CULTURE AND SPORT

Several recent Vietnamese movie releases that got combined funding amounting to tens of billions of VND from the state budget, have failed miserably at the box office.

The Qatari women's basketball team withdrew from the Asian Games on Thursday to protest an international rule that bans players from wearing Muslim headscarves in competition.

Swedish and Japanese artists on September 24 received a thunderous applause from Hanoi audiences with their impressive performances, raising the curtain on the annual “Europe meets Asia in contemporary dance.”

An historic milestone was set for Vietnamese gymnastics at the 17th Asian Games (Asiad) on September 24 as Phan Thi Ha Thanh performed excellently to bring home the women’s vault bronze medal – the first ever Asiad medal won

Vietnamese athletes by noon September 24 earned three more medals - one silver and two bronze - at the ongoing 17th Asian Games (ASIAD 17) in Incheon, the Republic of Korea.

The 2015 Danang International Fireworks Competition (DIFC) themed “A Symphony of Colours” is expected to attract five teams, including South Africa, the US, Australia, Poland and the host, Danang.

Artists from the HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera are preparing to attend Asia Orchestra Week 2014, set for October 3-9 in Tokyo, Japan.

Vietnam’s Olympic football squad on September 22 secured first place in Group H after stunning Kyrgyzstan 1-0 at the ongoing 17th Asian Games (ASIAD 17) in the Republic of Korea.

Many viewers were shocked at an episode of Master Chef, aired on VTV, in which contestants slaughtered animals on television to prepare their dishes.

A total of VND123 million (US$5,781) was raised from the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2014 and presented to “Sapa O’Chau” – a local charity organisation – as the two-day run wrapped up successfully in Lao Cai province’s Sapa district on

More than 50 artworks depicting the beauty of nature and rich ethnic culture in the picturesque hill town of Sapa are on display at the Festival of Art in Lao Cai starting on September 21.

Vietnamese wushu athlete Duong Thuy Vi snatched the first gold medal for Vietnam at the ongoing Asian Games (ASIAD 17) in the Republic of Korea.

A painting exhibition opened at on September 18 at Casa Italia No. 18, Le Phung Hieu Street, Hanoi, featuring images of contemporary daily life in Vietnam through the personal perspective of Barbara Pellizzari, an Italian artist.

The fourth international festival, Europe Meets Asia in Contemporary Dance, will be held from September 24-28 at the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre in Hanoi.

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen has joined an international marathon in the mountainous town of Sapa which takes place from September 20 to 21 as part of a charitable programme.

Vietnam’s national football team fell by three positions, ranking 142nd in FIFA global rankings in September, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Vietnamese marksmen secured their first medal after locking down third place in shooting competition at the ongoing 17th Asian Games in the Korean city of Incheon on September 20.

A lavish opening ceremony at the Asian Games included poetry, the standard fireworks, and a rousing finale of singer PSY belting his signature hit "Gangnam Style" through a sequined microphone on Friday.

The Olympic Council of Asia on September 19 selected Indonesia as a host country of the next Asian Games in 2019 (ASIAD 18) in lieu of Vietnam.