Capital hosts gala concert in conjunction with UK foundation

The first ever UK-Vietnam Gala Concert, featuring the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet and young artists from the UK's Concordia Foundation, will take place tonight.

The Hanoi Opera House's concert, organised by the British Council Vietnam, is in honour of the official visit by Alderman Michael Bear, the Lord Mayor of the City of London , who is currently in the country until March 24.

The concert is the first international event in a unique collaboration between the Lord Mayor and the Concordia Foundation, with concerts also planned in China and Kenya .

The aim of the concert, which forms part of the Concordia Foundation global projects, is to build bridges through music and the arts, and to provide much-needed concert platforms for emerging young artists.

Concordia has been active in Vietnam for the past 10 years.

Supported by the British Council, a workshop will be organised with the Vietnam Stage and Drama Academy on Sound Recording and Amplifying Classical Music, led by Tim Brice – a member of the Concordia Foundation.

The Concordia Foundation will provide start-up funding for a Vietnam performing arts foundation to offer performing opportunities, as well as vocal and technical training for young Vietnamese artists./.

Lao New Year festival celebrated in Dak Lak

Around the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, Lao traders came to exchange goods in Buon Don district, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, and many settled there to establish livelihoods. They brought with them the beautiful cultural aspects and beliefs of the “land of a Million Elephants” and have preserved them to this day.