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A stunning 1.6-meter bronze statue depicting a vendor selling pho , Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup, has found its home on Tong Duy Tan Street in Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. This vibrant food street, nestled in the heart of the Hang Bong Ward, is part of the renowned Hoan Kiem District. The captivating bronze statue, a recent addition to Tong Duy Tan Street, instantly captivates locals and visitors alike. Curator Nguyen The Son shared that the statue’s strategic placement at the entrance of Tong Duy Tan Street, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic “Train Street” on Tran Phu, makes it a welcoming sight for all. “Its proximity to Hoan Kiem Lake, a beloved tourist destination, further enhances its allure,” Son added. The statue is not just a work of art but also pays homage to Hanoi’s rich culinary heritage, with pho being a shining example. The design of the statue draws inspiration from a vintage photograph captured by an unknown French photographer. It beautifull...

As the year draws to a close, caring for kumquat trees demands extra attention to ensure they remain vibrant, lush, and healthy. The dry weather in the final month can be challenging, so adequate watering is crucial. In Hanoi’s Tay Ho District, Tu Lien Bonsai Village buzzes with activity a month before Tet. Farmers are in the final stages of preparing their kumquat trees for harvest, a tradition they’ve meticulously practiced all year. Hoang Luan, a local farmer, emphasizes the significance of this period for kumquat growers. “Each year, we diligently care for our trees, mindful of the weather, to ensure they’re ripe in time for Tet. With the holiday arriving earlier this year, we’re working diligently to accelerate their growth,” he shares. Tu Lien’s kumquat trees have evolved over the years to meet the diverse preferences of consumers. From grand pots to miniature displays, their shapes and designs have been refined to captivate customers. Tu Lien Bonsai Village, nestl...

The Da Nang Christmas Market, a vibrant feature of the city’s festive calendar, is open daily from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm until January 2, 2025. With a diverse range of stalls, the market offers a unique shopping and culinary experience. Visitors can explore an array of handicrafts, souvenirs, and local products, as well as indulge in delicious food from over 100 special dishes, including traditional Vietnamese cuisine and international favorites. The market is a festive wonderland, adorned with pine trees, scented candles, and unique Christmas ornaments, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere. It’s a perfect setting for a memorable Christmas in Vietnam, as shared by Emily, a tourist from Australia, who was captivated by the market’s charm. A vibrant scene at the Da Nang Christmas Market, where visitors can enjoy a unique shopping and culinary experience. Photo: Thanh Nguyen / Tuoi Tre The market’s culinary delights are a highlight, with foreign visitors particularly enjoy...

Li, a former Everton player, was initially tried and sentenced to a 20-year fixed-term imprisonment, according to the state news agency Xinhua , who provided no further details. The far-reaching crackdown on official corruption, initiated by President Xi Jinping over a decade ago upon assuming power, has ensnared the sports industry. In late 2022, anti-graft authorities turned their attention to sports, and this week, they announced the convictions of several former football administrators. Li, who served as China’s coach from January 2020 to December 2021, had previously admitted to accepting over $10 million in bribes. The 47-year-old, a well-known former footballer in China, played as a midfielder for Everton in the Premier League. He featured in a documentary aired by CCTV in January, exposing the pervasive corruption in Chinese football. Li confessed in the program to paying nearly $421,000 in bribes to secure his position as head coach. He also admitted to match-fixing duri...

This fine dining experience is all about exclusivity and generating revenue for businesses. A growing number of people are seeking these upscale dining spaces to enjoy quality time with friends and family or to enhance their dining experiences in fancy restaurants. Imagine a serene sanctuary high above the bustling cityscape, exclusively reserved for a group of guests celebrating a special occasion. Here, a skilled chef presents meticulously crafted menus with precision and expertise. If you’re searching for an elegant dining experience during your visit to a big city like Da Nang, look no further. Da Nang offers a wide range of private fine dining restaurants, catering to different preferences and occasions. Meliá Vinpearl Danang Riverfront Contrary to popular belief, private dining options in Da Nang need not be exorbitantly priced. Affordable establishments in the coastal city can offer equally delightful experiences as their more expensive counterparts. Many 5-star h...

1. Top position at Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) At the 32nd edition of the SEA Games held in Cambodia in May 2023, Vietnam put on a remarkable performance, securing the top spot with a total of 355 medals. This included an impressive 136 gold medals, 28 more than the second-placed team Thailand. The athletes from Vietnam also broke 14 records at the SEA Games 32. This is the third time in history that Vietnam has finished in the top position at this regional sporting event. It is also the first time they have achieved this outside of their home country. 2. Vietnamese women’s debut at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup In a historic moment, the Vietnamese women’s football team qualified for the final round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Placed in a tough group alongside the 2019 World Cup champions United States, Portugal, and the Netherlands, the Vietnamese team displayed fair play and left a lasting impression on spectators. In additio...

About 24 million tourists have visited Hanoi this year, showing a significant annual growth of 27%, according to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Tourism. This includes four million international visitors, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 266.7%, and 20 million domestic tourists, representing a 16.3% increase compared to the previous year and accounting for 91% of the 2019 figures. Foreign travelers in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi Tourism Department The estimated tourism revenue for the city in 2023 is approximately VND87.65 trillion (US$3.65 billion), a 45.5% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the hotel sector’s average room occupancy rate is expected to reach 58.7% this year, a 20.1% increase compared to the previous year. The year 2023 has been a successful year for Hanoi’s tourism industry following the Covid-19 pandemic, as it received three prestigious awards in September: Asia’s Leading City Destination 2023, Asia’s Leading City Break Des...

The concert will kick off with well-known compositions that celebrate both Christmas and New Year, specifically Te Deum-Prelude composed by Henri Charpentier, Concerto for Oboe by Alessandro Marcello, and Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni. Following that, Vietnamese artists, including cellist Phan Nhu Quynh, violinist Dao Mai Anh, and oboist Bui Son Tung, will perform with the VNSO’s symphony orchestra under the baton of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji. Conductor Honna has been the musical director and principal conductor of the VNSO for over 20 years. With his extensive experience of collaborating with world-renowned solo artists such as Martha Argerich, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Antonio Menses, and Cecile Licade, as well as conducting various orchestras, Honna has contributed to enhancing the performance quality of the VNSO. The VNSO was originally established in 1959 and has since held nearly 40 concerts per year, featuring classical, romantic, and contemporary music. The orchestra has pe...

The Southeast Asian nation has surpassed many other destinations such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand, to earn the accreditation. Rina van Staden, Director of the annual awards, said that the results were based on a year-long search for the world’s top culinary brands, with experts and the public joining related voting. Winners of the 2022 edition are those that have strived to elevate the culinary excellence around the world, she added. Vietnamese cuisine has been highly valued in prestigious competitions and by ranking organisations in the world. The country was ranked 5th among the top 10 countries globally with the best food by readers of the Canadian magazine The Travel last October. On December 1, Michelin, for the first time, announced Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as the latest destinations joining the international selection of the MICHELIN Guide. MICHELIN inspectors will present their list of restaurants selected in June 2023. ...

Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang. Photo: VNA Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang has been ranked fifth among 11 outstanding landscape projects winning the Asian Townscape Awards 2022, VNA reported. Covering an area of over 8.5 ha, Nguyen Tat Thanh Square is an impressive work in both landscape and urban architecture. It also serves as a place for organising cultural, political and historical events. At the center is the “Uncle Ho and the people of ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang province” monument. In front is a group of 7 figures, in which the statue of Uncle Ho is in the central position, 7.9m high; surrounded by characters representing the armed forces, children, young people, women, workers and intellectuals, simulating Uncle Ho’s visit and talk with the people of Tuyen Quang ethnic groups in March 1961. Behind is a relief of the symbol of Tan Trao banyan tree, a historica...

In the later months of the year, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang attracts flocks of tourists who come to watch blooming fields of buckwheat and beautiful golden paddy fields. Ha Giang is not only famous for being a travel destination all over Vietnam with its wilderness and beautiful natural scenery, but also for the mouth-watering, unique traditional foods that you have never tried before. Aconite root congee (Chao Au Tau) Photo: VOVTV This congee is cooked from rice and aconite roots. The roots are soaked overnight in water that has been used to wash rice before being simmered together with rice and pork trotters until the roots get soft. Locals also add chili, pepper, herbs, and chicken eggs to the congee. This dish is especially loved by elderly people to keep them strong and healthy, and it also works like a natural herb medicine to improve fatigue, help with sleep and relieve tiredness after a long, hard–working day. The first time one tastes the ...