Artists throughout the nation are showing their sympathy for people suffering from the recent catastrophes in Japan through a variety of activities.

A music fashion show titled Be Strong Japan! will be held at the Hanoi Drama Theatre on March 31. The show will gather around 50 singers, musicians and models, who will showcase the latest collections by designers Duc Hung from Hanoi and Viet Hung from HCM City . The outfits will then be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to a charity for Japanese victims.

An art exhibition titled Chan Dung Hanoi (Hanoi Portrait) will be held at the Maison des Arts, 31A Van Mieu street on April 1. The 10-day exhibition will feature works by 50 domestic and foreign artists, who will also sketch visitors' portraits. Most of the proceeds will go towards those in need in Japan

On April 5, the Nhacvietplus music information website will hold a charity music show at the Students Cultural House, 37 Tran Binh Trong Street , with popular singers such as Thanh Lam, Ngoc Anh, Khanh Linh and Bang Cuong as well as noted models and football players on stage. A charity auction will also be held, and lots can be viewed at www.mattroimoc.info.

The proceeds will also be sent to Japan .

Earlier this month, musician Do Hong Quan, chairman of the Vietnam Musicians Association, composed a song expressing his sympathy for Japan .

Titled Gui Loi Yeu Thuong (Message of Compassion), the song was written in just five days, and singer Ho Quynh Huong has been chosen as the first to sing the song. Quan said he would record the song to the background of images of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11.

He also said he hoped the song would encourage Vietnamese people to pull together in an effort to help the Japanese people. /.