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Dong Thanh Communal House: A Historic Gem in Hanoi’s Old Quarter Tucked away in the charming Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Dong Thanh Communal House stands as an enticing destination for those exploring the capital’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Also known as Hang Vai Communal House, this site holds a special place at 7 Hang Vai Street. Here, one can find the worship of Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu (Zhenwudadi) from Taoism, an intriguing blend of spiritual traditions. Dong Thanh Communal House has a fascinating history. Initially, it served as a communal house for two villages, Dong Thanh and Dong Thanh Thi. During the reign of Minh Mang, between 1820 and 1840, these two villages merged to form Dong Thanh village, uniting their heritage.  The intricate carvings on the 200-year-old well reflect a bygone era. Photo: Tinh Le/The Hanoi Times This relic is a treasure trove of valuable artifacts, including a bronze statue of Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu, eight stone ste...

The artwork is garnering attention for its exotic appearance and innovative use of coconut shells as the main material. Nicknamed the “black dragon” of the Year of the Dragon, which is just days away, this one-of-a-kind dragon sculpture stands prominently in front of the BIDV branch headquarters on Dong Khoi Avenue in Ben Tre City. The dragon mascot in Ben Tre Province, southern Vietnam, features a head crafted from a combination of coconut coir, wood, and shells.  Photo: Tuoi Tre The dragon mascot measures 3.8 meters in length and 2.3 meters in height. Its scales are intricately fashioned from coconut shells, while its teeth and nails are crafted from coconut wood, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail in its construction. Coconut coir was used to create the dragon mascot’s beard. Truong Minh Tan, the director of BIDV Dong Khoi, mentioned that the dragon sculpture was a gift from a bank client who resides in Ben Tre Province, a well-known coconut-growing ...

In Hanoi, the Hanoi Cheo Theater will organize two Chèo (traditional Vietnamese stage art) performances. The first performance will be held at Van Quan Lake in Ha Dong district at 9 p.m., followed by a show at Ngoc Son Temple at 10 p.m. Both events are scheduled to take place on February 9. To further promote Vietnamese culture, the Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre will present water puppet shows in Hoan Kiem district on February 9 and February 11. These shows aim to provide local and international tourists with a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture. The Hanoi municipal People’s Committee has planned a series of fireworks shows across 32 venues in the capital city on February 10, to mark the end of the Lunar New Year’s Eve. The fireworks will last for 15 minutes, featuring nine high-range shows and 23 low-range displays. Moving to Ho Chi Minh City, various cultural activities are scheduled to kick off to celebrate the annual festival. “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring), the...