The exhibition showcases more than 60 pictures of people in Truong Sa, including painters from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association (VFAA), such as Phan Oanh, Dao Chau Hai, Ly Truc Son, Le Van Nhuong, and Tran Nguyen Hieu as well as soldiers and young people who were born and raised on the islands.

Sculptor Dao Chau Hai said the VFAA is calling upon organisations and individuals to set up a cultural fund which will help soldiers and children in the Truong Sa islands have a better life.

There will be seven flights a week by A321 aircraft. VNA will offer competitive prices (US$80-150 for a return ticket) in order to attract travellers from and to Vietnam.

VNA has also become the official sponsor for this year’s Hue Festival with a financial assistance budget of VND400 million. Art troupes from five continents will take part in activities of the Hue Festival 2010 scheduled for June 5-13.

Representatives from the VNAT and the Vietnamese Embassy in France will highlight Vietnam’s new policies for boosting tourism by running package tours from France and carrying out several major tourism projects.

Vietnam Airlines also announced its plans to increase the frequency of its flights to France and the European Market, especially as Vietnam’s Traditional Lunar New Year Festival is drawing near and many celebrations will take place in Vietnam next year.

The programme will also help the French and their Vietnamese partners get involved in the tourist industry and take advantage of the opportunities in tourist development.

The band that hails from Munich in Germany will play at the club at 19-21 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hanoi to celebrate this year’s Oktoberfest, which is having its 200 year anniversary in Germany.

The Happy Bavarians, who dress in traditional Bavarian lederhosen, tunics and hats and play traditional tunes, will bring an authentic German flavor to the festival that is popular round the world.

The beer-fest will also be a celebration of 1000 years of Thang Long – Hanoi and the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany.

Guests can expect German festive flavors including Bitburger Premium Beer – the No.1 selling draught beer in Germany and other Oktoberfest traditional food such as Pretzel cake, grilled veal sausage, salted cabbage, potato salad and more. There will also be beer-drinking games and souvenirs. A Philippino band and French DJ will also play.