Vietexplorer2024

Karatedo legend Doan Dinh Long, born 1947, became president of Hanoi Karatedo Federation on April 9. Master Doan Dinh Long (second, right) becomes the President of the Hanoi Karatedo Federation. Photo: Hanoimoi Additionally, the federation convened its inaugural congress to review and approve prospective missions for the years 2023–2028. The Hanoi Karatedo Federation is a nonprofit, professional, and social organization that seeks to encourage people to train in karate in order to enhance their physical health and support the growth of both the sport and the country. At the congress, Master Doan Dinh Long expressed his hope that Hanoi’s Karatedo would advance further and that local athletes would perform better in both domestic and international events. Master Doan Dinh Long, 76, is considered the forerunner of Vietnamese karate and one of the first people to promote Vietnam as one of the largest karate communities in the world. Long was a coach of the Vietnam natio...

Hang Trong folk paintings are frequently used as Tet décor or worshipping objects. Few people know that these paintings also depict the landscape and cultural practices of the populace. Visitors to the “Hang Trong folk paintings” exhibition, held by the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District, can reflect on the daily lives of farmers in the picture Rest or the society in the past in miniature in the painting Western Festival. Adding modernity to old art These paintings by Hang Trong artisans were restored to the traditional standards by artisan Le Dinh Nghien, and now they are in possession of collector Nguyen Quang Trung. The exhibition also features 23 works by young artists inspired by Hang Trong folk paintings. These pieces were created using many materials found in painter Nguyen The Son’s installation space.  A visitor at the exhibition of Hang Trong folk paintings. Photo: Ngo Minh The exhibition is the result of artist Nguyen The Son’s latest effort, “...

The event marks the Thai traditional New Year. Songkran, also known as the Water Festival, is celebrated throughout the country during 13 – 15 April every year. The festival places emphasis on respect, love, and gratitude using water as means of expression. Songkran is the occasion for family unions. Thai people often visit temples and clean their houses during the holiday. Fun-loving Thai people throw water at each other as a symbol of washing off the misfortune of the past year to welcome a new start. Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, and university students in Hanoi perform the “Rod Nam Dam Hua” or water pouring ceremony, which aims to pay respect to the elderly and ask for their blessings (Photo: Valerie Mai). This year’s event consists of a number of cultural activities to demonstrate how Thais celebrate their traditional New Year including “Rod Nam Dam Hua” or a water pouring ceremony, a showcase of Thai culinary by Thai chefs, dance performan...

The five-day event has brought together nearly 600 domestic and foreign artists of 18 art troupes from seven countries from across the world. The competition is expected to promote the image of friendliness, hospitality, and peace of Vietnamese people in general, as well as the local people of Hoi An in particular, said Nguyen Van Lanh, vice chairman of the Quang Nam provincial administration, at the opening ceremony.   Johan Rooze, artistic director of Interkultur, which the world’s leading organiser of international choir competitions and festivals, hailed Vietnam’s experience in organizing such a competition since Interkultur brought the first choral competition to Hoi An in 2011, saying this year’s competition has attracted 19 art groups from not only Southeast Asia but also the Middle East and Europe. He expected the 2023 competition would be another success to help popularize the genre of art in the public. The competition will feature 13 events with eight grade...