Dutch DJs to perform in Vietnam

Tim Benjamin Smulders and Jurre van Doeselaar were ranked 56th in a list of 2014's top 100 DJs by Mag, a monthly dance music magazine.

The two met while studying art at Tilburg University and found they shared a passion for music. They became Firebeatz in 2008 and immediately hit the scene, producing popular songs like Miniman and Dear New York.

Since their early days, they've written dance-floor hits, become an established name on the international circuit and performed around the world.

Their concert will be held at Hero Bar, 42M Yen Phu Street in Ha Noi.

After Viet Nam, they'll take their act to Thailand, South Korea and Indonesia.

Wood carving contest opens in Dak Lak

A traditional wood carving contest was launched in Buon Ma Thuat city in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on March 8.

Nearly 40 regional craftsmen will demonstrate their skill and creativity through sculptures reflecting local culture and the natural world.

Speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, Mai Hoan Nie Kdam, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the contest is designed to preserve and promote the region’s distinguishing tradition.

The competition runs through March 11, ahead of the 5th Buon Ma Thuat Coffee Festival that will commence on March 10.

The 3-day festival, an opportunity to boost the regional socio-economy, entails a range of activities including a gong concert, a traditional costume show, and a coffee-making contest.

Bac Ninh received certificates of special national relics

The northern province of Bac Ninh received two certificates recognising the site of tombs and temple of Ly Dynasty Kings and Phat Tich Pagoda as special national relics at a ceremony held in Bac Ninh province on March 7.

The ceremony saw the presence of Politburo members Nguyen Sinh Hung, National Assembly Chairman and To Huy Rua, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC Commission for Organisation, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and representatives from ministries, agencies and localities.

After an opening address highlighting the relics’ significance and the locality’s preservation and promotion of the relics’ values by Bac Ninh province’s representative, Deputy PM Dam presented the certificates to the provincial leaders.

Many studies say that the site of tombs and temple of Ly Dynasty Kings in Dinh Bang ward, Tu Son town is where kings under the Ly Dynasty are worshipped. Local residents have been responsible for preserving the site throughout history.

Phat Tich Pagoda in Phat Tich commune, Tien Du district was famous for great landscapes created by Ly Nhan Tong King. It was repaired and innovated to become a Buddhist centre in the country. After nearly a millennium, the pagoda still exists with a large stone foundation, rows of sacred worshipping animals and an everlastingly beautiful Buddha statue.

The ceremony was followed by a special art programme honouring ‘Quan ho’ (traditional love duet singing), a UNESCO-recognised as a cultural heritage and intangible representation of humanity.

Artist’s misconduct stirs up experts’ concerns about youth’s behaviour

Several experts have raised concerns about the improper behaviour of young local "celebrities" after recent altercations with police.

Model and artist Trang Tran was arrested on night of February 26 after an altercation with police when her taxi was stopped for driving in reverse. Police in Hang Buom Ward of Hoan Kiem District said Trang was abusive and attacked a traffic officer.

Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, an associate professor, said Trang Tran’s case was just the latest of several acts of misconduct by so-called artists.

“Such behaviour is a result of a thought that they claim themselves to be the centre of public attention, so they think they can do or say anything they want regardless of what standards of behaviour apply to the general public," Thai said.

Thai is also concerned about the rising level of violence at the traditional festivals over the Tet holidays under the guise of "traditional practices".

Academic Phan Quoc Viet said that though Trang Tran is a famous artist, her behaviour is unacceptable, and a sign that many people think their position in society excludes them from codes of behaviour, such as good manners, common courtesy and politeness.

Dak Lak liberation victory revived at exhibition

More than 190 exhibits highlighting the provincial history timeline and national sacred sovereignty are on display at the Biet Dien Museum in Buon Ma Thuot city in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak .

The exhibition, opened on March 9, is part of activities to mark the 40 th anniversary of the Buon Ma Thuot victory in the spring of 1975 that led to the liberation of Dak Lak, as well as the ongoing 5 th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival.

Visitors to the event have also access to 143 photos, 23 documentaries, 57 maps and 40 stories from historical witnesses, vividly reviving the magnanimous days of Dak Lak in the spring of 1975 while demonstrating the socio-economic and cultural achievements of the province 40 years post-liberation.

Running through March 13, the exhibition also dedicates significant space to affirming national sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes while rejecting China ’s unfounded arguments on the issue.

Also on March 9, a photo exhibition was opened for the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival 2015 with the theme “Coffee Taste and Life” and including more than 100 photos manifesting the development history of the local coffee sector as well as the coffee farming and production process.

The culture, people and tourism potential of Dak Lak are also being introduced at the exhibition.

Exhibition on US troops landing in Danang

An exhibition has been held in the central city of Danang as part of activities marking the upcoming 40th anniversary of the city’s liberation (1975-2015).

The event displayed more than 150 materials, objects and pictures about the urban movement during the war against American imperialists.

The event, The exhibition consists of three section with the first one highlighting historic moments since the US marines began landing on Xuan Thieu Beach on the morning of March 8, 1965 until the US turned the cityinto the second largest military base in southern Vietnam, and until March 1975 when the US withdrew its troops following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.

The second section introduces materials about the struggle in Danang against the US, from the movements for democracy until Da Nang was liberated in March 1975, while the last section features the Da Nang residents’ wish of putting the past aside and looking to the future.

The exhibition, jointly organised by the Danang Museum and the Danang History Society, lasts until April 6.