HA NOI — The Gioi Publishing House has published a dozen English-language books about Ha Noi's festivals, cuisine, culture and arts for the celebration of the capital's 1,000th birthday in October.
The books included Ha Noi Past and Present, A Journey through the Traditional Culture of Thang Long-Ha Noi and 130 Pagodas in Ha Noi, said the Publishing House's director Tran Doan Lam.
The Publishing House had commissioned English Writer Carol Howland to write the 300-page Ha Noi's Thousand Years in which the author explored the history, arts, traditions and lifestyles of Vietnamese, including the Hanoians, he said.
A history of Ha Noi written by US author James Edward Goodman would be published soon.
Theatre collates artist record
THUA THIEN-HUE — The Hue Royal Traditional Art Theatre has announced that it has completed a scientific record on artisans, artists of royal music, classical drama and dancing.
The compiled material, collated by the research group of the theatre, is based on 20 artisans and artists aged 45 to 101 living in central provinces from Quang Binh to Da Nang.
Its results include 45 DVDs and 22 recordings capturing the performances and work of royal artists and other important documents. The record will act as the foundation for future performances of royal traditional music.
Religious wood blocks discovered
NAM DINH — A set of 34 religious wood blocks has been discovered in the northern province of Nam Dinh's Quang Cung Palace.
The wood blocks are reported to be the most precious wood blocks preserved in the region, said manager of the palace, Tran Thi Van.
Giant embroidery praises feats
NINH BINH — A giant embroidered picture entitled Hon Thieng Dai Viet (Sacred Spirit of Dai Viet) was introduced to audiences in the northern city of Ninh Binh yesterday.
It praises the feat of arms of the national heroes under the Dinh, Le and Ly dynasties and is divided into seven portions of historical processes.
The picture which is 100sq.m (33.2 by 3.3m), was created by embroiderers of the Dong Thanh Company.
Feudal period material on show
HA NOI — An exhibition of education materials from the feudal period until the present day has been held in the Temple of Literature for the occasion of the coming millennium anniversary of the capital.
More than 600 objects including oil lamps, ink pots, pen brushes and other items used during feudalism, the post-revolution illiteracy campaign, the subsidised economy period (1955-86) and the current day are on display at the exhibition.
The exhibition will run until the end of this month.
New Stone Age shovel in museum
LANG SON — A huge stone shovel has been added to the northern province of Lang Son's museum.
According to provincial archaeologists, the shovel dates back to the New Stone Age period (about 5,000 to 4,000 BC).
The shovel, which is 30cm long and 24cm wide, was found by a farmer in 1979 in Na Po Hamlet. — VNS