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The number of visitors to the festival was higher than expected. Apart from locals, many traveled to the city for the festival from other localities, such as Ca Mau Province, Vietnam’s southern tip. “Thousands of foreign tourists participated in the festival to enjoy local specialties, while crowds of overseas Vietnamese people returned to the country to join the fest to feel a traditional Vietnam via food and folk games,” said Pham Huy Binh, chairman of Saigontourist Group, the organizer of the event. Given the success of the festival, Binh said that the tourism firm planned to host the food and culture festival annually and turn it into a world-class event. The organizer plans to hold the Saigontourist Group Food and Culture Festival in many countries to popularize Vietnamese food and cultural characteristics among international visitors, according to the representative of Saigontourist Group. This year’s festival featured some 350 local dishes stemming from t...

I clearly remember that time, as I was the youngest member of the Senate Armed Services Committee when we voted to end the United States war in Vietnam. That vote was not popular in my own state of Vermont. In fact, Vermont’s largest newspaper predicted that because of it I was finished as a politician and would serve only one term.  History turned out differently, and of the more than 17,000 votes I have cast during eight terms in the Senate, that vote in 1975 is one that I am proudest of.  As I have said at other times, we cannot change history, but we can choose a different future – for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren. Today, two former enemies can take pride in more than 33 years of reconciliation, normalization, and a comprehensive partnership. Next year is the 10th anniversary of that partnership, signed in 2013 by President Obama and President Truong Tan Sang, and what better way to commemorate this anniversary than by elevating our partnership to a st...

Boasting a wide range of unique culinary and cultural activities, the event provides an ideal venue in which to introduce the local unique culinary culture whilst contributing to spreading the value of Vietnamese culinary culture to both domestic and international tourists. On display across the 70 stalls are specialties of three regions across the country, as well as One Commune One Product (OCOP) products of Phu Tho province. Most notably, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a range of impressive performances by renowned culinary artist Matsuo Tomoyuki, who is also president of the Japan – Vietnam Culinary Association (JVGA), and artisan Le Thi Thiet, chairman of the Nam Dinh Culinary Culture Association. The gastronomic demonstration put on by two artisans will be the highlight of the Japanese-Vietnamese culinary exchange programme, aiming to introduce the local dish of bagridae of Phu Tho province. Aside from culinary spaces at the five-day event, visitors...

The exact time when Phu Dien Village was founded remains unknown, but the village appears in geography books from the late 18th century. An ancient village in the heart of the capital  Phu Dien Communal House in today’s Phu Dien Ward, Bac Tu Liem District. Photo:  ditichlichsu-vanhoahanoi.com  Phu Dien was formerly part of  Co Nhue Canton, Bac Tu Liem District – an ancient land in the capital of Thang Long. The villagers were mostly farmers, yet they had an academic tradition with numerous Tu tai or junior bachelors and Cu nhan or senior bachelors, as well as some scholars who passed regional and national exams. Not only studious but the people of Phu Dien were also known for their bravery and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the country. During the American war in Vietnam (1965 – 1975), the whole village contributed a total of 844 soldiers, who fought bravely for the independence of Vietnam. Upon stepping through the three-entrance gate,...

The only Vietnamese representative teams of Trang An and Hoang Thanh Thang Long, both from Hoa Binh University, were awarded the third and consolation prizes, respectively. They were able to surpass the other 576 entrants in Asia to finish among the Top 20 alongside representatives from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Macau (China), Tajikistan, and Vietnam. Each team put on a 10-minute presentation detailing solutions aimed at preserving cultural heritage and developing tourism in the Asian region. The contest was first launched by UNESCO from late 2022, with the final round taking place in Guangzhou, China, from April 22 to April 26. The event is part of the Asian cultural heritage youth forum which was first held back in 1997. The objective is to involve young people in world heritage preservation efforts and promotion through a series of discussions and creative workshops. The post Vietnam wins prizes at UNESCO contest on preserving Asian cultural heritage appeare...

The idea of a combined ASEAN bid has been floating around since 2011. After much discussion, leaders of ASEAN countries and football officials from the ASEAN Football Federation have agreed to bid for co-hosting the 2034 edition of the tournament. In 2017, ASEAN held talks on launching the joint effort with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his visit to Myanmar. In January that year, FIFA confirmed the 2026 World Cup would have 48 finalist teams, expanded from 32, so hosting the tourney in multiple countries was seen as a logical way to accommodate the increase. In June 2019, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that all 10 nations of ASEAN had agreed to appeal for the co-hosting of the 2034 World Cup. However, in October 2019, only five ASEAN countries officially proposed co-hosting the 2034 competition, with Thailand leading the initiative. The other four countries in the proposed joint effort were Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. The...

A number of singers and lecturers in Hanoi have completed a traditional singing training course at the Military University of Culture and Arts in an effort to promote traditional culture and enrich cultural activities in the capital. The 10-day course, led by People’s Artist Thanh Ngoan, was attended by famous singers and lecturers from the university, including To Hoa, Luong Nguyet Anh, Meritorious Artist Huong Giang, and Meritorious Artist Hong Hanh. They learned Hanoi’s popular music such as xam (blind busker music), ca tru (ceremonial music), hat van (spiritual music) and cheo (traditional operetta).  Singers perform cheo at the closing ceremony of the course. Photos: the Military University of Culture and Arts “The folk song training helps the professors at the Military University of Culture and Arts learn more about folk music and improves their skills in performing Vietnamese folk music. In this way, they will also pass on their knowledge and enth...

Hanoi’s streets become more lively these days with flowers, red flags, and banners in celebration of Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day in 2023. Reunification Day marks a significant turning point in Vietnam’s history, as the southern and northern halves of the country were reunited. To commemorate the event, flags, banners, and posters are displayed on famous buildings and in the streets. Leading up to Reunification Day [April 30] and International Workers’ Day [May 1], decorations and communication campaigns are designed to inspire celebration and raise public awareness of the event. These banners and posters carry phrases praising the 48th anniversary of the Liberation of the South for National Reunification (April 30, 1975-April 30, 2023) and the 137th anniversary of International Workers’ Day (May 1, 1886-May 1, 2023). Photos: Duy Minh/The Hanoi Times Flags and banners hang along the road leading to Hanoi’s landmark building: Presidential ...