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The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a sudden halt to Jovel Chan’s career in F&B marketing for a prominent Malaysian airline, prompting her return to Singapore. However, it was her friends’ suggestion to relocate to Vietnam that set her on a new path. Chan arrived in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2020, only to find herself in quarantine as the city prepared for social distancing measures. But this didn’t dampen her spirits. She soon discovered a silver lining—the opportunity to truly connect with the local community and witness their resilience in the face of the pandemic. Chan recalls volunteering to deliver food to those quarantined, and the sense of camaraderie it brought. It was during this time that she also started an online discussion about the city’s restaurants—which were open and which were closed. This simple list, posted on her blog, went viral, attracting over 10,000 views in days. Chan’s blog, which started as a way to promote her fitness studio, soon became a vibran...

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 ...

Organized by the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the Da Nang Christmas-New Year Festival ’25 is a 3-week celebration filled with cultural, tourism, and recreational activities. Taking place from December 14, 2024, to January 2, 2025, the festival promises to create magical holiday memories for both locals and visitors, with the iconic Dragon Bridge serving as the heart of the festivities. This inaugural event, as emphasized by Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, aims to offer joyful and memorable experiences, solidifying Da Nang as a must-visit destination during the year-end holidays. The festival also sets the stage for future annual celebrations. The festivities will kick off with a Grand Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m., featuring upbeat Christmas music, talented performances by children, and a special New Year wish-writing activity. This will be followed by the Grand Opening Ceremony on Friday, December 20, from 5:00 p...

“Truc Bach Night” offers visitors an enchanting and immersive experience, a unique blend of romance and nostalgia in the heart of the capital. According to Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, the event space is meticulously crafted, resembling a film set with tram cars, department stores, and historic street corners. It invites guests to step back in time and relive the memories of a bygone era. Held at Pearl Island – Ngu Xa Night Food Street from November 29 to December 1, “Truc Bach Night” is a highlight of the “Hanoi Night 2024” tourism promotion program. It captivates both locals and international tourists with its peaceful portrayal of a challenging yet enchanting time during the subsidy era. Visitors are transported back in time as they pose for photos in a recreated living room of a Hanoi family from the subsidy period. Photos: Jenna Duong/The Hanoi Times Marking a significant era in Hanoi’s history, the subsidy period la...

Nestled in the hills of Lao Cai Province, Sa Pa is embracing its most enchanting season, affectionately deemed the ‘cloud-hunting’ season. Despite its renowned beauty, the town has witnessed a dip in visitor numbers compared to the previous year. To entice travelers, the province has launched an extensive tourism promotion, ‘Visiting Sa Pa to Catch Sight of Clouds,’ the largest of its kind to date. Do Van Tan, vice-chairman of the Sa Pa People’s Committee, noted that the town bore the brunt of Typhoon Yagi, the third storm to batter Vietnam this year. The typhoon’s impact, coupled with subsequent heavy rain, floods, and landslides, caused significant disruption and loss of life, with a devastating toll of 350 dead or missing. In the aftermath, Sa Pa has focused on rebuilding and stabilizing the region, with a renewed emphasis on tourism development. As part of their efforts, they are offering promotions with discounts of up to 50%, showcasing the town’s commitment to luring trave...