Category: Sports

Hanoi: As many as 65 master chefs and culinary experts from across the country will join the Pho Festival 2024, which will take place in the northern province of Nam Dinh from March 15 – 17.

With various activities, the event is expected to offer an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the flavour of ‘pho’ (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) blended with regional cultures across the country, thus promoting the Vietnamese distinctive dish.

Chairwoman of the provincial Culinary Culture Association Le Thi Thiet said that the festival aims to highlight the diversity of ‘pho’ in many localities nationwide, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nam Dinh, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Lam Dong, Quang Nam and Gia Lai.

On the first day of the event, both domestic and international tourists will have the opportunity to explore and savor the traditional pho of Van Cu Village in Nam Truc district. They will learn about the origin and development of the dish and directly participate in the cooking process.

The festival will gather more than
50 booths introducing the ingredients and seasonings to make ‘pho’, as well as packaged ‘pho’ products for export.

A talk show on the history and development of the craft making of ‘pho’, an exhibition space, and a writing contest on the dish will also be held on the occasion.

Notably, chefs will join hands to cook a giant pot that can serve 2,000 bowls of ‘pho’ to serve visitors to the festival.

The event will be jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the provincial Culinary Culture Association, Masan Consumer Corporation, and Blue Vietnam Company Limited./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Lam Dong: For the first time in Vietnam, classical music has been taken out of theatres and auditoriums to make it easier for the public to access at a classical music festival held in Da Lat city, a UNESCO-recognised Creative City of Music, in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The Vietnam Classical Music Festival, organised from March 10-17, is gathering renowned Vietnamese and international music troupes and artists such as Song Hong Ensemble, Schubert in a Mug and pianists Nguyen Duc Anh, Liao Hsin-Chiao (from China’s Taiwan) and Tim Allhoff (from Germany).

It is noteworthy that 17 shows in the framework of the festival are taking place in a wide range of places, from the art street campus to the hillside street art space or the ancient villa in the pine forest of Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort and Spa.

Pianist and composer Allhoff will conduct a workshop on the topics of art and creativity, promising to bring valuable insights to participants. The workshop will be held on March 16 from 3pm
-4pm.

Other workshops will be conducted by experts and musicians to introduce and discuss the local and international background of classical music. The String Ensemble Workshop and Masterclass will offer participants an opportunity to perform at the end of the course and showcase their new skills alongside established artists.

A grand final concert will be performed by the participating artists along with artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and Vietnam Youth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Phan Do Phuc at Da Lat Opera House.

Da Lat was recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music last October. The organisation of the classical music festival is expected to promote the city’s actions to preserve and develop different music genres./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: Through promotion activities, the image of Vietnamese ‘ao dai’ (long dress) has had its presence increased at international and diplomatic events.

‘Ao dai’ has been also chosen by many heads of state, leaders, and diplomats of other countries and their spouses when they come to Vietnam.

Most recently, foreign Consuls General and their spouses wore this costume while attending a seminar themed “Vietnamese ao dai and international integration”, held within the framework of the 10th Ao Dai Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tri Astuti Sofjan, wife of the Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said that this is the third year she has experienced wearing ‘ao dai’. When wearing ‘ao dai’, a woman can show her charisma and confidence, she added.

On this occasion, delegates had an opportunity to listen to the history of ‘ao dai’, attend an exhibition on ‘ao dai ngu than’ (five-part long dress) and the steps of measuring and sewing handmade ‘ao dai’, and see ‘ao dai’ shows.

During the current internat
ional integration process, models with new design ideas and materials are more impressive, clearly demonstrating the spirit of integration.

Designer Duc Vincie shared he always wants to spread the beauty of ‘ao dai’ to international friends through collections made based on environmentally friendly materials, traditional materials, and national characteristics. This time, he chose to make a collection from silk, ordered from craft villages such as Nha Xa and Bao Loc.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, affirmed that through 10 years of the Ao Dai Festival, the city wants to make ‘ao dai’ become a special image in cultural diplomacy, helping foreign friends understanding more about the Vietnamese land and people as well as bringing the country closer to the world.

Alisha Movent, a US tourist, said she and her friends were very excited to experience wearing ‘ao dai’ together when they came to Ho Chi Minh City. When she returned to her country, she bought many sets of t
his costume as souvenirs for her family and friends./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The Orchestra of the Royal Opera of Versailles is scheduled to perform Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Ho Guom Opera in downtown Hanoi on April 21 and 22 nights, heard a press conference held in Hanoi on March 12.

The concert is a collaboration between the two opera houses, which was initiated in July last year when a delegation of the French partner visited Vietnam.

The April performance of four violin concerti composed by Antonio Vivaldi between 1720 and 1723 is the first event in the Ho Guom Opera’s grand international art programme, titled “Musical Seasons 2024 – 2025” and featuring the participation of top international artists.

The programme will bring to the stage “The Mozart Concert” performed by the Les Musiciens du Louvre orchestra in August and the “The Seasons” ballet by artists from the Malandain Ballet Biarritz and the Royal Opera of Versailles in September.

The chain of events will continue in November with “The Vienna Concert” performed by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and be round
ed off with the performance of French composer Georges Bizet’s iconic opera “Carmen” by the Royal Opera of Versailles orchestra in March 2025./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Boxer Vo Thi Kim Anh has secured a ticket to Paris 2024 Olympics, the fifth for Vietnam, after a 5-0 win over Islem Ferchichi of Tunisia in a decisive match against in the women’s 54kg category at the World Qualification Tournament held from February 29-March 12 in Busto Arzizio, Italy, according to the Vietnam Boxing Federation (VBF).

Earlier, she defeated opponents from the Dominican Republic and Hungary in the pre-quarterfinals.

With the ticket to the Olympics, Anh was rewarded 50 million VND (2,037 USD) by the VBF.

Other martial artists of Vietnam, including Nguyen Thi Tam in the women’s 50kg, Ha Thi Linh in the women’s 66kg and Luu Diem Quynh in the women’s 75kg still have a chance at the second World Qualification Tournament from May 23-June 3 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Vietnamese sports aim to secure 12 – 15 berths to attend the 2024 Paris Olympics. Vietnam have so far earned five tickets to the event, namely Nguyen Thi That (bicycle), Nguyen Huy Hoang (swimming), Trinh Thu Vinh, Le Thi Mong Tuye
n (shooting) and Vo Thi Kim Anh (boxing).

At the Olympics, a total of 248 boxers will compete, including 124 women and 124 men. Boxing competition will take between July 27 and August 10 in the Roland-Garros Stadium and the North Paris Arena./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Diego Giustozzi and his national team have begun their training camp for the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup, a Futsal World Cup qualifier, in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Argentinean coach named four keepers, four fixos (defenders), seven alas (midfielders) and four pivots (strikers). Most of them were familiar faces which served the national team in 2023, competing at the Asian championship qualification and local and international friendly matches.

Among them are the Golden Ball 2023 winner Pham Duc Hoa, Silver Ball holder Chau Doan Phat and Bronze Ball keeper Ho Van Y, along with veterans Tran Thai Huy , Nguyen Minh Tri, and top scorer of the current national championship Nguyen Thinh Phat.

The team will take part in an international tournament against world No 49 New Zealand, No 8 Morocco and No 7 Iran from March 28-31.

They then host Malaysia in a two-leg friendly match on April 6 and 8.

Giustozzi will finalise a team of 14 players on April 12.

The Cup will be organised from April 17-28 in Thailand. Vie
tnam are in Group A together with Myanmar, China and the hosts.

The top four finishers will qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, which will take place between September 14 and October 6, marking the first time the global showpiece will be held in Central Asia.

Vietnam have set their sights on a semi-final place to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

Safe sheet

Former world top-10 goalkeeper Y said: ‘It is an important tournament where we vie for a World Cup place.

“We will have to train really hard and effectively so that we will be at our best at the Thai event.”

Speaking about Vietnam’s rivals in Group A, Y said: “Vietnam are said to be in an easy group but in fact all rivals in this round are strong.

“I played against all three before. World-class Thailand are really tough while China and Myanmar are at the same level as Vietnam.

“Personally, I will not care much about people’s opinion of Vietnam’s chances at the Asian Cup. I will respect all rivals. My job is t
o train hard and compete hard to show my ability on the pitch.”

Y is one of several players in the current team that took part in the Futsal World Cup 2021 where Vietnam exited in the Round of 16.

The 27-year-old keeper said it was great experience helping him gain confidence for future tournaments.

‘The Futsal World Cup 2021 helped me feel worry-free at major tournaments. Although the competition is different year after year but I think that if I believe in myself I can deliver my best.

“Playing at the World Cup is a pride of every player. I am thirsty to have a second chance at this event. But prior to that, I will be focused on the continental tournament.”/.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Philippe Troussier, head coach of the Vietnamese national men’s football team, on March 11 announced a 33-player squad in preparation for two matches against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this month, according to Vietnam Football Federation.

The first leg will take place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium of Indonesia on March 21, and the second leg at My Dinh Stadium on March 26.

The squad will welcome the return of a number of familiar players, notably defenders Nguyen Thanh Chung, Bui Tien Dung and Nguyen Duc Chien, strikers Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Cong Phuong.

The Vietnam national team is set to gather on March 13 but it will be until March 15 that the team will have full players due to the schedule of the round of 1/8 of the 2023-24 National Cup. Thus, Coach Troussier has only four days of training in Hanoi before leaving for Indonesia on March 19. Then, he and his players will have two more training sessions to complete preparations for the match with host Indonesia on March 2
1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with a capacity of 80,000 spectators.

The Vietnamese team will return on March 22 to meet the Indonesian team again on March 26 at My Dinh National Stadium./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency