A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events to take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 18 to 24.

 An exhibition entitled "Lua Thanh Xuan" (Fire of the Youth) opened at the Hoa Lo prison historical relic site in Hanoi on March 15.

 The fifth annual French culinary festival Goût de France on March 21 will feature 51 restaurants from Vietnam.

 The People’s Committee of HCM City has approved three firework shows to celebrate the 44th Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1), national holidays in Vietnam.

 Khmer people in the southern province of Kien Giang have kept the traditional handicraft of weaving cỏ bàng (a kind of sedge) to make rattan artworks for centuries.

 Mark Rapoport, an American physician, is keen on collecting antiques and items from ethnic minorities in Vietnam. His gallery, 54 Traditions, is a venue for culture admirers in Hanoi.

 The President has issued Decision 356/QD-CTN bestowing the State title of People’s Artisan to 62 performers of folk arts to honour their outstanding contribution to preserving and developing the country’s intangible cultural heritage. 

 Vietnam was ranked fifth in the list of top 20 Performers of the Year 2018 voted by the beauty pageant website Missosology.org.

 Nearly 2,500 French-style dinner dishes will be prepared at restaurants and French embassies in 150 countries around the world during the Good France 2019 event, according French Consul General in HCM City Vincent Floreani.

Hanoi is now home to 18 heritages. Over the past recent years, the municipal Department of Culture and Sports has coordinated with the local authorities to take measures to safeguard and promote the value of these heritages.

Located in Hanoi’s Hoang Cau Street, the hat van (spiritual singing) class taught by folk artisan Trong Quynh has attracted many young people who have a passion for traditional national arts.

 A wide variety of unique activities imbued with the Italian culture are being held in Hanoi during March under the third Italian Design Day themed ‘Cities of the Future and Heritage Preservation’.

 Hanoi People's Court on Thursday started the first trial in the intellectual property infringement between a local company and a renowned director over the popular The Quintessence of Tonkin show.

 Artworks by six artists from Hai Duong Province will be showcased at VICAS Center for Assistance and Development of Contemporary Arts (VICAS Art Studio) in Hanoi at 5 p.m. today, March 14.

 The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam is holding a series of electronic music performances, featuring artists from Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines from March 14 to 16 in HCMC and Hanoi.

 The 2019 Light Festival is set to take place in Ho Chi Minh City between May 5-19.

 A firework display will light up the skies above Ho Chi Minh City later next month to celebrate 44 years of southern liberation on National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975) and the 133rd May Day (May 1, 1886).

 Cool Cats Jazz Club – one of the most prominent jazz venues in town – will celebrate its second anniversary in style this Saturday, March 16.

 The Hanoing Jazz Band will play Hanoi Rock City tomorrow night, bringing revelers a taste of music from the 1940s.

 The “Classical Favorites” music night will be held from 6.30pm to 8pm on March 23 at Salon Saigon on 6d Ngô Thời Nhiệm St in HCM City’s District 3.