KVT – Day 10

KVT’s Diary as he enjoys exploring Hanoi in the final days counting down to Hanoi’s birthday.

There is so much great stuff on and so much to see in the lead up to the great day that this opinionated blogger can’t get to the lot…so if you catch an event or a memorable sight send it to [email protected] and we’ll post our favorites so that no one’s left in the dark.

No more sleeps to go! October has come in with bangs and clangs and an explosion of lights in greater Hanoi. It’s week one !

Today, OCT 1, is packed out. I’ll try to push my way into the Opera House at 9am for Dang Thai Son’s dress rehearsal of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No 2 with the Hanoi Philharmonic. I was offered a ticket for tonight’s performance at 3 million VND a pop but decided my dentist needed it more……. Then it’s the Bui Gallery at 6.30 to preview the Ford Foundation and British Council’s art gift to Hanoi. This exciting collection of primarily Vietnamese contemporary art (plus some exciting donations by some of the city’s best artists) will be auctioned off on the 10th at a sumptuous dinner at the Metropole for the sparkly ones who’ll pay up to $350 a pop for a seat and a plate or two (washed down, I assume, with Dom Perignon 2000). Before or after Bui it’s a trip to see the fabulous lights in Trang Tien which my favorite driver insists are that su tuyet voi… then a saunter past the stages and laser lights around Hoan Kiem.

Tomorrow, OCT 2 is the treat of the week! The Spanish have generously imported Els Comediants for a gala Festival of the Dragon with a troupe from the National Circus. I’m heading to My Dinh Stadium at about 4.30 to secure a good position for the 7.30 start for an event that could be the hit of the season (and it’s free).

Then its off to L’Espace to catch my favorite contemporary musician, Tri Minh and his Rhythms of Hanoi dance party (at 50,000VND a ticket) playing till 11.

Two completely UNMISSABLE up and comings are: the 15th when Dao Anh Khanh and his massed cohorts perform their free tribute to Hanoi (watch the Grapevine for details) and the 23rd when Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand will reverberate through the My Dinh Convention Center with the VNSO and choirs massed on mass. Tickets are on sale now at very reasonable prices.

Being a sucker for pageantry, pomp and inevitable circumstance I’m eagerly awaiting news about where (or if) we can view the BIG MARCH on the DAY OF DAYS with its phalanx of helicopters a-buzzing overhead.

Related posts:

KVT day 1
KVT day 2
KVT day 3
KVT day 4
KVT day 5
KVT day 6
KVT day 7
KVT day 8
KVT day 9
KVT day 11
KVT day 12