CULTURE AND SPORT

The Olympic Council of Asia has acquiesced to Vietnam’s bid to withdraw from staging the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18) in 2019.

During the making of a recent film, three cats were said to have been abused and killed, prompting those concerned with animal cruelty in the country to speak up.

Internationally acclaimed Vietnamese bubble artist, Fan Yang, current holder of 19 Guinness World Records, dazzled audiences in Hanoi on April 22 with his bubble majesty.

A sports expert who has been studying regulations on sports betting in Vietnam for 15 years, gave his opinion about the barriers impeding this activity in the country.

A newly-released video named "Tu suong" or Selfie Orgasm by singer Mai Khoi has drawn criticism for its controversial lyrics and images.

Veteran artist Huynh Phuong Dong is celebrating his 90th birthday by displaying oil paintings, sketches, posters, and statues he created in the last several decades at an exhibition that opened in HCM City on Friday.

In search of a path towards free expression and moving beyond "the chaos of psychological conflicts in modern life", an Italian and two Vietnamese artists are joining in an art exhibition.

The Vietnam Football Federation, representatives from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have voiced their strong support for combating corruption in sport.

A book festival took place at the National Library of Vietnam on April 20 in Hanoi in response to Vietnam Book Day (April 21) and World Book and Copyright Day (April 23).

The biennial cultural Hue Festival bid farewell to thousands of visitors at the closing ceremony yesterday evening.

In a recent surprise announcement, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has said it will not send younger players to the U22 Asian Cup in 2015.

The For the Future of Vietnam Football programme will kick off its third season on a larger scale, bringing more opportunities for the local children during their summer vacation.

Two Vietnamese artists talked about the real lives of Vietnamese celebrities, giving an image that is completely different from what many of the artists themselves are trying to promote.

Secretary General of the Vietnam Football Federation Le Hoai Anh recently announced the final decision on hiring the next coach for the team will be made in May.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has assigned several ministries and Hanoi capital to work with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and relevant agencies to pull the plug on the hosting of the 2019 Asian Games (ASIAD 18).

The Vietnamese national chess team, which boasts six prominent chess masters, have departed for Sharjah, UAE, to participate in the 13th Asian Continental/Individual Open and the 2014 Women’s Chess Championships taking place from April 16 to 26.

Preparations for the 2014 Ha Long Carnival, slated to take place on April 30 in the northern province of Quang Ninh, have been quickened up to ensure things go smoothly.

The HCM City-based Hong Van Drama Troupe, a leading private theatre, is offering training courses in performance skills as the number of talented actors has declined in recent years.

The US band Amigos staged a free music performance at the Hue Central Hospital in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue as part of the ongoing Hue Festival 2014.