Three highlight cultural events will take place in Hanoi this week. They are expected to entertain locals and expats during the social distancing period in the capital city. All visitors are required to apply Covid-19 regulations strictly.

‘Fragments of Nostalgia’ painting exhibition 

The poster of the ‘Fragments of Nostalgia’ exhibition. Photo: Manzi Hanoi

A solo exhibition titled ‘Fragments of Nostalgia’ by Hanoi-based artist Nguyen Tuan Cuong, one of the most respected contemporary lacquer painters in Vietnam today is underway at Manzi Art Space, 14 Phan Huy Ich Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. The exhibition opens for free entrance from July 9 to August 9.

The exhibition features Cuong’s 15 lacquer on wood paintings themed still life. “With Nguyen Tuan Cuong’s paintings, we are inside an intimate and dusky interior. Forms seem to come into view but stay buried under the penumbra of Son ta (Vietnamese resin). The layers of canh gian (dark brown color) lacquer become deep space while small still life objects are merely there to delineate the empty space within them and anchor our gaze. These domestic bowls, jars, and lanterns transport us to a time in the past,” artist Oanh Phi Phi stated.

The ‘Taikan Japan’ event

Ikebana lecturer Nguyen Thanh Tu to present flower arrangement Ikebana. Photo: Japan Foundation

Organized by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam, ‘Taikan Japan’ is a series of Lecture videos and Workshops created to introduce and unfold many aspects of Japanese culture in an easy-to-understand manner, from traditional crafts to mass culture, featuring Vietnamese professionals and clubs.
The first cultural theme of #taikanjapan is the Japanese art of flower arrangement Ikebana,  presented by Nguyen Thanh Tu (Ikebana lecturer, Ikenobo Viet Nam Central Study Group).

“Ikebana provides me with precious time to dig deep inside, find inner peace, and gradually complete myself.
Moreover, Ikebana enriches our souls and shows us the beauty of everyday life. It is those wonderful experiences that motivate me to inspire Ikebana to more people,” Tu said.

All the videos and workshops of the ‘Taikan Japan’ event are on display in Japanese with English, Vietnamese subtitles on youtube. Follow  www.facebook.com/japanfoundation.vietnam or https://www.youtube.com/c/TheJapanFoundationVietnam/ for event schedules.

Poster of “The Happy Mask” film. Photo: Viettel Media

“The Happy Mask” is the first-ever film project by Viettel Media to be broadcast on SCTV6 – FIM360 channel. The film is a journey to uncover the “happy mask” of a multi-generational family. The family of Mr. Ton (played by People's Artist Manh Cuong) and Mrs. Trang (Meritorious Artist Chieu Xuan) seems to be a typical happy family in Vietnam.

People thought that they have almost everything in life that anyone could dream about: owning a huge fortune, living in a luxurious house, and having beautiful children, a boy, and a girl. But in fact, each member of the family pursues their own ways of living. They are forced to live together and wear “happy masks” in dealing with people. People's Artist Trung Anh plays Huan, the driver of the family, and Mrs.Trang’s sweetheart.

The film is broadcast at 12 noon every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in July.