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“ Fire from the Earth ,” a musical tribute to the city’s first Party secretary, is currently in rehearsals and will debut ahead of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the city’s first Party Committee (March 17, 1930). The Hanoi Youth Theater made the announcement on January 27, 2025. The cast and crew of “Fire from the Earth” are hard at work preparing for the upcoming performance. Photo: VOV Penned by acclaimed playwright Le Quy Hien, the musical is based on the life and revolutionary journey of Nguyen Ngoc Vu, Hanoi’s inaugural Party Secretary. Set in the tumultuous year of 1930, when the Communist Party of Vietnam was established, the narrative shines a light on Nguyen Ngoc Vu’s path of political awakening, self-sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the cause. “Fire from the Earth” brings to life the struggles faced by Nguyen Ngoc Vu and his fellow revolutionaries in their fight for Vietnam’s freedom. It captures their deep patriotism and unshakeable faith in...

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...

Let’s dive into the captivating world of light performances across various cities in Vietnam, as witnessed and captured by the talented reporters of *The Hanoi Times*. Fireworks illuminate the night sky over a lake in downtown Hanoi, creating a mesmerizing display. Photo: Duy Khanh/*The Hanoi Times* A breathtaking display of fireworks explodes over Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, captivating onlookers. Photo: Duy Khanh/*The Hanoi Times* Cam Tu, a skilled photographer from *The Hanoi Times*, captures the essence of a spectacular fireworks show. The night sky above Ngoc Khanh Lake in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, is painted with vibrant colors during a firework display. Photo: Thanh Thanh/*The Hanoi Times* The vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City is further enhanced by a stunning firework display. Photo: Tieu Thuy/*The Hanoi Times* A large crowd gathers in Hanoi to witness the mesmerizing beauty of a firework displa...

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...

Tuyen performed exceptionally well in the qualifying round of the women’s 10m air rifle event at the Asian tournament, scoring an impressive 627.8 points. This secured her a place in the final. On the other hand, her teammate, Phi Thanh Thao, scored 625.2 points, which placed her in the 26th position, ending her run at the competition. Out of the eight finalists, five had already qualified for the Paris Olympics. Tuyen needed to outperform Amini Pozveh of Iran and Huiyi Tan of Singapore for one of the remaining two available Olympic berths. Guided by coach Nguyen Duy Hoang, Tuyen finished in fourth place overall with a score of 125.9, officially securing herself a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11. This achievement also makes Tuyen the second Vietnamese shooter and the fourth athlete from Vietnam to earn a spot in the 2024 Olympics. Trinh Thu Vinh secured a ticket to the Games after finishing fifth in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the 2023 IS...

At the event organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina, Vietnamese expatriates in the Latin American country had the opportunity to watch a video showcasing Vietnam’s impressive socio-economic achievements and the vibrant Vietnamese culture. They were also treated to delicious traditional Vietnamese dishes as part of the Tet festival celebrations. During the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina, Duong Quoc Thanh, emphasized the positive development of Vietnam-Argentina relations in 2023. Particularly noteworthy was the high-level visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Looking ahead to 2024, there are plans for important visits by Vietnamese leaders, as well as representatives from ministries and localities, to Argentina. These visits aim to further enhance the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Argentina. The Vietnamese community in Argentina comprises app...

The Vietnamese Tet holiday usually occurs in late January or early February. It is considered the optimal time to travel to Vietnam as the weather is not too hot in the central and southern parts of the country, while the north is cold. However, there are a few things foreign travelers should keep in mind when visiting during this time of year. A calligraphy stall on Hanoi Street during the Tet holiday. Photo: Chuyen cua Ha Noi Best places to visit during Tet holiday Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are excellent destinations to visit during Tet , as many national celebrations and events take place, particularly in the downtown areas. One of the highlights of this year’s Tet holiday in Hanoi is the “Vietnamese Tet – Old Quarter Tet 2024″ program, which will be held from January 28 to February 9 at Kim Ngan Temple; Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center, located at No.50 Dao Duy Tu Street; Culture and Arts Center, located at No.22 Hang Buom Street; Thang Long Impe...

Hanoi Spring , an exhibition at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hanoi, showcases 36 unique artworks from renowned artists selected from the museum’s modern art and Hang Trong folk painting collections. Visitors have the opportunity to admire the exquisite artworks by prominent artists. Photo: VNA Nguyen Anh Minh, the Director of the  Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts , emphasized the significance of spring in Hanoi as a unique feature and source of inspiration for artists. The charm and ambiance of Hanoi’s spring have been immortalized in numerous literary and artistic works. “In terms of visual arts, the enchanting atmosphere, picturesque scenery, and harmony of Hanoi’s spring have always been a muse for countless generations of artists. This source of inspiration never ceases, just like the four seasons that cyclically grace our lives, perpetually in motion, evolving, and flourishing,” he explained. The exhibition splendidly captures the beauty of Hanoi duri...

Marking the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, on the morning of the 7th day of Lunar New Year (January 28), Hue Monuments Conservation Center held a ceremony to lower the Neu pole and open the seal to greet the new year at The Mieu Temple and Trieu Mieu Temple – Imperial City. According to Director of the Hue Relics Preservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung, under the Nguyen Dynasty, the rituals marked the end of the Lunar New Year holiday and the start of work and normal activities. Photo courtesy of the centre The Neu pole was erected on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, marking the beginning of Tet. It coincides with the day when the Kitchen Gods are believed to ride a carp to Heaven to report on events from the past year. Photo courtesy of the centre During 143 years of its reign (1802 – 1945), the Nguyen Dynasty held an annual ceremony to plant the Neu at the Imperial Citadel. Photo courtesy of the centre The pole carried ritual items on its...