Vietexplorer2024

The Lunar New Year parade, now an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric, marked its fifth anniversary with a vibrant celebration. The event has successfully recreated the essence of the traditional Tet holiday while fostering a sense of community among locals and tourists alike. The procession commenced on Dao Duy Tu Street, meandering through the heart of Hanoi, including Cho Gao, Tran Nhat Duat, and Hang Buom Streets. It passed by several historic landmarks such as O Quan Chuong, the last remaining gate of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Bach Ma Temple, before concluding at Kim Ngan Temple, filling the air with rhythmic drumbeats and melodious music along the way. The vibrant parade makes its way down Dao Duy Tu Street, captivating onlookers. Photo : Nguyen Hien / Tuoi Tre Adorned in exquisite traditional attire, the participants showcased a diverse range of Vietnamese fashion, including the elegant ao tac , a variation of the iconic ao dai , along with the a...

The “Vietnamese Tet in Me” contest is divided into four creative categories: photography, painting, video, and literature/poetry. Each category boasts attractive prizes, with a first-place prize of €500, two second-place prizes of €300 each, and three third-place prizes of €200 each. Additionally, the contest features special awards, including the Excellent Collective Prize and the Audience Choice Award. With a total prize pool expected to reach an impressive €12,000, this competition is an exciting opportunity for creative individuals. Organized by the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Europe and the Union of Vietnamese Women’s Associations in Europe, this contest aims to strengthen cultural bonds within the community, particularly among younger Vietnamese living abroad. By encouraging expressions of Vietnamese culture and traditions, especially those surrounding Tet, the holiday that celebrates the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the competition seeks to unite the Vietnamese diaspora ...

The ‘Going to the Field’ Festival in Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, attracted not only hundreds of local farmers but also international travelers eager to immerse themselves in the unique cultural experience. The festival offered a range of engaging activities, including ploughing paddy fields, planting rice seedlings, and bailing out water. It provided a rare opportunity for foreigners to connect with Vietnam’s agricultural heritage and traditions. The festival showcased local cuisine with dishes such as ‘cao lau,’ a noodle delicacy, ‘mi Quang,’ and ‘banh xeo,’ sizzling pancakes. Photo : Thanh Nguyen Among the enthusiastic participants was James, a tourist from New Zealand, for whom this was a thrilling and memorable experience. He shared his excitement, saying, “It was challenging to walk in the mud and steer the buffalo simultaneously, but it was well worth it. This is definitely a highlight of my trip to Hoi An.” Local farmers played a crucial role in guiding and suppor...

“Truc Bach Night,” a unique tourism initiative by Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District, attracted approximately 40,000 visitors during its three-day launch event from November 29 to December 1. A vibrant scene from “Truc Bach Night,” capturing the essence of Hanoi’s cultural life. Credit: Hoang Huy/The Hanoi Times This inaugural event marked the debut of Hanoi’s first open-air “living museum,” vividly bringing to life the streets, spaces, and cultural ambiance of the subsidy era. With a remarkable turnout, “Truc Bach Night” has quickly become one of Hanoi’s most distinctive nighttime attractions, offering both local and international visitors a captivating, immersive journey back in time. The event’s standout feature was its meticulous recreation of the subsidy-era atmosphere. The entire venue was transformed into a life-like movie set, evoking the charm of an old Hanoi neighborhood. Visitors were transported back in time with vintage trams, state-run department stores, and nosta...

Hanoi is at the forefront of developing its night-time economy, launching new services to attract more visitors to the capital. The city is tapping into its unique cultural offerings and historical landmarks to create a vibrant and captivating night-time experience. Dao Ngoc – Ngu Xa in the Ba Dinh District, recently designated as a city-level tourist destination, is one such example. This area offers exciting and distinctive experiences for both domestic and foreign visitors. One of its key features is the incorporation of Hanoi’s subsidy period into the design of the space, including a movie-theater-like event area with department stores and trams as backdrops. It evokes a sense of the country’s special historical periods. The “Truc Bach Night” is a highlight, with specially designed theme shops and Tram Line No. 6 – the “Hanoi Street Museum.” Each of the four trams showcases a typical culinary theme of Hanoi and Vietnam, such as rice paddy, vermicelli noodles, and kitchen cupboar...

Just a short drive from Hanoi’s bustling center, Quoc Oai District in the city’s western suburbs offers a plethora of stunning attractions perfect for heritage tourism, eco-tourism, entertainment, and quick weekend getaways. There is immense potential in Quoc Oai that awaits full exploration and promotion to attract both domestic and international visitors. A Land of Rich Potential The Water Temple, nestled within Thay Pagoda, is a serene and picturesque spot. Photo: Lai Tan/ The Hanoi Times Quoc Oai District boasts a semi-mountainous terrain with plains interspersed by hills and mountains, creating a diverse and naturally beautiful landscape. The district also has a long and rich history, with a unique culture rooted in the Doai land, the ancient territory west of the capital, Thang Long, now Hanoi. Of particular note are the district’s 220 historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic relics. Among these, two stand out as Special National Relics: Thay Pagoda in S...

“The Voice of Hanoi 2024” singing competition is currently captivating the city, with the theme “Hanoi – A Passionate Heart”. The event invites all young, aspiring singers to showcase their vocal prowess and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Vietnamese capital. This contest is not merely an artistic endeavor, but a tribute to Hanoi’s liberation and a testament to its enduring legacy as the nation’s cultural epicenter. Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, elaborates on the competition’s deeper purpose: “It’s an opportunity for participants and residents alike to reflect on the city’s heroic past while fostering a sense of love and pride for our beloved country.” Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, shares insights at the press conference held on November 11. Photo: Organizing Committee Hong further emphasizes the competition’s role in showcasing the elegant lifestyle and deep-rooted c...

In her inaugural address on October 20, Mai Thi Hong Ngoc, Chairwoman of the VWA in Gyeonggi, emphasized the festival’s goal of fostering a deeper understanding of Vietnamese and Korean cultures among the citizens of both nations. Through a vibrant showcase of Ao dai, traditional musical performances, and folk games, the organizers aim to introduce and reconnect the Vietnamese diaspora with their rich cultural heritage, instilling a sense of pride and a stronger connection to their roots. Ngoc further highlighted the festival’s role in uniting the Vietnamese community, fostering solidarity, and enriching their cultural and spiritual lives. Ambassador Vu Ho acknowledged the growing presence of the Vietnamese community in the RoK and recognized the invaluable contributions of Vietnamese women in fostering stronger ties between the two nations. He expressed his desire for more cultural exchange initiatives to strengthen people-to-people connections. The event concluded with the organ...