Vietexplorer2024

Nguyen Kieu Trinh’s journey to ballet was an unconventional one. With a fine arts background, she had a diverse career as a painter and journalist before becoming a writer for an English-language newspaper. Yet, dancing was always a dream. For most of her life, it remained a fleeting pastime, a stress reliever she dared not pursue seriously. It was only in middle age that Trinh truly embraced dance as a path of self-discovery and a way to challenge herself. She found her place at Kinergie Studio in Hanoi, where a diverse group of dancers of all ages shared a meditative and joyful approach to dance, focusing on personal growth rather than competition. Trinh faced unique challenges as an older learner, including reduced flexibility, limited range of motion, and diminished strength and stability. Even the smallest progress required immense effort and persistence. She recalls the foundational stage as the hardest, with endless repetitions at the barre that felt monotonous at times. How...

The London College for Design and Fashion (LCDF) presented its fashion show, Xpressive , on the runway at Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District. This event marked the grand finale of the Hanoi Festival of Creative Design 2024 , captivating the audience with a unique blend of fashion and self-expression. Each Xpressive collection showcased on the runway told a story of self-discovery and the unapologetic celebration of the designer’s personality. It served as a platform for these talented individuals to express their distinct identities while vividly portraying their stories and emotions through their designs. Their ideas, like fiery flames, ignited a passion, creativity, and dedication that resonated with the audience.  The fashion show, organized by LCDF-Hanoi, aimed to raise funds for ethnic women. Photo: Xuan Tung Some of the collections drew inspiration from childhood memories, family ties, and the enchanting city of Hanoi. These designs emanated warm and genu...