Happy Vietnam

The pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi came alive with the 2026 “Mid-Autumn Festival Night” lantern procession on the evening of September 25, 2026, on the full-moon day of the eighth lunar month in the Year of the Horse. Traditional Mid-Autumn lanterns, lion heads, festival flags, and models of the Pen Tower, Ink-Slab Pavilion and paper scholar figures paraded around the lake, bringing memories of traditional Mid-Autumn Festivals back to the heart of the capital. The event was a highlight of the “2026 Moonlit Old Quarter” programme series, connecting heritage with community life and younger generations. Photo: VNA

The Ru Cha pristine mangrove forest, located along the Tam Giang lagoon in Hoa Chau ward, the central city of Hue, shows its peak beauty in autumn. The only remaining primary mangrove forest on this largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia begins its leaf-changing and blooming season, transforming from a lush green into brilliant yellow and orange-red hues. The transition creates an extremely poetic and peaceful landscape in the heart of the ancient capital of Hue. Photo: Nguyen Ly - VNA

Familiar materials from traditional craft villages are being given a fresh look, younger, more modern and closer to contemporary life. In Hanoi, a contemporary craft art space at 61 Trang Tien street has opened, bringing traditional crafts, creativity and today’s audiences together.

For more than three years, the S'tieng BP Cultural Club in Tan Hung commune, Dong Nai city has served as a place where traditional cultural values are taught and promoted, helping foster pride in ethnic identity and bring S'tieng culture closer to visitors from both inside and outside the province.

Since the beginning of 2026, the Public Administrative Service Centre of Tan Minh commune, Hai Phong city, has received 10,449 applications, of which 10,344 have been processed. The prompt handling of procedures and thorough responses to residents’ petitions reflect the effectiveness of the new two-tier local administration, helping build public trust and satisfaction. Photo: Minh Hue - VNA

Following inspections and reviews conducted after the reorganisation of commune-level administrative units and the implementation of the two-tier local administration model, Ba Be commune in Thai Nguyen province has identified 105 land-related violations, including unauthorised changes in land use purposes, illegal construction, encroachment on land managed by organisations, and construction within traffic safety corridors. The violations are concentrated in Nam Mau and Dau Dang villages. Of these cases, competent authorities have issued administrative penalty decisions in 24 cases, while four decisions have been annulled due to non-compliance with regulations. In line with the direction of the Thai Nguyen provincial People’s Committee, Ba Be aims to completely resolve all violations by October 15, 2026. Photo: Hoang Nguyen - VNA

These days, citrus growers in Cao Phong commune, Phu Tho province, are entering the On Chau mandarin harvest season. This early-ripening variety is usually harvested over about two months, from August to September each year, marking the start of the local citrus fruit harvest. Characterised by seedless fruit, thin peel, juicy golden segments, and a mildly sour taste combined with a gentle sweetness, On Chau mandarins are popular with consumers and provide a good source of income for local farmers. Photo: Thanh Hai - VNA

A C-17 military transport aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force arrived in Hanoi on September 23 to carry Vietnam’s Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 to South Sudan to undertake United Nations peacekeeping duties. The flight took place one day after a send-off ceremony for the hospital, organised by the Ministry of National Defence. The Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 comprises 63 military personnel from military regions, army corps, military hospitals, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other agencies and units. It will replace Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 7 at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bentiu. Photo: Tuan Anh - VNA

The “Pink Moon Festival” blood donation programme is being held at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion from September 22 to 24, 2026, providing precious units of blood and bringing hope to children with blood disorders during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The meaningful event continues to spread the spirit of compassion and sharing, bringing joy and the gift of life to child patients. Photo: Minh Quyet - VNA

The Ministry of National Defence held a ceremony in Hanoi on September 22 to see off Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 8 and Engineering Unit Rotation 5 as they departed to undertake peacekeeping missions at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Photo: Trong Duc - VNA

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has issued a plan on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) education for general education students and continuing education learners across the city, marking a strategic transition from the pilot phase to official, synchronized implementation at 100 percent of educational institutions from Grade 1 to Grade 12 starting in the 2026–2027 academic year. The plan implements the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, while concretising the 2024 Capital Law. Photo: Thanh Tung - VNA

The trio of Bui Ngoc Nhi, Hoang Thi Thu Uyen, and Nguyen Ngoc Tram have delivered a brilliant performance to win the gold medal in the women's team kata event in karate at the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD), securing the first gold medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation at the ongoing Games in Japan. Photo by courtesy/VNA

Since 2016, the Dong Thap Border Guard Command has implemented the “Border bamboo greenbelt” model, with many officers, soldiers, local organisations and residents taking part in planting and caring for the bamboo. To date, a bamboo line stretching for more than 30km along the border has been growing well. The “Border bamboo greenbelt” model not only helps prevent erosion along border patrol roads and mitigate the impacts of storms and strong winds on local residents, especially during the flood and rainy season, but also plays an important role in ensuring national defence and security. Photo: Nhut An - VNA

Looking ahead to the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival, Youth Union organisations at all levels in Ha Tinh province are carrying out a wide range of practical activities and presenting meaningful gifts to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and vulnerable children. These simple yet heartfelt activities by Youth Union members and young people have brought a warm, fulfilling and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival to children across the province. Photo: Hoang Nga - VNA

The “Mobile public service team” model in Dong Phu Ward (Dong Nai city) not only brings local authorities closer to residents but also directly helps vulnerable people, older people and those who are ill resolve administrative procedures at home. Since its launch on May 31, 2026, the mobile public service team has organised seven service rounds, receiving and processing administrative procedures in such areas as land management, civil status, justice, construction, business registration and social protection for 913 citizens. Photo: K Guih - VNA

On sunny days, between around 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., as the sun gradually sets behind the western mountain range, the sunset over the Huong River unfolds like a peaceful and enchanting natural painting, imbued with the poetic charm characteristic of Hue’s ancient capital. At this time, the sky changes from brilliant orange and soft pink hues to deep purple, reflected on the calm and romantic waters. This picturesque scene has become a major attraction for visitors, especially young people who come to admire the sunset and take photos. Photo: Nguyen Ly - VNA

After more than a year of operating under the two-tier local administration model, the Public Administrative Service Point of Phuc Thinh commune in Hanoi has recorded significant improvements in the handling of administrative procedures. Processes have been streamlined, the use of digital technology has been accelerated, and the processing time for applications has been shortened, contributing to improved service quality and greater satisfaction among residents and businesses, while gradually building a more open, transparent and people-oriented public administration. Photo: Van Diep - VNA

The Kim Long Motor Hue JSC (Kim Long Motor) on September 18, 2026 exported its first batch of electric buses to Thailand, marking the Vietnamese automaker’s first shipment of finished buses to an international market and a new step in its export and logistics operations. This is the first batch of finished buses manufactured by Kim Long Motor to be transported to an international market via a dedicated roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel, marking a new development in logistics capacity and port connectivity in the central region. Photo: Nguyen Ly - VNA

Quang Tri province is stepping up coordinated measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, determined to join the country in having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning lifted at the earliest possible time. Alongside tightening the management of its fishing fleet and strictly handling violations, Quang Tri is also focusing on creating new livelihoods for fishermen as many fishing vessels are no longer eligible to operate offshore, with the aim of developing a transparent, responsible and sustainable fishing sector. Photo: Ta Chuyen - VNA

The Hanoi Association of the Elderly held a ceremony at the Xuan Dinh Ward Culture and Sports Centre, on September 17, 2026, to launch the 2026 Action Month for the Elderly in Hanoi and set a Vietnamese record for the largest dance performance by older people. The event was held to celebrate the success of the 7th National Congress of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly for the 2026-2031 tenure. Photo: VNA