SEOUL — The South Korean National Palace Museum is hosting a special exhibition entitled the Treasures of the Vietnamese Nguyen Dynasty to offer insight into the history and culture of Viet Nam through a pan-Asian perspective and the shared culture of the two countries.
The exhibition features 165 relics and artefacts dating from the 19th century and photographs and videos of historical places in Hue, the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945).
The National Palace Museum's director, Chang Jong-soo, stressed the cultural similarities between the two countries. He said the event would offer South Korean people a rare chance to understand more about the last imperial rulers of Viet Nam.
The exhibition lasts until February 16 and will move to Gyeongju city, Gyeongsangbuk Province for another display from February 28 to May 15.
Coastal town targets tourism growth
QUANG NINH — A workshop on Tuesday discussed the promotion of tourist sites in Quang Yen Town, Yen Hung District, the northern province of Quang Ninh.
Quang Yen Town is a historic urban area, which acted as a military, political and economic centre over several centuries.
Flowers, drinks fest planned for Tet
HA NOI — A festival of Spring Flowers and Drinks will be organised next Tuesday to celebrate Tet (the Lunar New Year).
It will introduce traditional customs and feature arts performances and games for visitors such as the traditional dress show, calligraphy exhibition and a photo exhibition of lotus flowers, the top candidate for the title "Viet Nam National Flower."
The exhibition will also show wines and spirits made by modern and traditional methods, with rewards for the most popular.
The annual event will feature a market-day of the mountainous province of Ha Giang with local specialities, cuisine and festivities of the area's ethnic people such as a pan-pipe, dance and folk duet.
This year's festivities will run at the Ha Noi's Viet Nam Culture and Arts Exhibition Centre, located at 2 Hoa Lu Street, until the end of January.
Best of Ha Noi show goes south
HCM CITY — A collection of works chosen from last month's National Fine Arts Exhibition in Ha Noi is on show in HCM City.
On display are 286 paintings, graphics, sculptures, and installation works created between 2006 and 2010 that reflect contemporary life, history, and traditional culture.
The exhibition, which opened yesterday at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum, Pho Duc Chinh, District 1, will run until February 12.
Later it will move to Da Nang.
World-class sommelier to hold class
HA NOI — Evan Goldstein, the eighth and youngest American to pass the prestigious Master Sommelier Examination, will hold a class and a wine-pairing dinner at the Hilton Ha Noi Opera Hotel on tonight.
He will talk on American vineyards, vintage and wines during the events.
Goldstein is president and chief education officer of Full Circle Wine Solutions, a global beverage education firm. He is also one of the most prolific food and wine authors who has contributed to several specialised magazines in various nations.
Entrance to the class and dinner is VND570,000 (US$28) or VND1,750,000 ($87).
Tuan Ngoc to belt out pop classics
HA NOI — Vietnamese-American singer Tuan Ngoc's performance at Ha Noi's 2B Pham Ngoc Thach Nightclub tonight will feature contemporary and pop music, ballads, and romantic songs.
He will sing popular romantic numbers like Ao Lua Ha Dong (Ha Dong Silk Dress), Cay Dan Bo Quen (The Guitar That I Left), Thuong Ve Mien Trung (Love for the Central Region), and Ve Day Nghe Em (Returning) composed by Ngo Thuy Mien, Tran Quang Loc, and Minh Ky.
There will also be Trinh Cong Son favourites like Ha Trang (White Summer).
Ngoc will be supported by a professional band led by Nguyen Quang.
The singer, popular in both Viet Nam and the US, has performed in several countries with large ethnic Vietnamese populations like Canada and France. — VNS