Vietexplorer2024

A group of artists in Hanoi is pushing the boundaries of portraiture, using thread and nails to create captivating artworks that convey emotions and tell stories. Pham Thi Thuc Anh, one of the artists, meticulously studies the sketched portrait before her. With a hammer in hand, she carefully taps each nail into the frame, creating a foundation for her unique art form. From these nails, she artfully stretches thin white threads, bringing the portrait to life with intricate lines and delicate details. Pham Thi Thuc Anh, an artist in Hanoi, creates a string piece Pham Thi Thuc Anh during the creative process. Photo courtesy of the artist At first glance, the art of string painting may seem deceptively simple. However, as Thuc Anh explains, it is a complex and challenging art form. “You never know if you’ve truly succeeded until the very end,” she says, referring to the intricate process of stretching the threads and the possibility of having to start over. Despite the cha...

Despite his formal training in music, Nguyen Thang’s insatiable curiosity and creative spirit led him to explore the realm of visual arts, experimenting with various mediums such as canvas painting, pencil and paint portraits, and even the edgy world of graffiti. His latest creative endeavor involves a unique and unconventional method: tapping on glass to produce stunning images. It all began in April 2024 when Thang, inspired by a video of a Swiss artist creating glass art in a shopping mall, decided to embark on his own glass-tapping journey. Through a process of trial and error, he experimented with different types of glass and hammers, fine-tuning his technique to create soulful and expressive portraits. Nguyen Thang, armed with a pointed hammer, meticulously taps on the surface of laminated glass, transforming it into a canvas of light and shadow. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre News Thang learned to master the force and angle of each strike, understanding that the key...

Hanoi is gearing up for a series of momentous celebrations, with a recent meeting led by Chairman Tran Sy Thanh focusing on the upcoming 70th anniversary of the city’s liberation and the 25th anniversary of its recognition as a “City for Peace.” These events hold great significance for the city and its people. Chairman Tran Sy Thanh of the Hanoi People’s Committee, a key figure in the city’s preparations for the upcoming celebrations. (Source: Hong Thai/The Hanoi Times) Uniting the People of Hanoi Hanoi’s Director of Culture and Sports shed light on the “Cultural Festival for Peace,” a grand celebration marking two important milestones in the city’s history. Scheduled for October 6th, the festival will take over the Ly Thai To Flower Garden and Hoan Kiem Lake Pedestrian Zone, bringing together 10,000 participants and spectators from all walks of life. The festival program has been meticulously planned, with the municipal government gathering input and finalizing the de...

The plastic exchange program was held at Dong Ba Elementary School on Phan Dang Luu Street in Ward 7 as part of the second ‘Joining Hands to Build a Better Community Day 2023.’ Despite its small scale, the exchange event brought happiness to residents and had a positive impact on the environment. The ‘Swapping Recycling Trash for Gifts and Plants’ program takes place at Dong Ba Elementary School in Ward 7, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City. During the exchange event, the organizer distributed 108 gift sets, 160 scholarships, and a laptop worth VND100 million (US$4,162) to students and disadvantaged households in the ward. In addition, the program featured a zero-dong ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) stall, a ‘Sharing Love’ booth, a free haircut service stand, and a booth for traffic rule consulting services. The plastic exchange event aimed to promote trash classification and reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. Nguyen Huynh Hai Dang, chairwoman of the Ward 7 Peo...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of ASEAN member states attended a retreat on global and regional issues on September 5, as part of the ongoing 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. During the event, PM Chinh emphasized the importance of maintaining ASEAN’s central role amid intense competition among major nations. He highlighted the need for internal unity, independence, self-reliance, and respect for the rule of law within ASEAN. ASEAN must maintain a strategic balance with major countries and become a reliable bridge to regulate and balance relationships and interests. The bloc should also uphold its principled stance on issues related to regional security and development. PM Chinh stressed the need for unity in ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea (South China Sea) and urged partners to respect this stance. He emphasized the importance of self-restraint, peaceful dispute settlement, respect for international law, and the UNCLOS. Regarding the situation in Myan...