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Until March 31, Hanoi’s art-loving public and international visitors can enjoy the breathtaking winning paintings of the first UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Award in Vietnam at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Trinh Minh Tien, winner of the UOB Painting of the Year 2023, showcased his spray-painted masterpiece titled “Thien Hau Pagoda” on a car bonnet. According to the organizers, the exhibition offers a diverse range of artworks that employ various materials and techniques, including paint on bonnets, oil on canvas, and oil wax. These works carry profound messages about life, people, and society. The exhibition features eight winning paintings, along with other works by the eight winning artists of this year’s UOB Painting Award. Artist Luong Xuan Doan, Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, stated that the prize serves as a driving force, helping young Vietnamese artists gain strength and courage in expressing their inner selves and showcasing their ideas and

The number of MICE tourists has seen an increase during the first quarter of this year, according to local insiders.  Duong Lam ancient village in Hanoi’s Son Tay Town is a favorite destination for foreign visitors to Vietnam. Photo: Bao Chung Between January and March, Ben Thanh Tourist is estimated to have conducted MICE tours for over 8,000 domestic tourists within the two major cities of Hanoi and Cantho, as well as other provinces such as Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Bac Lieu, and Ben Tre. Ben Thanh’s inbound MICE services have also experienced growth. Tran Phuong Linh, the Director of Marketing and Information Technology at Ben Thanh Tourist, shared that the company organized MICE tours for foreign guests from Thailand, South Korea, Japan, China, and other countries. The group sizes ranged from 200 to 400 guests. “During the first quarter of this year, we recorded a growth of about 15% in MICE arrivals compared to the same period last year,” Linh said. She added,

The “Ensemble” (Together) Francophone running tournament took place on March 24 at Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park in Hanoi, with over 1,800 runners participating, as reported by VOV. The participants included students, lecturers, businesses, representatives of diplomatic agencies, Francophone organizations, and foreigners based in Hanoi. This year, the main theme of the event was the UN SDG 3 “For a healthy and happy life for communities of all ages”. The race consisted of three main distances: 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km. Athletes participate in the first Francophone Running Course 2024. A total of 37 prizes were awarded to both male and female winners in each distance. Additionally, prizes were given to the oldest and youngest athletes. A wide range of activities were held, including nearly 40 booths set up by organizations and businesses in the French-speaking community of Hanoi. Moreover, students from across the capital brought 28 art performances to the event.

The Visit Vietnam Year-Dien Bien 2024 and the Ban Flower Festival were launched at May 7 Park in the city on Saturday evening under the themes of ‘Glorious Dien Bien – Infinite Experiences’ and ‘Returning to the Land of Ban Flowers.’ The event attracted thousands of locals and visitors. These activities are part of a series of events planned to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Vietnamese revolutionary army’s victory over French colonialists on May 7, 1954. Preliminary activities for the Ban Flower Festival were carried out three days prior to the official launch ceremony. During the opening ceremony, Tran Quoc Cuong, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, highlighted that 70 years ago, the Vietnamese revolutionary army defeated French colonial troops in a 56-day military campaign in Muong Thanh Valley, which is now Dien Bien Province. This victory directly resulted in the signing of the Geneva Accords, which ended the war and restored peace in Indochina. Dien Bien has

Anh has secured her ticket to the Paris Olympics by reaching the semifinals of the 54kg weight class at the first World Qualification Tournament in Italy from March 3 to 11. She achieved a dominant victory, defeating Islem Ferchichi of Tunisia 5-0 in the eighth round bout on Monday. Earlier in the tournament, Anh triumphed over opponents from Dominica and Hungary in her first and second qualifying matches, respectively. By making it to the semifinals, Anh has secured automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics, regardless of her final ranking in this competition. The Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11. This marks Vietnam’s fifth qualification for the Summer Olympics, with previous spots earned by shooters Trinh Thu Vinh and Le Thi Mong Tuyen, cyclist Nguyen Thi That, and swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang. To recognize her achievement, the Vietnam Boxing Federation has awarded Anh VND50 million (US$2,030). Anh, born in 1997 in the Mekong Delta province o

The International Running Event Kicked Off in Da Lat The annual Dalat Ultra Trail is happening in Da Lat, a beautiful resort city in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam’s Central Highlands. More than 6,000 participants are taking part in the event, running through the scenic Langbiang Mountain. The Dalat Ultra Trail 2024 offers a range of distances for all levels of runners. There are six categories to choose from: 5km, 15km, 25km, 55km, 75km, and the most challenging category, the 112km race. The 112km race started on Friday night, while the rest of the races began on Saturday morning. Participants from around the world are coming together to compete in this prestigious event. The event is organized by Vietnam MTB Series, a professional sports event organizer, in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Lam Dong Province. This year marks the sixth edition of the race since its inception in 2018. The Dalat Ultra Trail is also part of the prestigious Asia Trail Ma

Every weekend, Nguyen Hoang Duong takes his family to Soc Son District, a suburb of Hanoi. There, his children can ride bicycles on the winding forest roads and admire the mountain scenery while he plays his favorite sport, golf. Duong believes that Hanoi has a lot of potential to develop sports tourism , with mountainous terrain, large rivers and lakes, and beautiful streets with unique heritage in the city center. However, this potential has not yet been tapped. Great potential for sports tourism Soc Son is a district in the outskirts of Hanoi with diverse terrain and beautiful scenery suitable for cycling, jogging, and climbing activities. Recently, a number of beautiful roads have been built for mountain biking, jogging, and racing, such as Dong Quan Lake-Keo Ca Lake-Thanh Giong Monument (11 km long), Soc Temple-Saint Giong Monument (5 km long), Dong Quan Lake-Soc Temple (8 km long), among others. West Lake in Hanoi is an ideal place for outdoor sports. Photo: Pham Hung/

Nguyen Hoang Duong and his family often spend their weekends in Soc Son District, a suburb of Hanoi. They enjoy cycling on the scenic forest roads and taking in the mountain landscape, while Duong indulges in his favorite sport, golf. Duong believes that Hanoi has immense potential for sports tourism, with its picturesque mountainous regions, abundant rivers and lakes, and charming heritage streets in the city center. However, this potential remains largely untapped. Unlocking the potential for sports tourism Soc Son District, located on the outskirts of Hanoi, is known for its diverse terrain and captivating scenery, making it an ideal location for activities like cycling, jogging, and climbing. Recently, several roads have been constructed specifically for mountain biking, jogging, and races. These include routes such as Dong Quan Lake-Keo Ca Lake-Thanh Giong Monument (11 km long), Soc Temple-Saint Giong Monument (5 km long), and Dong Quan Lake-Soc Temple (8 km long).

The week-long festival showcases the talents of more than 100 local and international artists. The festival is organized by the Vietnam Youth Music Institute and Vietfest, an international company founded in Vietnam that specializes in large-scale entertainment and cultural projects. The festival kicked off with a live concert and a painting exhibition at Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa. On the same day, renowned local opera singers performed at Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio. An opera singer performs at Pho Ben Doi Creative Studio in Da Lat City, as part of the Vietnam Classical Music Festival, which kicked off on March 10, 2024. Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre The festival will take place at four different locations and will feature some paid events. The majority of the festival’s programs, however, are free and will be held in public spaces to cater to both locals and tourists. Highlights of the festival include the performance of a trio called Song Hong Trio in

The youngest contestant in this year’s pageant, the 26-year-old Vietnamese beauty, was awarded two sub-prizes, including the titles of Most Beautiful Posture and Most Exotic Costume. Hailing from the central province of Quang Ngai, she stands at 1.74 meters tall with body measurements of 88-63-94 cm. Currently, she holds the position of a General Director in a marketing company. The Mrs International Global 2024 pageant, which is aimed at promoting friendship and international understanding among contestants from around the world, has been held annually since 1997. It has gained recognition as one of the largest pageants for married women. This year’s edition of the beauty contest took place in Malaysia from March 9 to March 17 and attracted numerous contestants from different countries. The final night featured segments dedicated to the national costume, evening gown, and Q&A sessions. The post Vietnamese woman crowned Mrs International Global Ambassador 2024 with stunning

The ban was imposed as a result of a positive test sample taken on September 16, 2023 during the 2023 FIG Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where Vi won a gold medal in the women’s singles event for the Vietnam team. The FIG notice revealed that Vi’s sample contained four banned substances: hydrochlorothiazide, chlorothiazide, amiloride, and sibutramine. Vi’s ban will be lifted on November 15, 2025. As a result, all of her performances from September 16, 2023 onward were nullified, including her 2023 FIG Asian Championship gold medal. A representative from the Vietnam Gymnastics Federation attributed Vi’s positive test to her unauthorized use of medication without reporting it. “The federation has required Vi to provide a report on the incident,” the official said. “We heard that she had allegedly taken medicine for a urinary tract infection before the tournament without informing the coaching staff.” Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reached out to Tran Chien Thang, presid

The weather forecast in different regions Northwest region: The weather forecast predicts cloudy and rainy conditions in certain areas, with thunderstorms in the evening and at night. The lowest temperature is expected to be between 17-20 degrees, with some areas dropping below 18 degrees. The highest temperature will reach 24-27 degrees. Northeast region: The weather is expected to be cloudy and rainy, with fog in the early morning. In mountainous regions, there will be scattered showers and thunderstorms in some areas. The wind will range from southeast to south, with a level of 2-3. The lowest temperature will be around 16-19 degrees, and the highest temperature will reach 24-27 degrees. Thanh Hoa – Thua Thien Hue: The weather will be cloudy and rainy, with fog in the early morning. It will be sunny in the afternoon. The lowest temperature will range from 18-21 degrees. The highest temperature will reach 26-29 degrees, with some areas exceeding 29 degrees. Da Nang – Binh Thu

The event was organized by the Vietnamese Student Association in the UK (SVUK) and the community of Vietnamese professionals in the UK (VietPro) to introduce Vietnamese artistic talents and build and develop a community of Vietnamese art lovers. It also helped promote Vietnamese culture and art to British and international friends. Following the themes of Love, Gratitude, Connection, Home, Forgiveness, and Family, the music night includes 20 rich and unique performances performed by Vietnamese students studying at British universities and Vietnamese people living and working in the country. Talented piano and cello performances by students at the music night. Photo: TTXVN/ VNA With creative and elaborate staging, combining modern light and sound technology, the performances received a lot of praise from the audience. The program is the first collaboration between SVUK and VietPro, aiming to create a playground, and honor and promote artistic talents. The event also cre

Vietnam News Today (Mar 22) notable headlines Vietnam pledges positive contributions to UNESCO’s common affairs Vietnam, Singapore deepen economic, energy cooperation Vietnam jumps 11 steps in World Happiness Report 2024 FDI flows in Vietnam forecast to boom this year Promoting Vietnamese culture in Denmark South Sudan aspires to push all-around cooperation with Vietnam Speaker of Finnish Parliament to visit Vietnam Retail petrol prices increase sharply at the latest adjustment Vietnam underscores women, youth’s role in conflict prevention The Vietnamese delegation to the 219th session of the UNESCO’s Executive Board. (Photo: VNA) Vietnam pledges positive contributions to UNESCO’s common affairs The country always greatly evaluates multilateral co-operation and UNESCO’s role in the world, therefore pledging to continue to make positive contributions to the organization’s common affairs. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc made the statement a

On March 18, Lee Jung Nam, head of Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Busan Theater Association, Senior Vice President of Busan Culture and Arts Federation, Executive Director MAC Theater Company; and Yoo Harim, CEO of Brand New K Company, Director of Vietnam Branch, Keystone Marketing Company, met with leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association. Busan Theater Association and Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association presented books to each other at the first meeting. Source: Thanh Hiep/Laborer newspaper Busan Theater Association is a unit with a long history of operations and many achievements in culture and art. Each year, the association organizes two festivals in June and October. Currently, there are 350 members. In addition to singing and dancing performances, there are also musical instrument performances. At the meeting, Lee kindly invited the HCM City Theater Association to attend the cultural festival held in October this year in Busan. Director Ton That Can, Stan

Following the success of the first season in 2022, the Francophone University Agency (AUF), the French Embassy in Vietnam and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) will co-organize the second Francophone running course entitle “Course de la Francophonie” on March 24. Accordingly, the 2024 Francophone course will officially take place on March 24 at Thong Nhat Park – Thien Quang Lake, Hanoi. More than 1,800 athletes of all ages have registered to participate in this sporting and cultural event for French speakers, French language-lovers and runners. Young athletes participate in the first Francophone Running Course 2022. This year Francophonie course was organized to celebrate Francophonie Month , with the desire to turn the event into an annual activity aimed at strengthening the spirit of solidarity of the French-speaking community in Vietnam, as well as as contributing to realizing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. This year, the UN

The event was organized jointly by the French Institute in Hanoi, the National Library of Vietnam, and the Nha Nam Bookstore Culture and Media Joint Stock Company. During the meeting, Bernard Werber shared that his encounter with safari ants at the age of 20, where he nearly died, became a significant inspiration for his novels. Writer Bernard Werber during an exchange in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoimoi “I chose to write about ants because it is often seen as an unconventional topic,” shared Bernard. “By discussing ants, something strange, I am able to captivate readers completely.” Through the intricate details in his stories, Werber aimed to change our perception of the human world by adopting the perspective of ants. He also sought to provoke contemplation on the human position in life. In reality, we often define ourselves based on others’ judgment. The renowned French writer also believes that one cannot confine their vision and thoughts within the limits of the brain, but

Bánh mì is a type of sandwich that is popular in Vietnam. It is made using a baguette as the base ingredient. The baguette was introduced to Vietnam during the colonial era and has since become a beloved part of Vietnamese cuisine. According to an article, the crusty bread, condiments, and meats used in Bánh mì are influenced by French and Chinese colonialism, while the addition of cilantro, chili, and pickles reflects the Vietnamese preference for fresh and flavorful vegetables. Traditionally, Bánh mì sandwiches consist of bread, meat, and seasonings, but nowadays, they also include vegetables. TasteAtlas, an online encyclopedia of flavors, recommends several famous Bánh mì outlets in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, as well as in the United States and Australia. In addition to Bánh mì, the top five sandwiches in the world, as voted by experts and readers, include Tombik döner from Turkey, Shawarmas from Lebanon, Tortas from Mexico, and Lobster rolls from the US. The rankings are ba

Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) negotiations between India and the EFTA countries began in 2008. After 21 extensive rounds of negotiations lasting nearly 16 years, the final agreement was eventually signed by all parties involved. This agreement is significant as it is the first-ever free trade agreement between India and European countries. However, its enforcement depends on the ratification process, which requires all five countries – India, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland – to ratify the agreement. The agreement will come into force on the “first day of the third month” only after the instruments of ratification are deposited with the government of Norway. At present, India’s merchandise trade with EFTA countries amounts to USD 18.7 billion, with exports worth USD 1.9 billion and imports at USD 16.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of USD 14.8 billion. When we analyze the trade direction by country, we find that Switzerland is the d

Vietnam News Today (Mar 20) notable headlines Vietnam, Laos foster security cooperation Netherlands to assist Vietnam in sustainable sand mining, water management Hanoi, Vientiane expand business cooperation FDI sector becomes key Vietnamese growth driver: Vietnam Business Forum Da Lat is among the top nature destinations in Asia: Agoda HCM City eyes to expand tourism cooperation with Japanese prefecture RoK to increase ODA for Vietnam in 2024 Deputy PM praises Japanese foundations for decades of support HCM City wants to enhance cooperation with Czech Republic: official At the14th Vietnam – Laos Security Cooperation Conference in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA) Vietnam, Laos foster security cooperation Security forces of Vietnam and Laos sought ways to strengthen their cooperation at their annual conference held in Vientiane on March 19. The 14th Vietnam – Laos Security Cooperation Conference was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Li

The island is divided into two parts, with the northern part belonging to Phu Yen and the southern part being administered by another province. Located around 35 kilometers south of Tuy Hoa City in Phu Yen Province, Hon Nua Island is easily visible while riding along Ca Pass on National Highway 1 in the south-central region. The island is about one nautical mile off the shore. This small island stands out with its crystal-clear emerald-green water, especially on sunny days. It is known for its mysterious beauty, with numerous large rocks scattered across the island. On the island, there is a red lighthouse that was built in 2002. This lighthouse serves as a navigation aid for boats and ships in the waters off Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa, according to a representative from the South-Central Maritime Safety Company. Although the island does not currently offer professional tourism services, its wildness and dreamy beauty have attracted a large number of tourists who rent ships or speedboa