vietexplorer0019

“ 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...

The rare white apricot flower, which used to only appear among wealthy families during Tet in the past, is the most common apricot tree. A bonsai garden in Lao Cai province transported about 200 apricot and peach trees from Sapa to Hanoi for sale this year. The gardener sold more than 60 trees within three days, offering trees worth from VND1 million to VND35 million for customers to choose from. The apricot flowers are dark pink in buds and turn pure white when they bloom, with even spacing. The flower style gradually changes to red as the flowers fade. Apricot trees usually bloom twice in the spring, during Tet and in February, producing pure white flowers. Apricot trees do not bear fruit and are propagated through cuttings, making them more expensive due to the effort and technique required. Despite their high prices, apricot trees are extremely attractive to buyers. The rough and sinewy trunks and stumps of apricot tre...