During the five-day event, several programmes, which express the unique and rich Vietnamese culture, will take place in the city.

According to director, People’s Artist Tran Binh, the programme will feature different arts forms, including traditional song and dance, chamber music, and fashion featuring contemporary music.

“The programme divides into two parts. While the first part, Huong Sac Vietnam (Vietnamese Fragrances and Colours), is devoted only to traditional art forms, the second one will present other art and musical forms and ao dai (traditional dress) fashion show,” Binh said.

During the first part of the programme, 50 artists of the Vietnam Central Light Music Theatre will stage a number of performances, including monochord. An ethnic k’ni instrument (of the Central Highlands region), a symphony featuring different traditional instruments and dances Hon Quat (Paperfan’s Soul) and Nhung Canh Hoa Cham (Cham Petals).

In the second part, a performance featuring a well-known repertoire by Russian and Vietnamese composers will bring together artists who studied in Russia for a number of years. Pianist Tran Thu Ha, violinist Ngo Van Thanh, and cellist Tran Thi Mo, also veteran lecturers at the National Institute of Music, will perform the composition Ke Chuyen Song Hong (Tell the Story of the Red River ) by Vietnamese musician Huy Du.

The well-respected violinist Bui Cong Duy and pianist Vu Ngoc Linh will present a musical piece by Tchaikovsky, while soprano Bich Thuy and bass Quoc Hung will perform classical Russian and Vietnamese songs. A fashion show featuring ao dai also will be presented by 12 models and dancers.

Young pop singer Luu Huong Giang will perform trendy Russian songs to lighten the atmosphere and help the event appeal to younger audiences.

“To prepare for the Days of Vietnamese Culture in Russia , all artists have had to practice every day over the past two months. We expect that the audience, both the Russian people and the Vietnamese community in Russia , will get a unique chance to revel in the finest in art and culture from the Asian country,” Binh said.

Together with art and music events, a film festival is also being organised in Moscow and St. Petersburg . National and international award-winning movies will be screened, including Rung Den (Black Forest), Song Trong So Hai (Living in Fear) and Chuyen Cua Pao (Pao’s Story).

A photo and painting exhibition and a good fair will also be held in Moscow and St. Petersburg .

A seminar conducted by the Vietnam Administration of Tourism to introduce the country’s tourism potential will take place in Moscow next September 16, 2008.