Happy Vietnam

The atmosphere following Vietnam U22’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Thailand U22 in the men’s football final at the 33rd SEA Games was truly special and unforgettable.

With unique natural resources, modern infrastructure and a clear development orientation, the northern province of Quang Ninh is emerging as a new sports tourism hub of Vietnam, offering a destination where visitors can stay active, explore, relax and connect with local culture, with each journey delivering a complete experience.

On December 14, 2025, Bu Dang Commune, Dong Nai Province, hosted the Bu Dang Artistic Whistling Kite Festival 2025 and a Rural Cuisine Program. The event attracted 20 whistling-kite teams from clubs inside and outside the province, honoring folk cultural values and promoting local community life. Photo: Nhat Binh – VNA

Identifying mandarins as one of the crops helping ethnic minority communities escape poverty, instead of expanding cultivation area, authorities in Chieng Coi ward, Son La province are promoting stronger application of science and technology, organic and VietGAP-oriented farming, while linking production with mandarin brand building and the development of experiential tourism. This approach opens up a sustainable pathway for the specialty crop of Chieng Coi ward in particular and Son La province in general.

On December 13, 2025, the Hanoi Police officially put the Hanoi Traffic Control Center into operation and began imposing administrative penalties for certain traffic safety violations via electronic systems. The center ensures legal compliance and technical infrastructure, aiming to enhance urban traffic safety and support crime prevention and control. Photo: Pham Kien – VNA

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.

At present, Nam Son mandarins in Van Son Commune, Phu Tho Province, are entering the peak harvest season. Alongside conserving ancient mandarin-growing areas and expanding Canh orange cultivation, local authorities have adopted a systematic and scientific approach, gradually shifting toward safe production under VietGAP standards, strengthening biological pest management, and investing in water-saving irrigation systems. Notably, the locality is orienting toward building the “Nam Son ancient mandarin” brand, linked with product traceability and eco-garden tourism. These solutions not only help revive a valuable mandarin variety but also expand markets, raise incomes, and create sustainable livelihoods for local residents. Photo: Thanh Hai – VNA

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.

Under the “Quang Trung Campaign,” agencies, units and localities in Dak Lak Province, with support from various forces, are mobilizing maximum manpower and resources to accelerate construction progress and ensure quality in building and repairing houses for families whose homes were destroyed, collapsed or swept away by Storm Kalmaegi and the historic floods in November. Photo: Tuong Quan – VNA

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.

Sa Pa (Lao CaiProvince) is entering its most beautiful cherry blossom season of the year,attracting large numbers of visitors coming to admire the scenery. The cherry blossomseason lasts only a few weeks, so during this period many tourists visit SaPa’s well-known sites such as O Long Tea Hill and O Quy Ho Pass to capturestunning moments. Photo: Huong Thu – VNA

The flash floods and mudslides at the end of July 2025 nearly wiped out Pha Mut Village (Nhon Mai Commune, Nghe An Province), sweeping away 13 houses and causing 23 others to collapse. Immediately after the disaster, local authorities, together with the Border Guard and other forces, set up 13 temporary tents in a lagerstroemia calyculata forest about 2 km from National Highway 16, providing shelter for 17 households with 60 residents, along with essential supplies to stabilize their immediate living conditions. Over the past three months, despite ongoing challenges, the Mong people of Pha Mut have remained united, supporting one another and placing their trust in the Party and local authorities. Party cell meetings and community activities continue to be maintained regularly, serving as an important source of spiritual support for the villagers. Photo by courtesy/VNA

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