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Sa Pa – A Mountainous Escape For those seeking a mountainous retreat, Sa Pa Town in Lao Cai Province is an excellent choice, and the best part? It’s just a short distance from Hanoi. With affordable sleeper bus or train tickets ranging from VND250,000-400,000 ($9.9-15.8), travelers can easily embark on their journey to this captivating destination. To make the most of your budget, consider booking a combo deal that includes round-trip bus tickets and cozy accommodation at homestays or three-star hotels for as little as VND1.5-2 million ($59.2-79) each. Witness breathtaking views from the Fansipan peak in Lao Cai Province. Photo : SG If you’re craving spectacular vistas and luxurious four-to-five-star services, be prepared to spend around VND900,000-2.8 million ($35.5-110.5) per night for an unforgettable experience. During Tet , a visit to the Fansipan peak is a must. Many consider it lucky to stand at the “Roof of Indochina” on the first day of the new lunar year, takin...

Duong Quang Minh, a teacher from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, came up with the idea for this campaign. The goal is to help parents integrate a reading habit into their children’s daily routines. The campaign provides practical guidance and a roadmap that has been proven successful in many families. The program is divided into several sessions that will take place throughout 2024. It will kick off with 12 interactive workshops scheduled from January 1 to February 7. Le Thi Thuy Phuong reads a book with her daughter in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Following the introductory workshop, parents are encouraged to participate in a competition to create a reading corner within their homes. “Creating this space doesn’t require a lot of shopping or a big investment. It can be done with items that are already available in the household,” said Minh. “Having a designated book corner in each home has been proven to significantly increase children’s engag...

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...

During their state visit to Vietnam, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, visited the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Elke Büdenbender went behind the scenes and talked to the artists to gain a deeper understanding of the art of water puppetry and their work. As part of their visit to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, the first ladies of Vietnam and Germany received special gifts from the theatre. Water puppetry is a traditional art form in Vietnam that dates back to the 11th century. The shows depict scenes from rural life, including landscapes, bamboo trees, and traditional activities like fishing and rice cultivation. The wives of the Vietnamese and German Presidents posed for a photo with the artists at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1975 and elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2011. The year 2024 is significant as it leads up to the 50th anniver...