A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a programme to introduce Vietnamese culture in the Republic of Korea (RoK) was signed between Hanoi Open University, the RoK Television Information University and Lock & Lock Co., Ltd.

Two movie stars from the Republic of Korea (RoK), Kim Tae Hee and Song Seung Hun, arrived in Hanoi on January 6 to promote their TV series entitled “My Princess” to be aired on local channel SCTV17.

Eighty poets from 27 countries are expected to join 40 Vietnamese colleagues to take part in the first Asia-Pacific poetry festival in the northern province of Quang Ninh from February 1-3.

The movie “Hot Boy Noi Loan” (Lost in Paradise) by director Vu Ngoc Dang will be sent to the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2012.

The Vietnamese team, led by Italian coach Sergio Gargelli, is practicing hard at Ho Chi Minh City’s Thai Son Nam sports centre to prepare for the qualifying round of the 2012 Asian Futsal Championships from February 21-26.

The Vietnamese national swimming team has started its training course in the US.

The German coach Falko Goetz on January 5 completed procedures for ending his pre-period contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Star Movies will screen the Vietnamese blockbuster Bay Rong (Clash) in Asia on January 7.

Artists of the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre have wound up a performance tour in eight big cities of France, within a cultural exchange project between the theatre and the Bordeaux Grand Theatre (France).

World supermodel Tyra Banks said she wants to appear at the final stage of Vietnam’s Next Top Model in an Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress).  

The best three candidates of Vietnam’s Next Top Model, Tra My, Hoang Thi Thuy and Le Thi Thuy, will give a circus-style flying performance on the final night of the competition on January 8, said the programme’s organizing board.  

Disputes over a 20-year TV rights deal are escalating as parties concerned have made contrary claims.

Vietnam’s top badminton player, world No. 8 Nguyen Tien Minh, failed to qualify for the next round of  the 2012 Korea Open Super Series Premie.

Vietnamese circus artists returned from the second Indochina Circus Talent Competition with eight prizes, including the top prize for an acrobatic performance named Ngay Hoi Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands Festival).

Vietnam’s young tennis star, Nguyen Hoang Thien, leapt 54 notches to 67th position in the latest International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior world rankings announced early this week.

The Goethe Institute will hold the German film week in Hanoi from January 6-11 as part of activities to celebrate the New Year.

Former Italian international football star Fabio Cannavaro is scheduled to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City this weekend at the invitation of Eximbank.

A comprehensive overview of Japanese literature entitled Tong Quan Lich Su Van Hoc Nhat Ban (Overview of Japanese Literature's History) by Professor Nguyen Nam Tran was recently published by the Vietnam Education Publishing House.

The 35m long ceramic dragons, which were registered for the Vietnam Book of Records, were moved and set up on West Lake, Hanoi, on January 3 to celebrate the Lunar New Year Festival.  

A 300-page book, measuring 125cmx80cmx16cm with wooden covers and weighing 120kg, by Prof Dr Hoang Quang Thuan, calligrapher Tran Quoc An and photographer Pham Tu, will soon be completed.  

Vietnamese gymnastics team, including hopefuls Do Thi Ngan Thuong and Pham Phuoc Hung, will leave for London on January 6 to take part in the qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics.

Children will compete in the first ever National U-10 Football Championship in May, organised by the Nhi Dong (Children) newspaper.

About 20 paintings and installation pieces displayed on the footpath in Hanoi’s Ly Thai To Street are a symphony of different tones.

Top Vietnamese Chess Grand Master Le Quang Liem and winner of the 2007 Miss Vietnam World pageant Ngo Phuong Lan will represent Vietnam at the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay in Manchester, the UK, next June.  

The capital city has attracted nearly 4 million visitors to its special three-day festival entitled “Hanoi - A destination for streets and flowers”.

TV channel Russia-2 broadcast a one-hour program on January 2 introducing Vietnam’s country and people.

Both Vietnamese Super Grandmasters, Le Quang Liem and Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, dropped one position in the latest World Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings, which were announced on January 1.

The Municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially opened “Hanoi Tourism Day” on January 1, 2012.

The Hanoi Open Dance Sport 2011 competition for the Ernest Borel Cup concluded in the capital city on December 31.  

Trinh Van Trung, an inhabitant in Vinh Ninh commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, dug up a large ancient bronze drum on December 28.