The five-day “Independence Festival” is taking place from 29 August to 2 September at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Dong Mo, Hanoi. The site is among many popular destinations during the National Day holiday. Some families have travelled from central Vietnam to visit, while others are returning for the third time and still finding new experiences.
As cities grow and expand, more and more urban spaces are commercialised to maximise their economic value. But does that necessarily make a city a better place to live?
Halloween is just around the corner, and stores across the U.S. are stocking up on costumes and spooky decorations. Americans are expected to spend a record US$13.5 billion on Halloween this year, but many consumers are keeping a close eye on their budgets.
Vietnam is leveraging its rich cultural heritage and iconic architecture to create world-class hospitality experiences. By integrating local identity into modern tourism, the nation is enhancing its global brand and driving economic growth.
Traditional crafts carry generations of skill, culture and local identity. But how can these age-old trades survive while providing a stable income? In Nam Duong, Bac Ninh, villagers are finding new ways to keep their crafts alive, modernising traditional techniques and developing products that create livelihoods closer to home.
In the eastern US state of Maryland, a festival celebrates a seafood delicacy that has long been part of coastal life: the oyster. The US Oyster Festival brought together seafood lovers, tourists and professional oyster shuckers from across the country for a weekend of food, culture and tradition.
Vietnamese expatriates in the Republic of Korea are preserving their cultural identity through traditional music. The "Nhan Duyen" concert, featuring iconic instruments like the đàn bầu and T'rưng, brings the diaspora together and educates younger generations. Supported by the Vietnamese Embassy, these performances strengthen community bonds while promoting cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding with Korean audiences.