Portrait by late Vietnamese painter to be auctioned in Hong Kong
A portrait, titled La Joconde (Mona Lisa), by late painter Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980) will be available for bidding on May 24 as part of the Christie’s Hong Kong Spring Auctions.
Screenshot of a page to introduce the painting on the website of the auction organiser (Source: christies.com)
Hanoi (VNA) - A portrait, titled La Joconde (MonaLisa), by late painter Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980) will be available for biddingon May 24 as part of the Christie’s Hong Kong Spring Auctions.
Painted in 1974, it was made of ink and gouache on silk.
With a guide price of 2.5 – 3.5 million HKD (321,00 –450,000 USD), insiders said the painting is likely to fetch up to 1.2 millionUSD.
“We can imagine Mai Thu discovering and visiting often theoriginal Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre, from his stay in Parisin 1937 to 1974, the date of execution of his own painting. There is no doubtthat he scrutinized it, in all the lights of day, in all seasons, indulging ina continuous and attentive observation. A piety. He is 68 years old, at thepeak of his art (widely recognized) and yet, like a student in a workshop, helaunches into the reproduction of the most famous painting in the world,”Jean-François Hubert, a senior expert on Vietnamese Art said in his lot essaypublished on Christie’s website for the auction of the painting.
In April, Thu’s oil painting on canvas entitled Portrait deMademoiselle Phuong (Portrait of Mademoiselle Phuong) was sold at an auction ofSotheby's Hong Kong for a record price of 3.1 million USD, the highest pricepaid for Vietnamese art.
Also on auction with La Joconde on May 24 are threemasterpieces by other late Vietnamese painters - Les Teinturières (Dyers atWork) by Nguyen Phan Chanh (1892-1984) as well as Jeune femme attachant sonfoulard (Young Lady Tying Her Scarf) and Le Bol Bleu (The Blue Bowl) by Le Pho(1907-2001)./.
Paintings of renowned Vietnamese artists have continually been up for auction at home and aboard recently, attracting artwork hunters from both Vietnam and other countries.
A silk painting featuring a woman holding a paper fan by noted painter Nguyen Nam Son, co-founder of the Indochine Fine Arts College, shocked experts after being sold for 440,000 euro (504,300 USD) at an auction sale at Aguttes in Paris on October 22, marking the highest price paid for a work by the painter in a public sale.
An oil painting on canvas entitled Portrait de Mademoiselle Phuong (Portrait of Mademoiselle Phuong) by late painter Mai Trung Thu has sold at an auction for the highest price paid for Vietnamese art.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Screenshot of a page to introduce the painting on the website of the auction organiser (Source: christies.com) 
