Art & Entertainment News 20/1 Cheo Theatre stages traditional opera with a twist A new show combining Cheo (traditional opera) and Water Puppetry is currently being staged daily between 5.30 and 6.30pm at the Ha Noi Cheo Theatre, 15 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. Entitled "Long Thanh Dien Xuong" or the Thang Long Citadel Singing Show, the act features folk dances, traditional opera, Xam singing (folk music performed by blind beggars), and Chau Van (chamber singing performed through trance rituals in honour of Mother goddesses), which are either illustrated through or mixed with Water Puppetry. VTV1 to broadcast documentary on Son Doong Cave A latest documentary on the biggest cave known in the world—Son Doong—located in the central province of Quang Binh, will be broadcast on VTV1 on February 14. The documentary will feature magnificent scenes from inside the cave that still carry ancient traces of animal and plant drawings, as well as of the people, who made the great contribution of discovering the caves and protecting them. The scenes from the cave were filmed with Beethoven's Symphony No 5 being played by a symphony orchestra inside the cave at the same time. Ban Hoa Tau Son Doong (Son Doong Symphony) is the second documentary of its kind and will be broadcast at 8.10pm on Saturday, on VTV1, as part of a weekly VTV Special documentary series. The documentary series has focused on various subjects, including the fate of the victims of the mysterious flight MH370, that of mixed-blood children given birth by Vietnamese women and fathered by American soldiers after the American war in Viet Nam, and the global impact of the Independent Declaration read by President Ho Chi Minh in Ha Noi on September 2, 1945. Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam-China diplomatic ties A photo exhibition featuring 65 years of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties opened in Hanoi on January 19. As part of the activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries (January 18, 1950-2015), the four-day event was jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam. In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien stated that this is a meaningful cultural activity, designed to enhance the bilateral friendship and cooperation. Chinese Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong said he hopes that joint efforts from the two nations will continue to bolster their mutual-development relations. On display are 120 photos reflecting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and China over the last 65 years, highlighting the role played by key leaders from both sides in forging the relations. The photos also demonstrate progress in political ties between the two nations and their fruitful cooperation in recent years. Vietnamese celebrities join cultural week in Cyprus Famous actress Truong Ngoc Anh and overseas Vietnamese actor Kim Ly is attending the Vietnam Cultural Week which is taking place in Cyprus from January 18 - 30. The event was part of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cyprus diplomatic ties (1975-2015). Apart from a photography exhibition on Vietnam’s islands and sea, visitors to the cultural week also have a chance to watch a well-known movie Huong Ga (Perfume), in which Truong Ngoc Anh and Kim Ly are two main characters. On Jan. 19, Huong Ga film delegation and Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy and Cyprus Nguyen Hoang Long arrived in Nicosia capital for other activities in the framework of the Vietnam Cultural Week. First Debutante Ball to take place next month HCMC-based John Robert Powers has chosen February 15 to host Debutante Ball, a popular event which has taken place in 75 countries in the world, in this city. The event at a five-star hotel in HCMC is open for young people aged between 16 and 22 to mark their maturity. Other purposes are to collect funds for charity, inspire humanity among youths and raise their awareness of responsibility towards themselves and families and society. Young participants have chances to build up their social standings as well as confidence at an event with the participations of authorities and successful businessmen. The Debutante Ball in HCMC will feature Miss Vietnam 2012 Dang Thu Thao, second runner-up of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, Duong Truong Thien Ly, MC Thanh Bach and singer Dam Vinh Hung. For registrations, call (08) 39308698 or visit the Facebook page of Debutante Ball Vietnam. France-Vietnam food and music festival set for this weekend The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV), in collaboration with District Music 360, will stage a France-Vietnam food and music festival in the heart of HCMC this weekend. The “Bonjour Vietnam” festival at September 23 Park adjacent to the landmark Ben Thanh Market in District 1 will open at 4 p.m. this Saturday and last until 11 a.m. the following day. Admission is free. Visitors will have a chance to see a wide variety of French farm produce, food and wines, and Vietnamese specialties. In the food area, they can find tasty French and Vietnamese dishes and drinks. Interesting activities and game shows will be available as well. Notably, there will be a Louis Lesaffre baking competition where contestants will face up challenges to make the most delicious baguettes, pastries and cakes. Popular singers Thu Minh, Andre Ngo, White Noiz, Phuong Vy and Thanh Bui will appear at a music performance as part of the festival to promote Vietnamese and French music. The European-Vietnamese Business Network (EVBN) will also arrange an area for local and European businesses to meet and build business links. The event is expected to attract around 20,000 locals and expats. For further information, visit www.lehoiphapviet.com. VNS/SGT/VNA/VOV