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A stunning 1.6-meter bronze statue depicting a vendor selling pho , Vietnam’s iconic noodle soup, has found its home on Tong Duy Tan Street in Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. This vibrant food street, nestled in the heart of the Hang Bong Ward, is part of the renowned Hoan Kiem District. The captivating bronze statue, a recent addition to Tong Duy Tan Street, instantly captivates locals and visitors alike. Curator Nguyen The Son shared that the statue’s strategic placement at the entrance of Tong Duy Tan Street, just a stone’s throw away from the iconic “Train Street” on Tran Phu, makes it a welcoming sight for all. “Its proximity to Hoan Kiem Lake, a beloved tourist destination, further enhances its allure,” Son added. The statue is not just a work of art but also pays homage to Hanoi’s rich culinary heritage, with pho being a shining example. The design of the statue draws inspiration from a vintage photograph captured by an unknown French photographer. It beautifull...

As the year draws to a close, caring for kumquat trees demands extra attention to ensure they remain vibrant, lush, and healthy. The dry weather in the final month can be challenging, so adequate watering is crucial. In Hanoi’s Tay Ho District, Tu Lien Bonsai Village buzzes with activity a month before Tet. Farmers are in the final stages of preparing their kumquat trees for harvest, a tradition they’ve meticulously practiced all year. Hoang Luan, a local farmer, emphasizes the significance of this period for kumquat growers. “Each year, we diligently care for our trees, mindful of the weather, to ensure they’re ripe in time for Tet. With the holiday arriving earlier this year, we’re working diligently to accelerate their growth,” he shares. Tu Lien’s kumquat trees have evolved over the years to meet the diverse preferences of consumers. From grand pots to miniature displays, their shapes and designs have been refined to captivate customers. Tu Lien Bonsai Village, nestl...

Li, a former Everton player, was initially tried and sentenced to a 20-year fixed-term imprisonment, according to the state news agency Xinhua , who provided no further details. The far-reaching crackdown on official corruption, initiated by President Xi Jinping over a decade ago upon assuming power, has ensnared the sports industry. In late 2022, anti-graft authorities turned their attention to sports, and this week, they announced the convictions of several former football administrators. Li, who served as China’s coach from January 2020 to December 2021, had previously admitted to accepting over $10 million in bribes. The 47-year-old, a well-known former footballer in China, played as a midfielder for Everton in the Premier League. He featured in a documentary aired by CCTV in January, exposing the pervasive corruption in Chinese football. Li confessed in the program to paying nearly $421,000 in bribes to secure his position as head coach. He also admitted to match-fixing duri...

Da Nang is a modern beach city located near several UNESCO-recognized sites, including the ancient port city of Hoi An and the former imperial capital city of Hue. According to Condé Nast Traveler , Da Nang is one of Asia’s success stories in the post-COVID era. Despite the pandemic, the number of tourists visiting Da Nang has been consistently high. In 2023, Vietnam Airlines resumed flights to Da Nang from key markets such as Japan and Taiwan, leading to a surge in passenger numbers. The city is also known for hosting an annual international fireworks festival, which attracts many foreign travelers in June. One of the most attractive destinations in Da Nang is the Son Tra Peninsula, located about 10 kilometers from the city center. It offers beautiful beaches, pristine forests, and a 17-story, 220-foot statue of Lady Buddha. The peninsula is also home to endangered red-shanked douc langurs and other wildlife within its nature reserve. The reserve boasts nearly 1,000 plant species, i...

The newly-launched event titled “Weekend Book Street” will be one of the highlights of Hanoi Book Street in Hoan Kiem District at the weekend. Artist Xuan Bac will join the weekend event at Hanoi Book Street. Photo courtesy of the event organiser This is an initiative of the Hanoi People’s Committee to enrich the operation of Hanoi Book Street every weekend, making the place an attractive destination for Hanoians and foreign visitors. The premiere program will begin this weekend, from December 31 to January 2, to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2023. There will be a host of activities, such as book launching ceremonies, instructions on how to read books effectively, craft workshops, bookbinding, cover drawing, a calligraphy contest, and instruction on making artistic flower arrangements. In addition, some gastronomic events will also be organized, such as the practice of the Vietnamese tea ceremony; street cooking demonstrations; the corner of Hanoi specialties, among o...

Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang. Photo: VNA Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang has been ranked fifth among 11 outstanding landscape projects winning the Asian Townscape Awards 2022, VNA reported. Covering an area of over 8.5 ha, Nguyen Tat Thanh Square is an impressive work in both landscape and urban architecture. It also serves as a place for organising cultural, political and historical events. At the center is the “Uncle Ho and the people of ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang province” monument. In front is a group of 7 figures, in which the statue of Uncle Ho is in the central position, 7.9m high; surrounded by characters representing the armed forces, children, young people, women, workers and intellectuals, simulating Uncle Ho’s visit and talk with the people of Tuyen Quang ethnic groups in March 1961. Behind is a relief of the symbol of Tan Trao banyan tree, a historica...

Photo: luhanhvietnam.com This cave is surrounded by a rather desolate area. It is located in Hong Nam commune, Hoa An district, about 30 km from the city center. Compared to other famous places in the province, the name Kem Coong is still quite new and relatively unknown. However, this is a perfect destination for young people who love to conquer and explore. Although it is called a cave, Kem Coong is actually a high cliff. There is a small stream that flows below. These elements have created a wonderful picture of mother nature. That’s why many people come here to enjoy the scenery and calm their souls. Photo: luhanhvietnam.com Compared to other caves in Cao Bang such as Nguom Ngao or Ghi Rang, Kem Coong is more special. Only a small part of the cliff is on the inside. It is not too difficult for visitors to explore this place and take some commemorative photos. Due to the ravages of time and nature, this cliff has become jagged and rough due to the erosions ...

Overview of the talks. Photo: M.Đ Senior officials of central Quang Tri province and Laos’ Savannakhet and Salavan provinces held talks in the Vietnamese locality’s Dong Ha city on December 27, during which they signed cooperation agreements in various fields for the period 2023-2025, VNA reported. This was an activity to mark the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (September 5), and 45 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18). The conference focused on comprehensively reviewing and assessing the results of the agreements between Quang Tri Province and Savannakhet, Salavan provinces for the period 2020-2022; discussing and agreeing on cooperation contents and plans for the period 2023-2025. Thereby, the sides will continue to maintain and develop sustainably the friendship, improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in all fields. In the cooperation agreement between Quang Tri and Sava...

Namphake- an archaic village in Dibrugarh district of Upper Assam, about a kilometre and a half from Naharkatia, is home to the Tai Phake community, descendants of the great Tai race of Southeast Asia. Archaic because the community chooses to diligently hold on to their original lifestyle and traditions over modern means and amenities. Preserved over 100 of years, this undiluted originality of the village gives outsiders a feeling of traveling back in time. This is summed up by a tourist who thinks, “It’s like I have time travelled to the Ahom era.” Far away from their other Tai relatives spread across Myanmar and Thailand, the small Tai Phake community of Assam has a population of hardly 2000. Crossing over the Patkai hills around 1775, the Tai Phakes migrated from Howkong valley of Myanmar to the Northeast of India. For the next 50 years, they shifted to several places in the Northeast, in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Presently, there are nine Tai Phake villages in the Tinsukia ...