HCM CITY— HCM City Television this week will begin broadcasting a new TV series about King Ly Thai To, born Ly Cong Uan, the founder of the city Thang Long (now Ha Noi).
The 40-episode Ve Dat Thang Long (Arriving in Thang Long), which began filming four months ago, is one of the city's projects that are celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the nation's capital.
Each episode describes historic events taking place in the country and the capital Hoa Lu before and after Ly Cong Uan was enthroned as the first king of the Ly dynasty.
In 1010, King Ly Thai To made an important decision to move the capital from Hoa Lu in present Ninh Binh Province to Thang Long.
The script for the TV series, which is directed by Tran Ngoc Phuong, is written by well-known author Pham Thuy Nhan.
Taking part in the series produced by HTV in co-operation with M&T Pictures are 80 artists of HCM City with well-known artist Ly Hung playing Ly Cong Uan.
Arriving in Thang Long which will air on HTV 9 at 8.30pm fromThursday to Sunday every week, beginning on January 1.
Capital to open music centre
HA NOI — The Ha Noi Musicians Association is planning to launch a Centre for Music Development in June 2011 to support composers in developing and publicising new works, said association chairman Ho Quang Binh.
The establishment of the centre was approved by the association's 10th Congress.
Cham site found in Quang Ngai
QUANG NGAI — The remnants of a Cham Temple dating back to the 10th century have been discovered in Mo Duc District in the central province of Quang Ngai.
The temple, named Dinh Ba So (Mother of Cham Land) by local residents, contains stone linga and yoni believed to be the first found in Quang Ngai, said Nguyen Dang Vu, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Writers to discuss war themes
HCM CITY — Writers Da Ngan and Wayne Karlin, one Vietnamese and one American, will hold a talk about the themes of war at Hoa Sen College in HCM City today, with visiting American students from George Mason University to participate.
Ngan will discuss different aspects of the war and its aftermath in Ngan's novel Gia Dinh Be Mon (An Insignificant Family). While in Viet Nam, the American students are expected to visit the family of martyr Hoang Ngoc Dam, depicted as one of the main characters in Karlin's novel Wandering Souls.
HCM City to host audio-visual expo
HA NOI — The Recording Industry Association of Viet Nam will host an audio-visual expo in HCM City from December 31 to January 2. Gathering 14 companies from around the country, the fair will display over 5,000 products, including CDs and DVDs at discounted prices.
Pop singers and cai luong (reformed opera) performers are scheduled to appear to encourage customers to buy authorised, non-pirated products.
Capital cracks down on superstition
HA NOI — The Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has ordered communities in the capital city to set up steering committees and organising boards to manage and control superstitious activities at traditional festivals as well as the burning of paper offerings at relic sites.
The department has also asked localities to ensure security, traffic safe and food hygiene at cultural events. — VNS