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The Bat Trang Pottery and Van Phuc Silk Weaving villages, now officially part of the World Crafts Network, were celebrated on the evening of February 14 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. This recognition shines a light on the rich history and cultural significance of these traditional craft villages. Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, in his speech, emphasized the longstanding reputation of Thang Long – present-day Hanoi – as the “land of hundreds of trades” in Vietnam. He highlighted that for centuries, Hanoi has been the nation’s cultural epicenter, boasting a wealth of historical relics, cultural heritage sites, and, of course, its renowned craft villages.  Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, delivers an impassioned speech at the ceremony. Photo: Tung Nguyen/kinhtedothi.vn Mr. Quyen went on to describe the villages of Bat Trang and Van Phuc as not just symbols of Vietnamese craftsmanship but ...

Le Mat, a village located about seven kilometers from downtown Hanoi, in the present-day Viet Hung Ward of Long Bien District, has gained a reputation for its unique snake farming tradition and mouthwatering snake cuisine. To commemorate this ancient trade, the village hosts an annual festival on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, attracting locals and visitors alike. The village of Le Mat comes alive during its annual festival, with the highlight being the famous Jiaolong or snake dance. This ancient ritual draws visitors from near and far, eager to witness this unique tradition. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times The festival is a celebration of rich cultural heritage, featuring a range of rituals and folk activities. Among these, the Water Offering Ceremony and the Jiaolong or Snake Killing Dance stand out as particularly unique. The latter, one of the ten ancient dances of the imperial capital of Thang Long, showcases the village’s deep-rooted traditions. Accordi...

As we welcome the Year of the Snake, here are some exciting recommendations to make your celebrations memorable: Indulge in Tet Delights and Floral Splendour at Ba Na Hills The renowned Sun World Ba Na Hills offers a unique Tet experience, combining traditional cuisine and stunning floral displays. At ‘True Taste – Goc Bep Viet’, visitors can savour authentic Tet dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, roasted pork, crispy Vietnamese pancakes, and banh cuon . These delicacies are a tasty showcase of Vietnam’s diverse culinary heritage. From January 25 to May 30, the Ba Na Hills Flower Festival will exhibit millions of vibrant tulips, sunflowers, and roses, creating a sensory escape on Mount Chua. Sun World Ba Na Hills presents a memorable Tet experience with a blend of traditional flavours and breathtaking floral displays. Photo: SGR Explore Vibrant Flower Streets Da Nang has transformed its streets into a floral wonderland with an investment of VND18.6 billion. The Tet fl...

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, known as the Year of the Snake (At Ty), Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi buzzed with excitement as crowds gathered to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and partake in a beloved tradition: calligraphy. A long queue of visitors eagerly waiting at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Photo: Duy Minh/ Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper People from all over Vietnam, along with international tourists, converged at this historic site to seek blessings for a successful, prosperous, and wise year ahead. Many arrived early, eager to explore the ancient architecture and soak in the vibrant energy of Tet, the most significant holiday in Vietnamese culture. Beyond the festive atmosphere, visitors sought the expertise of calligraphers, asking for the word of the year to be inscribed as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. A highlight of the day was the traditional calligraphy display, where skilled “ong do” (calligraphy masters) sh...

International students in Vietnam shared their experiences of celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, away from their home countries. Despite the distance, they felt immersed in the unique cultural atmosphere and warmth of Vietnamese hospitality. At the ‘Explore the Vietnamese Tet – Connect and Share’ event held at the University of Science and Education dormitory in Da Nang, Vilasan Sommixay, a student from Laos, enthusiastically participated in a group learning to wrap banh chung , traditional square-shaped sticky rice cakes, and also explored Vietnamese calligraphy. Sommixay expressed his excitement, saying he felt as though he were celebrating Tet in his own country. International students eagerly waiting for their turn to experience Vietnamese calligraphy. Sommixay, who has been studying in Da Nang for almost a year, shared that this year would be his first time celebrating Tet in Vietnam. He felt a sense of community as he joined the festive activities, shed...

For many Vietnamese students studying abroad, Tet Nguyen Dan , or the Lunar New Year, evokes a complex mix of emotions. It is a time of nostalgia and homesickness, but also a time to celebrate and uphold traditions in a foreign land. The following stories from young Vietnamese students across the globe showcase how Tet serves as a cultural bridge, connecting them to their homeland and heritage. Ho Thi Nhu, a student at Hannam University in South Korea, has spent two Tet holidays away from her family. As the year draws to a close, her homesickness intensifies. To combat this, Nhu and her friends recreate the festive atmosphere by decorating their living space, preparing traditional five-fruit trays, and hunting for Vietnamese delicacies in local markets. However, as Nhu wistfully notes, “No matter how hard we try, it’s never quite the same as being at home.” Nhu finds solace in participating in community activities, such as making banh chung (sticky rice cakes) with oth...