Published:  00:00 Tuesday - October 05, 2010

A statue of legendary hero Thanh Giong (Saint Giong) was inaugurated at Da Chong Mountain in Hanoi’s suburban district of Soc Son on October 5.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), Most Venerable Thich Thanh Tu and thousands of Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers from across the country attended the event.

The 14.02m tall, 85 tonne copper statue, depicting the hero with a grove of bamboo in his hand flying onto the sky on his horse, is one of the major projects to celebrate the millennial anniversary of Hanoi.

The project, co-ordinated by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Hanoi People’s Committee, cost nearly VND60 billion (US$3.1 million).

The casting of the statue began in October 2009 and was completed in March 2010.

*** The same day, the 10^th photography exhibition including 15 northern mountainous provinces took place in Dien Bien Phu city in the northern province of Dien Bien.

The event was organised by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists in coordination with the Dien Bien province Association of Arts and Literature.

The exhibition gathered 1,219 photos taken in 2009 and 2010 by 306 photographers from 15 northern mountainous provinces including Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai and Ha Giang.

205 photos were chosen to be displayed and the organising board presented one gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze, 10 consolation, and 4 team prizes.

The event commemorated the capital’s 1,000^th birthday and the national level Party Congress in the northern province of Dien Bien.

*** Another photography exhibition was held in the northeastern province of Thai Binh on October 5, co-organised by the Thai Binh provincial People’s Committee, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The exhibition shows 120 photos sourced from the VNA and some photographers from Thai Binh, including 70 photos of old and modern Hanoi and 50 photos of Thai Binh’s economic, political and cultural features.

The exhibition celebrates the 120^th year of Thai Binh’s establishment and the 18^th provincial Party Congress, and attracted hundreds of visitors.

*** Also, on October 5, a pottery festival took place in Bat Trang craft village, Gia Lam district, Hanoi.

At the event, visitors saw a 3.5m tall flower vase, the biggest incense-burner in Vietnam, and thousands of handicraft products.

Visitors also joined in traditional games, listened to folk songs and ate Hanoi food.

*** At a press conference on October 5, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) said it will hold many activities in HCM City, Hanoi and some cities and provinces nationwide.

On October 6, an exhibition of 600 photos and items from Hanoi will open around Thien Quang Lake in Hanoi.

Two days later, on October 8, an art performance by the capital’s young people in celebration of the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi will begin at 8am. During the event, an incense-offering to commemorate King Ly Thai To and an art performance attracting 3,500 young Hanoians and 65 foreign delegates will be held at the Ly Thai To flower garden.

Another performance on musical instruments shown by 1,000 youths will take place simultaneously at 9am in three locations-the Ly Thai To flower garden in Hanoi, and Children Palaces in Da Nang and HCM City.

A painting programme on the theme “I love Hanoi” will be carried out by 1,000 children around Hoan Kiem Lake from 8.30am to 10.30am on the same day. Besides, song and dance performances will be held in universities, colleges and high schools across the country from 7.30am to 10.30am.

Another programme titled “ASEAN+3 Youth Festival” from October 6-8 with the participation of many young people from the ASEAN+3 countries, is an international exchange of much significance during the celebration of the capital’s 1,000^th birthday.

In addition, at 7.30pm on October 8, a street carnival will open at the State Bank of Vietnam Square with performances by famous singers including Dan Truong, Minh Quan, My Dung, Lan Anh and Le Anh Dung.