Vietexplorer2024

As the year draws to a close, caring for kumquat trees demands extra attention to ensure they remain vibrant, lush, and healthy. The dry weather in the final month can be challenging, so adequate watering is crucial. In Hanoi’s Tay Ho District, Tu Lien Bonsai Village buzzes with activity a month before Tet. Farmers are in the final stages of preparing their kumquat trees for harvest, a tradition they’ve meticulously practiced all year. Hoang Luan, a local farmer, emphasizes the significance of this period for kumquat growers. “Each year, we diligently care for our trees, mindful of the weather, to ensure they’re ripe in time for Tet. With the holiday arriving earlier this year, we’re working diligently to accelerate their growth,” he shares. Tu Lien’s kumquat trees have evolved over the years to meet the diverse preferences of consumers. From grand pots to miniature displays, their shapes and designs have been refined to captivate customers. Tu Lien Bonsai Village, nestl...

Li, a former Everton player, was initially tried and sentenced to a 20-year fixed-term imprisonment, according to the state news agency Xinhua , who provided no further details. The far-reaching crackdown on official corruption, initiated by President Xi Jinping over a decade ago upon assuming power, has ensnared the sports industry. In late 2022, anti-graft authorities turned their attention to sports, and this week, they announced the convictions of several former football administrators. Li, who served as China’s coach from January 2020 to December 2021, had previously admitted to accepting over $10 million in bribes. The 47-year-old, a well-known former footballer in China, played as a midfielder for Everton in the Premier League. He featured in a documentary aired by CCTV in January, exposing the pervasive corruption in Chinese football. Li confessed in the program to paying nearly $421,000 in bribes to secure his position as head coach. He also admitted to match-fixing duri...

Pakistan’s recent overtures to the BRICS bloc signal a strategic shift and a potential new avenue for the country’s foreign policy. The move can be seen as a preliminary step to garner support for its membership bid, which, if successful, could offer numerous benefits to the nation. Experts believe that joining BRICS would enable Pakistan to strengthen its ties with the existing members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This would provide an opportunity to exert greater influence or present its case more assertively to Western nations, particularly when navigating geopolitical complexities. At the heart of Islamabad’s motivation lies a desire to compete with regional rivals and secure much-needed financial support. The country’s struggling economy could benefit from loans and investments, potentially revitalizing key sectors and fostering sustainable growth. The expansion of BRICS in 2023, with the inclusion of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the U...

Despite the chilly weather, music lovers gathered in Da Lat were treated to a night of nostalgia and exceptional performances by international music legends. The Dalat Spring Concert, an annual international music project, warmed up the city with its stellar lineup of artists, thrilling both residents and tourists alike. The highly anticipated concert, co-organized by the Lam Dong People’s Committee and IB Group Vietnam, featured iconic stars from the 1970s and 1980s, including Samantha Fox, Joy, and Boney M’s Liz Mitchell. The event, which was free and open to the public, offered a unique opportunity to experience these legendary artists in the beautiful setting of Da Lat. International music icons from the 70s and 80s grace the stage at the Dalat Spring Concert, captivating the audience with their timeless hits. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre As the clock struck 7:30 pm, the grandstand, with a capacity of over 18,000 seats, was packed to the brim with eager spectators. The...

Vietnam’s first luxury train, Sjourney, commenced its maiden voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on Wednesday, ushering in a new era of opulent rail travel in the country. This collaborative effort between Railway Transport JSC, Gia Lam Train JSC, and Vietnam Railways Corporation has resulted in a premium train service that promises to elevate the railway tourism industry while showcasing Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Stepping aboard the Sjourney train, passengers are enveloped in an atmosphere of timeless elegance and comfort. The classic Indochine-style interiors feature premium wooden finishes, luxurious bedding, and warm lighting, creating a relaxing and inviting ambiance. Every detail has been carefully considered to ensure a memorable journey. Departing from Hanoi every Wednesday evening, the Sjourney SE61 train invites travelers to embark on a week-long adventure, exploring some of Vietnam’s most iconic destinations. The train makes stops at Ninh Binh, Quang Binh, Hue, H...

The inaugural AFL Asia Cup was hosted at the Thanh Long Sports Complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Chanh District from December 6 to 8, 2024. AFL, the governing body for Australian rules football, introduced this unique and dynamic sport to Asia, with the first tournament taking place in Vietnam. This historic event was exclusively for Asian citizens, featuring 15 teams and approximately 300 players from across ten countries and territories: Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, and Thailand. The tournament was a free-of-charge event, welcoming spectators to witness the exciting matches and celebrate the growth of this sport in the region. The Japanese Men’s team, champions of the 2024 AFL Asia Cup, held from December 6 to 8, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo : AFL Asia Facebook page The competition was fierce, with ten men’s teams and five women’s teams from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Thailand participating. The fin...

In the vibrant landscape of Hanoi’s nightlife, Ba Dinh District has emerged as a must-visit destination, offering a range of unique and innovative experiences for travelers. reca The “Truc Bach Night” event takes participants down memory lane to the Subsidy Era. Photo: Thuy Duong/The Hanoi Times In a series of captivating tourism initiatives, Ba Dinh District, in 2024, showcased its commitment to cultural and historical preservation. Local authorities, businesses, and residents united to create immersive experiences, with a recent highlight being the “Truc Bach Night” program from November 29 to December 1. Held at the Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa night street and attracting 40,000 visitors, this event offered a novel and nostalgic experience, transporting both locals and foreigners back in time to post-war Vietnam of the 1970s and 1980s, known as the Subsidy Era. The event’s standout feature was its meticulous recreation of this historical period’s aesthetics, from vintage tramcar...

At the conference on “Connecting Tourist Destinations along the Red River with Travel Agencies in Hanoi,” tourism experts and representatives from nearly 50 travel agencies discussed strategies to boost the growth and enhance the quality of river tourism in the city. Unlocking the Potential of River Tourism Hanoi’s Red River. Photo: Giang Trinh The Red River, stretching 556 kilometers across Vietnam, with 160 kilometers flowing through 15 districts of Hanoi, is a vital waterway for the capital city. It is also a treasure trove of culture and history, boasting a plethora of tourism attractions. Along its banks lie nearly 30 historical and cultural sites, such as the Tan Vien Son Thanh Temple in Ba Vi District, Hat Mon Temple in Phuc Tho District, and Dam Temple in Thuong Tin District, to name a few. Centuries-old traditional craft villages also dot the river’s path, including Ninh So Bamboo and Wicker in Thuong Tin District, Bat Trang Pottery in Gia Lam District, and Y...