Vietnamese female guitarist captivates Belgian audience
Vietnamese-origin female guitarist Le Thu has drawn much attention from Belgian audience at the 13th edition of the Brussels International Guitar Festival & Competitions “Our Planet, the Earth” held in Belgium from November 22-26.
Brussels (VNA) – Vietnamese-origin female guitarist Le Thu has drawn much attention from Belgian audience at the 13th edition of the Brussels International Guitar Festival & Competitions “Our Planet, the Earth” held in Belgium from November 22-26.
Thu's performance included solo guitar and duo guitar segments, and a duet with the famous Austrian-Cuban artist Marco Tamayo.
This is the first time the guitar duo has performed in Belgium.
Interspersed with contemporary and classical Western music, Thu amazed audience taking on such cultural classics as the Vietnamese folk tune "Loi Lo", a piece of cheo (traditional opera) that has been transcribed for guitar.
The folk songs of the northern region "Beo Dat May Troi" (When Earth and Sky Unite) played by Thu and Tamayo received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Thu said that she wants to spread the identity and beauty of Vietnamese culture to international audiences, so that they can understand and love the country and people of Vietnam. This is also the reason why she incorporates Vietnamese works in her performances.
Thu, born in 1978, graduated from the Vietnam National Academy of Music in 2001 after 15 years of studying and became a lecturer at the school. In 2010, she moved to New Delhi and was invited by the Bridge Music Academy of India to be the head of the Guitar Department.
She has won many international guitar awards at guitar festivals in India and Turkey.
🐬 She currently lives with her family in Bahrain, and has been invited to perform and teach guitar in Italy, France, England, Austria, Germany, Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Thailand, Malaysia, and the US./.
The “Suite Kieu” (To khuc Kieu) by Vietnamese music professor and guitarist Dang Ngoc Long was one of the six works played by Zafraan Ensemble - a German group based in Berlin that is well-known for its classical concerts with a distinct crossover flair at the House of World Cultures in Berlin on March 1.
The Vietnam Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) was officially set up on November 3, marking a milestone in the economic relations between the two countries.
A Vietnamese 'Ao dai' (traditional long dress) heritage club made its debut in Belgium on September 7, marking a significant milestone in preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of Vietnam.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
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.
