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On the third day of the Lunar New Year, known as the Year of the Snake (At Ty), Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi buzzed with excitement as crowds gathered to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and partake in a beloved tradition: calligraphy. A long queue of visitors eagerly waiting at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Photo: Duy Minh/ Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper People from all over Vietnam, along with international tourists, converged at this historic site to seek blessings for a successful, prosperous, and wise year ahead. Many arrived early, eager to explore the ancient architecture and soak in the vibrant energy of Tet, the most significant holiday in Vietnamese culture. Beyond the festive atmosphere, visitors sought the expertise of calligraphers, asking for the word of the year to be inscribed as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. A highlight of the day was the traditional calligraphy display, where skilled “ong do” (calligraphy masters) sh...

Novak Djokovic declined to participate in the customary on-court interview following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday, pending a public apology from Alan Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders, Channel Nine . This came after Jones mocked Djokovic and Serbian fans who had gathered outside the broadcast booth at Melbourne Park, stating that the 24-time Grand Slam champion was “over-rated” and a “has-been.” In a Channel Nine interview on Monday, Jones reflected on the incident, describing his comments as “banter” and expressing his regret over any offense caused. He mentioned that he had immediately offered a private apology to Djokovic’s team once he realized his words had not been taken lightly. “I stand by my apology to Novak,” Jones asserted. “I also want to extend my apologies to the Serbian fans with whom we’ve built a wonderful rapport. I intended my comments as a continuation of our lighthearted banter, but it’s clear that they were not received in th...

In a resignation letter submitted on December 31, 2024, to the Vinh Phuc Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, Huong (born in 2001) brought attention to the fact that she had not received medal bonuses from domestic competitions between 2022 and 2024, nor nutritional support for the year 2024. Huong respectfully yet firmly stated in her letter, “Due to personal and family circumstances, I am requesting a leave of absence from training in canoeing for Vinh Phuc Province, effective January 1, 2025.” Despite the financial setbacks and her expressed desire to step away from training for her hometown, Huong remains dedicated to her sport and continues her training with the national canoeing team in Hai Phong City. Huong is an exceptional athlete and a leading figure in Vietnamese canoeing. Her achievements include a silver medal at the 2024 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships in Japan and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympi...

“ 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...