VietExplorer2030

The Oriental Light Festival, set to illuminate the skies from January 18 to March 26 in Hung Yen Province, promises a spectacular showcase of light and culture. Among the highlights of this ‘super festival’ is the Ocean International Lantern Contest, featuring a dazzling display of lanterns from around the world. With 580 activities, there’s something for everyone during the Lunar New Year holiday, falling on January 29. The main event, the Ocean International Lantern Contest, shines a light on the very best in lantern art. This year, the first prize was awarded to Hoi An Craft Vietnam for their awe-inspiring ‘Hon Thieng Dat Viet’ (The Sacred Soul of Vietnam) lantern. Spanning 70 meters in length and 20 meters in width, this masterpiece took over two months and 12 artisans to complete. The unique use of paper made from coconut tree bark, sourced from the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest in Hoi An, adds a special touch to this already remarkable creation. Hoi An Craft Vietnam’s ‘Hon ...

Nguyen Kieu Trinh’s journey to ballet was an unconventional one. With a fine arts background, she had a diverse career as a painter and journalist before becoming a writer for an English-language newspaper. Yet, dancing was always a dream. For most of her life, it remained a fleeting pastime, a stress reliever she dared not pursue seriously. It was only in middle age that Trinh truly embraced dance as a path of self-discovery and a way to challenge herself. She found her place at Kinergie Studio in Hanoi, where a diverse group of dancers of all ages shared a meditative and joyful approach to dance, focusing on personal growth rather than competition. Trinh faced unique challenges as an older learner, including reduced flexibility, limited range of motion, and diminished strength and stability. Even the smallest progress required immense effort and persistence. She recalls the foundational stage as the hardest, with endless repetitions at the barre that felt monotonous at times. How...

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 ...

Thuy Duong, a talented 30-year-old baker from Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan District, recently captivated the online community with her stunning creation. Her post on the “Esheep Kitchen Family” e-group, featuring photos of a Tet feast tray with the nostalgic caption “Old Flavor,” garnered over 7,000 reactions and countless admiring comments. The intricate Tet feast tray, a masterpiece crafted from cake and fondant, includes six traditional dishes, along with bowls, plates, and chopsticks. Photo courtesy of Thuy Duong/Yeu Bep Esheep “As someone who left home at a young age, I rarely had the chance to savor my mother’s home-cooked meals,” Duong shared. “So, I wanted to recreate the magic of Tet with this edible work of art.” Indeed, the attention to detail is remarkable. Each dish, from the banh chung (square sticky rice cake) to the pork jelly and fried spring rolls, is meticulously crafted from cake, sugar, and chocolate. Even the bowls, plates, and chopsticks are works of ar...

With two consecutive wins under their belt, the team had already guaranteed their advancement before the game. The match against Taiwan, therefore, served as a decisive battle to crown the Group D category champions. The game commenced with Taiwan seizing an early lead in the initial 10 minutes, prompting a swift timeout from Vietnamese head coach Nguyen Dinh Hoang. Displaying resilience and tactical prowess, Vietnam responded magnificently, equalizing just a minute later. The goal was a testament to their teamwork, as Thuy Trang’s precise pass found Bien Thi Hang on the right wing. Hang then demonstrated her vision, delivering a perfect cross to Thanh Ngan, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. However, Taiwan struck back in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick. Su Hui Chi’s delivery was deftly flicked on by Lin Dai Chi, creating the opportunity for Liu Chih Ling to slot home from close range. Vietnamese athlete Thuy Trang (in red) showcases her pro...

The Hanoi International Light Festival 2025 kicked off with a spectacular event that captivated thousands, setting an unforgettable tone for the New Year festivities. This opening spectacle, titled “Light Concert – Welcoming New Year 2025,” served as a mesmerizing prelude to the festival. Presented by the Hanoi administration, Tay Ho District People’s Committee, and the Nhan Dan newspaper, the event seamlessly wove together joy, community, and aspirations for a prosperous future, all while celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of Hanoi. What made this occasion truly groundbreaking was the innovative fusion of cutting-edge drone light technology and the timeless beauty of traditional Vietnamese symphonic music. This symbiotic partnership created a captivating artistic experience that enthralled audiences of all ages. Dang Le Minh Tri, the creative mastermind behind the event, shared with the Vietnam News Agency that this production was an unprecedented endeavor. He described it a...

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper readers engaged in a spirited online debate following an op-ed by Nguyen Van My of Lua Viet Tours, detailing some unsavory behaviors observed at Vietnamese airports over recent years. My’s article shed light on passengers’ lack of etiquette, including treating airport benches as beds, using suitcases to reserve seats, and displaying little regard for fellow travelers’ comfort. He described passengers sprawled across benches, oblivious to others, with their shirts lifted above their bellies as they napped. Others, he noted, engaged in personal grooming habits like pimple-popping or hair-plucking, to the discomfort of onlookers. Comments on the Tuoi Tre News story echoed a similar sentiment, with readers expressing their dismay. “No way,” wrote Adam Halliday, while Rick Ellis simply stated, “Pimple poppers ugh.” Alan Robins agreed, particularly annoyed by those who put their feet on chairs and picked at them in public, deeming it “so disrespectful.” Ste...