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Honoring the Past, Building the Future April 30, 1975, marked a pivotal moment in Vietnam’s history, bringing to a close decades of arduous struggle and sacrifice by the entire nation. As detailed in the Political Report presented at the 4th National Congress of the Communist Party in December 1976, this date signifies a glorious victory, forever etched in the nation’s annals as a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism and human resilience. Vietnam steadfastly continues on the path of reform and progress During the challenging yet valiant years of war, the Communist Party of Vietnam, under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, united the people of the North and South. Together, they penned an immortal chapter in the nation’s quest for liberation. The day the liberation army’s tanks rolled into the Independence Palace was not just the end of an oppressive regime; it heralded a new beginning for a unified Vietnam, with restored territorial integrity, independence, and fr...

According to Nguyen Duc Lenh, Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam’s Region 2 Branch, remittance companies accounted for the lion’s share of Ho Chi Minh City’s remittances, totaling nearly 1.76 billion USD, while commercial banks received 655 million USD. Asia continued to be the largest source of remittances to the city, contributing 48.7%, a notable increase of 46.1% from the previous quarter. Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Lenh attributed the positive remittance situation in Ho Chi Minh City to various factors, including effective monetary and foreign exchange policy mechanisms, a stable investment and business environment, and a thriving labor market. He also commended the high-quality services provided by remittance companies and commercial banks, which greatly convenience remittance recipients. In 2024, remittances to the city reached 9.55 billion USD, a slight increase of 0.9% from 2023, with Asia and America being the top contributors, jointly accountin...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the launch of the 7th National Startup Day for Students. (Photo: VNA) Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasized the importance of cultivating a robust ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation among students, believing that the nation’s strength lies in its youth. At a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on April 20, PM Chinh reviewed the achievements of the support project for student startups, Project 1665, and inaugurated the 7th National Startup Day for Students (SV.STARTUP). He commended the creativity and dynamism of student-led startup initiatives, which have grown with each edition of SV.STARTUP. Project 1665, launched seven years ago, has reached significant milestones. Educational institutions and provincial/municipal Departments of Education and Training have implemented plans to support student entrepreneurship. Over 42,000 startup projects have been initiated by students across Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Communi...

On April 19, Vietnamese People’s Daily Nhan Dan released saxophone legend Kenny G’s Going Home – a special music video that promotes Vietnamese tourism, VOV reported. Through lovely, sweet melodies, Kenny G takes viewers to famous historical landmarks of Hanoi such as Long Bien Bridge, Returned Sword Lake, Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Temple of Literature, among others. According to Le Quoc Minh, member of the Party Central Committee and editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan, the idea of producing the MV came from Kenny G’s concert “Good Morning Vietnam” organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group in November 2023, and all the proceeds were used for charity purposes. Legendary Saxophonist Kenny G. Photo: HBO Max The newspaper has organized numerous major artistic and charitable programs to support disabled soldiers, martyrs’ families, disadvantaged students, and teachers in remote areas. Accordingly, all proceeds from ticket sales for the prog...

Similarweb’s published list of rankings of national tourism referral sites in March 2024 shows that Vietnam.travel ranked 132,676 globally. This ranking surpasses the position of Thai tourism (rank 136,108) and far surpasses many websites of other countries such as the Philippines (rank 808,295), and Malaysia (rank 881,886). Regarding the rate of visits from international markets, Vietnam.travel has an outstandingly high rate when reaching 85%, higher than websites from Indonesia (64%), Thailand (44%), Malaysia (42%), and the Philippines (28%). This ratio shows that Vietnamese tourism promotion websites strongly attract interest in foreign markets. Compare the rankings of Vietnamese and Thai tourism promotion websites on Similarweb. Photo: Similarweb That progress has helped narrow the gap between the website Vietnam.travel and other websites in the region, especially close to Thailand and far ahead of the Philippines and Malaysia. This shows the attractiveness of Vietn...

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell by Vietnamese director Pham Thien An has triumphed at the 21st Asian Film Festival in Rome, Italy, scooping the top prize for Best Feature Film. This prestigious accolade marks a historic first for Vietnamese cinema, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung. He lauded the director, cast, and crew for their exceptional work and extended his gratitude for their contribution to the international recognition of Vietnamese cinematography. Ambassador Hung also highlighted the film’s role in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening the bonds of understanding and friendship between the Vietnamese and Italian peoples.  Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (second left) represents the film crew to accept the award for Best Feature Film. Photo: VNA The film follows a young man’s poignant journey as he embarks on a mission to return his sister-in-law’s body to her rural hometown following a tragic motorcycle accide...

The Hoan Kiem Lake and the Hanoi’s Old Quarter Management Board is organizing a series of cultural events at heritage sites and public spaces in the Old Quarter from April 19 to May 31. Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board’s Deputy Director Tran Thi Thuy Lan speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Old Quarter Cultural Activities. Photo: Giao duc & Thoi dai The events are to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2024), the 138th anniversary of International Workers’ Day (May 1, 1886 – 2024), the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – 2024), and the event eminent physician Le Huu Trac listed on the UNESCO’s Cultural Figures and Historical Events, 2023-2024 Period. In particular, the events include an exhibition booth modeled after the working space of Vietnamese herbalist families: medicinal plants, medicinal products, areas for medicine preparation, pulse checking, and consultation, among others. ...

Vietnam defeated their regional rival Malaysia by 2-0 in their second match of Group D at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 on April 20.  Vietnamese forward Bui Vi Hao (white, 11) was fouled inside the penalty box. Photo: Vietnam Football Federation Both teams were familiar with each other’s playing style. Neither team made any difference in the final third of the pitch. The turning point came in the 39th minute as Khuat Van Khang, playing as a left wingback, fired a 22-meter free kick into the far corner of Malaysia’s goal to break the deadlock. In the remaining time of the first half, Malaysia made several attempts on Vietnam’s goal, but their poor decision-making and finishing brought nothing in return. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s defense was still questionable as the players were uncomfortable dealing with the set pieces. Entering the second half, Vietnam slowed down the play and tried to keep control of the ball. The new approach helped them cool off the tempo and preve...

According to the legend, Lac Long Quan (real name Sung Lam, the son of Kinh Duong Vuong and Than Long Nu) married Au Co (the fairy daughter of De Lai). Au Co then went on to give birth to a pouch filled with one hundred eggs, which hatched into a hundred sons. However, soon thereafter, Lac Long Quan and Au Co separated. Lac Long Quan went to the coast with 50 of the children, while Au Co went to the highlands with the rest. Their eldest son was made king, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (modern-day Viet Tri city in Phu Tho province), beginning the 18 reigns of the Hung Kings. The kings chose Nghia Linh Mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to rice and sun deities to pray for bumper crops. To honour their great contributions, a complex of temples dedicated to them was built on Nghia Linh Mountain, and the 10th day of the third lunar month serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the Hung Kings. The worship o...

Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek. Photo: TG&VN Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek talks to Viet Nam News prior to the visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Vietnam from April 20-22. According to hime, the main focus of Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s visit to Vietnam is to strengthen the relationship between the Czech Republic and Vietnam. This visit will contribute to enhancing trade, investment, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The Czech Republic has been gradually gaining more importance in the Vietnamese market over the years. Vietnam is now one of the most promising markets for Czech businesses in Southeast Asia due to its large population, rapid economic growth, and favourable investment environment. The Vietnamese Government has implemented various policies to improve the investment climate and attract foreign investment, the diplomat said. The most promising sectors for Czech businesses in Vietnam are ma...

Vice chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong on April 20 received Regional Representative for Asia – Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Hanoi Edgar Doerig. Photo: VNA Vice chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong on April 20 received Regional Representative for Asia – Pacific of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Hanoi Edgar Doerig who is making a working visit to the city, VNA reported. At the meeting, Cuong asked Edgar Doerrig to support the operation of cultural and French teaching centres in the city and at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF). He also called for support to activities between the city and French-speaking partners, France, and the community of French-speaking countries in various aspects. Edgar Doerig, in turn, said that OIF expects to further promote investment and trade activities between France and Vietnam, including HCM City....

This spring festival is a traditional ritual of Lao ethnic group. The festival consists of the ceremony and the festival. In the first part, there is a ceremony to pray for rain and a water splash dance. The festival ends with a culinary contest, a bamboo basket weaving contest, ethnic sports competition (tug of war, throwing a scared ball through the ring, stick pushing game) and many folk games (snake catcher game, badminton, crossing the bridge) … bearing the identity of the Lao people. (Photo:Thu Minh – Phương Thanh) For Lao people, this is an important event in the spiritual and cultural life of the community. In addition to the meaning for people to express their gratitude to ancestors and gods, it is also an opportunity to reunite families, villages, and people to participate in games and traditional dances called “Xoe dance” in the Lao people’s indigenous culture beauty. Water splashing scene at the festival (Photo:Thu Minh – Phương Thanh) One of the ...

Before the match, Zareen was considered the great hope for the host to secure the championship title.  She was the defending champion in the 52kg class before moving down to the 50kg weight category. The first round saw Zareen, who received great cheers from home spectators, launch many quality right-handed punches toward Tam. The host boxer received five 10-point markings from judges, while the visiting fighter got five 9-point markings, losing the round. In the next two rounds, Tam maintained her attacking tactic, but it made no difference.  Meanwhile, Zareen proved to be an experienced fighter when she kept distance and maintained a moderate attacking tempo, securing a 5-0 win in the end. The Indian boxer won a gold medal and a bonus of US$100,000 while Tam bagged a silver medal and $50,000. Despite her loss, Tam has made history as the first Vietnamese boxer to reach the final of a world boxing tournament. The Vietnamese fighter will fly home to prepare for t...

On April 18, the Hanoi Library  i n co-operation with COPION Organization (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea) inaugurated  the project to renovate the library to make it more modern.    With the funding of VND44 billion (US$1.9 million) from South Korea, the Hanoi Library has new reading rooms, more equipment, furniture, books, and newspapers. In addition, COPION also helped to train librarians.  Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new library. Photo: Tu Linh/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the inauguration, Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee highly appreciated the project as it supports and improves the use of utilities in the Hanoi Library. “The project helps build a cultural space where people can enjoy books, thus supporting cultural exchange; information look-up and improving the quality of life for all classes of people in the capital,” said Ha. Ha added that the Hanoi Library wil...

The festival “Korean Cultural Road 2023” with a variety of activities to experience Korean culture will take place from April 22-23 at the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi. This year, the festival will highlight the image of Busan as this city has been organizing a campaign to host the World Expo 2030. The stone road area behind Korean Embassy, which attracts people to take photos, will be decorated with images of Busan’s Gamcheon mural village, promising to create a diverse and interesting space for festival goers. Visitors at the previous Korean Culture Road Festival. Photo courtesy of the Embassy of South Korea in Hanoi The festival includes many activities promoting Korean culture such as food experience, hanbok try-on, introduction of tourist attractions and traditional crafts, promotion of small and medium enterprises’ products, learning how to make Kimchi, Korean culture quiz, Korean traditional games, among others. In addition, the audience will also enjoy a sp...