Exhibition features inspiring Vietnamese, Italian women
The Embassy of Italy in Hanoi and the Bat Trang Museum on April 21 launched the exhibition entitled “Substance - The inspiring Vietnamese and Italian women” at Casa Italia (Italian House) in Hanoi.
Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro addresses the opening of the exhibition (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Embassy of Italy in Hanoi and the Bat Trang Museum on April 21 launched the exhibition entitled “Substance - The inspiring Vietnamese and Italian women” at Casa Italia (Italian House) in Hanoi.
The exhibition is part of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said that this is the second time the Italian Embassy and the Bat Trang Museum have partnered in an art project after the first one in 2022.
He highlighted the similarities between the two countries, which have a traditional culture with art quintessence as well as craft villages.
Visitors at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)
“Substance” features the work of renowned Vietnamese make-up artist Pham Ha Phuong, also known as PSI. After many years in the make-up profession, for the first time PSI explores multimedia art and creates an original tribute to the beauty and value of women.
In doing so, she drew inspiration from the famous Venetian masks, elaborated with traditional techniques and handcrafted with plaster, leather and papier-mâché. By “turning human beings into artworks”, PSI creates a unique and profound combination between contemporary art and Italian cultural heritage.
The exhibition brings together 21 outstanding women from different professions, each of them representing a generation of Vietnamese and Italian women living in Hanoi who have made significant contributions to the society.
The artworks displayed in “Substance” are created through life-casting, a common technique in the movie industry. Twenty-one characters become artworks made of different materials, representing the inherently diversity of "substance" with a contemporary touch.
The audience will discover the inspiring stories of these characters through artworks, photos and documentaries displayed physically in the venue and digitally on the exhibition’s official website: www.trienlambanthe.vn.
The exhibition opens for free from April 22 to May 5./.
Vietnamese and Italian experts and scholars gathered at an international conference in Rome on April 18 to spotlight the significance of the time that President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in Italy in the 1930s.
A friendship exchange programme on Vietnam – Italy solidarity was held by the Vietnam – Italy Friendship Association (VIFA) and the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Associations in the Veneto and Liguria regions, and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, on April 18 in Hanoi.
The project "Vietnam – Improvement of National Statistical System”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), was completed with all project targets achieved since its launch nearly five years ago.
A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, has visited Italy.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro addresses the opening of the exhibition (Photo: VNA) 
Visitors at the exhibition (Photo: VNA) 
