The Giay ethnic minority people number 38,000 and live mostly in the northern mountainous provinces of Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The Giay are also known as Nhang, Dang, Pau Thin and Xa. Their language belongs to the Tay-Thai linguistic group.

With a population of 67,000, M’nong ethnic minority people live mostly in the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak and Lam Dong, and some in Binh Phuoc. They belong to the Mon-Khmer linguistic group. They live mostly by farming terraced fields.

The Khmer ethnic minority group has a population of about one million. Also known as Khmer Krom, they live mostly in the southern provinces of Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, Kien Giang and An Giang. Despite having a different language and written script, Khmer ethnics live in harmony with other groups and contribute to Vietnam’s development.

The Bana ethnic minority group in the Central Highlands is one of 54 ethnic groups living in harmony throughout Vietnam.

The Ca Tru (Ceremonial singing) Night was held at the Hanoi Opera House on June 19 with the participation of artists from 16 provinces and cities nationwide.

The Vietnamese Association chapter in Rhone, France recently organised a parade to introduce Vietnamese culture with the participation of Vietnamese students in France.

Wedding is very important for a man's whole-life in the community of Khmer people in southern Tra Vinh province. To find a life-partner for a son, the girl's good conduct, age... are carefully considered. Average age for marriage is 20 for boys and 19 for girls.

The San Chi people, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Lang Son, maintain a rich traditional culture. Nhuong Ban commune in Loc Binh District, southeast of Lang Son city, is known as a San Chi homeland.

Nung people in northern Lang Son province use traditional sli songs to celebrate their wedding, spring festival, and the dedication of new houses. The lyrics of sli cover every aspect of life, such as weather, nature, history and social issues. However, most young men and women sing sli as a way to get acquainted with each other and date.

“Ways of Looking”, an exhibition of graphite rubbings and mixed media paintings by Australian artist Ian MacIntosh, has opened in HCM City.

Vu Dai Dong has won the first prize of the 2006 Wella Hairdresser Competition for hairdressers in the northern region. Dong competed with 14 other hairdressers from Beauty Salons in the final round held in Hanoi on June 16.

The first cultural festival of ethnic groups in the central and south-eastern regions opened in Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province, on June 16 with the participation of more than 500 artists, artisans and athletes from cities and provinces in the regions.

The Vietnamese Cultural Festival began in Vitoriono Palace in the heart of Rome, Italy on June 16 with the opening of the exhibition “Dragon and Butterfly” to introduce selected artworks of the Vietnamese contemporary art.

Hong Kong is willing to work as a bridge for Vietnamese film makers to reach the outside world, said members of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at a recent seminar in Hanoi.

A high quality contemporary music programme entitled “Wishing upon the Moon” will take place in Hanoi on June 18 and HCM City on June 20 with the participation of leading artists from Denmark and Vietnam, according to the Danish Embassy.

Vietnamese pianist Luu Hong Quang has won third prize at the Val Tidone international music competition held recent in Italy for young musicians aged from 16 to 19.

Experts from the northern province of Quang Ninh's Archaeology Institute and the Culture and Information Department have discovered an ancient tomb at Yen Tu relic, Uong Bi district.

Vietnamese and American children will jointly perform in a chorus at the Hanoi Opera House on July 3.

More than 500 artists and actors will take part in a cultural festival of indigenous ethnic groups of the central and south-eastern region to be held Phu Yen province from June 16-19.

The Guinness Centre has certified and announced six Vietnamese records set following the 2006 Hue Festival.

The Vietnamese Music Academy (VMA) has completed documents for UNESCO recognition of Vietnamese Ca Tru (Ceremonial Song) as a World oral and Intangible Heritage, said VMA official Dang Hoanh Loan in a press briefing in Hanoi on June 13.

Vietnamese and Cambodian youth held a get together in a friendly atmosphere in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on June 12 in a bid to enhance co-operation between young people from the two countries.

Vietnam will be specially introduced at a showroom for African, Asian, Oceanian, and American Arts and Civilisations, due to open at the Museum of Quai Branly in Paris, France, on June 20.

Vietnamese cultural days in Rome will be held from June 16 till July 16 with the theme “The Dragon and Butterfly”. The festival will feature cultural and arts events and tourism, and economic exchange workshops will be held. Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter interviewed Nguyen Huu Hung, a member of the organising board, about the event.

The 2006 Hue Festival, the fourth and the largest cultural-tourist event of its kind so far, closed on June 11 with a night-time showcase of music, dances and light.

Nam Giao Festival was rehearsed imposingly and colourfully on June 10 as part of 2006 Hue Festival, featuring traditional rituals from Nguyen Dynasty.

An exhibition of more than 100 paintings and sculptures depicting the characters from the stories of Nam Cao (1917-1951), one of Vietnam's most outstanding writers of the 20th century, is being held at the Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi.

Visitors came from different countries with various cultures and languages, but they all shared the view that the imperial city of Hue is really beautiful and romantic and the Hue Festival is the most impressive they have ever attended.

Ho Chi Minh City will mark Mozart's 250th birth anniversary with concerts featuring the music of Mozart and other composers on June 9 and 11 at the Opera House.

The cultural values of Vietnam, especially of the Cham ethnic people, will be spotlighted at the first ethnic cultural festival for the central and southeast regions, scheduled for June 16-19 in the central coastal province of Phu Yen.