Oct
10
|
Hanoi host Asianbeatvn Momiji Festival 2012
|
|
(CPV) – The “Asianbeatvn Momiji Festival 2012” co-organised by the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam and Asianbeat Vietnam took place at the Centre for Women’s Development in Hanoi on October 7th.
The event included various activities like Yosakoi dance peformed by well-known Yosakoi clubs ULIS Yosakoi and HANUYO Yosakoi; Kendo and Aikido performance by Hanoi Aikido Federation; and cute dances by Cosplayers.
Visitors had a chance to taste the special cuisine from Fukuota province, to play traditional Japanese games, try on Yukata, find out more about study opportunities and buy souvenirs.
In addition, a karaoke contest was organized for the first time in Hanoi and a contest to select KAWAII Ambassador to represent Asianbeatvn to attend FACo fashion Show in Fukuota for spring next year.
Founded by Fukuoka province authority, “asianbeat” is a new platform for the youth of Asia where pop culture, including pop music, anime, manga, games, fashion, cuisine, art and theatre, are broadcast through a multilingual website and a variety of events.
It is designed to facilitate the development of new cultures originating from Japan and Asia, where the shared values and sensitivities of the young are exemplified.
The multilingual website “asianbeat” broadcasts youth culture and information from Japan and Asia, with a mix of local Fukuoka news for the youth of Japan and Asia./.
|
|
|
|
Oct
10
|
A ride around town
|
|
Cyclos have become not only an inextricable part of Hanoi’s culture but also one of its “tourist attractions” for foreign visitors to the city.
The history of Vietnamese cyclos
First appearing in Vietnam in the 1940s when the country was under the French colonialist rule, cyclos were primarily used by senior French officials to show their status symbol of luxury and wealth.
During wartime, the humble cyclo became an indispensable means of transport to help bring injured people to clinics for emergence treatment as well as food, weapon and ammunition to the front line.
Things have changed a lot since Vietnam regained its independence. Some cyclos are redesigned to become more solid for a heavy load.They are capable of carrying up to 500 kilos.
In the new context of international integration, the cyclo reclaims its fascinating role as the Vietnamese “pedicab taxi” to meet the growing demand of foreign tourists.
Why do tourists prefer cyclos?
Hanoi has been recognised by UNESCO as a city for peace but it is not very friendly to road users. Only a few foreigners dare cross the road or ride on the back of a “xe om” (motorbike taxi) at rush hour.
So, the cyclo turns out to be an ideal solution for them to enjoy a relaxing ride around town. Modern cyclos, with golden parasols and drivers who radiate professional pride, are particularly popular with foreign tourists.
Matty, a UK student at Hanoi University, said that he will never forget the feeling when he first boarded a cyclo.
“The cyclo seemed to overturn when I got on,” he said. “The driver was too small to keep his vehicle upright”.
“Life is slower and quieter when you are sitting on it,” said Theresa Nguyen, a Danish girl of Vietnamese origin.
For older Vietnamese people and foreigners staying long in Vietnam, the sight of old cyclos moving slowly in the streets is comfortingly familiar.
Most of Hanoi’s cyclos are found in the Old Quarter, where foreign tourists gravitate. But their customers are not restricted to tourists—cyclos often feature prominently in wedding celebrations, and even locals can enjoy the novelty of a stress-free trip.
A cyclo ride around the Sword-Returned (Hoan Kiem) Lake costs around VND50,000-100,000 depending on one’s bargaining panache.
Cycloing – hard work for steady pay?
Touring the city on a weekend afternoon, you can see dozens of cyclo drivers and their beautifully decorated “taxis” waiting for customers on one side of the Opera House.
Due to the Hanoi administration’s decision to tighten inspections of the city’s cyclo operations, almost all drivers are now working for a company.
Lam, a sixty-year-old driver, said life has become harder for him.
“No company wants to hire me”, he said. “They think that I am too old to work”.
Tran, a cyclo driver from the suburban district of Thanh Tri claimed to have done the job for over ten years.
“Everyday I make five or six trips around the lake or in side the Old Quarter,” he said. “It is hard work but gives me a fixed income to support my family”./.
|
|
|
|
|
Oct
09
|
Hanoi with Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte
|
|
A scene from the opera Cosi fan Tutte - Photo: Courtesy of organizers
The opera was ahead of its time – a classic written in 1790 but with a theme that is utterly contemporary and completely relevant to modern audiences. It is a story of relationships, love, and being faithful and loyal to one’s partners. It shows women trying to be faithful but eventually giving in, in the face of temptation orchestrated by the very partners they say they ought to be faithful to. Should people follow their heads or their hearts, or even simply their passions and feelings?
The story shows partners being swapped – unknowingly on the part of the women, but very much intentionally by the men. The ending is unclear, do the lovers return to their original partners, stay with the new ones, or indeed, do the four of them live together happily ever after? The audience is left to decide.
The opera was performed several times in forward-thinking Vienna, but after Mozart’s death it began to be considered too shocking and was rarely performed throughout the 19th century.
Although the VNOB held this opera before in 2007, this production is a new, shortened version directed and conducted by Graham Sutcliffe. The opera will be performed in Italian with Vietnamese and English subtitles.
There are six characters of which the two soprano roles, Fiordilgi and Dorabella will be played by Pham Ha Thang Long and Huong Diep/Phuong Dung. Gugliemo and Ferrando, the two male roles will be played by Phan Duc and Thanh Binh, and Kieu Tham and Anh Vu. Don Alfonso will be sung by baritone Manh Dung, and Despina by Vanh Khuyen.
Tickets are available at Hanoi Opera House, 1 Trang Tien Street in Hanoi or can be booked at: www.ticketvn.com or call 0913 489 858.
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnam welcomes masterChef
|
|
09/10/2012 08:42:57
|
|
|
|
The first prizes are gotten by Local architect at world festival
|
|
09/10/2012 08:40:46
|
|
|
|
Ho Chi Minh City – Hai Phong route by Vietjet air
|
|
09/10/2012 08:37:48
|
|
|
|
Danang-Hong Kong tourism links are being expanded
|
|
09/10/2012 08:34:45
|
|
|
|
Cat Bi airport is approval
|
|
09/10/2012 08:32:35
|
|
|
|
Hue, Hai Phong tourism is increasing
|
|
09/10/2012 08:30:36
|
|
|
|
Pac Bo becomes national special relic site
|
|
09/10/2012 08:26:47
|
|
|
|
Hanoi hosts Asianbeatvn Momiji Festival 2012
|
|
09/10/2012 08:23:47
|
|
|
|
Preserving Hanoi by promoting the community role
|
|
09/10/2012 08:22:11
|
|
|
|