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The Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City (VCFA HCMC) will continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy activities to increase understanding between the people of Vietnam and Cuba as well as between HCM City and Cuban localities in particular, contributing to further intensifying the special relations between the two countries. This orientation was approved at the third congress of the association for the 2023-2028 tenure held in HCM City on December 28, VNA reported. Truong Thi Hien, chair of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City for the 2023 – 2028 term, spoke at the congress. Photo: HUFO Accordingly, the VCFA HCMC will focus on promoting communication activities, including setting up a YouTube channel named “Cuba – The Beautiful Island”, to introduce the country and people of Cuba to people from all walks of life, especially young people, and the importance of the Vietnam-Cuba relations in the new situation. A

The approaching New Year holiday brings with it a flurry of tourist activities. Due to the current economic conditions, many people are opting for destinations near Hanoi that offer shorter travel times and are not too expensive for the three-day holiday. In addition to well-known attractions such as heritage sites, handicraft villages, resorts, tourist attractions, eco-tourism destinations, and entertainment areas, there are also options for capital residents and tourists to explore. Nguyen Ha Thanh from Bac Tu Liem District plans to take her children to places on the outskirts of Hanoi. A day trip allows them to have a fun-filled day, save money, and still enjoy their vacation without feeling exhausted. Foreign tourists visit Quang Phu Cau, an incense-making village in Ung Hoa District. Photo: Le Giang/The Hanoi Times “As usual, tourist sites can get too crowded during holidays, and since our income is not great, we have decided to cut down on travel expenses,” she sa

About 24 million tourists have visited Hanoi this year, showing a significant annual growth of 27%, according to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Tourism. This includes four million international visitors, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 266.7%, and 20 million domestic tourists, representing a 16.3% increase compared to the previous year and accounting for 91% of the 2019 figures. Foreign travelers in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi Tourism Department The estimated tourism revenue for the city in 2023 is approximately VND87.65 trillion (US$3.65 billion), a 45.5% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the hotel sector’s average room occupancy rate is expected to reach 58.7% this year, a 20.1% increase compared to the previous year. The year 2023 has been a successful year for Hanoi’s tourism industry following the Covid-19 pandemic, as it received three prestigious awards in September: Asia’s Leading City Destination 2023, Asia’s Leading City Break Destina

The concert will kick off with well-known compositions that celebrate both Christmas and New Year, specifically Te Deum-Prelude composed by Henri Charpentier, Concerto for Oboe by Alessandro Marcello, and Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni. Following that, Vietnamese artists, including cellist Phan Nhu Quynh, violinist Dao Mai Anh, and oboist Bui Son Tung, will perform with the VNSO’s symphony orchestra under the baton of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji. Conductor Honna has been the musical director and principal conductor of the VNSO for over 20 years. With his extensive experience of collaborating with world-renowned solo artists such as Martha Argerich, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Antonio Menses, and Cecile Licade, as well as conducting various orchestras, Honna has contributed to enhancing the performance quality of the VNSO. The VNSO was originally established in 1959 and has since held nearly 40 concerts per year, featuring classical, romantic, and contemporary music. The orchestra has pe

The sale is the result of the first forest proceeds from six provinces in the north central region under the emission reduction agreement with the World Bank. It is transferred to localities to compensate forest owners, local communities, and people for their efforts in managing, protecting, and developing forests. The emission reduction agreement, successfully implemented in Vietnam, has brought in US $41 million in carbon credit sales with the World Bank (Photo: Getty Image). As the first emission reduction agreement successfully implemented in Vietnam, the sale represents an important step towards advanced forest management, protection, and improving people’s lives. The six provinces participating in the agreement are Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. They collectively have over 3.1 million hectares of forested land, accounting for 58 percent of the total area. Nguyen Quang Bao, Director of the Department of Forestry under the

The Ho Thi Tu Street Book Street, situated in Hiep Phu Ward, is set to open from December 22nd to January 1st, treating visitors with a range of music performances, cultural activities, and engaging programs. The Thu Duc City People’s Committee is committed to providing a space to promote the tradition of reading, enrich cultural and tourism offerings, and create a reading space by opening the book street. The book street spans approximately 190.6 meters in length, covering an area of over 3,500 square meters. Operating from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, the book street features different areas such as the Ho Chi Minh culture space, a reading area, an old book section, a brain-training games playground, a book-themed coffee space, and a main stage. Within the book street premises, two rocks can be found engraved with the biography of Vietnamese heroic mother Ho Thi Tu and a quote from late President Ho Chi Minh regarding the importance of reading culture. The opening of the book str

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

After receiving 28,000 likes, 1,200 comments, and 461,000 shares on the official Facebook page of the Miss Earth pageant, Lan Anh stands out. Among the Top 8 Best Bikini contestants for continental groups, Miss Earth Vietnam and Miss Earth Philippines from the Asia and Oceania group secured their spots. The Africa group featured beauties from Madagascar and Zimbabwe, while Paraguay and Venezuela represented the Americas. Miss Earth Bulgaria and Miss Earth Netherlands had the highest scores in the Europe group. Moving forward, the Top 8 contestants with the highest scores from each continental group will proceed to the second round of the Best Bikini voting. The winner of this sub-contest will be announced in the grand final of the Miss Earth 2023 pageant, which will take place on December 22 in Ho Chi Minh City. Prior to this, Vietnamese beauty Do Thi Lan Anh received the Best Appearance award on the opening day of the Miss Earth pageant. These impressive achievements will prov

The festival will provide a colorful and dynamic venue for communities of K-pop lovers as renowned bands grace the stage, performing their greatest hits over the two-day event. Taking the spotlight first is The Wind band from the Republic of Korea (RoK), who will captivate the audience with their vibrant song “Island”. In addition, the acclaimed singer Kim Jongdae will showcase his chart-topping songs, including “Beautiful Goodbye”, “Hold you tight”, “Shall we?”, and “Best luck”. Following them, the Infinite boy band, known for being the first Korean act to top the Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, will deliver an electrifying performance featuring their timeless tracks “I Got You”, “New Emotions”, “Be Mine”, and “Paradise”. Adding to the excitement, two members of the Super Junior D&E boy band will also enthrall the crowd with their hit songs “Bout you”, “Oppa, Oppa”, “Danger”, “B.A.D”, and “Can You Feel It”. Moreover, the festival-goers will have the privilege to enjoy r

Vietnam – China Border Youth Friendship Exchange in 2023. (Photo: Hang Nguyen) The program aims to review and continue the long-standing traditions of friendship, connection, and exchange, and aims to expand cooperative relationships in social affairs as well as learn from effective economic development models. The program also facilitates the sharing of experiences in implementing Youth Union work and youth movements, as well as cultural and artistic exchanges. By doing so, it aims to express the faith, will, and aspirations of the youth from both countries to work together and cultivate a close relationship “from mountain to mountain, river to river”. During the event, youth delegations from four Vietnamese provinces bordering Yunnan province (including Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Ha Giang) and Chinese youth delegates participated in a variety of exciting activities in Kunming city, Honghe Hani and Yi, and Dali Bai of Yunnan province. At the “Chinese-Vietnamese Yout

The annual TasteAtlas rankings are based on a total of 395,205 dish ratings and 115,660 food product ratings, which were considered to determine the top culinary experiences worldwide. Italy secured the top spot in the list, followed by Japan in second place and Greece in third. Two representatives from Southeast Asia made it to the top 20, with Indonesia ranking sixth and Thailand coming in at 17th. Vietnam was ranked 22nd, placed behind Hungary at 21st and followed by Iran at 23rd. When it comes to the 100 best dishes in the world, as announced by TasteAtlas, Vietnamese dishes were also celebrated internationally. Bánh Mì Kẹp Thịt (Vietnamese Baguette Sandwich with Meat) and Phở Bò (Beef Noodle Soup) were ranked 14th and 100th, respectively. In terms of best food cities & regions, Hue City and Ho Chi Minh City secured the 28th and 73rd spots. TasteAtlas readers recognized Phở Thìn Lò Đúc in Hanoi as one of the most iconic food places in the world, ranking it 90th. The restau

Drita Ziri, 18, an Albanian television host and model, became the first Albanian to win the prestigious Miss Earth title. The young girl, standing at 1.70 metres tall with body measurements of 85-62-99 cm, previously won the Miss Earth Albania 2023 and was the second runner-up at Miss Globe 2022. The pageant also awarded several titles to other contestants, including Yllana Aduana of the Philippines, who was crowned Miss Earth Air, Do Thi Lan Anh of Vietnam, who received the title of Miss Earth Water, and Cora Bliault of Thailand, who was named Miss Earth Fire. The Vietnamese beauty, Lan Anh, was also honored with the Best Appearance award and won the Best National Costume sub-title. Lan Anh, 26, currently resides in the United States and stands at 1.71 meters tall with body measurements of 85-60-95 cm. She left her hometown at the age of one to move to Europe before settling down in the US with her family. She was crowned Miss Earth Vietnam

Hang Ma street is a popular destination for buying toys and decorations in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It attracts people who are looking for year-end-party decorations as well as those who want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the area. Hang Ma street is known for its wide selection of toys and decorations, making it one of the best places to shop for festive items in the capital. The street is currently abuzz with business activities as shops display a variety of festive items for purchase, getting ready for the Christmas season. This year, Hang Ma street offers a wide range of festive items, including trees, wreaths, golden bells, and snowmen, featuring rich designs and vibrant colors. Customers can choose from a diverse range of prices, from a few hundred thousand to several million VND, to find the perfect festive items. Christmas and New Year are joyous occasions for Vietnamese families, especially children who eagerly await g

The Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association in Hanoi organized a conference on December 22 in Dan Phuong District to evaluate its tasks and cultural exchange program. Delegates at the conference reviewed the association’s achievements over the past year and recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand. Tran Duc Hai, Chairman of the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, speaks at the event. Photo: Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association In 2023, led by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association in Hanoi focused on enhancing communication on diplomatic affairs, peace and friendship activities, and other significant political events of the two countries. Additionally, the association launched a website featuring in-depth cultural stories to improve the effectiveness of its tasks. Outstanding individuals are recognized at the

‘Bay of Blood’, a documentary directed by Indian filmmaker Krishnendu Bose, brings attention to the untold suffering and resilience of millions of people over nine months from March to December 1971. A special screening of Bay of Blood, a film documenting the history of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, was organized by the British Bengali diaspora in London. ‘Bay of Blood’, a documentary film directed by Indian filmmaker Krishnendu Bose, sheds light on the untold suffering and resilience of millions of people over a nine-month period from March to December 1971. The screening was organized by the Bengal Heritage Foundation last week ahead of the 52nd anniversary of “Bijoy Dibosh”, or Liberation of Bangladesh Day, which falls on December 16. “The film projected the strong sense of the power of an idea – no amount of violence, no amount of oppression can actually kill that,” said Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami after the special screening at Le

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, there is a strong level 3 Northeast wind on the mainland. In the North, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, the weather continues to be very cold, and the mountains are freezing. In the area from Ha Tinh to Thua Thien Hue, the cold will be harmful to young children and the elderly’s health. In the area from Ha Tinh to Khanh Hoa, there is moderate to heavy rain with rainfall of 15-30mm. The weather forecast in different regions Northwest region: The weather forecast is predicted to be cloudy with drizzles in some places and sunny during the day. High mountain areas have the possibility of frost. Lowest temperature: 9-12 degrees. Highest temperature: 16-19 degrees. Northeast region: The weather will be cloudy and sunny during the day. The northern midlands and mountainous areas are likely to experience frost. Lowest temperature: 9-12 degrees. Highest temperature: 15-18 degrees. Thanh Hoa – Thua Thien Hue: The weather wil

An article from the market news website recently sourced data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which analyzed the real GDP growth rates of countries over the past 10 years. The average real GDP growth rate was used to rank the countries. Yahoo Finance stated, “With an average real GDP growth of 6.1% over the past decade, Vietnam is among the countries with high economic growth. The agricultural sector plays a significant role in supporting the economy by contributing to the GDP as well as employment.” With an average real GDP growth rate of 6.1% over the past 10 years, Vietnam ranks among countries with high economic growth. Photo: VNA Vietnam achieved a record-high agro-forestry-fishery export value of US $53.22 billion in 2022, representing a 9.3% increase compared to the previous year. This resulted in a trade surplus of US $8.5 billion in the agricultural sector, accounting for over 75% of the total trade surplus, according to VietnamPlus . The article

The Vietnam International Professional Golf Tour, the first of its kind in Vietnam, is set to conclude on Saturday. The tournament has attracted renowned golfers from around the world, including Michael Campbell, Euan McIntosh, James Kingston, and Emanuele Canonica. Michael Campbell, winner of the 2005 U.S. Open and an eight-time winner on the European Tour, is serving as an ambassador for the event in the coastal city of Nha Trang. “The golf courses in Nha Trang City are well-prepared for the tournament,” Campbell stated. “I am extremely impressed with playing golf on an island.” The Vinpearl DIC Legends Vietnam 2023, part of the Legends Tour, the world’s leading golf tournament, is being hosted in Southeast Asia for the first time. Vietnam is the first country in the region to organize the tournament, which is expected to boost golf tourism and attract international visitors, particularly golfers. “Vietnam has won numerous medals in golf at the Southeast Asian Games, and golf is

According to the website, Banh Cuon, Vietnamese steamed rice rolls, are made to order. Diners can watch as the chef steams the rice sheets and makes the rolls right in front of them. Michelin recommends two types of Banh Cuon – one filled with minced pork and black fungus, and another version with a soft poached egg. Diners can also add pork meatloaf and sausage, and season the fish sauce dip with fresh herbs, chili, lime, or garlic. Banh Cuon Banh cuon, Vietnamese steamed rice rolls, are made to order. The lady at the entrance steams the rice sheets and crafts the rolls right before your eyes. There are two varieties available: the more common type is filled with minced pork and black fungus, and the other version features a soft poached egg. Diners have the option to add pork meatloaf and sausage, and season the fish sauce dip with fresh herbs, chili, lime, or garlic. The sellers carefully split each roll when serving to prevent tearing them apart. Care for some Phnom P

Gia Lai Culture-Tourism Week took place from November 11-19, showcasing a variety of activities aimed at promoting the culture and tourism of the Central Highlands. Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ta Quang Dong, emphasized that the event celebrates the cultural significance of the gong space in the region, which has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. The festival also served as a platform for ethnic groups from the Central Highlands to come together and exchange experiences in preserving, promoting, and disseminating the gong culture. According to Dong, the event attracted over 165,000 domestic and international visitors in just a few days. Foreigners try Ruou Can (Tube wine) at the festival. Photo: H.N One of the highlights of the festival was the “Gia Lai City Trail 2023 – The Great Dream” running race, which left a strong impression on Vietnamese participants and international tourists. The race attracted nearly 4,000 ru

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is celebrated by various ethnic groups in Vietnam. Each ethnic group has its own unique customs and traditions when it comes to welcoming Tet. These customs and traditions contribute to the rich cultural diversity of the country. During Tet, traditional cakes are an important part of the celebrations for the Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer ethnic groups. These cakes are not only made to worship their ancestors, but also to pray for a happy life on special occasions. A special exhibition showcases more than 200 images, documents, and artifacts that depict the customs of celebrating Tet among the Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, and Cham ethnic groups. As the Lunar New Year approaches, people from all parts of Vietnam travel back to their hometowns to participate in family reunions. This is a long-standing tradition during Tet, which is considered the biggest holiday of the year. Preparations are made for Chol Chnam Thmay, the New Ye