HCM CITY — UK-based band I Am Giant will return to Viet Nam for two performances in HCM City starting today after rocking Ha Noi and Da Nang City with two live shows called Tiger Translate in May.
At the Hard Rock Cafe tonight, they will perform their popular hits including City Limits, which was on the A rotate of New Zealand's The Rock Network (radio) for an impressive four months after its debut, and Neon Sunrise.
Formed in 2008, I Am Giant comprises two New Zealanders Shelton Woolright (drums, formerly with Blindspott), Paul Matthews (bass, formerly with Stylus and Tadpole), and two Londoners – Max O'Donnell (guitar) and Ed Martin (vocals).
Influenced by Muse, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Oceansize, A Perfect Circle and Rage Against the Machine, the band's music centres on alternative, Indie, and melodic rock.
Bazaar to raise funds for charity
HCM CITY — Artifacts and food from 21 countries will be sold at an annual bazaar that will be held in HCM City's Legend Hotel Sai Gon next Saturday.
Organised by the Consular Club of HCM City, the 17th edition will begin at 11am and last until 3pm; all funds raised at the Bazaar will be used to help disadvantaged people in the southern region.
The event is expected to attract a large crowd of expatriates and Vietnamese residents. Previous events in 2008 and 2009 attracted about 1,500 visitors each.
The entry fee for the event is VND50,000 per person. Admission is free for children under 10 accompanied by an adult.
Ba Na communal house to be rebuilt
KON TUM — The Ba Na communal house in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) city of Kon Tum is to be rebuilt.
The house, or Kon Klor, is the largest of its kind in the entire Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) and was destroyed in a fire earlier this year attributed to students.
The house will be rebuilt on its original site with bamboo walls and a thatched roof.
It will be 16m long; 6.5m wide and 22m high.
The new house will be built completely of timber instead of a previous concrete pillars and floor.
Orchestra to hold free concerts
HA NOI — The Viet Nam Symphony Orchestra will be putting on free performances of Ruslan and Ludmila by Glinka, an overture by Beethoven, Peer Gynt by Grieg, and Schubert's Symphony No 8.
The performances, which start at 8pm, will be held on November 19-20 at 226 Cau Giay Road.
The conductor will be Kim Xuan Hieu.
Work halted on river restoration
HUE — Work on dredging and cleaning an artificial river that is believed to contribute to the feng shui of the imperial citadel of Hue has been suspended because of the delicacy of the operation, local authorities said.
Dredging and cleaning of the Ngu Ha River began this month. However, officials said work was halted while studies are made by city authorities, the Hue Historical Relics Preservation Centre and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The river, which runs in a north-south direction across the citadel, was dug in 1805 by Kinh Gia Long. It was completed in 1825 during King Minh Mang's reign.
The river has become clogged with rubbish and silt, authorities said.
Indonesian garment firm enters market
HCM CITY — The Indonesian fashion company Sophie Paris yesterday launched French-designed fashion items for both children and adults in Viet Nam.
The direct-selling fashion company, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, has opened a showroom in HCM City's District 3 and released a catalogue featuring 250 products, including handbags, clothes, watches and accessories.
A new catalogue will come out every two months, with new styles accounting for 40 per cent, the company said. It has a presence in four countries now, with Indonesia, Morocco, and the Philippines being the others. — VNS