SOC TRANG— A pagoda known for its clay Buddha statues has been recognised as a historical and cultural relic of the Mekong Delta Province of Soc Trang.
The pagoda's original name was Buu Son Tu, but pilgrims usually call it Chua Dat Set ( Clay Pagoda). Built by the Ngo family more than 200 years ago, the pagoda is now run by members of the family's fourth generation.
Visitors to the Clay Pagoda can see 1,800 small and large Buddha statues and a great number of prayer objects made of clay. The pagoda is also well-known for having four pairs of giant candles that weigh 200kg each. They are 2.6m high, with a diameter of one metre.
The candles were made in 1940. Two of the candles have burned continuously since the death of head priest of the pagoda, Ngo Kim Tong, in 1970, and have burned off only half the wax.
Composer group Nhung Nguoi Ban on Music Road in March
HCM CITY — A music programme called Con Duong Am Nhac (Music Road) with the theme Hai Muoi Mua Nang La (20 Unusual Dry Seasons) will be held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a group of composers called Nhung Nguoi Ban (The Friends) at the Lan Anh Theatre.
The group was established in the early 1990s by famour composers including Trinh Cong Son, Ton That Lap, Tran Long An, Tu Huy, Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Nguyen Van Hien, Thanh Tung.
The programme will be televised live on VTV3 on Sunday.
Tenth anniversary of composer Trinh Cong Son death marked with books
HCM CITY — Three books about composer Trinh Cong Son will be released at the end of this month to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of his death, reported the Tre (Youth) Publishing House.
The first 500-page book Trinh Cong Son – Toi la ai? La ai... (Trinh Cong Son – Who am I? Who am I?... ) is a compilation of articles written by Trinh Cong Son and other authors as well as new photos and documents about his life.
The second 250-page book is called Trinh Cong Son – Ngon Ngu va Am Anh Nghe Thuat (Trinh Cong Son – the Language and the Obsession of Arts) which focuses on his lyrics. The final book is called Thu Tinh Gui Mot Nguoi (Love Letters to One Person) which is a collection of hundreds of his love letters to one woman.
Son is considered by many as one of the greatest Vietnamese composers.
Free Vietnamese movie tickets mark Viet Nam Cinema Day
HA NOI — Movie lovers in Ha Noi and HCM City have the opportunity to catch several Vietnamese movies on the big screen for free till Sunday.
Old films such as Chi Dau (Mrs Dau), Nhung Co Gai Ngu Thuy (Ngu Thuy's Women) as well as recent movies including Khat Vong Thang Long (Thang Long Aspiration), Vuot Qua Ben Thuong Hai (Across Shanghai), Canh Dong Bat Tan (Floating Lives) are being shown at Ngoc Khanh Cinema, Thang Tam Cinema, National Cinema Centre in the capital.
In HCM City, Fafilm Cinema, Thang Long Cinema and Tan Son Nhat Cinema will show the free films.
These screenings make up just one of the activities being held to celebrate Ngay Dien anh Viet Nam (Viet Nam Cinema Day) organised by the Viet Nam Cinema Association.
Free tickets are available at the cinema box offices. — vns