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TUESDAY 25 AUGUST, 2009 |

What’s On August 24 - 30

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Exhibitions

Hanoi

Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum

66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St, Tel: 38233084

- Installation exhibition entitled Khoi Va Nuoc (Smoke and Water) of young artists Nguyen Hong Phuong and Le Nguyen Manh, till August 24.

Maison Des Arts

31A Van Mieu St, Tel: 7478096

- American photographer Douglas Jardine's exhibit entitled Four Seasons of the Long Bien Bridge, till Sep 3.

25Studio

Lane 34, Giang Van Minh St.

- Exhibition entitled Chap (Crazy) of nine young Vietnamese artists, till Aug 25.

L'Espace

24 Trang Tien St., Tel: 39362164

- Itinerant plastic installation exhibition Hanoi-Paris-Rio, till Aug 28.

Ho Chi Minh City

Tu Do Gallery

53 Ho Tung Mau St., Dist 1.

- Paintings exhibition entitled Colour Melody by artist Phan Vu, daily 9am-7pm, till Aug 9.

War Remnant Museum

Vo Van Tan St., Dist 3.

- Photo exhibition showcasing images of the war and subsequent changes in Viet Nam by Japanese photojournalists Yasufumi Murayama and Nishimura Yoichi, till August 27.

Performances

Hanoi

Ha Noi Opera House

1 Trang Tien St, Tel: 39330131 ; 35651806

- Symphony concert, Spanish conductor Carlos Cuesta, violin soloist Bui Cong Duy and Ha Noi Phiharmonic Orchestra, at 8pm, Apr 25.

- Symphony concert, conductor Le Phi Phi, piano soloist Nguyen Bich Tra, 8pm, Aug 27&28.

Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

57B Dinh Tien Hoang St,

Tel: 38220268

- Water puppet excepts at 4pm; 5.15pm; 6.30pm; 8pm; 9.15pm. Tickets: VND20,000-40,000.

National Circus Theatre

67-69 Tran Nhan Tong St.

Tel: 38220277/68

- Shows at 10am; 8pm everyday. Tickets: VND40,000-50,000.

Ha Noi Cheo Club

15 Nguyen Dinh Chieu St.

Tel: 39437361

- Vietnamese popular opera accompanied by traditional orchestra. Performances on Mon & Fri at 8pm. Ticket price at VND50,000.

Viet Nam Museum of Ethnology

Nguyen Van Huyen Rd.,

Tel: 37562193

- Water puppet performance at 10am; 11.30am; 2.30pm; 4pm. Tickets: VND10,000-20,000.

Viet Nam Tuong Theatre

51 Duong Thanh St,.

Tel 38287268

- Five scenes from traditional Tuong plays, at 5pm, Wed & Thu. Ticket prices at VND50,000.

Hanoi Daewoo Hotel

360 Kim Ma Rd, Tel: 8315000

Lake View

- New Attitude - Fillipino band, Hanoian hottest live performances nightly from 9pm to midnight from Tue to Sun.

Melia Hanoi Hotel

44B Ly Thuong Kiet St,

Tel 39343343

Latino Bar

- Authentic Tapas Bar and live band: happy hour from 4pm-8pm, Mon-Sat and all night happy hour on Sun.

 Ho Chi Minh City

Cinemas

Hanoi

MegaStar Cineplex

191 Ba Trieu St,

Tel: 39743333

- The Proposal (US, OV)

- G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra (US, OV)

- Land of the Lost (US, OV)

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (US, OV)

- Ghost Train (US, OV)

- Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (US, OV)

- Public Enemies (US, OV)

- Up  (US, OV)

 

Dan Chu Cinema

211 Kham Thien St,

Tel: 38516702

- G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra (US, DV)

 

Ngoc Khanh Cinema

521 Kim Ma St,

Tel: 7712750

- I Love You, Beth Cooper (US, DV)

- G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra (US, DV)

- Ghost Train (US, DV)

- Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (US, DV)

- Public Enemies (US, DV)

- Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (US, DV)

 

National Cinema Centre

87 Lang Ha St,

Tel: 5141791

August Cinema

45 Hang Bai St,

Tel: 04 38253911

Bach Mai Cinema

437 Bach Mai St,

Tel: 36273966

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (US, DV)

Ho Chi Minh City

Galaxy Nguyen Du Cinema

116 Nguyen Du St, Dist 1,

Tel: 08 38235235

- Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (US, OV)

- Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (US, OV)

- The Talking of Pelham 1 2 3 (US, OV)

- Shaolin Girl (China, ES)

Galaxy Nguyen Trai Cinema

230 Nguyen Trai St, Dist 1,

Tel: 39206688

- Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (US, OV)

- Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince (US, OV)

- The Talking of Pelham 1 2 3 (US, OV)

- Shaolin Girl (China, ES)

Megastar Cineplex Hung Vuong

126 Hung Vuong Dist 5.

Tel: 32220388

- G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra (US, OV)

- Land of the Lost (US, OV)

- Up  (US, OV)

- Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (US, OV)

- The Talking of Pelham 1 2 3 (US, OV)

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (US, OV)

- Public Enemies (US, OV)

- The Game Plan (US, OV)

Megastar Cineplex CT Plaza Tan Son Nhat

60A Truong Son St, Tan Binh Dist.

Tel: 62971981

- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (US, OV)

- Up  (US, OV)

- Land of the Lost (US, OV)

- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (US, OV)

- G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra (US, OV)

- The Proposal (US, OV)

- Kung Fu Panda (US, OV)

Dining Out

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City 

VietNamNet Bridge

Sail to Sunny Valley

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Tourists enter the Thung Nang (Sunny Valley) on boats in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

The name “Thung” in Vietnamese means a depression inundated with water and surrounded by mountains. In Thung Nang, locals used to plant rice seedlings, but now, due to the increase in tourism, the local government has built a dam to prevent drainage and opened the tourist site all year round.

Thung Nang resembles Tam Coc Bich Dong with its caves, grottos and boat travel, but it’s considered wilder and is noticeably less crowded. Thung Nang is only five minutes by motorbike from Bich Dong.

To reach Thung Nang from Thach Bich wharf, tourists have to travel nearly three kilometers on a boat. During the ride, travelers will have a chance soak up the surrounding beauty. True to its name, Thung Nang is a water valley abundant in sunlight and breathtaking views.

Sitting on the boat and going through two grottos, travelers get a first-hand look at the local fauna and flora that Thung Nang is renowned for.

While traveling by boat, tourists can ask the captain to stop anywhere. It is highly recommended to park in front of the caves for a quick photo break. The grottos inside of the mountains and the stalactite deposits are a tantalizing sight, and if curiosity gets the better of you, follow these natural landmarks to nearby valleys.

The best time for traveling is February, March and April. In other months, the high water levels in the grottos sometimes prevent visitors from enjoying the exquisite views.

A short visit to Mieu Son Lam (Forest and Mountain Shrine) offers visitors a unique glimpse into the world of antique shrines, which are seamlessly nestled into their lush surroundings.

The price for each person for an hour-long boat ride is VND10,000 (US$0.50).

 VietNamNet/Thanh Nien

Cruising Hue

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Tourists explore the historic capital of Hue on cyclos

As Vietnam’s former imperial capital and home to the Royal Court, the Hue Citadel’s small streets and lanes are perfect for the slow cyclo ride.

It’s not difficult to find a cyclo in Hue, as the town of 345,000 people is home to nearly 5,000 of the three-wheeled pedi-cabs. They can be found almost on any street and at any time of the day.

Cyclos in Hue are more comfortable than those in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, boasting wider seats and higher roofs.

Hiring a cyclo on the street for a city tour should cost tourists about VND70,000-80,000 (US$3.9-4.5) an hour. Cyclo drivers in Hue are friendly and can serve as both a driver and guide.

Entering Hue’s Citadel at Ngo Mon Gate, to the south, is like traveling into another world. Inside the citadel, formerly a “forbidden city” only accessible by royalty and members of the court – and their concubines – the old city is a world away from the more modern Hue across the Perfume River. A city still bustles inside the walled enclave, but amid canals, watchtowers and walls built centuries ago.

After the citadel, the Dong Ba Market, just outside the walled city on the banks of the river, is one of the best places to sample traditional Hue cuisine for bargain prices. The same food sells for triple the price at HCMC eateries.

After a meal, try che (sweet soup) for desert. Hue style sweet soups are known as some of the best in the country. After desert, relax with royal tea at an old-style restaurant.

And don’t forget that your cyclo driver is most likely ready to recommend tailor shops where you can have an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long tunic) or any other piece of clothing made within 24 hours at a reasonable price.

Since 2004, the “An tuong Hue xanh” (Hue’s Green Impressions) initiative has worked to promote cyclo traffic as opposed to other vehicles that burn fossil fuels.

As an alternative to finding a driver on the street, tourists can book cyclo tours at 2 and 5 Le Loi Street or at big hotels including the Saigon Morin, Huong Giang and Century.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien

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Hue, a World Heritage site and one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Vietnam, is a mysterious, peaceful city with a unique cultural identity. It is, full of lakes, canals, lush vegetation and magnificent historical sights, including the early 19th century walled citadel, dozens of Buddhist temples and seven royal mausoleums.

Tourists take a drive in Hue City.

Ancient and cryptic characters carved onto the tombs exhilarate tourists to step into the royal land.

The first impression should be Ngo Mon Gate, which is fantastic and filled with secrets and stands imposingly in the green-moss-covered wall surrounded by a lotus canal.

Tourists can spend the day strolling the royal land that covers over 500 hectares and is surrounded by Kinh Thanh (Imperial City), Hoang Thanh (Royal City) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City).

Legend says that Hoang Thanh was originally built from clay, then from brick under King Gia Long.

The height of the Nguyen Dynasty was reached during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1820-1840) and his tomb was built 12 kilometers from Hue between 1840 and 1843. It took ten thousand soldiers and artisans to complete the project. The tomb consists of about 40 monuments of various sizes; all lie within an oval shaped wall with a circumference of 2000 meters.

Born in 1829, an expert in eastern philosophy, history and literature, Emperor Tu Duc had the longest reign of all the kings of the Nguyen Dynasty. The King died in 1883 after 35 years on the throne. Built between 1864 and 1867, his tomb includes 50 monuments and is surrounded by a 1,500 meter wall.

Being a romantic, the king immersed himself in the world he created at the site of his tomb which was designed as a fairyland with poetical features, making it a lifetime dream and a world for his eternal life after death.

Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb is the smallest but it took 11 years to complete, from 1920 to 1931, and has many elements of Western architecture. In fact, of all the tombs, Khai Dinh’s probably least resembles oriental architecture with its slate roof and wrought iron gate. Beyond modern building materials and designs, the tomb has elements of eastern art mixed with western designs. In the interior of the tomb, colored glass and ceramic chips were used to form mosaics of oriental design. The ceilings were hand painted much like the ceilings of western churches, but the designs are of dragons and clouds. That is why people consider Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb an example of Vietnamese ‘neo-classicism’.

VietNamNet/SGT

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View all news for Monday 24 August, 2009 on one page

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