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Hanoi is looking forward to organizing cost-effective and practical festive events in 2024, without any religious fanaticism, as discussed at a meeting on January 23. Huong Pagoda Festival in 2023. Photo: The Hanoi Times The local authorities have been instructed to prioritize safety during these events and ensure that the festivals align with the local socio-economic development. Tran Thi Van Anh, the deputy director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture and Sports, emphasized that the ritual activities should reflect traditional cultures, and visitors should be mindful of their behavior and actions to uphold cultural values and preserve relics. The deputy director also stressed the importance of training relic managers and staff on how to receive visitors and maintain the local environment, safety, and tradition preservation. During the meeting, representatives from local communes and districts in Hanoi expressed their commitment to making their festivals unique and appea...

Despite the cold weather this Christmas in Hanoi, the peaceful and festive atmosphere for the Catholic community and Hanoi’s townspeople remains undiminished. The streets are filled with joy and festive spirit, creating a vibrant and lively ambiance. Locals gather at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Nha Chung Street to celebrate Christmas. The photos capture the joyous moments of the celebration. A Christmas of unity… Euphoria is in the air in Thach Bich Parish, Bich Hoa Commune, and Thanh Oai District as the Catholic community celebrates their most sacred holiday. Everyone comes together to decorate homes and light up the streets, especially on Thach Bich Church premises. Thach Bich Parish is a longstanding and prominent Hanoi Archdiocese parish with approximately 8,000 parishioners. It consistently upholds the spirit of ‘living a good life following the faith.’ The parish actively engages in economic development and contributes to social activities, working together to build a prospero...

Folk songs, dances, and games from Thailand kicked off the Dien Bien Culture and Tourism Week in Hanoi on the evening of December 15th. The event will take place in the pedestrian area of Hoan Kiem Lake until December 17th, showcasing the best of culture and tourism from the northern province of Dien Bien. The event, organized by the Dien Bien Province People’s Committee, aims to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954-2024), the National Tourism Year – Dien Bien 2024, and to strengthen the bond between Dien Bien and Hanoi.   Tourists joining ethnic minorities from Dien Bien province in a folk dance. Photo: VNA Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee, Vu A Bang, highlighted that the Dien Bien Culture and Tourism Week in Hanoi initiates a series of cultural and sports activities to be held in Dien Bien in 2024 as part of the National Tourism Year. Bang views this as an opp...

Many restaurants from Michelin’s prestigious selection will be featured at the 2nd Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, which will take place from November 3 to 5 on the walking area of Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi. This event offers tourists a chance to explore the traditional cuisine, street food, snacks, and signature dishes available in the capital, ranging from local street vendors to high-end restaurants. The Hanoi Tourism Department expects that the activities and attractive displays at the event will stimulate tourism and enhance the image of Hanoi as an appealing and secure tourist destination. One of the highlights of this year’s Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival is the Food Court, where visitors can delve into Hanoi’s rich and distinctive culinary scene, including the offerings from Michelin-starred restaurants. Moreover, artisans, craft villages, souvenir shops, and tour operators will also have the opportunity to showcase and promote their products while seekin...

The Hanoi Autumn Carnival, a vibrant and colorful event, took place on October 1st as part of the Hanoi Autumn Festival. The festivities unfolded in the bustling pedestrian area surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. A morning parade saw participation from up to 1,500 individuals comprising municipal civil servants, students, members of art groups, and craftsmen from various parts of the city. The festival, held under the captivating theme “Bright Colors of Autumn,” showcased mesmerizing performances by talented art groups. Adding a charming touch to the event were women dressed in traditional long robes, known as “ao dai.” The carnival program attracts the largest number of spectators. Photo: VNA  The carnival commenced amidst great excitement, featuring a captivating lion and dragon dance performed by a renowned troupe from Thanh Oai District. This mesmerizing spectacle involved 600 skilled individuals manipulating 30 magnificent dragons and unicorns, accompanied by 30 tale...

The inaugural Hanoi Fall Festival, themed “Hanoi – Come to fall in love,” is set to take place at Hoan Kiem Walking Space and Hanoi Children’s Palace from September 29 to October 1. This event aims to promote tourism to the capital during the autumn season, widely regarded as the city’s prime time. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to discover Hanoi’s enchanting allure this fall. The above-stated information was officially declared by Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, the Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), during a press conference held in Hanoi on September 20th. Foreign tourists visit Hanoi’s Book Street. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times The following is a proposal for the initial iteration of an event celebrating the culture and cuisine of Hanoi on Capital Liberation Day (October 10th), as suggested by Anh. The festival will showcase 150 booths representing various people’s committees from 10 districts in Hoan Kiem, Me Linh, Quoc Oai, Ung Hoa, Ba Dinh, Nam Tu Li...

The Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2023 will take place from October 13 to 15 in the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake. The festival will feature the participation of designers, ao dai brands, traditional craft villages, and travel agencies from Hanoi and other provinces and cities. Hanoi Tourism’s Ao Dai Festival 2023 is expected to draw a large influx of travelers. Photo: Hoai Nam/ The Hanoi Times The Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2023 aims to promote travel and attract more domestic and international tourists to Hanoi. It also seeks to preserve and honor the traditional ao dai of the Vietnamese people, as stated by Dang Huong Giang, director of the Hanoi Tourism Department. “Through this event, the city’s tourism industry hopes to facilitate collaboration between Hanoi’s tourism businesses and Ao Dai fashion artisans and designers in order to strengthen promotion, exchange, and cooperation,” she emphasized. According to the plan, the festival will commence...

The Vietnam-South Korea Food and Culture Festival 2023 will take place on Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street, located in front of Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi. The event is scheduled to occur on August 26-27. The event will comprise of various exhilarating activities including the “Cultural Colors of Vietnam-Korea” talent contest, a magnificent flower flashmob led by Jisoo from BlackPink and a captivating performance to the song “See Tinh” by renowned singer Hoang Thuy Linh. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to witness a splendid Vietnam-South Korea children’s fashion show and indulge in a delectable Vietnamese-Korean culinary demonstration.  Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be featured at the festival. The festival is dedicated to celebrating the rich and vibrant cultures and enchanting destinations of South Korea, Vietnam, and Hanoi. Its goal is to not only showcase the uniqueness of these nations, but also foster increased cooper...

The inaugural Hanoi Fall Festival, with the captivating theme “Come to Fall in Love in 2023,” is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 1. According to Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, this is a unique opportunity to showcase the stunning beauty and rich cultural heritage of our city. Hanoi is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, historical landmarks, and esteemed heritage sites. We invite you to experience the allure and charm of our city firsthand. According to her, Autumn is the most enchanting season in Hanoi, offering ideal opportunities for tourists to explore renowned landmarks and savor the exquisite culinary offerings of the ancient capital, which has a history of over 1,000 years. Our website aims to highlight the exceptional traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage of the capital. We believe that these valuable crafts are an integral part of our nation’s identity, with distinctive characteristics that set us apart. Join us...

At the heart of Dong Co Temple’s courtyard, located in Hanoi’s Tay Ho District, an incense burner emanated a sacred flame. Visitors assembled amidst an atmosphere of reverence, uniting their voices to solemnly recite the following oath: “May all those who betray their filial duties and show disloyalty be brought to divine justice.” The Loyalty Oath Festival of Dong Co Temple is a significant event that has been celebrated in the capital for nearly 1,000 years. This festival holds great historical and cultural significance, and as a result, it has been acknowledged as a national intangible cultural heritage. The festival serves as a unique platform for former mandarins and current Party members to publicly pledge their allegiance to the nation. Additionally, it offers an occasion for individuals to express their gratitude towards their ancestors and pray for the well-being and prosperity of the nation. The Dong Co Temple is situated on Thuy Khue Street, approximately 300 meters awa...

A grand festival to mark the 595 th anniversary of King Le Thai To’s coronation (1384-1433) is set to take place at the King Le Thai To Monument, located at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, from June 2 nd to June 4 th .  A traditional palanquin procession around Hoan Kiem Lake will be held on June 3 to pay tribute King Le Thai To (1384-1433). Photo: VNA  The festival will feature a plethora of spiritual rituals, cultural activities, and performance arts, including an incense offering ceremony with a traditional palanquin procession around Hoan Kiem Lake; a photo exhibition capturing the essence of Vietnamese traditional festivals on the sidewalks of Sword Lake; an exhibition of Hang Trong folk paintings at Nam Huong Communal House; the captivating human chess performance on Le Thai To Street; and material arts performances on the pedestrian street of Hoan Kiem, among many others. The annual Le Loi Festival is a celebration of Le Loi’s great service dur...

In the middle of the courtyard of Dong Co Temple, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, an incense burner was lit. People gathered in a solemn atmosphere and recited the oath: “The unfilial children, the disloyal servants, God will destroy them.” That’s the main rite of the Loyalty Oath Festival of Dong Co Temple, which has been maintained in the capital for nearly 1,000 years. Thanks to its historical and cultural values, the festival has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The festival is the only one that provides a place for mandarins of the past and Party members of the present to take an oath of loyalty to the country. It’s also an opportunity for the people to show gratitude to their ancestors and pray for national peace and prosperity. Dong Co Temple is located on Thuy Khue Street, about 300 meters from the southwestern shore of the West Lake. Legend has it that in 1020, Crown Prince Phat Ma (later enthroned as King Ly Thai Tong) led a troop south to fight the in...

Half a million colorful light-emitting diode (LED) lights have been installed over a sizable part of Bach Dang Wharf Park in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Vietnam and Japan. Each country’s symbols and their relationship are reflected in the art lights that have been added to Bach Dang Wharf in District 1. The artwork depicts a garden of Sakura blossoms, the national flower of Japan, and lotus flowers on water which symbolize the traditional Vietnamese image, and the interaction between the two cultures. Bach Dang Wharf Park is one of the favorite destinations of locals and visitors.   The message reads “Vietnam and Japan work together to expand global outreach in the future”. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/Mekong Environment Forum (MEF)  LED lights represent Sakura blossoms – the national flower of Japan. Photo: Tuyet Nguyen/MEF    Lotus flowers on blue background sy...

Quoc Oai District, located about 30 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, has attempted to revitalize traditional tourism products, including investing in spiritual cultural tourism and developing a new tour connecting Thay Pagoda, Tuan Chau tourist site in Sai Son Commune, and So communal house in Cong Hoa Commune.   Thay Pagoda will be received the title “the Special National Monument of Thay Pagoda”. Photos: Mai Huong On April 21 and 22, the district will hold the program “Thay Pagoda Cultural and Historical Tourism Journey in 2023” at the special national relics site of Thay Pagoda and the area around Sai Son Mountain and Hoang Xa Cave. The program’s opening ceremony, scheduled for April 21, will include activities such as “A Day to Explore Quoc Oai,” which will honor various types of intangible cultural heritage in the region and introduce the capital’s cultural and historical tourist attractions. In the event, travel agencies will introduce cultural and historical ...

The festival “Korean Cultural Road 2023” with a variety of activities to experience Korean culture will take place from April 22-23 at the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi. This year, the festival will highlight the image of Busan as this city has been organizing a campaign to host the World Expo 2030. The stone road area behind Korean Embassy, which attracts people to take photos, will be decorated with images of Busan’s Gamcheon mural village, promising to create a diverse and interesting space for festival goers. Visitors at the previous Korean Culture Road Festival. Photo courtesy of the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi The festival includes many activities promoting Korean culture such as food experience, hanbok try-on, introduction of tourist attractions and traditional crafts, promotion of small and medium enterprises’ products, learning how to make Kimchi, Korean culture quiz, Korean traditional games, among others. In addition, the audience will also enjoy a sp...

The first-ever UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance Festival will be held in the northern province of Phu Tho, featuring art troupes from 13 provinces and cities in the three regions of Vietnam. Troupes from Hanoi will perform ca tru (ceremonial singing) and rituals of Giong Festival of Soc Temple and Phu Dong Temple. Other cultural items to be showcased included  don ca tai tu (southern folk music), xoan singing at Phu Tho, and Cham pottery. The festival consists of Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition.  People flock to Hung Temple Festival. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times According to Ho Dai Dung, Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho People’s Committee, there include performances of  xoan  singing, Inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, in three types: Worship singing, Ritual singing, and Festive singing. In additio...

Halong Tourism Week 2023 will be held from April 29 to May 3, 2023, according to the Halong City People’s Committee. The Carnaval Halong Festival street parade has become the rendezvous destination of Halong vacation and art lovers.  The highlight of the event is Halong Carnival 2023, themed “The Halong Dance – In harmony with the five continents”, which will be held on May 1 at 8 pm on Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard, Bai Chay Ward, Halong City. The 15th Halong Carnival will consist of four parts, including the opening ceremony, a main stage art performance, a street parade and a low-level fireworks display. According to Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice Chairman of Halong City People’s Committee, Carnaval Ha Long 2023 will be a wonderful creative performance based on many themes such as history, legend, nature, and so on, showing Halong’s position as a leading vibrant and exciting holiday destination in Asia. “As an event of light, color, music, art, and cultural identity, Halong...