Addressing the opening ceremony, South African Ambassador to Vietnam Ratutatsi Super Meloi welcomed and highly spoke of the cultural event, which, he said, introduces people in Pretoria in particular and South Africa in general about the land, people and traditional culture of Vietnam.

Vietnamese chief delegate Nguyen Hai Anh, who is Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, thanked South Africa’s relevant agencies for their creation of favourable conditions for Vietnam to organise this important event, thus contributing to further expanding the two countries’ friendship and cooperation in all fields, including culture.

The Vietnamese Culture Days in South Africa include a traditional musical performance and a show for the traditional Vietnamese ao dai (long dress) at the National Opera House in Pretoria, film screenings, and a photo exhibit on the land, people and culture of Vietnam.

On show are almost 30 paintings of various schools and materials by female members of the AFTAB (Contemporary Art) group, including two professors Mahvash Soheili and Shahla Mahjoubi.

The three-day event is to promote Iranian contemporary art to the world as well as to facilitate friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries and the two peoples, said organisers from the Iranian Embassy and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Iranian Ambassador Seyed Javad Ghavarn Shahidi and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Tien Tho were present at the opening ceremony.

Those tours aim to provide visitors with an insight into the history of the capital city, as well as the new developments of Hanoi.

In particular, the “Journey to Vietnamese ancient capital cities” will take visitors from Hanoi to Phong Chau in the northern midland province of Phu Tho where the nation’s legendary founders – the Hung Kings – set up their capital, and then to the old seats of government of past dynasties including Ho, Le and Nguyen.

There will be also a tour that focuses on Buddhism and the Ly Dynasty which was known to have played a major role in popularising the religion in Vietnam. The tour covers famous pagodas, including Luy Lau Ancient Citadel, Yen Tu, Huong, Tay Phuong and Thay pagodas.

The city’s tourism industry is working on programmes that feature museums in Hanoi like the History, Fine Arts, Military History, Ethnology museums, as well as traditional craft villages and ancient villages and citadels.

In addition, the tourism department is planning tours highlighting martial arts. The newly-emerged ecotourism area in Ba Vi will also become a destination on offer.

The drums will be made in Dong Tien Commune, Dong Son District and Thanh Hoa City. 32 craftsmen will take part in their making.

They will spend 10 months to finish the drums before August 2010.

Among the 100 bronze drums, 90 drums are 48cm high with a diameter of 90cm, the rest will be 70cm in diameter.

All the drums will be on display during a performance to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi on October 10, 2010. The drums will be divided into 10 groups and played by 240 artists.

In addition, Thanh Hoa Province will cast one drum with a diameter of 1m to offer to the steering committee to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.