Happy Vietnam

Ap Ho Chieng festival (New Year hair-washing ritual of Thaiethnic women) has been reenacted as part of the annual Then Kin Pang festivalin Phong Tho district of the northern province of Lai Chau since 2014. Ahighlight of the Ap Ho Chieng festival each year is the scene of beautiful womenof White Thai ethnic minority group as they wash their hair together on thelast day of the Lunar New Year at Nam Lum spring in Khong Lao commune, PhongTho district. Then Kin Pang festival, taking place on the 9th and 10th days ofthe third lunar month (this year's festival was held on April 17-18), is amajor festival that plays a significant role in the spiritual lives of the Thaiethnic people. It is an opportunity for local people to express their wishesabout a peaceful life, good health, and abundant crops, among other things. Photo:Nguyen Oanh – VNA

The Xuan Thuy National Park was recognised as a Ramsar site- a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the RamsarConvention - in 1989. It is also the first Ramsar site in Southeast Asia. Thanksto its rich biodiversity, the reserve holds considerable potential for ecotourismand countryside tourism. To experience the wild nature there, from the XuanThuy National Park, visitors can sail along the Vop River to reach the Ba LatEstuary or visit the lighthouse on the coast of Tien Hai district (Thai Binhprovince) and the islets of Con Ngan, Con Lu, and Con Xanh. There, visitors canlearn about the life of rare migratory bird species and enjoy beautifullandscapes of mangrove forests. Photo: Lam Khanh - VNA

Heavy rains and floods triggered by super typhoon Yagi, oneof the strongest to hit Vietnam in decades caused great losses in the northernregion. People and all forces across the country have always joined hands withlocal governments and people in affected areas to overcome the consequences ofthe natural disasters. Photo: VNA

Visitors to the northwestern region of Vietnam are often overwhelmed by its stunning landscapes along the roads that are impressive with mountain ranges, green forests and beautiful terraced rice fields considered as “staircases to the sky.” The region is also attractive to travelers by its diverse cultures of ethnic minorities. Photo: Phan Tuan Anh - VNA

Over 23 million students nationwide celebrated the official start of the 2024-2025 school-year on September 5 morning. VNA Photo

Rao Tre village kindergarten in Huong Lien mountainous commune, Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province has been upgraded to welcome children of the Chut ethnic people in the new 2024-2025 school year. Photo: Thanh Tung – VNA

Dried persimmons are a specialty of Da Lat, a little town in the Central Highlands of Lam Dong, about 290km from Ho Chi Minh City. Drying persimmons - a hundred-year traditional industry of Da Lat - now is revived thanks to a Japanese technique introduced in recent years. With Japan’s Hoshigaki technique, which only uses wind and sun rather than coal and firewood for drying, the fruits have a delicate surface with sugar-like particles and a sweet flavor. Photo: VNA

Muong Thanh rice field in Dien Bien province is the largest rice field in the northwestern region of Vietnam. The field has a span of 140 square kilometres and stretches over 20 kilometres through different communes and districts of Dien Bien province. In May, Muong Thanh rice field turns a bright green-yellow colour, attracting visitors for its breathtaking view and endless stretches of green fields. For many generations, Muong Thanh field has nurtured the ethnic people living here. However, during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Muong Thanh field was an artillery battlefield lined with trenches, giving it a significant historical value. Visiting Muong Thanh rice field, tourists will be satisfied with the peaceful view while also having a chance to learn about the glorious history of Dien Bien province. Photo: Xuan Tu – VNA

To celebrate the 79th anniversary of the National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2024), the Women's Association in Cai Khe Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho city sewed 200 national flags to give to families in the locality. Photo: Thu Hien - VNA

A national flag-hoisting ceremony was held at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi capital on September 2 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day. Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi is a national historic landmark where, on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Hieu - VNA

Covering an area of about 700 hectares, Nam Cuong sand dunes are now one of the indispensable destinations in the journey to discover Ninh Thuan land. Photo: VNA

Creating patterns with beeswax on fabric is a popular and unique technique of the H’Mong ethnic minority group in Che Cu Nha commune, Mu Cang Chai district, in the northwestern mountainous province of Yen Bai. The unique art was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Photo: VNA

Situated in Gia Vien district of the northern province of Ninh Binh, about 80km from Hanoi, Van Long Lagoon is the largest wetland reserve in northern Vietnam with a huge diversity of flora and fauna. A part of the Trang An Eco-Tourism Complex, Van Long in the dry season serves as a favourable wintering spot for various migratory birds, many of them listed in Red Book. Photo: Minh Duc - VNA

Not only is it a locality with many unique cultural and culinary festivals, Tuyen Quang also has valuable resources coupled with a charming landscape, a destination chosen by a large number of tourists. Each year, many tourists come here to take in the beautiful northern scenery. Tuyen Quang city is located more than 130km to the northeast of Hanoi. Na Hang Lake in the northern province of Tuyen Quang has been dubbed “Inland Ha Long Bay” in the mountainous region and has become popular among domestic travellers. Located 110km north of Tuyen Quang city, the lake is the meeting place of the Gam and Nang rivers. Photo: Trong Dat – VNA

About 17km north of Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen province, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of wild coral reefs and volcanic hexagonal rock at Hon Yen island. There are currently 17 coral species in Hon Yen islands, with the most predominant ones being cloud-shaped corals. When the tides retreat, visitors can see corals clearly, which look like underwater clouds, and see all the diverse marine animals that live among the corals. The Phu Yen provincial government are planning different community-based ecotourism projects to protect this unique ecological system and promote local tourism. Photo: Trong Dat – VNA

The black and white Thai women are differentiated by their costumes. Khan Pieu, a traditional scarf, makes black Thai women unique and attractive. Each scarf tells a story about the wearers’ feelings and character through patterns and colors. The life of the black Thai has changed a lot. Their houses on stilts are no longer roofed with thatch. Now they are roofed with clay titles or corrugated iron. Their costumes have been modified to suit daily work activities. But the traditional Khan Pieu has been preserved, still symbolizing the beauty of the black Thai women. Khan Pieu is a top product of Thai embroidery, reflecting the aesthetic sense of Thai girls. It also demonstrates the Thai outlook on the world and on life. Photo: Phan Tuan Anh - VNA

Dragon fruit is one of the major fruit trees in Vietnam. In recent years, the acreage of ​​dragon fruit has grown strongly in many localities across the country, mainly in Binh Thuan, Long An and Tien Giang. Farmers have applied advanced technology in cultivation to improve quality of the produce. Photo: VNA

The Ca Mau Cape World Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of over 41,000 hectares. Its recognition as a World Biosphere Reserve has significantly contributed to the conservation of the biodiversity of its mangrove ecosystem and the preservation of cultural values to serve sustainable development goals. VNA Photo

Oranges in Cao Phong is a famous specialty of the northern Hoa Binh province. These oranges have a wonderful smell and a sweet tender taste combined with its beautiful color. Even the pickiest customer can be satisfied after tasting this orange and will be pleased that the Cao Phong orange has its own flavor, unmistaken with other oranges. The orange growing land is concentrated mainly around Dung Phong, Nam Phong communes, Tan Phong Ward... Photo: Trong Dat - VNA

The Pa Then ethnic group is an indigenous ethnic group in Vietnam. They have a rich cultural heritage that includes various rituals and ceremonies, one of which is the fire jumping ritual. The fire jumping ritual of the Pa Then people is a significant event that holds both religious and cultural importance. It is usually performed during important occasions such as festivals, weddings, or funerals. The ritual is believed to bring good luck, ward off evil spirits, and cleanse the body and soul. Photo: VNA