in a precarious situation…

Tali Barde was born in 1990 in Bensberg and was already interested in acting and films during his youth. After creating several short films the young actor, director and  

scriptwriter realized the film “For no eyes only” in cooperation with the film group of his former school, which he founded. During the production process he also founded the  

production company Avalon Film and recently finished his second film “Dot”.

Tickets for all films are free.

Free tickets from 1st September, noon at:

Goethe-Institut Hanoi

56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc

Tel. (04) 37 34 22 51/52/53 (ext. 9)

National Cinema Center

87 Lang Ha Str, Hanoi

Workshop “Improvisation Drama with Quentin Delorme”

10 and 11 Sep 2015, 7 – 9 pm

Blossom Art House

94B Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi

This practical drama class aims to enhance aesthetics, develop acumen, openness and knowledge through playing, sharing and creating art.

Finding your individual performance style and role playing will allow you to control your emotion by showing them through the prism of a role. It is also a good way to assert yourself and improve confidence.

Improvisation drama is a discovery of a subject including both art and exercises. This practice is a combination of all the benefits of drama lessons, develop instant creativity, free expression through a variety of regulations, the ability to adapt and make every situation improvised.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Max. 24 people

• You don’t need to have drama skills, only need passion and the desire to experience with drama.

**Deadline to sign up: 06/09/2015 (The attendance list is limited so make sure to sign up ahead of time).

FEE: 300,000 VND per person

REGISTER:

Please fill in the registration form through this link.

WORKSHOP TIMELINE:

This workshop will be conducted in 2 days, with the duration of 2 hours each day:

First day:

– Heating

– Games for waking up body and mind, and make the group comfortable with each other

– Start to play in front of the audience

– Learn the different kind of improvisation and discover the rules

– See what is exactly the improvisation sport (look video, and practice)

Second day:

– Heating

– Games like the first day

– Practice improvisation, improve our play on stage

– Practice different kind of improvisation

– Do a competition of improvisation together

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR

Quentin Delorme is a French director, an actor as well as a performer in general and improvisation performer in particular.

Growing from the most recognized drama school in Paris – France, Cours Florent, Quentin has accrued to his early experience throughout the stages of France and Italy in many different roles as stage director, screenwriters, actor. Also, in the first 15 years pursuing performing arts, he had gathered students of Cours Florent and create a troupe of young actors who share the same passion.

After having many successful plays in his career, Quentin wanted to fulfill a much bigger dream, which is to bring theater arts to everyone. With the love for Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asian countries in general, him and his partner decided to come to Hanoi to make their dream come true.   

Bookworm Birthday 2015

Sun 06 Sep 2015, 2.30 – 4.30 pm

Bookworm

44 Châu Long, Hà Nội Now open every day 9am – 7pm

This September Bookworm celebrates two milestones: 14 years in Hanoi and 5 years in Chau Long Street!

To mark its longevity, Bookworm celebrates with an afternoon of cool contemporary music (2.30pm – 4.30pm) and free sangria in Chau Long and with discounts from 15% to 25% off the price of all books and merchandise at both Bookworm outlets.

Thanks all dear readers for your support throughout the years. Come and celebrate this special occasion with us!

Creative City Day at Hanoi Creative City

Sat 05 Sep 2015, 8 am – 9.30 pm

Hanoi Creative City

No. 1 Luong Yen, Bach Dang Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

You are invited to the Creative City Day at Hanoi Creative City with many fascinating activities, such as:

– The unique street performances, amazing magic shows in lively music and colorful fairs

– High-tech entertainment space, fashion and street foods

– Stacked tires, games in rustic styles, Pitches stairs, and transparent glass with ArtPEn, etc…

PROGRAM:

+ 8h – 18h: Flea market

+ 10h – 11h: Street performance

+ 15h – 20h: Vietnam Freestyle Football Championship

+ 20h – 21h30: Street music

Free entrance.

Contact information: Email: Creativecity.vn@gmail.com

Film Screening “Astérix – Le Domaine des Dieux” at L’Espace

Sun 06 Sep 2015, 4 pm

L’Espace

24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội

You are invited to the animation screening “Asterix: The Land of the Gods” (France, 2014, 85 mins).

Director: Louis Clichy, Alexandre Astier

Starring: Roger Carel, Lorànt Deutsch, Laurent Lafitte

Adapted from the French-Belgian comic, the comedy enchanted the whole family all over the world!

For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post.

Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle.

Tickets:

Ticket price: 50 000 VND

Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40 000 VND

Tickets are available at L’Espace.

Film Screening “Yves Saint Laurent”

Fri 04 Sep 2015, 8 pm

L’Espace

24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội

You are invited to the film screening “Yves Saint Laurent” (France, 2014, 106 mins).

Director: Jalil Lespert

Cast: Pierre Niney, Guillaume Gallienne, Charlotte Le Bon

An insight into the brightest stage of his career but the most vicissitudinous one in his private life and love. The film reveals the hidden corners of the homosexual fashion genius.

For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post.

Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle.

Tickets:

Ticket price: 50 000 VND

Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40 000 VND

Tickets are available at L’Espace.

Exhibition “Homeland and Sea” by painter Tran Manh Duc

Opening: Fri 04 Sep 2015, 4 pm

Exhibition: 04 – 28 sep 2015

Tu Do Gallery

53 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1, HCMC

You are invited to the exhibition “Homeland and Sea” by painter Tran Manh Duc.

The artist shares:

“Drop the empty space in the time circle. Drop the soul in hardworking lives. The rhythm of water, wind, trees… Under the surface of my paintings are the metaphysical borders of form and colors, of consciousness and unconsciousness.

For me, drawing, getting to draw, and conversing with life by the experiences, worries and passion make me feel alive. And beyond all these things is the freedom to create in my own silent world.”

PAINTER TRAN MANH DUC

– 1969: Born at Ninh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

– 1933: Fraduated from Khanh Hoa’s College of Culture and Fine Arts.

– 2006: Member of Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

– Member of Khanh Hoa Fine Arts and Literatue Association.

ART ACTIVITIES:

Solo exhibition:

– 2005: “Serene Sea”, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.

– 2010: “One Thousand Years of Thang Long”, Hanoi, Vietnam.

– 2000 – now: Regularly participated in yearly National and Regional Fine-Arts Exhibitions.

AWARDS:

– 2007: A Prize: “Legendary of Viet”. Art Exhibition of Southern Central and Highland Region of Vietnam.

– 2007: Award from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

Has paintings kept in the collections of Vietnam Fine Arts Association, Private collections inland and abroad.

Exhibition “Memory for Tomorrow” by artist Dinh Q. Le in Japan

Exhibition: 25 Jul – 12 Oc 2015

Mori Art Museum

Tokyo, Japan

Born in Hà Tiên, a Vietnamese town near the Cambodian border, Dinh Q. Lê immigrated with his family to the U.S. at the age of ten to escape the Khmer Rouge. After studying photography and media art, Lê attracted attention with his tapestries made by weaving together strips of photographs (1989-), a process inspired by traditional Vietnamese grass mat weaving. Based on thorough research and interviews, Lê throws light on people’s memory as it is told through actual personal experiences.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War as well as the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in WWII, examining the stories that have never been told, of individuals who have undergone events whose facts have been overshadowed by “official,” national and/or social histories, and exploring closer relations between art and society are extremely important issues. Through the unique artworks and activities of Dinh Q. Lê, the “Memory for Tomorrow” exhibition provides us with an opportunity to think about our past, present and future.

Persistence of Memory #10 2000-01 C-print and linen tape Collection: Joy of Giving Something, Inc., New York Artwork in exhibition by Dinh Q. Le

Persistence of Memory #10

2000-01

C-print and linen tape

Collection: Joy of Giving Something, Inc., New York

Artwork in exhibition by Dinh Q. Le

This is the first major solo exhibition of artist Dinh Q. Le in Asia. Click here to read a review.

Classical Concert with pianist Mai Charissa

Sat 12 Sep 2015, 8 pm

L’Espace

24 Trang Tien, Hanoi

You are invited to the classical concert with Mai Charissa.

Mai Chrissa was born in 1996 to one Vietnamese mother and one British father. She started to learn piano at the age of 5 in France. After that, she continued her study in  

Thailand and in master-class of Colin Stone at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2014.

She has performed on many France and UK stages. Before coming to the concert at L’Espace, she will attend Beethoven Festival in Bonn.

Program:

Beethoven

– 32 Variation in C major, WoO 80

– Sonate in D minor (Storm), Op. 31, No. 2

Elgar

– In Smyrna (~ 5mn)

Chopin

– Nocturne in D major, Op. 27, No. 2

– Nocturne in D minor, Op. 71, No. 1

– Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante in E flat major, Op. 22

Tickets

Ticket price: 160,000 VND

Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 80,000 VND

Tickets are available at L’Espace.

Exhibition “A Fictional Journey” by artist – architect Trong Le

Opening: Fri 11 Sep 2015, 6 – 8 pm

Exhibition: 07 Sep – 18 Oct 2015

VinGallery

6 Lê Văn Miến, Thảo Điền, District 2, HCMC

Come to the exhibition showcasing the original drawings of artist and architect Trong Le.

Trong Le’s drawing style is distinctive. Swirling lines are elaborated by an art nouveau style which describes recognizable Saigon buildings – both old and new. An architect by trade, Trong Le is unapologetically influenced by the city he knows so well – whether that’s through transportation, city streets or buildings.

An architectural background mixed with a great deal of imagination has allowed Trong Le to generate his series of water colours and ink drawings. His highly acclaimed first hard-back book “Saigon Xua: The Colour Of Nostalgia” was released earlier this year.

Trong Le will be exhibiting a series of completely original art works, giving viewers the chance to study the fine detail that goes into each remarkable piece.

Installation exhibition “Chapter 2: At Noon” by Sandrine Llouquet at L’Espace

Opening: Thu 10 Sep 2015, 6 pm

Exhibition: 10 Sep – 02 Oct 2015

L’Espace

24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội

You are invited to the installation exhibition “Chapter 2: At Noon” by Sandrine Llouquet.

“It will be at noon when people are on the way to become Superman from animal, when people praise the road leading to sunset as the highest hope of their life, because that is the path to a new dawn.” (Zarathoustra said, Nietzsche)

“At noon” is both a milestone and a period of time in which the artist is positioning herself on the career path. The adventure in her literature between philosophy and history, between exploring and alchemy, between legend and polytheistic worship has led Sandrine Llouquet to the exhibition “Chapter 2: At Noon”, to express herself through paintings, carved statue and arrangement. The audience will enter a strange temple mixed among psychology, ritual and alchemy,…

Free entrance.

In the recent years, Sandrine Llouquet has held a solo exhibition and a talk at Gallery Quynh in HCMC.

Food Festival

05 September

Bien Dong Park, Da Nang

A Vietnamese Food Festival will be held by the Danang Farmers Association with the aim of presenting and promoting the agricultural products of local farmers as well as special food from Danang and other Vietnamese dishes from different regions throughout the country.

Visitors can enjoy hundreds of Vietnamese dishes prepared by professional chefs of restaurants, hotels and resorts in Danang and Hoi An and see a culinary art competition as well as many other cultural and entertainment activities, such as folk games and traditional dances.

The festival is also a place for visitors, farmers and scientists to meet and share their experience, to develop agriculture that is suitable to market needs.

Music Night “Autumn Story”

Sat 05 Sep 2015, 8 pm

V-art Club

2nd floor, 75th Tran Hung Dao street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi

You are invited to “Autumn story” – music night for seasonal transition moment.

This is where you can feel gentle and fascinating melodies and immerse in the story of autumn in a unique space. This is the time for us to slow down and experience every passing moment in life.

The show has the participation of Luu Quang Minh – conductor of the Vietnam youngest orchestra Rhapsody Philharmonic, famous drummer Hoang Phu Tung, Hanoi top contrabass Dao Minh Pha, guitarist Nguyen Quoc Linh. There are singer Tang Ngan Ha (Top 7 of Vietnam Idol 2013), singer Dang Duc (Top 24 of Vietnam Idol 2013) and singer Hoang Khanh Linh (Finalist of Vietnam’s Got Talent) who also make appearances.

Price: 100.000 VND

Contact: 0462601459

Old Rock and more

No 3, Vol.6, May - June 2015 - Vietnam Heritage Co Thach Beach. Photos: Nguyen Dinh Thanh Binh Thanh Commune of Tuy Phong District, Binh Thuan Province, though occupying only 27,7 square kilometres, has two national cultural relics, including Co Thach Pagoda and Binh An Temple, which has a dozen structures with a regal appearance. Apart from that, Binh Thanh also has the Lord of South Sea tomb, almost 200 years old, that houses a whale skeleton; a memorial of a massacre over 60 years ago; and a beach famous forseven-colour pebbles. We drove 300 kilometres from Saigon to Lien Huong township of Tuy Phong, then turned to provincial road No.716 and went another 10 kilometres to reach Co Thach (Old Rock) Pagoda. The old temple in a cave Co Thach Pagoda is not big. It stands on a slope, about 64 metres above the sea. According to the Vietnam Buddhist Association webpage, in the mid-19th century, Zen monk Bao Tang found a desolate shore cave in a spiritual land and decided to use it as his place of worship. A little later, to pay respect to his virtues, a rich man named Ho Cong Diem built a nice temple and named it Co Thach. Since then, the pagoda has passed to four generations of virtuous head monks and has been renovated many times. ‘Co Thach preserves many valuable cultural heritage items, which include highly sophisticated inscriptions, historical documents dating from the time the temple was established, and bells and drums made in early 19th century,’ according to the Tuy Phong District webpage. In the five ha premises of Co Thach, there are many age-old trees and big rocks with Buddha statues on them. ‘The North-East slope behind the pagoda has many caves formed by large strange-looking rocks. Some caves are so deep that people thought they were the way to the underworld. Behind the three-doorgate is a cave formed by three rocks which look like a whale (a benevolent fish), a toad (representing chastity) and the Bat Nha boat that carries people to the Domain of Awakening. There are many altars inside the cave for Amitābha Trinity, Shakyamuni, Ksitigarbha, Cunïdïhi and Bodhidharma’ according to the Vietnam Buddhist Association sources.The seven-colour pebbles Walking about 500 metres down from the pagoda, we came to the famous beach with billions of pebbles of different colours, including yellow, grey, black and white. The beach is about 1.5 kilometres long and 250 metres wide. The waves come and go, making the pebbles knock against each other. Each time, it sounds like a beach of firecrackers. The pebbles shine all their glorious colours under the blazing sun. Scientists say that an undersea current brought these pebbles and formed a nearly 250,000-cubic-metre opencast quarry. The gruesome massacreAbout 2.5 kilometres from Co Thach, there is a memorial for a gruesome massacre that happened over 60 years ago. The stele relates that early morning of 20 February, 1951, a French regiment moved in to Cat Bay Village and opened fire. They killed 311 people, burned houses and raped many women. Having burnt incense for the dead, we entered the village. Cat Bay with its few hundred roofs feels vaguely nostalgic. 80-year-old Duong Minh Thoi, one of the ten survivors, recalls the horror. ‘That morning, my family was having cassava for breakfast. Suddenly the legionnaires surrounded the village. A group of soldiers came to my house and shouted ‘Everybody up! Out!’ All 12 of us huddled together inside in fear. They started shooting at us, and then burnt the house…’ The frail old man added, because many families have no descendants to take care of the family altar, villagers contributed money to build the memorial in 2001. Since then, every first full moon, villagers collect rice, sugar and other items to make sacrificial sweets and come to the memorial to pray for the souls of the dead to reach salvation.n Photo: Ngo Dinh Hong Photo: Ngo Dinh Hong Co Thach Pagoda. Photo: Dang Khoa At East Terminal of Saigon, there are about 10 buses going to Lien Huong Township every day. Ticket price is VND120,000 – VND130,000 on average. At Lien Huong Township and next to Co Thach Pagoda there are about 20 inns. The room rate is VND120,000- VND150,000 per night on average.                                                                         By Dang Khoa