Vietexplorer2024

The last fortnight has seen major cities across the country excitedly prepare to welcome Christmas, with festive elements found around almost every corner. Primary schools and nurseries can be heard blaring out traditional Christmas songs to welcome arriving students, shopping centres have launched a range of promotions to lure in customers looking to buy gifts, and many businesses and residential buildings have put up an array of festive decorations to mark the occasion. Whilst these aspects of the holiday season have become more prevalent during December in Vietnam over the last few years, many traditional aspects of the festivities have so far failed to emerge in the way Vietnamese people celebrate the holiday. Indeed, it is common for many local people to think that Christmas Day is actually on December 24th as opposed to December 25th as this date coincides with the end of the Christmas sales. I recall one year seeing staff hurriedly removing festive decorations at Royal City ...

The festival, which will take place at thuy dinh (communal house on the water with decorations typical of northern Vietnamese villages) stage area at the Cultural Centre of Hanoi, is part of activities to celebrate the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day. Folk puppet artisans and non-professional members of traditional water puppet troupes from all around Hanoi will join in a single water puppet show, which lasts for at least 25 minutes. Each performance puppet show contest should re-enact glorious historical events of the nation; present the daily life and work of Vietnamese people; and promote the cultural value of Vietnam. The event offers an opportunity for water puppet troupes to exchange experiences in traditional art performances. Water puppetry originated in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam around the 10th century, where almost all towns and villages have communal ponds, which were used as the puppet show stage. Thach That and Dao ...

Youth plays a substantial role in shaping formal bilateral relations. Marking 50 years of relations, many programmes are held to offer opportunities for young people to practise international communication skills, learn about bilateral relations, and demonstrate their roles in enhancing Vietnam – Japan ties. At the event titled “MIG – Model International Government 2023”. Photo: Dong Vy The History for Everyone – History and Culture Club of the High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi National University of Education on April 16 held an event creating a playground for young people to have the opportunity to experience, learn more about the hottest issues of each country in the world as well as understand the main happenings. everywhere on a global scale. It is the most important event in the active season of the club in Hanoi. With the mission of building a useful playground for pupils and students; help them access, learn and accumulate life skills, useful experiences re...

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc. Photo: MPI Within the framework of the 12th Vietnam-France decentralized cooperation conference taking place from April 13-16, in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc appreciated the conference’s activities to strengthen cooperation between localities of the two countries. According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, currently, Vietnam is implementing the National Strategy on green growth, accelerating economic restructuring, innovating the growth model, with environmentally sustainable development and social justice. In that context, the potential and opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and France in the coming time are huge. Along with that, Vietnam encourages and prioritizes attracting quality, focused foreign investment in association with the implementation of policies to support enterprises to promote investment in science and technology, improve prod...

The other three are Bhutan, Singapore, and Timor-Leste’s Ataúro Island. Wanderlust recommended these destinations as well worth visiting if tourists are after an eco-friendly escape. By putting local businesses at the heart of tourism, Quang Nam is proving sustainability starts at home. The province takes advantage of its strengths and pays a lot of attention to the environment.  Therefore, environmentally-friendly tourism products which provide travelers with new and interesting experiences get priority. Visitors can take tours to coconut forests, use organic products, and visit restaurants limiting plastic waste. Reaching Hoi An Ancient Town, visitors can mingle with a green space. Typical tourism products in Hoi An City are cycling around the ancient town and paddling boats along the Hoai River. Recycled and eco-friendly products, such as essential oils, shampoos, and toothbrushes, are recommended souvenirs. Rice fields and coconut forests outside the city will help t...

A Vietnamese cultural, culinary space is opened in Israel’s Netanya city on April 16. Photo: VNA A Vietnamese cultural, culinary space was organised by the Vietnamese Embassy, in Israel’s Netanya city on April 16, VNA reported. The space is expected to popularise the beauty of the Southeast Asian country’s cuisine, culture and tourism while bolstering business cooperation and people-to-people exchanges of the two countries. According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Tel Aviv, attending the event’s opening ceremony were Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung and Netanya city Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar. There are also representatives of the City Council, the City Hotel-Tourism Association; along with hundreds of guests from the diplomatic community, the business community, the Vietnamese community in Israel, international friends who love Vietnamese cuisine. Ambassador Ly Duc Trung said the space will hold several activities monthly, including seminars, ...