A 220.60-metre long, 250-kilos ao dai has just set a Guinness Vietnam Record for the longest ao dai in Vietnam. Designer Phuong Ho (second from right) receives Guinness Vietnam Record for her longest ao dai in Vietnam on May 25. According to Vietnamese fashion designer Phuong Ho, the Non Song Gam Voc (Beautiful Homeland) ao dai was made from brocade. It was completed within nearly two months by her team and 20 embroidery artists. "The flap, made from 31 pieces of brocade, features cultural and historic characteristics and landscapes of Vietnam and 3D images of lotus leaves," she said. “It is a great challenge for me and my team to complete the ao dai.” The work is recognised for helping to honour Vietnamese traditional costume, and introduce and promote Vietnam's landscapes. In late April, the ao dai was introduced at a fashion show in Phu Tho Province during the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week of … [Read more...] about 220-metre-long ao dai sets Guinness Vietnam Record
Beautiful vietnam
Vietnam Day features special cultural activities around the world
Programme “Vietnam Day in Foreign Countries” with various activities to popularise the country’s image. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Hanoi (VNA) - Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under relative control, various special cultural activities will be held in this year’s programme “Vietnam Day in Foreign Countries” in Austria, India, and the Republic of Korea. The hybrid programme “ Vietnam Day in Foreign Countries 2022 ” will be held in Austria, India, and Republic of Korea on the occasion of the anniversaries of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and those countries. The information was released by the Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at a press conference on September 23. In 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was assigned by the Prime Minister to hold the annual national popularisation programme. This year, the department will join hands with Vietnamese embassies in the three countries, the … [Read more...] about Vietnam Day features special cultural activities around the world
Plum season in Northwest Vietnam
People in the northwestern mountainous province of Lao Cai’s Muong Khuong District are busy harvesting plums. Muong Khuong District is now home to 560 hectares of plum, mostly focusing on the communes of Tung Chung Pho, Nam Chay, Pha Long, Lung Khau Nhin and Nam Lu. The plum harvest often starts from mid-May and ends in June. Farmers usually harvest plums early. Ripened plums are harvested first. After that, the fruit is transported to Lao Cai City for sale. The Chinese plum (Prunus salicina) is widely grown in Muong Khuong. It is favoured for its good quality. A plum tree which is 5-6 years old can have hundreds of kilos of fruit. This year’s Chinese plum quality is apparently better than previous years and a kilo of this kind of plum is being sold at VND10-30,000. … [Read more...] about Plum season in Northwest Vietnam
Technology, sustainability, experience, luxury: Key trends for tourism in Vietnam
Editor's note: Juliet Thuy Nguyen has been living, studying, and working in Australia for the past seven years. She is the founder of a project called Ao Dai Around the World, which is aimed at promoting and showcasing Vietnam's traditional dress, the 'ao dai,' to a global audience. She has had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world and share the beauty and significance of the 'ao dai' while also exploring 50 provinces around Vietnam. This allows her to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Vietnam's rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Vietnam's tourism industry has experienced significant growth over the years, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world. The key trends in the industry include the use of technology, sustainable tourism practices, experience-based tourism, and luxury tourism. The government recognized the potential of these trends and has launched initiatives to promote them. Tourists take a boat … [Read more...] about Technology, sustainability, experience, luxury: Key trends for tourism in Vietnam
Indonesia promotes people-to-people connectivity with Vietnam
The Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday evening hosted the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Week, which featured a lot of impressive cultural and art performances to enhance bilateral ties. The event, which took place at the Municipal Theater in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, is part of the multiple activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership this year. It was attended by Consul General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City Agustaviano Sofjan and his spouse, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs Tran Phuoc Anh, friendship associations, and diplomatic missions of many countries, among others. An Indonesian artist performs a Balinese dance at the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Week held at the Municipal Theater in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, May 20, 2023. Photo: Hong Ngan / Tuoi Tre News Artists from Saung Mang Udjo, a Bandung-based traditional art and culture center in … [Read more...] about Indonesia promotes people-to-people connectivity with Vietnam
Vietnam’s Phu Quoc welcomes over 2,600 int’l cruise guests
The Italian-flagged passenger cruise vessel Costa Serena brought more than 2,600 international guests to Phu Quoc, a popular island destination in southern Vietnam, on Sunday morning. This is the first five-star cruise to return to Phu Quoc City, which is an island off Kien Giang Province, after a long suspension induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also the first voyage by the Costa Serena to Phu Quoc City post-pandemic, said Le Thi Minh Thu, an advisor at Thien Y Marine Transport Services Company. The passengers on the ship, which carried a crew of over 1,000, are citizens of Thailand, Cuba, and some other countries. International cruise guests pose for a photo with a Vietnamese woman in 'ao dai' (Vietnamese traditional costume). Photo: Tuoi Tre The ship was scheduled to conduct a five-day and four-night voyage from Thailand to Cambodia’s Sihanoukville before heading to Phu Quoc, where the passengers will learn about the local culture and visit popular … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Phu Quoc welcomes over 2,600 int’l cruise guests
It’s not hard to apply for Vietnam visa but authorities’ response slow: foreign tourists
“We heard that many people have faced difficulty in applying for visas to Vietnam. However, we find that completing Vietnam's visa application procedures online is easy and convenient. We just need to fill in forms,” said travelers from Norway. Being introduced by their friends, Alannah Caulfield Patel and Elin Littmann from Norway chose Vietnam as a destination of their trip to Southeast Asia. Contrary to others’ difficulty in applying for visas to Vietnam, the two Norwegians successfully got the visas in the first registration. They obtained 30-day visas and their first destination in Vietnam was Ho Chi Minh City. They later reached Hoi An City in central Quang Nam Province and Hanoi by coach. Eve, a 65-year-old tourist from Australia, and her husband said they completed procedures online to get 15-day visas to Vietnam. “There was no obstacle. You know, we are old but can complete procedures online ourselves,” Eve said. The friendliness and hospitality of people in Hanoi … [Read more...] about It’s not hard to apply for Vietnam visa but authorities’ response slow: foreign tourists
Earning money as a celebrity is hard: Vietnamese beauty queen
"I thought celebrities made money easily. However, after winning the beauty pageant and becoming a celebrity myself, I realized that this is not the case," she told VnExpress . "Those [working in the entertainment industry] who want to maintain their values and pursue their passion have to be able to deal with pressure, chaotic schedules and work much harder than common people," Hang, 24, said. Since her agency encountered hardships in doing business, she has had to work as a free agent. Sometimes she has gone through bouts of self-pity, after having to ask friends to help her attend events and not having an entourage to assist her in taking photos and preparing outfits like many others in the industry. "I had to find jobs, prepare my outfits, and establish connections with others on my own. I experienced financial pressure as well, as there were times when I didn’t have any work," she said. Nong Thuy Hang, 24, Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022. Photo from Hang's Facebook … [Read more...] about Earning money as a celebrity is hard: Vietnamese beauty queen
No regrets over beauty pageants, says Miss Universe Vietnam
"If I had a chance to go back in time, I would still choose to attend beauty contests, even if that means I would not have enough time to complete my university studies," 29-year-old Chau told VnExpress . "I don’t know if that would be a right choice, but right now I haven't regretted competing in those pageants." Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau, the 2022 Miss Universe Vietnam. Photo from Chau's Instagram When asked about the reasons why she was forced to stop her university studies, Chau cited a lack of time and considering her future career path to see if her university major fits her long-term goals, which made her come to a decision of registering for a college reservation process. "It was partly my fault for not thoroughly researching [Vietnam’s] policies regarding college reservation procedures," she admitted. Consequently, after returning to Vietnam after the 2022 Miss Universe contest, Chau was notified that she was not qualified to complete her undergraduate … [Read more...] about No regrets over beauty pageants, says Miss Universe Vietnam
Miss International Jasmin Selberg visits Vietnam
The German model was welcomed at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport on Monday by Miss World Vietnam runner-up Phuong Nhi and Miss International Vietnam director Pham Kim Dung. "I’m excited as this is the first time I’ve visited Vietnam," Selberg said. "I’ve felt warm welcomes and hospitality from Vietnamese people." Jasmin Selberg, 2022’s Miss International. Photo from Miss International’s Instagram On Tuesday, Selberg attended a HCMC press conference held by the 2023 Miss International organizers and give sash to Nhi, Vietnamese candidate to compete for the 2023 Miss International. Selberg, 24, made the top 15 at the 2021 Miss Universe Germany before being crowned Miss International 2022. Miss International is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants, along with Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Earth. This year’s contest is set to be held in October in HCMC. … [Read more...] about Miss International Jasmin Selberg visits Vietnam