An exhibition on Torres Strait masks will be introduced in Vietnam for the first time by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam together with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Once praised as the leading opera singer in Vietnam, Meritorious Artist Ha Pham Thang Long retired from the stage four years ago and is now working as a lecturer. In a recent interview, she shared her thoughts on how to develop opera in Vietnam.

A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events taking place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from May 14 to 20.

 The third European Book Days officially opened on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City on May 13, featuring a myriad of activities attractive to local young people.

 The sixth national festival of the art of Then singing and Tinh gourd lute of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups officially opened in Ha Giang city, the northernmost province of Ha Giang, on May 13.

 A new pedestrian street, Trinh Cong Son street in Nhat Tan ward of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district near the West Lake, was launched in the evening of May 11, offering additional entertainment spaces for locals and visitors.

 A gala night was held at the Opera House Square in the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 12 as the first out of more than 50 activities within the Hoa Phuong Do (Red Flamboyant Flower) Festival.

 Four young people and 15 bands are competing at the K-pop World Festival’s country round at the Vietnam Youth Academy (VYA).

 “Then” singing is an indispensable practice in the cultural and religious life of Tay and Nung ethnic minority communities in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, especially Dinh Hoa region. 

 Lang Son province has encouraged the establishment of local Then singing clubs to promote the development of this genre of traditional singing – a typical culture of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic people in the northern mountainous region.

 Director of the Hoi An Centre for Relic Preservation and Management Nguyen Chi Trung spoke to Tuoi Tre newspaper on the imperative need to have strong legal documents to preserve the City.

VietNamNet Bridge - Dieu Linh is Vietnam's representative at the ongoing Miss Tourism Queen International 2018 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. The grand finale is scheduled for May 16.

Twenty-three art troupes from Vietnam and France will gather at the Vietnam National Drama Theatre to join the Performing Arts Spring Festival (PAS 2018) set to take place in Hanoi on May 18-20.

Actress and former Tourism Ambassador Ly Nha Ky on May 10 walked the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival by dazzling in a dress by designer Do Long.

Following the success of two previous charity rock shows, Psychotramps13 will host the third Rock’n Share themed “Don’t live like a stone” at 126 Stage in HCMC’s District 3 this Sunday, starting from 5:30 p.m.

The management board of the Nguyen Du Special National Historical Relic Site has received a collection of 9 books of great poet Nguyen Du and his masterpiece - The Tale of Kieu - from an overseas Vietnamese in France.

 An exhibition of works related to President Ho Chi Minh opened in Hanoi on May 10 as part of events to celebrate the President’s 128th birthday (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2018).

 Vietnamese representative Dieu Linh has unveiled the Mong ethnic costume which she will wear for the national costume competition at the Miss Tourism Queen International 2018 pageant in Thailand.

 Those who have visited Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic people in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam are often astounded by traditional Then singing, which is accompanied by a handmade gourd lute called “Dan tinh” or “Tinh Tau”.

 The Goethe Institute Hanoi has launched a contest inviting all Vietnamese people to engage with their dialogue on Karl Marx, marking celebrations for his 200th birthday.