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The Truc Bach Night cultural event, a three-day affair from November 29 to December 1, offers a unique glimpse into Hanoi’s past and has become a major draw for visitors, especially the youth, curious to experience the lives of their parents during the subsidy era of the 1980s. A Time Capsule Experience A visitor, dressed in vintage style, poses at Truc Bach Night, transporting themselves back to the subsidy era. Photo: Jenna Duong One visitor, Tran Hong Phuc, from Nam Dinh province, dressed in fashion from four decades ago, shared his excitement about the event. “It’s like stepping into a time machine,” he said, “The attention to detail in the displays and the entire setup truly transport you back to the pre-1986 era, giving us a glimpse into the lives of our parents and grandparents.” Dao Nguyet Minh, a young visitor, also appreciated the authenticity of the recreation, noting that it seamlessly blended the past with subtle reminders of the hardships faced before ...

The exhibition, “Nguyen Dynasty’s Diplomacy Between East and West,” offers a fascinating insight into Vietnam’s historical foreign relations. Organized by the National Archives Centre and the State Records and Archives Department, the event presents a unique collection of documents shedding light on the country’s diplomatic activities during the first 50 years of the Nguyen Dynasty’s rule, from 1802 to 1858. For the first time, the public has access to hundreds of records detailing the dynasty’s international engagements. The exhibition is divided into two parts, with the first focusing on the Nguyen Dynasty’s relations with Western nations, particularly the UK, France, and the US. During this period, the kings from Gia Long to Tu Duc maintained a “closed-door policy” towards the West while still engaging in trade and scientific exchanges, and even purchasing arms and ammunition. The second part of the exhibition shifts the focus to the East, highlighting the Nguyen Dynasty’s prior...