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One of the key highlights of the festival is Dogathon Vietnam 2025, a unique community running event tailored for pet owners. This event carries a powerful message, ‘Dogs are friends, not food.’  All funds raised from this charitable run will be donated to several animal rescue organizations, such as SAR, Forever WheelChair, San Nha Nhieu Cho, Have Paws, and Laws for Paws. These organizations are dedicated to the noble cause of protecting and caring for animals in need. The Vietnam International Pet Festival 2025 will feature an array of fundraising initiatives to support local animal rescue organizations. P hoto: Organizer of InterPetFest 2025 Another highly anticipated event is the Vietnam SECC Grand Dog Show 2025, a competition of international repute. Officially licensed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and organized by the Vietnam Kennel Association, this event promises to be a spectacle. The dog show will showcase 80 purebred dogs from various coun...

Le Phuong Khanh Nhu, a talented young woman with a commanding presence and fluency in both Vietnamese and English, has earned numerous accolades for her exceptional abilities. Among her achievements are top honors in prestigious student competitions, showcasing her well-rounded excellence. Currently a third-year tourism student at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Nhu attributes her success to self-discipline, perseverance, and a strategic approach to language learning, specifically the Linearthinking method developed by DOL IELTS Dinh Luc. Linearthinking is a critical and logical approach to language teaching and learning. It is centered around logical and mathematical thinking and considers the influence of the mother tongue on English studies. The method includes techniques such as simplifying, reading and understanding structures, building sentences, and thinking and expressing thoughts in English. A Voice of Inspiration Nhu’s journey into the spotlight began ...

The Forbes Travel Guide, an esteemed global authority on luxury travel, has unveiled its prestigious 2025 Star Award winners. This year’s accolades celebrate the finest hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruise ships across the globe, with a special focus on two outstanding properties in Hanoi’s bustling downtown area. The Capella Hanoi, a visionary hotel with funky spaces designed by architect Bill Bensley, pays homage to the city’s rich history and its proximity to the iconic opera house. Guests are immersed in a captivating 1920s opera-themed experience throughout their stay. Alongside the Capella Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has also attained the coveted five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide for 2025. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional service, stunning architecture, and immersive guest experiences. Speaking of the Capella Hanoi, Forbes Travel Guide commends its architecture and interior design, masterfully crafted by Bill Bensley, tha...

On the morning of Thursday last week, a meeting was convened between tournament organizers and the Vietnamese cycling team to address the truck fire that caused extensive damage to their equipment. A mutual agreement was reached, wherein the Vietnamese team would borrow bikes from the host team and other participating teams for the duration of the competition. Additionally, the organizers took initiative by gathering information about the cyclists’ sizes, as well as their needs for helmets and shoes, to ensure they were provided with suitable gear. Thailand’s Vietnam Motorcycle and Bicycle Association has stepped up to the challenge, offering seven individual time trial bikes and helmets for the Vietnamese team’s use, along with ongoing efforts to procure shoes and pedals by Thursday. In parallel, the association is expediting the shipment of road bikes from Vietnam, expected to arrive in Thailand on February 10, ensuring a timely solution. A critical aspect of the meeting was the...

The annual commemoration of the Hung Kings’ anniversary, as announced by the People’s Committee of Phu Tho Province, will be a two-part event this year, consisting of solemn worship rituals and vibrant celebrations. The Hung Kings Commemoration Day honors the legendary founders of the nation and fosters patriotism. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times On April 3, a ceremony will be held at the Hung Kings Temple National Historic Site to commemorate Great Father Lac Long Quan and Great Mother Au Co. This will be followed by the Hung Kings Incense and Flower Offering Ceremony on April 7 at the relief sculpture, “Uncle Ho Talks with Officials and Soldiers,” located within the same historic site. Additionally, from March 29 to April 2, districts, towns, and cities across Phu Tho Province will organize incense-offering ceremonies to pay respect to the Hung Kings. As part of the “Phu Tho Culture Tourism Week 2025,” the celebrations will showcase 22 cultural activities, including a...

The unexpected success of Morocco in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has sparked a wave of optimism across the continent, with many believing that an African nation lifting the trophy is no longer a distant dream. Benjamin Balkin, co-founder of Eyeball, a digital platform launched in 2020, shares this sentiment and believes that his platform could be a pivotal factor in making this a reality. Describing himself light-heartedly as a “failed footballer,” Balkin’s own experiences as a youth player at Monaco, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, fueled his passion for creating a platform that showcases talent that might otherwise be overlooked. This passion led to Eyeball’s investment in the United Future League, an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, as well as providing video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches worldwide. The coaches film training sessions and tag individual players, with the footage then uploaded to the platform....

The upcoming Tet, which falls on January 29, holds a unique significance for the Dutch Embassy in Hanoi. For some diplomats, it marks their first-ever celebration in Vietnam, while others are embracing their last Tet before concluding their term in this vibrant country. Deputy Ambassador Christoph Prommesberger and several embassy staff will be bidding farewell to Vietnam in the summer of 2025. Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, thus becomes an even more memorable occasion for them. To commemorate their time in Vietnam, Ambassador Van Baar suggested a special way to capture their Tet memories – by donning the elegant ao dai , a traditional Vietnamese garment, much like the local youths during the holiday. Ta Hien Street, renowned for its French-style architecture, stone-paved roads, and vibrant decorations, was chosen as the perfect backdrop for this photoshoot. Ta Hien is also known for its bustling nightlife, earning the nickname of Hanoi’s ‘street that never sleeps.’ The street’s ener...

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard set the tone with a second-minute goal, leading his team to a ruthless victory over Manchester City. The Gunners’ dominant performance, coupled with City’s sloppy mistakes, resulted in a final score that all but dashed City’s hopes of a fifth consecutive title. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, both teenagers, added to the scoreline with well-taken goals, showcasing the depth of talent within the Arsenal squad. Erling Haaland’s 250th senior career goal provided a brief moment of hope for City, but it wasn’t enough to stop Arsenal’s rampant attack. With a 14-game unbeaten streak in the league, Arsenal now sit comfortably in second place with 50 points from 24 games, just six points behind leaders Liverpool. Manchester City, on the other hand, find themselves in a distant fourth place with 41 points, a significant gap between them and the top spots. Arsenal’s fluency and flair on the pitch belied accusations of over-reliance on set-piece goals this ...

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, took center stage in the country’s tourism boom, showcasing its cultural heritage and festive programs. The city attracted 12.5 million domestic travelers, a 19% increase from the previous year, and generated $148 million in revenue, up by 7.85%. Hanoi’s success is a testament to the appeal of its cultural offerings and the effectiveness of its strategic policies, including relaxed visa rules and promotional packages. Tourists explore Hanoi’s charming streets by cyclo. Photo: Hoai Nam Other cities also experienced robust tourism growth. Ho Chi Minh City brought in $322 million, while Danang and Quang Nam welcomed 228,000 and 157,000 visitors, respectively, reflecting a 29% and 40% increase. The Tet holiday provided a perfect opportunity for these cities to display their unique cultural offerings, with Hanoi organizing traditional performances, handicraft demonstrations, and culinary delights in its Old Quarter and the historic Village...

Le Mat, a village located about seven kilometers from downtown Hanoi, in the present-day Viet Hung Ward of Long Bien District, has gained a reputation for its unique snake farming tradition and mouthwatering snake cuisine. To commemorate this ancient trade, the village hosts an annual festival on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, attracting locals and visitors alike. The village of Le Mat comes alive during its annual festival, with the highlight being the famous Jiaolong or snake dance. This ancient ritual draws visitors from near and far, eager to witness this unique tradition. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times The festival is a celebration of rich cultural heritage, featuring a range of rituals and folk activities. Among these, the Water Offering Ceremony and the Jiaolong or Snake Killing Dance stand out as particularly unique. The latter, one of the ten ancient dances of the imperial capital of Thang Long, showcases the village’s deep-rooted traditions. Accordi...