Happy Vietnam

The vibrant display of Vietnamese fine arts, signature cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes impressed visitors at the annual Winternational Embassy Showcase held recently by the Vietnamese Embassy in the US in collaboration with the International Trade Centre.

With just over two months until the 2025 Lunar New Year, Van Giang commune in Hung Yen province, the North’s well-known centre for ornamental kumquat and pomelo trees, is entering its peak season.

Visiting Sa Pa in December offers a journey to seek nature’s magical moments, as cherry blossoms reach their most vibrant from December to early the following year.

For nearly 300 years, Luu Bao village in Hue has been famous for handmade rice paper. Local artisans use clean, carefully selected ingredients. Their skill gives each sheet its thinness, flexibility and natural aroma.

Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province has been named World’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination for the first time at the 2025 World Travel Awards ceremony in Bahrain, underscoring the unique value of the UNESCO Global Geopark and the rich cultural identity of its highland communities.

In December 2015, the ritual and game of tug-of-war, practiced in Vietnam, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Over a decade later, this tradition continues to thrive, being passed down and revitalised in modern life. In this podcast, we delve into Vietnam’s unique tug-of-war game, a cultural heritage celebrated both nationally and internationally.

On the evening of December 9, 2025, the Opening Ceremony of SEA Games 33 took place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Vietnam sends a 1,165-strong delegation to SEA Games 33, featuring 19 experts, 189 coaches, and 842 athletes, who will compete in 47 of 66 sports, across 443 of 573 medal events.

In the traditional cultural space of the E De people in Dak Lak, the Che jar holds a particularly important role alongside the longhouse and gongs. It is not only a household item but also a sacred object symbolizing the wealth and authority of the host family. For the E De community, Che jars are highly valued assets accumulated and passed down through generations. Beyond containing liquor, an essential drink in festivals and rituals, the jars are also believed to be the dwelling place of deities. Today, Che jars continue to play a vital role in ceremonies, remaining an indispensable element of the cultural life of the E De people in Dak Lak. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA

Nestled at the foot of the Giang Man mountain range, Rao Tre Hamlet (Phuc Trach Commune) is home to more than 150 Chut ethnic people, one of Ha Tinh’s smallest ethnic communities. From a life of isolation and wilderness, the Chut have been encouraged by border guards and local authorities to resettle and stabilize their lives. It was from here that the journey of bringing literacy to Chut ethnic children began - built on the dedication of teachers, the support of border guards, and the goodwill of many benefactors. Photo: Huu Quyet – VNA

The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi People’s Committee jointly launched the automated ticket control system applying biometric and cashless payment solutions on the Cat Linh – Ha Dong urban railway Line 2A on December 5, 2025. Photo: Pham Kien – VNA

The International Tea Festival 2025 kicked off Lam Vien Square (Xuan Huong ward, Da Lat) on December 5, 2025. Photo: Chu Quoc Hung – VNA

In late 2025, orange and pomelo orchards across Chu and Phuong Son wards; Luc Ngan and Luc Son communes (Bac Ninh) glow with vibrant colors as the fruit reaches peak ripeness. The area is drawing an increasing number of visitors who come to sightsee, take photos and enjoy fruit-picking experiences ahead of the 2025 Bac Ninh Fruit Festival (held from December 5 to 10), creating fresh momentum for local agricultural tourism and farm-produce consumption. Photo: Danh Lam – VNA

With its rich cultural heritage system, numerous scenic landscapes, traditional festivals, craft villages associated with Cham and Raglai cultural spaces, and nearly 500 km of coastline, more than 200 islands and islets, and many famous bays, Khanh Hoa aims to welcome around 20.5 million visitors by 2030, including 10.5 million international arrivals. Tourism is expected to contribute 15% of the province’s GRDP and 20% of its total budget revenue. Photo: Nguyen Thanh – VNA

At dawn, Keo Lom pass in Na Son commune in Dien Bien province awakens above a vast sea of white clouds filling the valley below. In the golden sunrise, layers of mountains appear in a dreamy, hazy blur, creating a natural scene that is both majestic and poetic. This unspoiled beauty makes Keo Lom an appealing destination for visitors and those who love the landscapes of the northwest mountains. VNA Photo: Xuân Tư

At an altitude of around 1,700 meters, Pu To Co – the highest peak of the Muong Phang mountain range – unveils a pristine, majestic landscape imbued with historical memories. Starting from the former advance guard station of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters, the nearly 9-km forest trekking route is not only a physical challenge but also a meaningful journey to fully experience the cultural and historical depth of the site that once housed the campaign’s observation post. Photo: Xuan Tu – VNA

West Lake is one of Hanoi’s most beautiful landmarks, its timeless charm long inspiring poets and travellers alike. As the largest lake in the capital, it offers breathtaking scenery, from ancient pagodas to stretches of lush greenery.

Con Dao National Park has received Green List certification by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), recognising its effective, transparent and equitable management in line with international standards.

In recent years, Vietnamese climbers have reached places once thought beyond human limits, from Everest - the roof of the world, to K2 - the “killer mountain,” and even the icy edges of the Arctic and Antarctic.

As the year draws to a close, mandarin orchards across the hills glow with the golden color of ripe fruit. Producing thousands of tonnes annually and protected under the Geographical Indication “Bac Kan Mandarin,” the crop has evolved from a traditional fruit tree into a key source of income, playing an important role in poverty reduction efforts in the locality. Photo by courtesy/VNA