Hidden Charm

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Hidden Charm

Hidden Charm is a program that takes audiences to explore Vietnam’s “hidden treasures” of culture and tourism through the experiences of foreigners traveling across the country’s diverse regions. Hosted by a foreign presenter with a unique style, the show guides viewers on how to discover and fully enjoy these hidden gems.

Latest Episodes

The Many Lives of Rice | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 20:43

This episode's hidden charm is about how something ordinary can become extraordinary through culture, creativity, and human imagination. Rice has long been at the heart of Vietnamese cuisine. Yet beyond the familiar bowl of steamed rice, it has continued to evolve into a wide variety of dishes that reflect tradition, craftsmanship, and even cultural exchange.

Việt Nam Ethnic Mosaic | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 17:21

In this episode of Hidden Charm, we journey through Việt Nam's ethnic mosaic. From a Hà Nội café honouring 54 communities, to Dao worship paintings where belief lives in colour and symbol, and five-colour sticky rice where each hue carries a blessing. The journey ends with Khmer palm leaf manuscripts, where fragile leaves hold centuries of faith, revealing how each community keeps memory alive.

Beyond the coffee cup | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 23:33

In this episode of Hidden Charm, we journey through Việt Nam’s coffee culture. From the highlands, where every carefully roasted bean begins its story, to Đắk Lắk, where coffee takes on new forms, and the hidden cafés of Hà Nội, where communities grow through shared moments. The journey ends at Flow-ee, where coffee brings people together beyond words, revealing the connections hidden in everyday life.

Discovering Việt Nam’s sweet delicacy | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 13:55

In this episode of Hidden Charm, let’s go through a journey called "Delicacy." Across Việt Nam, sweet treats come in many forms - some soft and fragrant, others rich and caramelized, or shaped by local herbs, rice, and lotus seeds. Each region has its own way of turning simple ingredients into something memorable.

Musical Performances | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 16:33

By tracing the historical roots of the folk ceremonial Xuân Phả dance to the boundary-pushing contemporary Zoro Show, the programme unpacks how traditional aesthetics, from bamboo props to rural farming gestures, are engaging in a vibrant cross-pollination with global artistic languages such as classical European ballet and modern theatre. It is a compelling look at how Vietnam’s cultural legacy exchanges, transforms, and fuses to confidently command the international stage.

The language of metal | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 17:54

Join host Iryna on this episode of Hidden Charm as we journey beyond the usual to uncover the subtle details that reveal Việt Nam's true character. Guided by the Charm Portal, each stop offers a hidden clue — small, often overlooked, yet deeply meaningful. From curiosity to discovery, follow along as today’s adventure unfolds with unexpected sparkle.

Painting Việt Nam | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 17:52

Join host Irina on this episode of Hidden Charm as we travel across Việt Nam to uncover how local stories are brought to life on unexpected surfaces. From lost ancient traditions to modern technological innovations, discover how the concept of the "canvas" shapes the artwork itself.

Where the Sea Shapes Life | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 17:53

Việt Nam’s coastal communities share a deep bond with the sea, where livelihoods, traditions, and spiritual beliefs are shaped by generations of knowledge, gratitude, and responsibility to protect the marine environment.

Sculpted Việt Nam | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 17:20

In this episode of Hidden Charm – Sculpted Việt Nam, Marina uncovers the artistry behind Vietnamese ceramics. From traditional craftsmanship to creative sculptures made from broken ceramic pieces, the journey reveals how artisans transform earth, fire, and fragments into meaningful works of art that reflect culture, history, and the enduring spirit of Việt Nam.

Where Tết lives | Hidden Charm

Culture & Tourism 20:20

Discover how Vietnam welcomes the New Year - through the evolving image of the horse, the renewal of the coriander bath, the precision of Huế’s royal games, the art of pruning narcissus bulbs, and the senses awakened by Tết.