More than 3,200 artists from 13 districts and towns in Phu Tho Province and 18 other provinces and cities nationwide joined in a parade that ended up at the Hung Vuong Museum.

The museum, which has been built on a site of 15,000m², was inaugurated the same day.

On the occasion, the Deputy Chairwoman of Hai Duong People’s Committee Dang Thi Bich Lien presented the museum with two pottery vases made in the famous Chu Dau craft village and an embroidered picture.

During the ten-day festival, an exhibition of artifacts dating back to the era of the Hung Kings (approximately between 2897 BC and 1550 BC), the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) and the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) will be held.

Also on the occasion, 50 traditional pictures for worshipping are on display at the provincial Cultural House to respect the cultural spiritual values of Vietnam’s ethnic community.

The Culture and Sports Festival of the north-eastern ethnic groups began with 136 athletes from nine provinces taking part, namely Phu Tho, Bac Giang, Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Quang Ninh and Lang Son.

According to legend, the Vietnamese nation, named Van Lang, was founded by Emperor Hung Vuong about 40 centuries ago. This dynasty lasted for 18 generations and led Vietnam towards development.

To honour the country’s founding fathers, the holy Hung Vuong site was built in 250BC in Phu Tho and has since become one of the most popular sites in the country. The annual Hung Kings anniversary is held on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month.

The dynasty made many outstanding achievements including the founding of old Vietnam as an independent nation and the establishment of several institutions, administrative, social and economic, which made up the original Vietnamese nation.

The Moscow International Tourism Expo 2010 attracted 130 tourism and travel businesses from 77 countries. Vietnam sent representatives of 24 enterprises and two local tourism management departments to the event.

Vietnam’s booth at the expo named “Vietnam, the Hidden Charm” attracted crowds on the opening day, who queued up to get brochures and souvenirs as well as to try the country’s traditional dishes on offer.

Deputy Director of the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was busy receiving visitors. She said that Mui Ne sand dunes and beaches as well as other resorts in the province have become popular among Russian travellers.

In 2009, Binh Thuan welcomed 40,000 Russian tourists and the number has reached 25,000 so far this year.

Vietnamese artists both domestically and foreign-based will be encouraged to send their paintings, graphics, sculpture and installation works created since 2006 to the organisation board.

Each artist can be send three examples of their work in photos measuring 18cm by 24cm. Three dimensional sculpture works need to have photographs taken from all four perspectives. Installation works need to be snapped from five angles (panorama, front, right, left and behind).

Jury members will select the works by photograph in the first round. After the first round the works will be viewed in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC by the judging board with a view to select the best ones for award and display.

Paintings, graphic works and reliefs should measure 60cm by 200cm. Works larger than 200cm should be able to be disassembled for ease of transportation.

Sculptures should measure 40cm by 200cm not including pedestal and weigh not over 200kg. The artists will be responsible for paying for transportation and display fees for their larger works.

Installation artists have to send a map of space and a short introduction which will be displayed at size 300cm by 400cm by 400cm.

Gold, silver, bronze and consolation prizes will be awarded to three categories painting, graphic works and sculpture and installation.

“There are regulations for new categories such as installations in this exhibition. It is a good sign for artists. I remember that last time there was one installation displayed at the National Fine Arts Exhibition 2005,” said Nguyen Do Bao, Chairman of Hanoi Fine Arts Association.

The national exhibition was first held in 1946 to display painting and graphic works. After the end of the anti-French war in 1954, first sculpture appeared at the exhibition. Last time, about 3,000 works were sent to the organisers to select 739 works for display, according to Tran Khanh Chuong, Chairman of Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

“After exhibitions to display works by the artists of the Indochina Fine Arts School and artists during the French and US wars, now we will display works by artists during the period of renewal, and I hope the artists continue to develop,” Chuong said.

Photos of the works can be sent to Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, 38 Cao Ba Quat Street, Hanoi, before August 25.

The Da Nang City People’s Committee and Lam Dong province have signed an agreement with Vietnam Airlines to re-open an air route connecting Da Nang and Da Lat, a local paper has said