People’s Artist Thanh Tòng, a cải lương (reformed theatre) star, died yesterday in HCM City after an undisclosed illness. He was 68.

Tourists and locals will today once again be able to saunter up and down the Spanish Steps, after a year-long renovation to the Rome tourist landmark.

On approaching Thi Nai Port, I was stunned by the grand beauty of the huge statue of Vietnamese hero Trần Hưng Đạo (1228-1300) and the Phước Mai Lighthouse. Built by French colonists over 100 years ago, the 52-metre lighthouse is like a welcoming or farewell signal to ships travelling back and forth to the city.

The British Business Group Việt Nam will host its 16th Annual Fun Run for Charity in District 7’s Phú Mỹ Hưng Urban Area on September 25.

Phú Quốc Island is likely to host Southeast Asia’s largest sea festival next year, according to the Epizode sea festival co-operation project being arranged by Russian entertainment company Epizode, Vietnamese event organiser Đông Đô Show Co., and 99 Mountains Company, developer of Sunset Sanato Resort on Phú Quốc.

The central province of Ninh Thuận will host the 2016 Grapes and Wine Festival from September 29 to October 1, aiming to promote the province’s people, landscapes and images and introduce local specialties to Vietnamese and foreign tourists.

Shows featuring hát bội (classical drama) will be launched in Vịnh Long Province in an bid to attract tourists and preserve traditional theatre, the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has said.

A new musical called Chuyện Tình Nàng Giáng Hương (Love Story of Giáng Hương) will debut at HCM City’s Hoà Bình Theatre.

The city authorities have allowed Hoà Bình Corp. and First News to establish a “lighthouse” on Nguyễn Văn Bình in District 1 to symbolise Việt Nam’s sovereignty over its seas and islands.