In Saigon, the lantern streets in District 5 have become a lively hub of activity half a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, which peaks on September 29 this year. Families from all corners of Ho Chi Minh City converge on streets like Luong Nhu Hoc, Phu Dinh, and Lao Tu. Among these, Phu Dinh walking street takes the spotlight as the epicenter of lantern shopping. Phu Dinh and Luong Nhu Hoc streets are renowned for their wide assortment of traditional handmade lanterns. These lanterns, adorned with intricate designs ranging from boats to dragons, fish and butterflies, are predominantly crafted from red cellophane. LED lights have replaced traditional candles, enhancing safety while preserving durability. These enchanting lanterns vary in size, from modest 20-centimeter versions to creations exceeding 1 meter, with prices ranging from VND20,000 to VND500,000 (US$0.80 to $20). Rabbit and pig lanterns, housed in bamboo … [Read more...] about Mid-Autumn magic hits Vietnamese cities in pre-festival spirit
City place attractions
Nha Trang promises to be a city of cinema tourism
If proper efforts are made, using film to promote tourism in Nha Trang might be successful. The coastal province of Khanh Hoa is like a miniature Vietnam, with diverse cultures, natural conditions and historical buildings. In addition, Khanh Hoa hosts popular film festivals and events that bring together actors and directors from other countries, boosting tourism and becoming an attractive destination like Cannes in France, Busan in South Korea, and Hollywood in the US. Do Le Hung Tu, Chairman of the Vietnam Film Association, shared the view following the success of the 2023 edition of the Golden Kite Film Award , which ended this month. The aerial view of Nha Trang City. Photo: Khanh Hoa Tourism Department Echoing Tu, Ta Quang Dong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the Golden Kite Film Award is a great opportunity for experts and managers to work together and create new cultural projects to make Khanh Hoa's Nha Trang City a popular … [Read more...] about Nha Trang promises to be a city of cinema tourism
German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
The travel news site Reisereporter has just published an article that highlights some of the famous tourist destinations and landscapes in Vietnam, including Hanoi. In the article titled “Vietnam: You shouldn’t miss these sights”, www.reisereporter.de suggests tourists to visit some hidden "treasures" and undiscovered natural wonders in this wonderful country in the Southeast Asia region, in addition to popular tourist attractions. A Vietnamese girl in her charming ao dai (long dress) and non la (conical hat) walks through the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi According to Daniel Schramm, staff writer for www.reisereporter.de , Vietnam is a fascinating destination with a wide variety of sights and experiences. From historic cities like Hanoi and Hue to stunning natural landscapes like Halong Bay and Sapa to culinary adventures in street kitchens and markets, the country offers something for every taste. Vietnam's … [Read more...] about German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
VN’s first intelligent technology exhibition opened in HCM City
A booth at the Intelligent Technology Exhibition in Việt Nam that is being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre from September 21 to 23. — Photo courtesy of the organisers The Intelligent Technology Exhibition in Việt Nam (OCTF 2023), the first of its kind in the country, opened in HCM City on September 21, with the participation of many outstanding Chinese high-tech enterprises who seek investment opportunities in Việt Nam. The exhibition has attracted 150 exhibitors in more than 200 booths showcasing over 2,000 technologies and products, including intelligent manufacturing technologies, new energy, new materials, consumer electronics, smart home appliances, smart lighting, and electronic equipment. The event also features many artificial intelligence products, industrial automation equipment, security systems, safety systems, detectors, private network solutions, smart projectors, and smart kitchen appliances of exhibitors from China’s Guangdong Province. … [Read more...] about VN’s first intelligent technology exhibition opened in HCM City
Vietnam’s 9 UNESCO world heritage sites
1. Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago The Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago boasts limestone islands and lush islands, creating its unique natural charm. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Dat On September 16, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee added the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago to its list of world natural heritage sites. This latest recognition brings Vietnam's tally to three natural heritages, five cultural heritages, and a mixed natural and cultural property. According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago earned UNESCO recognition due to its natural beauty, which includes limestone islands cloaked in foliage and limestone peaks rising above sea level. The area's vistas, featuring lush islands, saltwater lakes, and limestone cliffs, contribute to its unique appeal. 2. Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay itself has received UNESCO accolades twice before. In 1994, it was designated … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s 9 UNESCO world heritage sites
[Quintessence of Hanoi’s cuisine] “Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh”: Gorgeous decades-long delicacy of Hanoi
The renowned food-store has won the hearts of many Hanoian generations with its only kind of foodstuff for over 70 years. The Banh cuon , or steamed rice crepe, is not a luxury food but has become favorite of not only Vietnamese but also foreign visitors to Hanoi. The Banh cuon Ba Hoanh restaurant is always packed with diners at the weekend. Photo: Duy Khanh “I feel like I’ve just swallowed a piece of ‘silk’,” Marco Lipuma- a friend of our family from Germany exclaimed as soon as he tried his first bite of the Banh cuon . “It’s outstanding, cool and very...slippery,” he said. After his first taste in early this year, within the following months he’d tried it countless more times. “I don’t like food with rich protein, so this is a good choice and I think it’s also a perfect detox food after so many giant feasts,” he stated. Truong Kim Dung, a customer of Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh eatery said that she tried the dish some 30 years ago when she got … [Read more...] about [Quintessence of Hanoi’s cuisine] “Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh”: Gorgeous decades-long delicacy of Hanoi
Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phong Nha-Ke Bang named must-visit sites
Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh ranked first on the list of 16 must-visit wonders in Southeast Asia compiled by the UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust. (Photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) – The UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust has named Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, Hoi An ancient city, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park among 16 must-visit UNESCO wonders in Southeast Asia. world heritage site , ranked first on the list. Ancient tiled roofs in Hoi An ancient city. (Photo: VietnamPlus) The ancient town of Hoi An in central Vietnam is placed sixth on the list. "Far removed from the fogs of exhaust that envelop many a visit to Southeast Asia, UNESCO-listed Hoi An is a quiet, sculpted riposte to the pace of modern Vietnamese life," Wanderlust described. "It wasn’t always the case, though. The city was once a thriving port town and home to merchants from across Asia until the Thu Bon River silted up some 200 years ago and the traders moved on … [Read more...] about Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phong Nha-Ke Bang named must-visit sites
Exploring Thien Duong Cave – a fairy scene on earth
Magnificent beauty of Thien Duong Cave (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - For those who love to experience caves, Son Doong is the most famous place in Vietnam that many people wish to explore once in their lifetime. However, there is another cave system in the central province of Quang Binh that is also attractive to tourists, which is the Thien Duong (Paradise) cave. Thien Duong cave is located in the core ecosystem of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – a UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage site. The cave, about 70km to the northwest of downtown Dong Hoi city, was discovered by local residents in 2005. In addition to the characteristics that can also be found at other caves in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park , this cave features a unique and magnificent system of stalactites and stalagmites while boasting the title as one of the largest caves in the world. The discovery of the Thien Duong Cave immediately drew attention from officials, scientists, explorers, … [Read more...] about Exploring Thien Duong Cave – a fairy scene on earth
Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities
The 2023 Hanoi Fall Festival program will take place from September 29 to October 1 at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street and Hanoi Children's Palace. The first Hanoi Fall Festival with the theme "Hanoi - Come to fall in love" will be held at Hoan Kiem Walking Space and Hanoi Children's Palace from September 29 to October 1, aiming to promote travel to the capital in Autumn, the season when Hanoi is considered to be at its best. The information was announced by Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) Nguyen Thi Mai Anh at a press conference in Hanoi on September 20. Foreign tourists visit Hanoi's Book Street. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times According to Anh, this is the first iteration of an event showcasing Hanoi's culture and cuisine on Capital Liberation Day (October 10). The festival will feature 150 booths from people's committees in 10 districts of Hoan Kiem, Me Linh, Quoc Oai, Ung Hoa, Ba Dinh, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Dong Anh, Ba Vi and Gia … [Read more...] about Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities
Vietnam news in brief – September 22
Keep updated on the latest news about Vietnam. Japan's Crown Prince Akishino speaks highly of Vietnam-Japan relations Japanese Crown Prince Akishino (2nd right), Crown Princess Kiko (3rd right), and Truong Thi Mai (4th right), chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, visit a photo exhibition at the ceremony on September 21. Photo: VNA Japan's Crown Prince Akishino praised t he bilateral relations between Vietnam and Japan on September 21 - the day marking the 50th anniversary of establishing Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, hoping to contribute to strengthening the ties. Speaking at the celebration ceremony in Hanoi, the Crown Prince expressed pride in the 1,000-year friendship between the two nations and appreciated the affection felt by the peoples of the two countries towards each other. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are on a week-long visit starting September 20. They visited the Temple of … [Read more...] about Vietnam news in brief – September 22