Upcoming Events (Feb. 07, 2013)
HA NOI
Eclectic evening of electronica at CAMA ATK
The weekly Eclectic Electric evening at CAMA ATK will tonight feature Sebastien Gesell, a popular musician and DJ. He has performed at Ha Noi Rock City and with contemporary musician Tri Minh.
During his performance from 9pm at 73 Mai Hac De Street, Gesell will be accompanied by American percussionist Lamont. Free entry.
Sofitel set for spellbinding night at Summit
The Summit Lounge on the 20th floor of the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi will host a fireworks show to welcome in the Lunar New Year on Saturday evening.
Enjoy views of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake while immersed in the flavour of distinctive drinks.
Tickets cost VND450,000++ for adult (including 1 cocktail), and VND350,000++ for children (including 1 mocktail). To book, dial (04) 38238888, ext 5301 or email H3553-FB1@sofitel.com.
Discover museums with Friends of VN Heritage
Friends of Viet Nam Heritage, a group of foreigners living in Ha Noi and working voluntarily to promote and preserve Vietnamese cultural and historical heritage, will host a walk through the Viet Nam History Museum.
Taking place at 8.30am on February 23, the three-hour tour will shed light on how civilisations and developments both near and far have shaped Vietnamese history.
Along the way, visitors will take a look at the development of such crafts as bronze making, ceramics, and woodcarving.
After a short break in the atmospheric courtyard to learn about the important architecture of the museum and the contribution of French architects to the atmosphere of Ha Noi, visitors will go back inside and learn about the major events that have made Viet Nam the unique country it is today.
Lunch and discussion will take place in the museum cafe.
To register for the tour, contact Roman Szlam at FVH.CityWalks.English@gmail.com. Cost VND70,000.
HCM City
Nguyen Hue Flower Street blooms
The annual Nguyen Hue Flower Street, with the theme this year of Trai Tim Viet Nam (Viet Nam’s Heart), celebrating the Year of Snake will be open from February 7 to 13 on Nguyen Hue Boulevard in District 1.
This year will highlight giant models of snake, hearts made of flowers representing 54 ethnic groups, and an area called Xuan Bien Dao (Spring on the Sea and Islands) with boats on a sea of flowers. There will be music and visual art shows every night.
Street book fair celebrates festive season
More than 20,000 book copies on Viet Nam’s 54 ethnic groups as well as seas and islands from major publishing houses and libraries will be on display at an open-air book fair on Mac Thi Buoi, Nguyen Hue and Ngo Duc Ke streets on February 7 and 13.
Themed Sach va 54 Dan Toc (Books and 54 Ethnic Groups), the fair will also present digital publications, electronic books, children’s books from the past to now, and books for the visually impaired. Traditional games and a mobile library will also be set up at the fair.
Eight firework displays set for New Year’s Eve
The city will stage eight firework displays to welcome the Year of the Snake on Lunar New Year’s Eve this Saturday.
The 15-minute firework displays will be set off near the Thu Thiem Tunnel in District 2, District 7’s administrative centre, Go Vap District’s cultural park, District 9’s culture and history park, Dam Sen Park in District 11, Can Gio Stadium, the Ben Duoc Martyrs Monument in Cu Chi District and the Nga Ba Giong Martyrs Monument in Hoc Mon District. — VNS