HA NOI — The northern region's audition round for Viet Nam Idol 2010 has wrapped up in Ha Noi. About 5,000 candidates auditioned for the show and 37 were selected for the qualifying round in HCM City.
Viet Nam Idol will air on VTV6 at 9pm every Tuesday and Saturday starting on August 21.
After the regional audition rounds are completed, 100 contestants will be selected for the semi-finals. The audience can vote for their favourite singers starting in the semi-final round. Contestants will be divided into three groups to perform solo. Ten singers will be selected to compete in the final round. The final show will be hosted in HCM City on December 25 and broadcasted live on VTV6.
The competition is open to Vietnamese citizens that are from 16 to 30 years old. Singer Siu Black, musician Quoc Trung and director Nguyen Quang Dung will make up the jury for the contest.
Vietnamese cuisine to be promoted with international buffets
HA NOI — Vietnamese cuisine will be promoted throughout the world at buffets, claimed Nguyen Nha, director of Institute for Vietnamese Gastronomic Research.
A seminar on Vietnamese buffets was held by the institute that was attended by leading chefs and critics.
Vietnamese dishes are tasty and healthy, which will promote it around the world. Spices and herbs will accompany dishes that will be on display at the buffet tables.
The Tre (Youth) Publishing House and the institute will release a book about Ha Noi's cuisine in September.
UNESCO to consider Thang Long for world heritage recognition
Ha Noi — The World Heritage Committee will consider the request for the inscription of the Thang Long Royal Citadel on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites when it convenes for its 34th session in Brazil from July 25 to August 3.
According to a recent press UNESCO release from, 35 members of the World Heritage Convention will submit a list of sites for recognition.
Among 32 newly-submitted sites are six natural, 24 cultural and two natural-cultural heritage sites.
The committee will also evaluate the preservation of 31 recognised world heritage sites which are now in danger of being lost and consider adding new sites to the list.
Currently, the world heritage list comprises 890 sites, of which 689 are recognised for their cultural value, 176 for their natural value and 25 for their natural-cultural value to the world's heritage. — VNS