VietExplorer2032

Trinh Tuan and Cong Kim Hoa are renowned artists in Hanoi, especially for their vibrant lacquer works. This artist couple is also dedicated to educating the next generation. While Trinh Tuan teaches at the University of Industrial Fine Arts, Cong Kim Hoa passionately nurtures the artistic talents of local children. Painter couple Trinh Tuan and Cong Kim Hoa. Photo: IDesign To celebrate their significant contributions to Hanoi’s fine art scene, the Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA) hosts a lacquer painting exhibition titled “Like Layers of Alluvium,” which runs until April 15. According to the organizers, the exhibition is a testament to the artists’ love, passion, and aesthetic values. It features nearly 100 artworks that showcase the artistic evolution of Trinh Tuan and Cong Kim Hoa. The exhibition unfolds like a slow-motion movie, retracing their creative journey and deep connection to lacquer. This medium symbolizes not only their shared love but also their...

The Can Tho Archery Station, which opened its doors on Sunday with support from the Vietnam Youth Federation’s local chapter, saw an enthusiastic response from the city’s youth, with over 200 registrations on the first day. Spanning 1,000 square meters in the heart of Cai Khe Ward, at 3 Le Loi Street, the facility is a haven for archery enthusiasts. It boasts an impressive setup with 18 shooting targets, providing a comprehensive archery experience. One of the unique aspects of this archery range is the direct access it offers to professional athletes and coaches. Regular workshops are conducted to guide players in refining their technique and improving their performance. It’s a great opportunity for beginners and enthusiasts alike to learn from the experts. Beyond just shooting practice, the Can Tho Archery Station organizes competitions, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Archers can also expand their knowledge by learning about the different types of bows used i...

One of the key highlights of the festival is Dogathon Vietnam 2025, a unique community running event tailored for pet owners. This event carries a powerful message, ‘Dogs are friends, not food.’  All funds raised from this charitable run will be donated to several animal rescue organizations, such as SAR, Forever WheelChair, San Nha Nhieu Cho, Have Paws, and Laws for Paws. These organizations are dedicated to the noble cause of protecting and caring for animals in need. The Vietnam International Pet Festival 2025 will feature an array of fundraising initiatives to support local animal rescue organizations. P hoto: Organizer of InterPetFest 2025 Another highly anticipated event is the Vietnam SECC Grand Dog Show 2025, a competition of international repute. Officially licensed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and organized by the Vietnam Kennel Association, this event promises to be a spectacle. The dog show will showcase 80 purebred dogs from various coun...

Under the captivating theme of ‘Connecting Verses’, Vietnam Gameverse promises an immersive experience with a focus on interactivity and industry insights. This event is a significant platform for the gaming community and industry professionals in Vietnam, offering a unique opportunity to connect and explore the latest trends. Vietnam Gameverse made its impressive debut in 2023, and since then, it has become an influential force in the gaming industry. Over the past three years, it has evolved from a celebration of achievements to a dynamic networking hub, bringing together developers, publishers, investors, and gamers under one roof. Le Quang Tu Do, head of Vietnam’s Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, shared the journey of establishing the event, reflecting on the initial challenges and skepticism they faced. However, with determination and a shared vision, the first Vietnam Gameverse in 2023 exceeded expectations, with 17 participating companies laying the founda...

Cyclist Thanh and his teammates, Hoang Hai Nam, Le Van Dong, Pham Van Hau, and Nguyen Van Thang, put up an impressive performance in the men’s master road race for the 50-54 age category. Thanh pedaled his way to a remarkable silver medal finish, contributing to Vietnam’s cycling team’s medal tally, which now stands at six. Prior to this, Hoang Hai Nam and To Hoang Khanh Lan had showcased their mettle, each claiming a gold medal. The bronze medals, too, found their way to Vietnam through the efforts of Pham Minh Nhan, Truong Thi Quynh, and Hoang Thi Hang. Unfortunately, the men’s juniors road race on Thursday did not yield any medals for Vietnam. The participants, Nguyen Dan Binh, Phung Quoc Ha, Dang Van Phap, and Pham Anh Hao, gave it their all, but luck wasn’t on their side this time. Adding to the team’s woes, Nguyen Dan Binh met with an accident during the race, sustaining injuries to his shoulder and ankle, which led to his withdrawal from further competition. The Vietnamese c...

The Bat Trang Pottery and Van Phuc Silk Weaving villages, now officially part of the World Crafts Network, were celebrated on the evening of February 14 at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi. This recognition shines a light on the rich history and cultural significance of these traditional craft villages. Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, in his speech, emphasized the longstanding reputation of Thang Long – present-day Hanoi – as the “land of hundreds of trades” in Vietnam. He highlighted that for centuries, Hanoi has been the nation’s cultural epicenter, boasting a wealth of historical relics, cultural heritage sites, and, of course, its renowned craft villages.  Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, delivers an impassioned speech at the ceremony. Photo: Tung Nguyen/kinhtedothi.vn Mr. Quyen went on to describe the villages of Bat Trang and Van Phuc as not just symbols of Vietnamese craftsmanship but ...

The Forbes Travel Guide, an esteemed global authority on luxury travel, has unveiled its prestigious 2025 Star Award winners. This year’s accolades celebrate the finest hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruise ships across the globe, with a special focus on two outstanding properties in Hanoi’s bustling downtown area. The Capella Hanoi, a visionary hotel with funky spaces designed by architect Bill Bensley, pays homage to the city’s rich history and its proximity to the iconic opera house. Guests are immersed in a captivating 1920s opera-themed experience throughout their stay. Alongside the Capella Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has also attained the coveted five-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide for 2025. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional service, stunning architecture, and immersive guest experiences. Speaking of the Capella Hanoi, Forbes Travel Guide commends its architecture and interior design, masterfully crafted by Bill Bensley, tha...

On the morning of Thursday last week, a meeting was convened between tournament organizers and the Vietnamese cycling team to address the truck fire that caused extensive damage to their equipment. A mutual agreement was reached, wherein the Vietnamese team would borrow bikes from the host team and other participating teams for the duration of the competition. Additionally, the organizers took initiative by gathering information about the cyclists’ sizes, as well as their needs for helmets and shoes, to ensure they were provided with suitable gear. Thailand’s Vietnam Motorcycle and Bicycle Association has stepped up to the challenge, offering seven individual time trial bikes and helmets for the Vietnamese team’s use, along with ongoing efforts to procure shoes and pedals by Thursday. In parallel, the association is expediting the shipment of road bikes from Vietnam, expected to arrive in Thailand on February 10, ensuring a timely solution. A critical aspect of the meeting was the...

The annual commemoration of the Hung Kings’ anniversary, as announced by the People’s Committee of Phu Tho Province, will be a two-part event this year, consisting of solemn worship rituals and vibrant celebrations. The Hung Kings Commemoration Day honors the legendary founders of the nation and fosters patriotism. Photo: Ngoc Tu/The Hanoi Times On April 3, a ceremony will be held at the Hung Kings Temple National Historic Site to commemorate Great Father Lac Long Quan and Great Mother Au Co. This will be followed by the Hung Kings Incense and Flower Offering Ceremony on April 7 at the relief sculpture, “Uncle Ho Talks with Officials and Soldiers,” located within the same historic site. Additionally, from March 29 to April 2, districts, towns, and cities across Phu Tho Province will organize incense-offering ceremonies to pay respect to the Hung Kings. As part of the “Phu Tho Culture Tourism Week 2025,” the celebrations will showcase 22 cultural activities, including a...

The unexpected success of Morocco in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has sparked a wave of optimism across the continent, with many believing that an African nation lifting the trophy is no longer a distant dream. Benjamin Balkin, co-founder of Eyeball, a digital platform launched in 2020, shares this sentiment and believes that his platform could be a pivotal factor in making this a reality. Describing himself light-heartedly as a “failed footballer,” Balkin’s own experiences as a youth player at Monaco, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, fueled his passion for creating a platform that showcases talent that might otherwise be overlooked. This passion led to Eyeball’s investment in the United Future League, an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, as well as providing video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches worldwide. The coaches film training sessions and tag individual players, with the footage then uploaded to the platform....