"Everything that I have today is due to my love and contribution to cai luong," says cai luong performer Le Van Gan, one of Ho Chi Minh City's young talents in the traditional operatic art.
"Everything that I have today is due to my love and contributionto cai luong," says cai luong performer Le Van Gan, one of Ho Chi MinhCity's young talents in the traditional operatic art.
Viewing Gan performing on stage, many in the audience are deeply moved by the power of his singing.
Sincewinning high prize at the Golden Bell Contest in 2007, an annual cailuong (reformed opera) singing competition by HCM City Television, Gansaid that he had "worked very hard, improving my skills and creativity".
Inhis mid-20s, the talented Gan has faced challenges luring audiencesback to cai luong theatre. He realises that without fans' support, themusic will not survive.
Born in a farming family in Tien Giang province, Gan has loved the music genre since an early age.
Ganentered the Golden Bell Contest after he heard that the region'straditional theatre was looking for talented cai luong singers.
"Imoved from my hometown to compete in HCM City without support from myfamily, who believed that becoming a farmer was my destiny," said Gan.
"My second prize Silver Bell opened a door for me," he said.
Gannow works for the prestigious Tran Huu Trang Theatre, performing indozens of plays and TV shows viewed by thousands of audiences across thecountry.
"I can earn a good income from my art," he said.
UnlikeGan, Nguyen Binh Trong was a fisherman in Ha Tien province beforeworking as a leading performer in the Kien Giang People Theatre.
"Ihad my first lessons in singing and performance skills from veteranperformer Thanh Nam, who discovered my ability," said Trong, winner ofthe Golden Bell Contest in 2010.
Both Gan and Trong deeplyrespected their older colleagues like great stars Vu Linh and Kim TuLong, but they did not want to live in their shadow.
"To escapethe domination of veterans, I have worked hard to demonstrate my ownpersonal style on stage," said Trong, adding that to develop cai luong,young artists need to be innovative on the stage.
Female artistsNguyen Thu Van of Long Xuyen province and Binh Tinh of Long An provinceare also recognised pioneers in cai luong, who put a new spin on theform.
Their beauty and sweet voices were often their signature attraction.
"Idecided to improve my art by studying because I wanted to try toprovide some new offerings for theatre lovers, particularly youngeraudiences," said Van, who now studies at the HCM City Theatre andCinematography College.
"Through cai luong contests andfestivals, we hope troupes can try a new form and discover that thetraditional art should be kept alive by young artists," said theatredirector Huu Loc, a member of the HCM City Theatre Association.
Locsaid cai luong troupes should "create an open environment for theirstaff to bridge the gap between older and newer ones, giving all artistsa chance to show off their creativity and skills".-VNA
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide.
In recent decades, Vietnam’s mainstream media has become a reliable and persuasive channel for showcasing the nation’s development policies and achievements, especially in economic matters, according to a senior assistant editor at the Times of India.
A hub for sharing best practices, the event aims to forge solutions for financial sustainability, public media contracts, audience engagement, content innovation, and newsroom restructuring. It is also a moment for Vietnam’s media to accelerate its progress and figure out what the “revolutionary press” means in a new era.
From “Thanh nien”, Vietnam’s first revolutionary newspaper founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later President Ho Chi Minh) on June 21, 1925, the revolutionary press has remained devoted to its sacred missions -accompanying the nation, serving the Fatherland, and working for the people.
The official launch of Emirates’ Dubai–Da Nang route on June 2 has sparked a “tourism revolution” for Vietnam’s central coastal city. Da Nang is emerging as a top destination for high-end travelers, particularly from the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA.
In this era of global integration and digitalisation, the press must adopt modern multimedia models to not only meet increasing information and communication demands but also align with the broader socio-economic development of the country.
A master plan on implementation of recommendations accepted by Vietnam under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) took effect on June 17.
Running until June 21, the festival brings together more than 80 central and local media organisations, featuring nearly 130 exhibition booths that cover the full spectrum of national life, encompassing economy, politics, culture, society, defence, security, and foreign affairs.
As of June 17, Ca Mau province had achieved its target of supporting the construction and renovation of 4,400 homes, with a total budget of over 235 billion VND (about 9 million USD).
Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) Le Quoc Minh has called for technology to be leveraged not to replace identity, but to enhance it—allowing Vietnamese journalism to reach both local and global audiences.
In recent years, with strong support from the Party and State, and building on its tradition as a heroic news agency, the VNA has not only actively participated in OANA but also proactively proposed various ideas for cooperation, helping shape a fresh image of effective media collaboration in the digital era, said VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang.
The education sector has been one of the foundations playing a vital role in deepening Vietnam – New Zealand ties, said Prof. Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
