Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, to attend the opening of the longest running festival in the country.
Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30.(Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to HuongPagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30, the sixth day of the Lunar NewYear, to attend the opening of the longest running festival in the country.
The pagoda has welcomed 200,000 visitors from the beginning of the Lunar NewYear, according to the festival organising board.
Local authorities have mobilised staff to ensure security and safety during thefestival to stop scammers and pickpockets.
A hotline has also been opened to handle complaints from tourists.
The same day, thousands of people flocked to the Saint Giong Festival at SocSon Temple in the city’s Soc Son district.
This year, thefestival is expected to welcome around 1.2 million visitors.
The festival, taking place from the sixth day to the eighth day of the firstlunar month, aims to honour the legendary hero Giong, who is known as one ofthe Four Immortals of Vietnam along with Tan Vien, Chu Dong Tu and the MotherGoddess Lieu Hanh.
Legend has it Saint Giong was born after his mother walked in the footsteps ofa giant. At the age of three, Giong suddenly transformed into a giant andfought foreign invaders. The king then presented Giong with an iron horse,which promptly chased the invaders out of the country.
Aftertriumphing, he and his horse went to Soc Mountain in Soc Son District. It issaid that from the top of the mountain, he removed his armour and flew into thesky on his steed. Giong is also widely worshipped as “the patron god ofthe harvest, national peace and family prosperity”.
The Saint Giong Festival was recognised as a world intangible cultural heritageof humanity by UNESCO in 2010.
A wide range of activities are being held during the festival, such as loveduets, wrestling and traditional games./.
Visitors flocked to Phat Tich pagoda in Tien Du district, the northern province of Bac Ninh, for a local annual spring festival held on January 28 (the fourth day of the first lunar month).
The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival kicked off in Gia Vien district of the northern mountainous province of Ninh Binh on January 30, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
Demonstrating their superior form, the Thai women’s team cruised to a straight-sets victory, winning 25–16, 25–16, and 25–21. With this result, Thailand remains unbeaten across both legs of the tournament so far.
According to the latest FIFA women’s rankings, Vietnam ranked sixth in Asia, behind Japan (8th globally), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (10th), Australia (15th), China (16th) and the Republic of Korea (21st).
Accessible via //a80.hanoi.gov.vn and a mobile app, the platform serves as the official information hub for parades, cultural events, exhibitions, and public services. It offers real-time updates on schedules, traffic, security, healthcare, and live broadcasts, as well as behind-the-scenes stories and community-shared moments from across the country.
Vietnamese language is now officially taught at four high schools and is one of eight optional second foreign languages in the national university entrance exam of the RoK.
Coach Masahiko Okiyama asked his Vietnamese side to step up a gear after the break, and it took only three minutes to double their lead thanks to an individual effort from Y Za Luong, who finished crisply into the bottom corner.
More than 150 images on display highlight the National Assembly’s 80-year development and the performance of the HCM City delegation of NA deputies during the 2021–2026 term.
The festival aims to foster artistic and cultural exchange, while deepening international appreciation for national identity, societal values and the missions of law enforcement agencies, especially those of the Vietnamese People's Police and their counterparts around the globe.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to display up to 150 posters at Ho Chi Minh Square in Vinh for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution on August 19 and National Day on September 2.
The competition offers a meaningful cultural and educational platform, serving not only as a creative space for Vietnamese and international children living in Hanoi but also as a forum to inspire patriotism, a love for peace, environmental awareness, and the aspiration to build a humane and sustainable world.
Taking a journey to the Cham Museum — the modest building in Phan Rang –Thap Cham, Indian writer Ankita Mahabir said that the museum might not boast size but it brims with pride for the local community, featuring carefully preserved sandstone sculptures, portraits, and rare artifacts.
For years, the Vietnamese community in many countries rarely had the chance to experience Vietnam’s traditional arts and culture actitivies organized by the Vietnam government, except the annual event “Vietnam Day Abroad” that has been organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. But the year 2024 marked a turning point.
In the context of international integration and globalisation, culture and art education plays a vital role in promoting the all-round development of Vietnam's young generation.
Vietnam shared the top podium with the Philippines in the medal tally with four gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the last SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The “Vietnam – Colours from the Tropics” Cultural Festival in Moscow, Russia, has wrapped up after drawing 968,000 local residents and visitors, surpassing expectations and surprising organisers with the vibrant interest it sparked in the Russian capital.
Numerous commemorative activities highlighting the national remarkable achievements will be held nationwide in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 – 2025) and National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025).
The BaDen Mountain International Marathon 2025 took place in the southern province of Tay Ninh on August 3, attracting more than 6,000 domestic and international runners.
Around 40,000 visitors made the pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda in Hanoi’s My Duc district on January 30.(Photo: VNA) 
