Hanoi and HCMC to hold Vietnam - Denmark cultural exchanges

On November 22, the Danish embassy in Hanoi held a press briefing introducing cultural activities scheduled to be held in Hanoi and HCM City in the near future to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Denmark.

Danish ambassador to Vietnam, John Nielsen, said cultural exchanges are always important to relations between Vietnam and Denmark.

Cultural programs help Vietnamese and Danish artists share experiences and narrow the gap between artists and the public.

The Danish Prince and Minister for Trade and Investment are expected to join cultural events in Vietnam, along with 40 businesses and educational establishments.

The cultural events include a street art festival, a Danish Film Festival, a multimedia exhibition, a performance by the Danish Royal Ballet and the Vietnam Music Dance Drama Theatre, and a photography exhibition, as well as an exhibition on climate change and the launching of a Vietnam-Denmark picture book for children.

(Source: VOV)

Hanoi, HCM City mark Cultural Heritage Day

An art performance celebrating Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day was held in Hanoi on November 23.

The event attracted artists from such provinces as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, who took turns of beating drum, and gongs, singing and dancing, and playing Hue Royal Court Music, and ca tru (ceremonial songs).

The same day, an exhibition displaying a collection of ancient artifacts of southern Vietnam opened at the HCM City Museum.

The collection includes hundreds of wood paintings, decorative objects and prayer objects in bronze, silver, stone and baked clay.

Many photos of sculpture and architectural works are also displayed at the exhibition, which will last until March 23, 2012.

Another collection of Vietnamese traditional dresses is also on show at the Southern Vietnam Women Museum and entry tickets are free until November 30.

More than 200 documents written in Chinese and nom (Vietnamese characters transcribed from Chinese ones) scripts are made public for the first time at the city’s General Library at 69 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, HCM City.

One of these documents, which is considered a national treasure, features activities of kings and queens of the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam’s last royalty.

(Source: VOV)

Xoan singing recognised as world heritage

Vietnam’s Xoan singing has entered the world’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritages in need of Urgent Protection.

The Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) voted for the recognition on Nov. 23.

Xoan singing, a vocal art of villages in the ancestral land of Phu Tho, is usually performed in front of the communal house during village festivals in the spring. Based on legends and historical, archaeological and social records, researchers say that Xoan singing first appeared from the time when the Hung Kings established the nation.

Xoan singing has some similarities with the lullaby. Many of the songs are about love, but it is also a kind of folk music that praises a village genie.

There are many forms including the duet and group singing accompanied by several kinds of dances.

Xoan festivals are often held in spring in village temples. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, these traditional songs are performed at the Hung Temple festival.

(Source: VNA)

Festival fetes traditional opera

A national festival celebrating cheo (traditional opera) opened on Nov. 26 night in the northern province of Thai Binh, where is considered to be the birthplace of the art form.

Thirteen theatres and art troupes across the country will stage 16 plays that address issues of contemporary life, in accordance with the theme of the festival: Traditional Opera with Modern Topics.

According to Vuong Duy Bien, head of the cultural ministry's Performing Arts Department, the theme was chosen in order to bring "new vitality" to a traditional art form that mostly focuses on legendary and historical material.

"This is the first time we are requiring a specific theme for the plays presented in the festival. We strongly believe that cheo plays could be a preferred art form for mass audiences if a link can be established to the present day. In fact, Vietnamese are already familiar with the classic cheo plays that have been performed consistently for many years," he said.

Cheo is a form of popular theatre in Vietnam that has its roots in traditional village festivals. The plays consist of folk songs with pantomime, instrumental music and dance, combined with instructive or interpretative sketches based on stories from legend, poetry, history or even daily life.

Hosted by the Performing Arts Department and the Vietnam Stage Artists' Association, the festival will run until December 4.

(Source: VNA)

Amazing Indochina Tour

Tour Program

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (D)
Warmly welcome on arrival in Noi Bai airport. Transfer to our hotel for check in. Free at leisure in town. Evening water puppet performance followed by welcome dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi (B/L)
Today we embark on a city Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam. In the afternoon visit Ethnology Museum, dedicated to 54 ethnic minority in Vietnam and then drive to Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple, stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3:  Halong Bay Excursion (B/L)
One day trip to Wonder Halong Bay is included in this free and easy package. We meet our guide at 07.30 for a three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Upon arriving in Halong City we transfer to our private boat for a cruise of the crystalline emerald waters of Halong Bay giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will have a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and the opportunity to explore some of the limestone caves in the area. Drive back to Han. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi Free Day (B)
Enjoy the free day in Hanoi at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi - Vientiane (B/L)
Transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane/Laos. Welcome pick up Meet and transfer to hotel. Tthere will be a tour of Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has the feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic and with its many temples, the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and shop at the Morning market. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane (B)
Enjoy the free day to discover the city. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 7: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B/L)
In the mornig transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. Pick up & transfer to our hotel. Visit morning market, National museum (the former king's palace), and climb up the Phousi hill for overlooking the city. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang (B/L)
Visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple, then take the traditional boat trip upstream on the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak-Ou, located at the side of the steep cliff on the bank of the Mekong River housing hundreds of Buddha statues. En route visit a local rice-wine distillery and Ban Phanom weaving village. Continue to visit the Wat Phousy on the top of the hill overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang - Phnom Penh (B/L)
You are free until transfer to airport for your monring flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You enjoy a free day at leisure in the capital of Cambodia for shopping or relaxing. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 10:  Phnom Penh (B/L)
Today we visit National Museum, Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda, Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, Then continue your visit to the riverfront, it is the most popular place for the tourist. The view of the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Sap River is the geographically unique, visit Wat Phnom, Yeay Penh’s statue (grand mother Penh) at southwest of the hills. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoo visit to Victory Monument, it is the symbolize Cambodian Independence regained from French colonialism in 1953. Then visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison) and Cheung Ek Killing Field. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 11:  Phnom Penh - Siem Reap & Angkor Wat (B/D)
In the morning we take flight to Siem Reap. Once in Seam Reap we visit the fascinating ruins of Ta Prohm shrouded undergrowth and the roots of Banyan trees. From here we head for Banteay kdau and the nearby lake of Sras Srang -"the King's bath" In the afternoon start exploring Angkor Thom the South Gate, Bayon with 4 enigmatic giant faces, The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Dinner with Apsara show at local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Angkor Wat (B/L)
Following breakfast at hotel, we drive a 45 km from Seam Reap to Pre Rup and The East Mebon, visit Bantaey Srei and Bantaey Kdei. In the afternoon we visit The World Seventh Wonder Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Tonle Sap Lake - Seam Reap - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
We enjoy a new day in this ancient land. Following breakfast we have 2 hour boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Afternoon free at leisure or additional Siem Reap sightseeing until transfer for flight to HCMC. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14:  Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Full day city tour Saigon including the Post Office, Cathedral Notre Dame, City Hall, reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum and colorful China town with temples, Pagodas and bustling Binh Tay Market. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 15:  Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
In the morning we drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war must have been like. Back to HCMC for free time in the afternoon. Overnight in HCMC.

Day 16:  Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)
There are no activities planned for today. You may enjoy your free time until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Tour Include

• Full transportation by private car or bus as tour program indicated.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L = lunch, D = diner)
• International flights: Hanoi - Vientiane, Luang Prabang - Phnom Penh; Siem Reap - Saigon
• Domestic flights with airport taxes: Vientiane - Luang Prabang; Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
• English or French - speaking guide
• Full entrance fees
• Boat trip in Halong Bay; Tonlesap in Cambodia
• Twin-share accommodation with daily breakfast

Tour Exclude

• International Airport taxes ( Vietnam 14USD, Laos 12 USD, Cambodia 25USD)
• Visas to Vietnam
• Visa to Laos (30 $ for Visa on arrival)
• Visa Cambodia (25 $ for Visa on arrival )
• Travel insurance; tips; personal expenses, emergency transfers