Artist celebrates traditional role of rice in Vietnamese society

Rice festival kicks off, highlights value of staple food

Tran Dang Khoa opens "Rice Grain" exhibition

Binh Dinh’s Cham towers proposed for world cultural heritage

Visiting Cham’s Poklongarai Towers in Ninh Thuan

The exhibition, which runs until next Thursday at Tich Tuong tourist area in the central province of Quang Tri, will feature 27 bronze pots in which rice saplings are traditionally grown.

The aritist's first rice exhibition was held in his home village in Quang Tri.

Ancient Cham tower discovered in southern Binh Thuan Province

An ancient Cham tower has been discovered in Bac Binh District in the southern province of Binh Thuan, said Nguyen Xuan Ly, director of the provincial museum.

The tower's foot is nearly intact. The main part of the tower is 4m high and 14m long. According to experts, it dates from the 9th century.

The tower's construction is similar in style to the Pashanu Cham Tower in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, experts said.

Earlier, officials from the provincial museum discovered a Cham Tower in Ham Thuan Bac District that dates from the 11th century.

ASEAN countries get set for Television Charms Contest

Each member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be sending two representatives to the ASEAN – HCM City Television Charms 2010 Contest that starts on March 17 in the city.

The contestants, which will include female TV station presenters from the region, will take part in traditional dress competitions.

HCM City Television and the Cat Tien Sa Company are co-organising the event, which will be broardcast live on HTV9.

This year's contest will commemorate 15 years since Viet Nam joined ASEAN and will mark the country's presidency of the group this year.

Fine Arts Museum hosts contemporary sculpture show

The contemporary sculpture exhibition "5 Plus" is on show at the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum in Ha Noi until next Monday.

Five sculptors, Le Thi Hien, Le Lang Luong, Mai Thu Van, Khong Do Tuyen and Tran Trong Tri, display their works at the exhibit.

The artists use various materials and methods for their works, including copper, steel, iron and paper. The installation of the works also makes this exhibit more contemporary in nature.

American Club toasts opening of new kindergarten in Ha Noi

Around 600 parents and children are expected at the American Club in the capital this Sunday morning to attend a get-together for the opening of the second Maple Bear Canadian Kindergarten in the city.

Activities will include a dragon dance, clowns, magic shows and music. Children can take part in traditional folk games, balloon poppings and water colour painting.

The Maple Bear Education System brings a Canadian approach to early learning programmes for children across the world. The first Maple Bear school opened last September.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News