Ha Noi (VNA) - Vietnamese Professor and People's Artist Nguyen Trong Bang has been given the United Cultural Convention (UCC) International Peace Prize in recognition of his socio-cultural activities for peace and the community.

Prof. Bang was born in 1931 in northern mountainous Cao Bang province. He was the first Vietnamese graduate of the Russian prestigious Tchaikovski Conservatoire in 1963.

The musician is one of the first Vietnamese conductors and the founder of the Ha Noi Conservatoire and national symphony orchestra.

At present, Prof. Bang is Secretary General of the Viet Nam Musicians Association, Head of the Viet Nam Encyclopedists' Association's Music Compilation Department, President of the Viet Nam Symphony Orchestra Conductors' Council and a deputy to the 10th legislature.

He has composed a number of symphonies, songs and music for films and stages./.