Vietexplorer2024

The Hanoi Heritage Marathon course is designed to meet global standards, offering four standardized distances (5km, 10km, half, and full marathon) certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. Runners will trace a path through Hanoi’s iconic landmarks, including Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi Flag Tower, to name a few. Photos: Hanh Le The race commences at Thien Quang Lake, winding through the enchanting Old Quarter with its 36 historic streets, and then meandering along the picturesque West Lake, offering endless photo opportunities. The course then ventures into the more modern districts of Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, and Ba Dinh, showcasing the vibrant, contemporary side of Hanoi. The full marathon is a comprehensive tour of Hanoi’s lakes, passing by Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, and the serene Truc Bach Lake. Runners will also get to glimpse the historic Ba Dinh Square and the majestic Hanoi Flag Tower. The annual Hanoi marathon at...

Tim Pile, a lifestyle and travel journalist of SCMP, wrote an article stating that Hoi An is a picturesque city located on the central coast of Vietnam. With its blend of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, ornate temples, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the Old Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Pile mentioned that Hoi An, once a bustling trading port in Southeast Asia, now attracts a large number of tourists who come to explore the city and have custom clothing made at a fraction of the cost back home. In the evening, the Old Town is illuminated by lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere that captivates visitors. Lantern-making workshops have also become a popular activity among tourists. The article suggests that instead of staying in the city center, many travelers prefer to have a beachside accommodation. An Bang Beach, just three kilometers away from the Old Town, is renowned for its white sands and sparkling blue waters, an...

Crushed dreams Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Hoang Thi Minh Hanh, Nguyen Thi Huyen, and Nguyen Thi Hang carried the hopes of the Vietnamese athletics team in the women’s 4x400m relay event at the Asian Games. However, their efforts fell short of expectations. Despite their previous gold medal performance at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, the Vietnamese runners could not replicate their success at the Asian Games in China. Their finishing time of 3:31.61 was an improvement from their previous record of 3:32.36, but it was not enough to secure a medal. The level of competition at the Asian Games is unparalleled, with countries like Sri Lanka and India fielding their best athletes for this event. On the other hand, regional powerhouses like Bahrain do not participate in lesser tournaments. In a surprising turn of events, Bahrain emerged as the champion with a time of 3:27.65, followed by India and Sri Lanka. Despite their disappointment, the Vietnamese runners gave their all in the race ...

The annual event, scheduled for October 27-29, will attract a total of 87 teams competing in four categories of basic, advanced pick-up trucks, advanced SUVs, and open. The competition has expanded its routes this year to a record-breaking 15, marking the highest number of race tracks in VOC history. An aerial view of the venue for the Vietnam Off-Road PVOIL Cup 2023. Photo: PVOIL VOC To keep the races engaging and unpredictable, the organizers have renewed approximately 30-40 percent of the roads compared to previous years and enhanced previously unexplored areas, ensuring fresh challenges for participants. Specifically, the advanced pick-up class features an entirely fresh and separate circuit. As outlined in the schedule, the opening ceremony of the PVOIL VOC 2023 will be highlighted by a demonstration paragliding flight on October 28 conducted by a squad who recently participated in the 2022 Paragliding World Cup held in South Korea. The event will be broadcast li...

A 20-year-old student, Nghiem Ngoc Anh, eagerly escorted a group of foreigners to visit Sword Lake in Hanoi. She proudly showed them Turtle Tower, an intriguing structure located in the middle of the lake, and narrated the story behind its name. As a second-year student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Nghiem Ngoc Anh believes that she represents not only the Hanoi Free Private Tour Guides (HNFTGs) but also serves as a cultural and tourism ambassador for Hanoi. In 2015, a group of Hanoi students established HNFTGs with the aim of improving their English communication skills, deepening their historical knowledge, and acting as goodwill ambassadors for Vietnamese culture and history to tourists from all corners of the world. Operating under the slogan “Hanoi’s Little Ambassadors,” the club now boasts over 2,000 active members after nearly 8 years. Members of the club conduct tours of Hanoi’s famous tourist attractions, sharing the historical significance of each site. The unique...