Male embroidery artist holds show in Hanoi

Embroidery is not everyman’s favorite hobby, which makes the exhibition at The Bui Gallery even more interesting. Lionel Descostes has spent a decade to produce the 200 pieces of embroidery in his show “10 Years in Hanoi”.
After teaching himself and nine assistants the technique of single-thread embroidery, Lionel began a journey that would culminate in this comprehensive solo exhibition. With the craft rapidly disappearing, Lionel decided to use art to keep embroidery alive and support his community. The results of his unceasing commitment to experimentation and technique are extraordinary to behold, from mesmerizing grids to faces – masks – that gaze out from their frames.
For this exhibition, Descostes presents three groups works: squares, grids and masks. Each of these groups explores from a different perspective the same theme: anonymity
The exhibition runs till November 21. The Bui Gallery is located at 23 Ngo Van So Street, Hanoi.

(Source: SGT)

Vietnamese-Japanese cultural club opens in Hanoi

On October 24 the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association officially opened the Vietnam-Japan Culture Club in Hanoi and marked the first anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan Business Club.

The Vietnam-Japan Business Club was established in November 2009, attracting hundreds of Vietnamese entrepreneurs as well as Japanese entrepreneurs who invest in Vietnam.

Over the past year, the club has forged ties with Japanese organizations such as the Japan Industry and Trade Association in Vietnam, and chambers of commerce and industry in Japan’s prefecture or cities. It has also established direct transactions between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises.

In addition, the club has helped to train Vietnamese workers and promote the projects to manufacture high-grade steel, refit ships, and build ports.

The Vietnam-Japan Culture Club, headed by renowned Vietnamese artist Chu Thuy Quynh, comprises many poets, writers, artists and lovers of Japanese culture.

At the ceremony, former Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama said he was excited by the establishment of Vietnam-Japan Culture Club and promised to promote large-scale projects funded by Japan’s ODA.

(Source: VOV)

French, Vietnamese artists bring Hanoi to Paris

Books and photos on the capital city of Hanoi by French and Vietnamese writers and photographers are on display at an exhibition entitled “Hanoi Today” that opened in Paris on October 18.
It is being jointly held by the General Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), the Vietnam modern information and documentation centre, the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France and the France-Vietnam Friendship Association.

The exhibition showcases photos taken by two French photographers Dominique de Miscault and Daniel Frydman and Vietnamese photographer Nguyen Hai Son, featuring the daily life of Vietnamese people as seen from different angles.

Besides, a book entitled “Live with Hanoi ” by Philippe Papain and Laurent Pasicousset will also be introduced at the event, depicting the land and people of Vietnam as well as other Asian countries.

The event will wrap up on October 28.

(Source: VNA)

Spanish theatre group to join Hanoi celebrations

Spanish and Vietnamese artists will be staging a theatrical extravaganza in Hanoi on October 2 to mark the millennium.

About 19 Spanish artists from Els Comediants and 18 members of the Circus Federation of Vietnam will be putting on a free show featuring music, acrobatics, dance and fireworks.

The show, entitled ‘Festival of Dragon’, celebrates the legendary founding of Thang Long-Hanoi, and will combine local traditions with the Mediterranean culture of Els Comediants, said Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Curcio.

The one-hour performance will take place in the open space in front of My Dinh Stadium, and about 15,000 people are expected to attend.

Festival of Dragon is part of the official programme of celebrations for the Millennium of Hanoi, and the principal acttivities will be held during the first half of October.

Els Comediants will arrive in Vietnam on September 27 when its artistes will begin practising with their Vietnamese counterparts.

The show will begin at 7.30pm.

(Source: VOV)

‘One-day' paintings depict famed Ha Noi landmarks

An exhibition of paintings by seven Ha Noi-based artists features famous locations in the capital city. The show, titled Mot Ngay (A Day), has a special theme that required each artist to paint their pictures within a single day. "We revelled in the festive atmosphere of the city's millennial anniversary and now we also want to present our love for the city, which is a source of limitless inspiration for artists," said painter Le Thiet Cuong, who had the idea for the show. "Outdoor painting can sometimes bring more inspiration to an artist than when he or she is locked away in the studio," said Cuong. "That's why I asked other painters to go out for their ‘One-Day' paintings." The artists made their paintings on October 1, the day when Ha Noi began its millennial celebrations. Each painter chose a different spot in the city to paint. Pham Tran Quan found inspiration in Long Bien Bridge and the Hang Dau Water Tower while Dao Hai Phong chose to paint Thien Quang Lake. The The Huc Bridge on Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake and Ha Noi Flag Tower are depicted in two paintings by Nguyen Dinh Vu, while Le Thiet Cuong, who is well known for minimalist art work, painted Ha Noi's famous St Joseph's Cathedral. Other famous spots featured in the exhibition include the Temple of Literature, Dong Xuan Market and the Ha Noi Opera House, painted by Nguyen Phan Bach and Nguyen The Dzung. Le Thi Minh Tam, the only female artist participating in the show, contributed a collection of 10 coloured stones to the exhibition. The exhibition also includes photographs and a video that examine the creative process for each artist. The One Day exhibition is open until October 25 at the Trung Nguyen Creative Space, 36 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ha Noi. < p>

(Source: VNS)

Winners of World Travel Awards announced

Organizers of the World Travel Awards have named four hotel and spa properties in Vietnam in the list of Asian winners for the prestigious industry accolade in 2010 based on the votes cast by travel professionals and consumers worldwide.

Travel professionals have chosen InterContinental Asiana Saigon as Vietnam’s Leading Hotel, Sheraton Hanoi Hotel as Vietnam’s Leading Business Hotel and Evason Ana Mandara properties including the one in Nha Trang as Vietnam’s Leading Resort and Leading Spa Resort.

The properties were selected as the winners of the 2010 World Travel Award Winners for Asia based on different categories, including services and business performance. The survey attracted votes from 183,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries and territories.

Jolyon Bulley, vice president of operations for South East & South West Asia of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (IHG), said in a statement that the Leading Hotel accolade was great testament to a new property like InterContinental Asiana Saigon, which was opened on September 9 last year.

Thomas Schmelter, IHG area general manager in Vietnam, said the InterContinental Asiana Saigon hotel and residences as well as IHG management had successfully dealt with the challenges of opening a new complex and have delivered good results.

Winners of the regional arena will be qualified to compete in World Travel Awards 2010 Grand Final in London before World Travel Market kicks off on November 7.

(Source: SGT)

Vietnam's Luxury Travel Guide Book.

The number of travelers to Vietnam and beyond countries has continued increasing and more people seek luxury travel of these exotic lands. Luxury Travel Co., Ltd is Vietnam’s first luxury travel operator which announces to publish its first version of Luxury Travel Guide Book or luxury guide for short.

This first issue focuses on luxury travel with all the trappings and informs luxury travelers, of the very best that Vietnam can offer to make the stay of guests the most memorable and comfortable. Inside the Luxury travel guide book there are all the favorite subjects that interest luxury travelers and that they want to experience.

Luxury travelers will find the escapes, optional day trips and excursions based in each of these destinations. They will guide travelers through exotic adventures and the finest restaurants and cooking schools. Visit villas converted to gourmet restaurants to have a meal prepared by an outstanding chef.

Luxury travel guide book can fly guests first class or charter a jet to their desired destinations. They will seek out the best rooms at 4 - 6 star destination resorts, luxury boutique hotels or private villa establishments that provide a private master suite, fitness facility, full service spa and a personal concierge.

They will be set apart from the crowd with a private tour in a limousine/hummer, hot air balloon, helicopter, jet and or yacht. Golf, tennis and skiing are among the favorite outdoor activities.

Luxury travel guide book will guide travelers through booking the best seats in the water puppet theatre, meeting the artists after the show and going to the concert. Whether guests want designer shopping or unique paintings of well known artists.

“The Luxury travel guide book is to help our travel partners in their promotion efforts and make the job of selling these destinations easier and our in house guests to find their right experiences while traveling with us. We have filled the pages of our Luxury travel guide book with as much useful information as we can, while at the same time, keeping it interesting and enjoyable to read. We ensure a memorable travel experience for all travelers to our country. As the leader in the luxury tourism industry, we promote Vietnam as an emerging luxury travel destination in the world tourism map.” said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Company.

Luxury Travel Co., Ltd  is a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company. Luxury Travel has won numerous travel awards. Luxury Travel is headquartered in Hanoi and has offices around Vietnam and management offices in all over Southeast Asia destinations.

(Source: Luxury Travel)