Vietexplorer2024

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...

The sale is the result of the first forest proceeds from six provinces in the north central region under the emission reduction agreement with the World Bank. It is transferred to localities to compensate forest owners, local communities, and people for their efforts in managing, protecting, and developing forests. The emission reduction agreement, successfully implemented in Vietnam, has brought in US $41 million in carbon credit sales with the World Bank (Photo: Getty Image). As the first emission reduction agreement successfully implemented in Vietnam, the sale represents an important step towards advanced forest management, protection, and improving people’s lives. The six provinces participating in the agreement are Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. They collectively have over 3.1 million hectares of forested land, accounting for 58 percent of the total area. Nguyen Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry under the ...

The capital will play host to an extensive range of flower markets from January 1 to January 21, with these days being the 10th day to the 30th day of the 12th lunar month. Guests visiting these markets will be able to purchase a wide variety of different types of flowers, ornamental plants, fruit trees, and handicraft products, all of which are typical of the festive season. Furthermore, traditional markets will be set up across the capital, with Hoan Kiem district hosting a flower market in Hang Ma ward, whilst Hai Ba Trung district will have three flower markets in Mo market, Thong Nhat park, and Tuoi Tre park. Additional markets will also be opened up in other districts around Hanoi, with Bac Tu Liem district hosting five markets, seven markets to be set up in Tay Ho district, and nine markets in Ha Dong district, among others. Local authorities will duly be assigned to ensure traffic safety and order in the areas around the flower markets, as well as ensuring environmenta...

Diamond Plaza Building in District 1 sees many local residents come to take check-in photos. Takashimaya commercial centre, also located in District 1, sparkles at night. The Christmas atmosphere can be found at all churches across the southern city. Parishes attract plenty of local residents every Christmas season who come to take part in the annual celebrations. Preparations are now almost completed in many local churches. Colourful lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees are put up in a small alley in Ho Chi Minh City. Located far from the downtown area, for years the Catholic parish on Pham The Hien street of District 8 has been a hot spot for Saigon youngsters every Christmas. Decorating local streets and shopping malls has become a tradition in the city in an attempt to lure visitors from both home and abroad during the festive season. Each year, the city is gets more beautiful and exotic, creating an...

Fireworks will last for a total of 15 minutes and are set to start at midnight on January 21. Funding for the show will be contributed by a group of local businesses. This will be the first time in three years that the capital’s authorities have planned to organise the firework shows in order to usher in the Lunar New Year in all districts and towns in Hanoi, just as they did before the onset of COVID-19. This comes after Hanoi canceled the New Year fireworks and countdown celebrations back in 2021 due to the complicated developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The capital had previously put on a series of fireworks display at Thong Nhat Park as the only one venue to welcome the 2022 Lunar New Year. Elsewhere, Da Nang will celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year with immense joy and spectacular firework shows on the evening of January 21. The upcoming 15-minute firework displays will take place on Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, at the Phuong Trang commercial high-rise...

An exhibition entitled “The Ancient Imprint of the Civilization,” features 19 paintings by eight Hanoian artists, was opened at the Temple of Literature on December 25. The space of the “The Ancient Imprint of the Civilization”. Photo: To Quoc  According to the organizers, the exhibition conveys the passion for the national cultural heritage in general and the Temple of Literature in particular of young artists, who are always dedicated to preserving and promoting the values of Vietnamese heritages. The experiential artworks are presented in various painting techniques and materials, including ink and smoke on paper, woodcarving, screen printing, and bronze casting, among others. The exhibition’s highlights are the works called “Ancient Book 1” and “Ancient Book 2” by painter Vu Xuan Dong on bronze and lacquer, depicting the beautiful landscapes of the Temple of Literature as well as the daily life of Hanoians of yesteryear. Meanwhile, Nguyen Duc Hung drew his pa...