VietNam Travel: HCMC District

Showing posts with label HCMC District. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

Artist recalls his boyhood in paintings

Artist Ton That Bang sings his song “Co gi dau” at the press conference at Phuong Mai Gallery in HCMC’s District 1 - Photo: My Tran

A painting exhibition named “Memories: Leaves and Flowers” by artist Ton That Bang will open at Phuong Mai Gallery, 129B Le Thanh Ton Street in HCMC’s District 1 on Sunday.

The artist uses his brush to recollect his childhood in 30 oil paintings on canvas.

His memories are wooden horses, girls whose dresses are sewn of leaves and skirts weaved of reeds and an old woman with a giant leaf on her head. Some of the subjects stand solidly on the ground, others seem about to topple, while some are weightless. Coins and dices represent life as a game of chance.

Bang says, “Childhood is the time people embrace in their memories and heart. My memories are simple with my mother, my wife and my daughters. I owe them a debt of gratitude as they share everything in this life, protect me and support me to paint.”

The exhibition runs till February 28.

Ton That Bang was born in 1963 in Quang Tri Province and his paintings have been in many group and solo exhibitions in Vietnam, Australia, the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong and Singapore. He is also a musician and poet.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Beautiful roses made of wood at Flower Town

Pham Ngoc Vy, business development director of Flower Town Company, takes a vase of hand-made wooden flowers - Photo: My Tran

People are used to seeing artificial flowers made from paper, plastic, fabric, silk and porcelain, but a new shop in Saigon has resurrected a century old French craft of making flowers out of wood.

Flower Town Company makes amazingly realistic flowers out of wood to sell as decorations for houses and offices.

Pham Ngoc Vy, business development director, one of three founders of the company was born in Dalat, the city of flowers and mist.

“My childhood memories of Dalat are of colorful flower gardens, flower shops and flower markets. I think everybody loves flowers and so do I,” Vy said.

He also said he chose to use wood to make the flowers because it is a natural material and it is different.

Each flower is handmade. The petals are carved, dyed, bent and joined to make the finished blossom on a stem. Then they are placed in vases with dried flowers and leaves. It’s hard to tell the real from the artificial. So the job requires artisans to be much dexerous, patient and hard-working as each product takes them a couple of days or some weeks, even a month. “When I heard about flowers made of wood, I thought they would be very rough and unrealistic. But when I saw them I was surprised by how real and supple they looked,” said Tran Thi Tuyet Nhung, a customer.

The company makes flowers that are grown in Dalat City such as rose, lilly, daisy and gerbera. A vase of flowers is priced from VND120,000 to VND3 million, so there is something to suit everybody’s purse.

The company also sells oil paintings decorated with dried flowers.

The Flower Town is located at 49 Vo Thi Sau, HCMC’s District 3. Flower Town wooden flowers are also available at 216, Phan Dang Luu Street, HCMC’s Binh Thanh District, Sky Garden Apartment in Nguyen Van Linh Street, HCMC’s District 7 and 8 Nguyen Trung Truc Street in HCMC’s District 1.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Plan a great Saigontourist night for New Year

The garden at the Continental Hotel Saigon where you can enjoy a gala diner on New Year's Eva - Photo: Courtesy of Saigontourist

As this weekend is the New Year, Saigontourist is holding special food programs at many of its restaurants and hotels in HCMC.

Continental Hotel Saigon (132 Dong Khoi Street, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3829 9201)

Enjoy a gala dinner with Western food in the hotel garden from 10:30 p.m. on December 31. A Flamenco band and singers from the Philippines will keep you bopping. Also be entertained by dancers Phuong Linh and Dang Hung and a dance group, circus, juggling and a lucky draw with a trip for two prize.

Tickets are VND990,000 per adult and VND590,000 per child, inclusive of drinks.

Dong Khanh Hotel (2 Tran Hung Dao Street, HCMC District 5, tel: 3923 6404)

New Year’s Eve will have a set menu with four main dishes including grilled beef with salted cream; barbecued lamb ribs and steamed cabbage done French style; and chem fish roasted with butter and lemon. To round off the meal there will be twenty dishes to select from for appetizers, soups and deserts.

Tickets are VND332,000 per adult and VND273,000 per child. In addition the hotel will hold a buffet lunch on that day. Tickets are VND176,000 per adult and VND137,000 per child.

Thien Hong Hotel (52-56 Tan Da Street, HCMC’s District 5, tel: 3855 3472)

A buffet will be prepared from 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve with more than 30 Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, accompanied with a music show.

Tickets are priced at VND229,000 per adult and VND149,000 per child.

Saigon Hotel (41 Dong Du Street, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3822 4845)

A buffet featuring specialties of Japan, Thailand, Italia, Russia, Germany, Singapore and Malyasia as well as three regions of Vietnam will start at 7 p.m. on December 31. You could win the lucky draw.

Tickets are VND399,000 per adult and VND199,000 per child.

Lion Restaurant (11C Lam Son Square, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3823 8514)

Buffet parties from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec 31, with more than 40 dishes. The parties will rock along with Filipino singers, a Christmas choir, circus and magic performances, games, dances and stand-up comedy with a chance to win a lucky draw. Ticket prices are VND579,000 for adults and VND379,000 for children.

Lemongrass Restaurant (14th floor in the Palace Hotel Saigon, 56 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3829 1520)

The party to welcome the New Year has a set menu from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on December 31. Tickets are VND680,000++ per adult and VND380,000++ per child.

Van Thanh Tourist Area (48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh District, tel: 3512 3025)

A buffet including many delicious dishes such as grilled veal, and grilled chicken wings with honey will be served from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on December 31. Dance the New Year in with Flamenco Gipsy Fire.

Tickets are VND220,000 per adult and VND140,000 per child.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Where to celebrate Christmas and New Year?

Christmas decoration at the Atrium Cafe of the Legend Hotel Saigon - Photo: Courtesy of the hotel

The festive season is a time to celebrate and make merry with family and friends. This year, the two important holidays, Christmas and New Year fall on the weekend so people have more time to relax and enjoy entertainment and dining with family and friends. In the Daily’s issues on Dec. 10 & 17, TravelLiving features Chritsmas and New Year programs of hotels and tourist areas under the management of Saigontourist. Here are some more interesting venues for you to choose for your holidays.

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES

*September 23 Park in HCMC’s District 1:

The fifth “Tastes of the World” festival will take place from Dec. 26 until Jan. 2 in the park with 60 booths from 24 countries. Apart from honoring local and international cuisines, the festival features a bartender contest, a ceremony to set Vietnam’s record for the biggest banh xeo (pancake), and a cooking contest with celebrities. Delegations from the Republic of Korea, Russia, Germany and Vietnam will perform traditional dances and folk songs in their national costumes. Youth Advertising Company.

*Dai Nam tourist area in Binh Duong Province:

The tourist area will launch a 20-minute science movie projected onto a dome screen. The dome movie theater is a combination of film making technologies, an 18m diameter dome a surround stereo system with 18 speakers and six projectors. The theater which seats 200 will screen a nature movie. The tourist area will organize a fireworks display on New Years Day Jan. 1.

*Suoi Tien Theme Park in HCMC’s District 9:

The children choir at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Caravelle Hotel Saigon - Photo: Courtesy of the Caravelle Hotel Saigon

For Christmas, Suoi Tien will be transformed into snowy mountains and forests with Santa Claus riding his reindeer sleigh as angels and a snow princess give gifts to children.

An ornament festival will be held from today until Jan. 1 featuring 60 booths from cities and provinces nationwide. Some contests on bonsai, orchids, ornamental fish and dogs will be held.

*Dam Sen Cultural Park in HCMC’s District 11:

The park will launch a special “Sweet Noel & New Year” program from Dec. 24 until Jan. 2. A new drama for children named “Vi than may man’ (A lucky genie) produced by Idécaf will stage for four days Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. A hip-hop battle called “Red Lotus 2011” featuring break-dance, Deejay, Rap, Graffiti, Beatbox by Vietnamese dance groups and a judging panel from Thailand will be organized all day Jan. 1 at the musical fountain stage from 7am to 6pm. An ice sculpture show featuring images of the world wonders including Vietnam’s One-Pillar Pagoda, Thailand’s Golden Pagoda, Lao Pagoda, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Champs-Élysées and the Leaning Tower of Pisa is on display until next September.

*Saigon Zoo & Botanical Garden (2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1, HCMC)

On Dec 24 and 25, the central Youth Union in conjunction with Yeah1 TV will hold the Yeah1 Wonderland festival. The festival lineup includes a Hip Hop Supernova contest for hip hop and break dance groups, a cosplay show, a carnival, a street parade with performance art, musicians and dancers and a swapping festival.

*The Canal Area of Phu My Hung Urban Zone in HCMC’s District 7:

The Canal Area will be decorated in the Christmas theme with images of Santa Claus and the reindeer sleigh, the Snow Queen, dwarfs and penguins until Dec. 26.

DINING OUT

*Caravelle Hotel (17 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3823 4999)

On Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan. 1, the hotel’s Nineteen Restaurant and Reflection Restaurant will serve buffet lunch and buffet dinner with a live jazz quartet. Price is VND998,000++ to VND2.1 million++. At the Saigon Saigon Bar, there’s a countdown dance party with live entertainment featuring Cuban band Luna Negra for VND800,000++.

*Duxton Hotel Saigon (93 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3822 2999)

Celebrate this festive season at The Grill and earn a Duxton Cash Voucher from our Festive Point Program. Christmas & New Year Eve Buffet Dinner: US$59++/person (Dec. 24 & Dec. 31), Christmas & New Year Day Buffet Lunch: US$25++/person (Dec. 25 & Jan. 1) and Christmas & New Year Day Buffet Dinner: US$38++/person (Dec. 25 & Jan. 1).

*Legend Hotel Saigon (2A-4A Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3823 3333)

Enjoy Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with a gala dinner buffet, novelties, variety entertainment, and live performance by the Essence Band at the hotel’s Pool Side. At the Atrium Café, Santa will give gifts to your kids. A midnight toast with a glass of sparkling at the New Year’s Eve countdown with a balloon drop and guitar & violin duo will make the start of 2011 memorable.

*Hotel Equatorial (242 Tran Binh Trong St., Dist. 5, HCMC, tel: 3839 7777)

Festive activities include carol singing, a Christmas bazaar and festive dishes at the Orientica and Chit Chat at the Café restaurants. The two restaurants present glorious menus of festive cuisines. Party on New Year’s Eve with sizzling menus, exciting entertainment, a lucky draw and the official countdown.

*InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel (corner of Le Duan Blvd. and Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3520 9999)

The Christmas Royal Afternoon Tea at The Library lounge, some Italian home-style delights at Basilico, and a lunch or dinner at Market 39 with special Christmas treats are some highlights. At the Spa InterContinental, a “Get Your Glow Back” package has been created.

*Mövenpick Hotel Saigon and Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi:

At both hotels in HCM City and Hanoi are launching special brunches and buffets to celebrate the holidays. In HCM City, Santa Claus will be hading out Christmas gifts to the kids in the lobby. In Hanoi, special Christmas activities will be available to children in the playroom. Gift Hampers are also available at the two hotels.

*Park Hyatt Hotel Saigon (2 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3824 1234)

A variety of menus have been created by the hotel’s celebrated chefs at the two award-winning restaurants, Opera and Square One, especially for Christmas and the New Year from VND1.5 million++ to VND2.7 million++. To welcome in 2011 and party in style, customers can revel at 2 Lam Son bar with the savvy Saigon crowd and guest DJ till 2 a.m.

*Ramana Hotel Saigon (323 Le Van Sy St., Dist. 3, HCMC, tel: 3843 9999)

Be entertained by live dance and choir music, a lucky draw, gifts for kids from Santa Claus and a Gala Buffet Dinner at The Café with more than 90 mouthwatering dishes for US$30++ for adults, half price for kids under 10. New Year’s Eve will have live music, lucky draw and a free glass of champagne for the countdown - only US$35 for adults, half price for kids under 10. The hotel offers its Year-End party package for only USD$16++ per person. Customers are offered a choice of menus, standard festive decorations with lighting and sound system, dance floor and one festive banner.

*Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon (8-15 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3822 0033)

Festive specialties prepared hot at live cooking stations are served at Riverside Café while Kabin Chinese Restaurant offers promotions at its private dining rooms during the season. At the 21st Poolside Terrace, there is a festive BBQ and live music. Kid corners are available to keep your kids entertained while gifts from Santa Claus will complete the little guests’ wishes for the night. For the New Year countdown, thousands of balloons drop at the crack of the New Year. You can pop the balloons to discover your prizes.

*Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers (88 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3827.2828)

The Gingerbread House is offering a wide range of gifts for guests to buy from a chocolate Santa Claus to a gingerbread snow man and Christmas yule logs. Christmas at Saigon Café has carol singers and gifts from Santa Claus for the children besides festive dishes. At New Years Eve, there is the countdown party at the Night Spot bar.

*Sofitel Saigon Plaza (17 Le Duan Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3824 1555)

On Dec 24, Café Rivoli serves a delightful Christmas Eve buffet dinner with a traditional five-course set menu and a glass of Taittinger Champaign and unlimited Bordeaux wines at VND1.6 million++ per person. An enticing New Year’s Eve dinner buffet awaits you at Café Rivoli to feast for this festive night with a selection of fine French wines on free flow at VND 1,800,000++ per person. Then, indulge yourself with a “Magnifique” lobster brunch, for Jan. 1, with a wide range of desserts at VND900,000++ per person.

*Windsor Plaza Hotel (18 An Duong Vuong St., Dist. 5, HCMC, tel: 3833 6688)

The Windsor Plaza Hotel is also serving up special holiday fare at the three award-winning in-house dining establishments. Café Central An Dong will host special Holiday brunch and dinner buffets on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. Dinner buffets feature two free glasses of wine or beer.

For a more traditional Eastern take on the Holidays, Ngan Dinh Restaurant, on the hotel’s fifth floor will serve a classic eight-course menu with a bottle of imported red wine on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1. While the TOTT Bar & Restaurant, located on the 25th floor, is where to enjoy the scenery and the sumptuous cuisine with two glasses of wine or beer on Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1.

*Lion Restaurant (11-13 Lam Son Square, Dist. 1, HCMC, tel: 3823 8514)

Buffet parties will take place at the restaurant from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the nights of Dec 24 & 31, with more than 40 dishes. The parties will rock along with Filipino singers, a Christmas choir, circus and magic performances, games, dances and comedy performances for the New Year’s Eve. Participants will get gifts from Santa Claus and take part in a lucky draw. Ticket prices are VND579,000 for adults and VND379,000 for children.

*Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa (Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province): There will be a traditional Christmas food program for guests, accompanied with a music performance by the hotel staff choir.

*Golden Sand Resort and Spa Hoi An (Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province, tel: (0510) 3927 555): The Christmas celebration will start from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on December 24 with a party, Filipino band and lucky draw. Tickets are US$48 per adult and US$28 per child, free for kids under six.

*Furama Resort Danang (68 Ho Xuan Huong Street, Bac My AN, Danang City, tel: (0511) 3847 333): Enjoy music and dance performances and admire the flower with light displays. The resort also offers tours to heritages sites, martial arts on the beach and sport coaching for children such as tennis, flying kites and dragon dances.

*Silver Shores Hotel and Resort (8 Son Tra Dien Ngoc Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang City, tel: (0511) 3818 888): The hotel will prepare a buffet with Asian dishes such as sashimi, Vietnamese soup, steamed shrimp with chili sauce, Thai duck curry and salads.

Other Christmas promotions include rooms for US$185-US$245 per night, including buffet breakfast, Xmas and New Year parties, and half price for the fourth night.

For New Year celebrations in Hoi An, visitors can enjoy the New Year’s Eve countdown at Hoai River with activities such as a dan tranh (16-chord zither) solo performance, dragon dances, rock and Aspara dance shows. The program starts 7 p.m. on December 31 to 2 a.m. January 1.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Enjoy a Saigontourist Christmas and New Year

A couple at Gio Noi Restaurant in the Que Huong – Liberty 4 Hotel in HCMC’s District 1 - Photo: Courtesy of Saigontourist

With only one week left till Christmas and New Year just around the corner, some hotels, resorts and restaurants under the management of Saigontourist are organizing some great parties and food to celebrate.

Rex Hotel Saigon (141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3822 8380)

The Rex Hotel will adopt a red and white theme with its decorations and entertainment activities. Revelers can join the Christmas party at the Rooftop Garden from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on December 24. Enjoy the tasty food and listen to singers, DJs and try your luck in the lucky draw.

Tickets are priced at US$80++ per adult and US$39++ per child, inclusive of drinks and wine.

For New Years Eve, also at the Rooftop garden, guests can join a buffet from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Music shows, fashion shows and DJs and a lucky draw will guarantee a fun night. Tickets US$99++ per adult and US$45++ per child, inclusive of drinks and wine.

Que Huong - Liberty 4 Hotel (265 Pham Ngu Lao Street, HCMC’s District 1, tel: 3836 5172)

A buffet program will be served from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on December 24 and 31. Buffets will feature the delicious Vietnamese taste of grilled shrimp, barbecued squid, assorted seafood and deer. On December 24, children will receive gifts from Santa Claus and the snow princess. Lucky guests will win gifts in the lucky draws on both big nights.

Tickets are priced at VND380,000 per adult and VND190,000 per child, inclusive of drinks and beer. Anyone buying tickets before December 20 and booking accommodation at the hotel will be discounted 10%.

Liberty Central Hotel (179 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, tel: 6291 7977)

The hotel will prepare buffets from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on December 24 and 31 with seafood, turkey, soups, and a selection of cakes. Tickets are VND399,000++ per adult and VND200,000++ per child. Buy 10 tickets in advance get one free.

From December 25 to January 1, the hotel will have a special menu with new dishes for friends and family. New dishes include shrimp soup with garlic in French style, grilled sheep ribs with mint sauce, smoked turkey served with cream and bread and vegetables.

Van Thanh Tourist Area (48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Binh Thanh District, tel: 3512 3025)

Join Van Thanh Tourist Area’s Christmas party between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 24 to enjoy the beautiful garden atmosphere, Flamenco band and a visit from Santa Claus, who will be handing out gifts to guests. Tickets are priced at VND450,000 per adult and VND300,000 per children.

Saigon Ship Hotel (Bach Dang Wharf, District 1, tel: 3823 0393)

Christmas and New Year celebrations will take place on board from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on December 24 and 31 and January 1. The first and the second decks will serve a set menu. The third deck will offer buffets from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with Noel traditional dishes such pumpkin soup, fried turkey with honey, steamed rabbit with wine and Christmas cakes. Get up and dance to live band Latin Eyes and watch the dance shows, juggling and circus performances. Tickets are VND500,000 per adult and VND300,000 per child.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Mixed reactions to Xin Chao! show

A scene from the cultural show Xin Chao! at September 23 Park in HCMC’s District 1 - Photo: The organizers

The premier of the cultural show Xin Chao! performed to a packed house on Friday at the Circus Tent, 2 Pham Ngu Lao Street in HCMC’s District 1.

The show that attracted both local and foreign audiences received mixed reviews from media both before and after the event.

The program, created and directed by Laura Burke, is a combination of circus, dance, martial arts, telling stories from Vietnamese history.

For any of the audience that was expecting performances of the caliber of Cirque du Soleil, they walked away disappointed. According to Tuoi Tre newspaper, the much anticipated show did not live up to the audiences’ expectations. The storyline, performed by 50 performers and some of the country’s top acrobats, martial artists and traditional/contemporary dancers, was too difficult to understand for the foreign audience, and even the Vietnamese in the stands couldn’t work out what was happening, despite the explanation in the brochure.

The review in the national paper, Tuoi Tre, was critical of the way that characters such as Au Co and Lac Long Quan were portrayed in modern costumes using modern ways of speaking, and the scenes were far too short for the audience to understand the legend, in which Lac Long Quan and Au Co were father and mother of Vietnamese people.

Laura Burke, who has 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry and eight years in Vietnam, said the scene was meant to be brief as most tourists here already know a lot about Vietnamese culture. She also said she would add more information to the brochures to make it clearer.

The review in Thanh Nien newspaper, however, was very positive saying the show was ‘just for fun’ with lots of action and color to create the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co in act one. The second act showed the grit and courage of the Vietnamese women by telling the story of the Trung sisters who led an uprising in 39 AD. The sisters’ rebellion is known by almost every Vietnamese. Thanh Nien said the third act presented modern Vietnam as a young and dynamic nation.

Saigon Tiep Thi was neutral in its comments of Xin Chao!, just saying that the show was another addition to the city’s tourism products and nighttime entertainment options. The paper quoted Augustus Greaves, co-producer with Burke for the program, saying that the show is one of must-see cultural events for foreign tourists to HCMC that is both entertaining and educational.

Whether good or bad the show represents a great effort by troupe and the American director who loves Vietnamese culture and history enough to want to introduce it to foreigners. Tourists get another venue to visit and learn more about their host country while they are there.

According to the reviews, the organizers had described the production as the same genre as Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian circus show that has enjoyed a global following with popular shows in Japan and Macau; Voyage de la Vie in Singapore and Siam Niramit Cultural Show in Bangkok, but it is not at that level at this stage.

Xin Chao! will be performed daily at September 23 Park at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission includes a brochure with a brief description of the program in four languages - Vietnamese, French, Japanese and English.

For more information, contact (08) 3920 7990, web: www.xinchaosaigon.com.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Mihagui returns with third exhibition

A visitor inspects a painting by Robert Mihagui at the Phuong Mai Gallery in HCMC’s District 1 - Photo: My Tran

After the success of his two previous exhibitions in 2006 and 2007, the Vietnamese French painter, Robert Mihagui, is back with a new exhibition named “Home Color: West and East.” The exhibition will open on Saturday at Phuong Mai Gallery, 129B Le Thanh Ton Street, HCMC’s District 1.

The exhibition features 30 oil abstracts of the landscapes in France and North Vietnam. Everybody sees something different in Mihagui’s work but the power of the sky, land and the water is in all of his paintings.

“Although I paint in an abstract style that many Vietnamese are
unfamiliar with, the viewer can imagine magnificent mountains, gentle rivers, waterfalls, old houses and trees,” Mihagui said. He added that he wants to encourage his audience to view his work with the soul and not the eyes.

He chooses to exhibit in Vietnam instead of developed Asian countries like Hong Kong or Singapore because of a spiritual connection with this country.

“I always see images of where I was born in my mind’s eye, even in my dreams, which inspires me to paint in an amorphous style. I record the memories of my childhood using brushes and colors. I think, wherever you go, you always want to go back to where you come from.”

Born in 1945 in Vinh Phuc Province, Robert left Vietnam at 13 with his French father and studied fine arts from 1961-1984 in Surgeres in France. Mahagui was interested in pictorial techniques and pigments and was greatly influenced by the works of Zaou Wou Ki, a Chinese painter. At the age of 25, he decided to concentrate his energies on a personal style which is somewhere between abstraction and post-impressionism.

The exhibition runs till Dec. 18.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The secret chamber beneath Gia Long Palace

It has been forty seven years since the coup d’état of the Ngo Dinh Diem regime on November 1, 1963. There are still rumors about a secret underground chamber under the Gia Long Palace, where Ngo Dinh Diem, the first president of the Republic of Vietnam, resided. The palace at 69 Ly Tu Trong Street in HCMC’s District 1 still stands, but now it is HCMC Museum. The Saigon Times Daily photo-journalist Kinh Luan took some snapshots of the place.

The French-designed palace on the intersection of Ly Tu Trong and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets in HCMC’s District 1 was built in 1885. It was the home of several high-ranking officials of the French Colony in Saigon and later of officials of the South Vietnamese puppet regime

Workers restore one of the six rooms in the 30 meter-long chamber. Apart from high-tech equipment in the signals room, the other five rooms are decorated with simple furniture

Architect Ngo Viet Thu designed this bombproof tunnel that was built in 1962 by sappers in the Saigon Army. The entrance to the tunnel is a thick steel door. Thu also designed the Reunification Palace

The secret chamber beneath Gia Long Palace

Workers restore one of the six rooms in the 30 meter-long chamber. Apart from high-tech equipment in the signals room, the other five rooms are decorated with simple furniture

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The secret chamber beneath Gia Long Palace

Workers restore one of the six rooms in the 30 meter-long chamber. Apart from high-tech equipment in the signals room, the other five rooms are decorated with simple furniture

Friday, October 29, 2010

Halloween at Megastar and Phuong Nam

To celebrate Halloween this weekend, Megastar Media Company is having a costume contest. The most horrible costumes will win free tickets to new horror flick Paranormal Activity 2. Photos of everyone who enters the contest will be uploaded on Facebook.

After the parade, everyone dressed for Halloween will be invited to watch the fright marathon with The Devil and The Wolf Man.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. October 30 at MegaStar cinemas around the country. For more information, visit www.megastar.vn.

*If scary reading is up your alley, then join the guests at Phuong Nam Book Cafes to indulge in the wizard rooms and ghost houses. You can eat from the horror menu with drinks such as the ghost wedding, muddy dead corpse, the dragon kiss, black tears, the mummy, the voice from wild garden and the river of soul calling for justice and many others.

If you come in disguise you get 20% discounts on drinks and 50% off if your costume is judged best.

Phuong Nam Book Cafés are at 3 Nguyen Oanh Street, HCMC’s Go Vap District, 105 Tran Hung Dao B Street, HCMC’s District 5, 17 Thai Nguyen Street in Nha Trang City or 6 Hoa Binh Street in Can Tho City and others.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Halloween at Megastar and Phuong Nam

After the parade, everyone dressed for Halloween will be invited to watch the fright marathon with The Devil and The Wolf Man.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. October 30 at MegaStar cinemas around the country. For more information, visit www.megastar.vn.

If you come in disguise you get 20% discounts on drinks and 50% off if your costume is judged best.

Halloween at Megastar and Phuong Nam

After the parade, everyone dressed for Halloween will be invited to watch the fright marathon with The Devil and The Wolf Man.

The fun starts at 6 p.m. October 30 at MegaStar cinemas around the country. For more information, visit www.megastar.vn.

If you come in disguise you get 20% discounts on drinks and 50% off if your costume is judged best.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Rejuvenate the spirit at Long Thuan Garden

A bridge across Chan Lac Lake

Local nature lover and designer Sy Hoang invites visitors to come and recharge their batteries in his large traditional style garden in HCMC’s District 9.

The beautiful garden boasts ornamental trees, bonsai and grassy areas, where visitors can escape the sounds of traffic for a while.

A wooden house where Sy Hoang worships Buddha and practices meditation - Photos: Uyen Vien

The garden has a long narrow hall, where a lot of workshops and painting and design classes are held.

There is a lake called Chan Lac that has wooden chairs made of cart wheels scattered along the banks.

In the lake is a floating stage where artists hold folk art performances of the three regions - North, Central and South. Behind the stage is a Buddhist worship house where the artist and his mother pray and practice meditation.

A wooden house in the garden has displays of pottery and wooden artworks that the designer has collected for many years.

Sy Hoang took eight years to build the garden with an investment of VND40 billion. He also planted a mini rice field that can produce about 100 kilograms of rice a year.

The artist is collaborating with Hanh Huong Viet Travel Company in HCMC’s District 3 to hold one-day tours called “peaceful spirit” twice a month on Sundays. The tour departs from 6 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. with many activities such as meditation practice, exchanging life experiences, releasing fish, hanging lanterns to pray, Buddhist worshipping and vegetarian meals.

Visitors can also enjoy fashion and traditional music shows.

“I hope that one day, children can sit under the trees to paint and businessmen can find peace for their soul in this garden, said Hoang.

He said he expects to develop areas to teach fashion design and cooking and wants it to be a venue for cultural exchange and ethnic performances.

This month, there are two tours on October 17 and 24 at VND695,000 per person.

For bookings, visit www.hanhhuongviet.vn or call (08) 3884 0608.

To get there take the Ben Thanh – Long Thuan bus to District 9 from Ben Thanh Bus Station. It takes about one hour by motorbike from the center of the city.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Calendar display shows a year of good wishes

Chinese books discounted at Phuong Nam Bookstore

Phuong Nam Printing Company, will display their latest Tet calendars at the student club at HCMC Medical University from September 9 to 16.

The calendars are not just for telling the day and decorating the house but also to express good wishes for the New Year.

Calendars that contain wishes for success are Vuon toi thanh cong (Achieving success), Mua Vang (Golden season), Dong hoa mat troi (Sun flower field). Wishes for promotion are presented in Hoa vuon cao (High rising flower), Vuon len (Rising), Duong den tuong lai (Way to the Future) and Dieu bay (Flying kite) has wishes for a good future.

Wish for wealth are in Phat tai phat loc (Good talent and prosperity) and Loc xanh (Green bud).

Hoa vui (Happy flowers), Le hoi dan gian (Folk festival), Meo vui dua (Cats playing together) or Tro choi dan gian (Folk games) all have wishes for happiness. Visitors to the display at 2A Le Duan Boulevard in HCMC’s District 1 will see many other wishes for peace, love and good luck.

*Phuong Nam Book Company will have a clearance sale of Chinese books at the Phuong Nam Bookstore at 105 Tran Hung Dao B Street, HCMC’s District 5 from September 9 to 19.

Over 20,000 Chinese book titles in many subjects like history, literature, medicine, fiction stories, children books and dictionaries will be discounted. 10,000 titles will have prices reduced by VND5,000 to VND50,000.

In total VND3 billion worth of books will go on sale.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Related Articles

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Related Articles

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Related Articles

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Related Articles

Friday, December 17, 2010

Related Articles

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Related Articles

Friday, December 10, 2010

Related Articles

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Related Articles

Related Articles

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Related Articles

Friday, October 29, 2010

Related Articles

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Related Articles

Related Articles

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Related Articles

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Related Articles