One of Hanoi's most fascinating and historic events, the festival is a tribute to Saint Giong, one of Vietnam's four immortals. The 2023 Giong Festival kicked off last week at Phu Dong Temple in Hanoi's suburban Gia Lam district. The festival's opening ceremony also marked the recognition of Phu Dong Commune as a new rural area. The opening ceremony of the Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple in Phu Dong Commune of Gia Lam District. Photo: Hoang Quyet/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Duc Hong, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People's Committee, said the district is an ancient land of cultural convergence of Thang Long (original name of Hanoi) and Kinh Bac (an old name designating the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang) and the holy place where Saint Giong was born. "The festival is in commemoration of Saint Giong, or Heavenly King of Phu Dong, who led the country against foreign invaders during the reign of the Sixth Hung King. The … [Read more...] about Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
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Vietnam Airlines increases flight frequency to Singapore
Vietnam Airlines has announced that it will increase the frequency of flights between Hanoi and Singapore from one to two flights a day on all weekdays from June 15 to meet the travel demand between the two countries. Vietnam Airlines aircraft (Photo: VNA) At the same time, the flight frequency on the Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore route is kept at three flights a day for weekdays. On this occasion, the national flag carrier is offering a special incentive programme for passengers buying tickets on all of its sales channels from agents, websites, and mobile apps. Specifically, a round-trip ticket between Hanoi and Singapore is from 5.799 million VND (246.9 USD) (including taxes and fees); and that on the Ho Chi Minh City-Singapore route is from 4.971 trillion VND (including taxes and fees). The offer is applied to passengers who buy tickets from now until December 31, 2023, and depart from June 15 to December 31. In addition, Vietnam Airlines offers one free … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines increases flight frequency to Singapore
Vietnamese, Cambodian front organisations forge cooperation
Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien (6th from right) receives the Cambodian delegation. (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held talks with representatives from the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland in Hanoi on May 29. At the talks, Vice President and Secretary General of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha affirmed the fruitful relations between the two sides, with the signing of cooperation documents. The two sides briefed each other on operations of their front organisations, and compared notes on cooperation orientations and contents in the time ahead. Nhem Valy, Permanent Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the National Council of the Solidarity for the Development of Cambodian Motherland, held that the talks will help the two front organisations better understand each other, thus helping … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Cambodian front organisations forge cooperation
Vietnam’s Reunification Express named world’s most incredible rail journey: Lonely Planet
Being one of the best-loved railways in Southeast Asia, Vietnam's North-South Railway, with two ends at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracts many travelers. Lonely Planet, the world-renowned travel guide, named Vietnam National Railway the most incredible rail trip in the world. The 1,730-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City offers breathtaking views of the country's diverse landscapes, making it a must-see for foreigners coming to Vietnam, the magazine said. "Some railways rattle through historic cities; others swoosh beside spectacular coastlines. A few have an epic history, and one or two are remarkable for the colorful characters onboard. The Reunification Express line, known as the North–South Railway, fulfills all these criteria," it stated. The railway is one of Southeast Asia's best-loved railways and the world's most epic overnight train journeys. It's also one of Vietnam's tourism highlights that attracts many international visitors. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Reunification Express named world’s most incredible rail journey: Lonely Planet
ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide
ROBOTACON WRO 2023 is being organised nationwide for the first time Under the theme connecting the world, the ROBOTACON WRO 2023 competition is co-organised by the Embassy of Denmark, Viet Tinh Anh JSC, and LEGO Education. This year, the teams participating in the contest will be divided into groups with tasks under various topics based on current interests from around the world, such as marine life conservation, underwater infrastructure, port automation, and others. According to the Danish ambassador Nicolai Prytz, he is very proud that the Embassy of Denmark is one of the co-organisers of ROBOTACON WRO 2023, the largest and most prestigious competition dedicated to science, technology, and education in Vietnam for students aged 6-19 years. “I believe that this will be a fantastic playground for young Vietnamese people to learn the necessary skills for the 21 st century, such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and technology. The competition also … [Read more...] about ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide
A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam
Living in Vietnam can bring moments of total pleasure and those of total wonder. When is a hot dog not a hot dog? Well, that answer came to me through experience some 10 years ago when I began my teaching career here in Vietnam. It was only weeks after I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to start a new life journey and I had already experienced my first episode of 'Vietnam Belly.' I wasn’t feeling all that great and I found that the local food and cheap beer just weren’t what my body wanted. I met a fellow Australian expat who introduced me to his employer – a major name in Vietnam’s teaching industry. Despite my unreliable health, I interviewed with the company. I was just hoping things would hold themselves together long enough to get the job, and they did. When I found out I got the job, my only thoughts were about how much I hoped I would be able to recover by the time I started classes. Early the next morning, my phone rang. It was the school asking if I could cover a class … [Read more...] about A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam