Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Feb. 15(VNA)- Vu Hoang Thanh Thao, a modern Renaissance woman with a Bohemian soul, has been admitted to the Czech Republic's National Arts College for the Talented, holding her own among 400 Czech students in the entrance examination.

Fifteen-year-old Thao moved to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic with her family when she was six. Living in cold Eastern Europe made Thao develop her warm talents.

While still in grade school, she won first prize in a solo singing competition for children aged 8-15 held in Prague.
She owes her artistic sensibilities in part to her home community. Her father, Vu Quoc Chinh, is a Vietnamese painter whom she would accompany to his various expositions around the country.

Thao is also fostered by a Czech artist family who feeds her creativity. The young woman was the only Vietnamese national who sat for the difficult three-part examination that includes general academic knowledge and artistic skills, designed for gifted students, such as fine art, music and design.

Before gaining admission to the prestigious school, she was top of her class at the Kolin Arts School in 2002.