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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...

Quoc Oai District, located about 30 kilometers southwest of Hanoi, has attempted to revitalize traditional tourism products, including investing in spiritual cultural tourism and developing a new tour connecting Thay Pagoda, Tuan Chau tourist site in Sai Son Commune, and So communal house in Cong Hoa Commune.   Thay Pagoda will be received the title “the Special National Monument of Thay Pagoda”. Photos: Mai Huong On April 21 and 22, the district will hold the program “Thay Pagoda Cultural and Historical Tourism Journey in 2023” at the special national relics site of Thay Pagoda and the area around Sai Son Mountain and Hoang Xa Cave. The program’s opening ceremony, scheduled for April 21, will include activities such as “A Day to Explore Quoc Oai,” which will honor various types of intangible cultural heritage in the region and introduce the capital’s cultural and historical tourist attractions. In the event, travel agencies will introduce cultural and historical ...

The tourist area in Son Tay Town, a suburb of Hanoi, has become much livelier these days with art spaces. A variety of activities under the theme “Colors of the Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups” have taken place to celebrate the important day for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. The annual colorful festival is held from April 14 to 19, where visitors can find a busy, cheerful and happy atmosphere among ethnic minorities participating in cultural activities at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.  Thai ethnic people from Yen Thang commune, Lang Chanh district, Thanh Hoa province, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, passionately performed the Nhay Sap or dance between bamboo poles.  The Cha Mun Festival is an important cultural and religious beauty of the Black Thai ethnic community in Vietnam, conveying their wishes for a healthy and wealthy year with bountiful crops.  The centerpiece of the festival ...

Hung’s passion for reading began when he was a child. It was not until after he graduated from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi with a degree in journalism and media studies that he started sharing his passion with others through the launch of Duong Lieu. Duong Lieu is a private library he opened in his living room designed to create a safe space for neighborhood children to lose themselves in the magic of literature. When Hung, 33, launched Duong Lieu in 2013, the few private libraries that existed in his Hanoian neighborhood were primarily run by retired teachers, veterans, and the elderly. While these libraries were appreciated by many, they were not particularly approachable and child-friendly. “My knowledge of journalism and media has really helped me spread the word about my library on various social networks. I get quite a lot of attention and have been able to find opportunities to expand,” Hung said....

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...

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 ...

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...