HA NOI — Two pure bronze dragon statues, the first and last of a limited edition cast to honour Ha Noi's 1,000th anniversary, sold for VND1.2 billion (US$61,000) at a charity auction on Sunday.
The sculptures, No 1 and No 1,000, were bought by the Cienco 5 Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company's general director, Phan Van Manh.
The money will go to the Viet Nam Association of Agent Orange Victims.
The flying dragons are modelled on those of the Ly dynasty (1010-1225) .
Their casting started in March and each carries a number and comes with a certificate stating its origin.
Live television broadcast to celebrate resistance wars
HA NOI — A show celebrating the wars of resistance against the French and US will be broadcast live on TV as part of the capital city's 1,000th anniversary early next month.
Titled Thang Long – Ha Noi and the Time of Ho Chi Minh, the show will be held at Hang Day Stadium in Ha Noi and broadcast on VTV3 at 8pm on October 3.
Starring more than 1,000 performers, including local war veterans and members of the city's many arts troupes, the free show is one of three major events during the festivities, including the opening and closing ceremonies on October 1 and 10.
The show's scriptwriter, Nguyen Khac Phuc, says audiences will be taken back in time to the days when Ha Noi was devastated by war.
"The opening and closing ceremonies explore the history and development of the city and honours people who have made outstanding contributions to its development, while this show will focus on the remarkable events during the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists," said Phuc.
"The show will examine the city's recent history, since the beginning of the 20th century." — VNS