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The inaugural AFL Asia Cup was hosted at the Thanh Long Sports Complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Chanh District from December 6 to 8, 2024. AFL, the governing body for Australian rules football, introduced this unique and dynamic sport to Asia, with the first tournament taking place in Vietnam. This historic event was exclusively for Asian citizens, featuring 15 teams and approximately 300 players from across ten countries and territories: Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, and Thailand. The tournament was a free-of-charge event, welcoming spectators to witness the exciting matches and celebrate the growth of this sport in the region. The Japanese Men’s team, champions of the 2024 AFL Asia Cup, held from December 6 to 8, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo : AFL Asia Facebook page The competition was fierce, with ten men’s teams and five women’s teams from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Thailand participating. The fin...

In the vibrant landscape of Hanoi’s nightlife, Ba Dinh District has emerged as a must-visit destination, offering a range of unique and innovative experiences for travelers. reca The “Truc Bach Night” event takes participants down memory lane to the Subsidy Era. Photo: Thuy Duong/The Hanoi Times In a series of captivating tourism initiatives, Ba Dinh District, in 2024, showcased its commitment to cultural and historical preservation. Local authorities, businesses, and residents united to create immersive experiences, with a recent highlight being the “Truc Bach Night” program from November 29 to December 1. Held at the Dao Ngoc-Ngu Xa night street and attracting 40,000 visitors, this event offered a novel and nostalgic experience, transporting both locals and foreigners back in time to post-war Vietnam of the 1970s and 1980s, known as the Subsidy Era. The event’s standout feature was its meticulous recreation of this historical period’s aesthetics, from vintage tramcar...

At the conference on “Connecting Tourist Destinations along the Red River with Travel Agencies in Hanoi,” tourism experts and representatives from nearly 50 travel agencies discussed strategies to boost the growth and enhance the quality of river tourism in the city. Unlocking the Potential of River Tourism Hanoi’s Red River. Photo: Giang Trinh The Red River, stretching 556 kilometers across Vietnam, with 160 kilometers flowing through 15 districts of Hanoi, is a vital waterway for the capital city. It is also a treasure trove of culture and history, boasting a plethora of tourism attractions. Along its banks lie nearly 30 historical and cultural sites, such as the Tan Vien Son Thanh Temple in Ba Vi District, Hat Mon Temple in Phuc Tho District, and Dam Temple in Thuong Tin District, to name a few. Centuries-old traditional craft villages also dot the river’s path, including Ninh So Bamboo and Wicker in Thuong Tin District, Bat Trang Pottery in Gia Lam District, and Y...

A beautiful fusion of cultures took place as a Mongolian couple chose to celebrate their wedding amidst the charming beaches and islets of Phu Quoc, Vietnam. The ceremony seamlessly blended traditional Mongolian customs with the vibrant elements of Vietnamese culture, creating a unique and memorable experience for the couple and their guests. Gantulga Boldbaatar, a relative of the newlyweds, shared that the convenience of a direct air route between Mongolia and Vietnam made their travel plans effortless. Boldbaatar and his family had first heard about Phu Quoc through various media outlets and international tours, and they were intrigued by the prospect of exchanging their prairie and forest-rich homeland for a tropical beach setting. The wedding party was held aboard the Nautilus cruise ship, offering a unique and enchanting venue. “Phu Quoc is a bustling tourist destination, and we wanted to enjoy wonderful moments against the backdrop of its natural beauty,” Boldbaatar said. The c...

Participants of a multiparty alliance led sit-in at Gwadar’s Marine Drive, as shown in this photo taken by the writer, included both supporters and workers. The protest leaders emphasized that border trade is crucial for the livelihood of Gwadar’s residents, many of whom have lost their jobs due to prolonged closure. Additionally, they brought attention to the dismal state of basic services in Gwadar, a city deemed vital for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The leaders condemned the lack of electricity and drinking water, deeming it a grave injustice to the local community. Protesters claimed that the Pakistan Coast Guard blocked oil trade vehicles owned by residents at the Talaar checkpoint, leaving them stranded on highways for weeks. They argued that these restrictions are exacerbating economic and social conditions, pushing people into dire straits. Mir Rehmat Saleh Baloch, a central leader of the National Party, expressed solidarity with the sit...

The festivities, as per the plan, will commence at 8:00 pm on January 28 (the 29th of the 12th lunar month) and continue until 12:30 am on the following day, marking a celebration of the upcoming year. On the evening of January 28, the southern metropolis will dazzle with a 3D projection mapping display adorning the municipal People’s Committee office building. As the clock strikes midnight, a spectacular fireworks show will illuminate the sky from 12:00 am to 12:15 am on January 29, with locations pending approval from city authorities. Adding to the cheer, a spring-themed exhibition will be held at Lam Son Park and its surrounding streets in District 1, running from January 25 to February 9. A Tet flower market, a vibrant showcase of the season’s blooms, will be open in District 8 from January 14 to 28. The celebrations continue with another Tet flower festival and market at Tao Dan Park from January 26 to February 2. Alongside, Nguyen Hue Flower Street, a book festival, and cultu...

Vinh Hy Bay in Ninh Thuan, a province in south-central Vietnam, was the second most searched destination by locals, according to Google’s ‘Year in Search 2024’ list. The top spot went to Malaysia, with Europe also making an appearance in sixth place as a desired international travel location. Other domestic destinations that made the cut include the ancient town of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province, Con Son in the bustling city of Can Tho, Gia Lai Province with its lush mountains, the romantic city of Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, Thuy Chau tourist area in Binh Duong Province, and the ever-popular Da Nang. The list also included a general search for ‘travel within Vietnam,’ indicating a growing interest in exploring the beauty of their own country. A spokesperson from Google Vietnam confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the data in the list was carefully compiled, with search phrases like ‘travel to Vinh Hy’ and ‘Thuy Chau tourist area’ reflecting the exact keywords used by locals....

The Matsya 6000 submersible is set to embark on its maiden voyage in January 2025, with a crew on board, led by scientist Ramesh Raju from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. This marks a significant step towards India’s first crewed underwater mission, Samudrayaan. Raju and a dedicated team of NIOT scientists have diligently prepared for this moment over the past three years. As they approach their litmus test, anticipation mounts. Early next week, the 28-tonne vehicle will undergo trials in a harbor off Chennai, carrying three crew members. If all goes according to plan, NIOT will boldly send a crew 6,000 meters beneath the Indian Ocean in 2026 – coinciding with ISRO’s ambitious manned space mission. Dr. Vedachalam N, Project Director of Matsya 6000, underscores the significance of NIOT’s role in ocean exploration, drawing a parallel with ISRO’s space endeavors. He emphasizes that the success of the Samudrayaan Mission will propel India into an...

The “Happy Vietnam” photo exhibition, presented by the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication, invites you to explore a captivating collection of visuals until December 27th. The photograph, titled “The Sweet Happiness,” is a masterpiece by Vu Dieu Hoa, who claimed the first prize in the “Happy Vietnam 2024” photo and video competition. This exhibition proudly displays an exquisite selection of photographs from a pool of over 10,300 submissions to the aforementioned contest. Each image captures the very essence of Vietnam’s vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and the warmth of its people. Pham Viet Hung, the Ambassador of Vietnam to Thailand, expressed his aspiration that this exhibition will inspire visitors to delve deeper into the rich traditions, heartfelt hospitality, and dynamic progress of Vietnam. He extends a warm invitation to all to experience the country’s vibrant culture firsthand. Steejit ...