Happy Vietnam

Happy Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City applies AI to support NA and People’s Council elections

Ho Chi Minh City applies AI to support NA and People’s Council elections

Through creative initiatives such as QR code-integratedkeychains, digital maps guiding voters to polling stations, and artificialintelligence applications that answer voters’ questions, many localities in HoChi Minh City are gradually innovating election communication. These solutionshelp bring information closer to citizens while contributing to building amodern, transparent and convenient election in the digital transformation era. Photo:Thanh Vu – VNA
Buffalo body-painting competition delights festival-goers

Buffalo body-painting competition delights festival-goers

A buffalo body-painting competition took place on February 22 (the sixth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) as part of the Doi Son ploughing festival 2026. The event was a distinctive activity that added an artistic highlight to the festival. Photo: Nguyen Chinh – VNA
Thuy Linh Ball-Wrestling Festival upholds martial spirit

Thuy Linh Ball-Wrestling Festival upholds martial spirit

The Thuy Linh ball-wrestling festival in Hanoi is held annually in early spring, drawing large crowds of local residents and visitors. The event is a traditional cultural practice of the ancient capital, commemorating Linh Lang Dai Vuong and promoting the nation’s martial spirit, while helping preserve the distinctive cultural values of the capital.
Tan Lac red-flesh grapefruit focuses on international market

Tan Lac red-flesh grapefruit focuses on international market

Phu Tho province currently has 17,700 hectares growing grapefruits, accounting for over 11% of the total grapefruit growing area nationwide; of which, over 10,800 hectares are in the production stage with a yield of over 177,000 tons, accounting for nearly 20% of the national grapefruit production. Among these, the Tan Lac red pomelo variety, bearing a certified trademark, covers nearly 3,000 hectares. In 2022, the first lot of Tan Lac red-fresh grapefruits was exported to the United Kingdom, opening the doors to other international markets like Europe. Photo: Thanh Hai - VNA
Special class preserving Han–Nom script in ancestral land

Special class preserving Han–Nom script in ancestral land

Since early 2024, a special Han–Nom script class has been held in a small room at Truc Lam Temple (Truc Lam hamlet, Tho Tang commune, Phu Tho province), attracting more than 20 learners, mostly elderly people. Originating from a simple, tuition-free class under the village temple roof, the movement of learning Han–Nom characters in Tho Tang has helped raise awareness of preserving and safeguarding traditional cultural values within the community. Characters once thought distant are now revived through intergenerational dedication, serving as a bridge between the past and the present. Photo: Nguyen Thao – VNA
Spring pilgrimage to Thang Long’s four guarding temples

Spring pilgrimage to Thang Long’s four guarding temples

“Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long) are four ancient and sacred temples of the former imperial capital (now Hanoi). At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, visitors come to offer incense and pray for health, good fortune, and peace, while paying tribute to the deities who safeguarded the ancient citadel. By tradition, the pilgrimage follows an East–West–South–North order, beginning at Bach Ma Temple, then proceeding to Voi Phuc Temple, Kim Lien Temple, and finally Quan Thanh Temple. Photo: Khanh Hoa – VNA
Dong Ky firecracker procession festival

Dong Ky firecracker procession festival

On February 20, 2026 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year), Dong Nguyen ward in Bac Ninh province held the Dong Ky firecracker procession festival, drawing thousands of residents and visitors who came to pray for prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. Photo: Thai Hung – VNA
Hanoi hosts concert to welcome Lunar New Year

Hanoi hosts concert to welcome Lunar New Year

The concert served as a New Year greeting, conveying hopes and aspirations for a year of new achievements, with musical works praising the peaceful beauty of Vietnam, honouring the glorious Party and great President Ho Chi Minh, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of spring across the country.
Buffalo body-painting competition delights festival-goers

Buffalo body-painting competition delights festival-goers

A buffalo body-painting competition took place on February 22 (the sixth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) as part of the Doi Son ploughing festival 2026. The event was a distinctive activity that added an artistic highlight to the festival.
Bringing Chuon Village scroll heritage to the world

Bringing Chuon Village scroll heritage to the world

Once a distinctive form of traditional calligraphic folk art from Hue that fell into obscurity for more than a decade, Chuon Village scroll prints are now experiencing a strong revival thanks to the persistent efforts of young people determined to restore the heritage. Reviving this art form not only honours the nation’s long-standing historical and cultural values but also creates a special attraction for international visitors during the vibrant Lunar New Year season.
Enhancing Vietnamese language skills for preschool children in the border highland commune of Pa Tan

Enhancing Vietnamese language skills for preschool children in the border highland commune of Pa Tan

Implementing the Government’s project on “Strengthening Vietnamese for preschool and primary students in ethnic minority areas,” Trung Chai Preschool in Pa Tan commune, Lai Chau province, has applied various creative and effective methods tailored to local cultural life. Children regularly practise reading, speaking and writing, while taking part in folk games and outdoor activities to enhance language acquisition and daily communication skills, helping them confidently enter new learning environments. Photo: Quy Trung – VNA
Da Nang welcomes cruise tourists in first days of Lunar New Year

Da Nang welcomes cruise tourists in first days of Lunar New Year

On February 19, 2026 (the third day of the Lunar New Year), the cruise ship Seabourn Encore, operated by Tan Hong Travel Company, docked at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, carrying more than 1,000 people, including 580 tourists from the United Kingdom, France and the United States, along with nearly 500 crew members. Photo: Tran Le Lam – VNA
Crowds enjoy spring outings around Hoan Kiem Lake

Crowds enjoy spring outings around Hoan Kiem Lake

On the afternoon of February 19, 2026 (the third day of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo), crowds flocked to streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, creating a vibrant spring atmosphere in the cool and pleasant weather. Numerous domestic and international visitors joined the festive spirit, enjoying Hanoi’s distinctive cultural space in the early days of the year. Photo: Hoang Hieu – VNA
Spring pilgrimage to Thang Long’s four guarding temples

Spring pilgrimage to Thang Long’s four guarding temples

“Thang Long tu tran” (the four guarding temples of Thang Long) are four ancient and sacred temples of the former imperial capital (now Hanoi). At the beginning of the Lunar New Year, visitors come to offer incense and pray for health, good fortune, and peace, while paying tribute to the deities who safeguarded the ancient citadel. By tradition, the pilgrimage follows an East–West–South–North order, beginning at Bach Ma Temple, then proceeding to Voi Phuc Temple, Kim Lien Temple, and finally Quan Thanh Temple.
Ethnic cultural identity promoted amid integration

Ethnic cultural identity promoted amid integration

The northwestern mountainous province of Lai Chau is home to 20 ethnic groups, each adding a unique cultural colour to the province’s rich human landscape. Amid deepening integration, local communities continue to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, turning culture into an inner strength and a solid foundation for sustainable development.
Towering Buddha statue at a pagoda in An Giang province

Towering Buddha statue at a pagoda in An Giang province

Nestled amid the majestic mountains, Kim Tien Pagoda in Tinh Bien ward, An Giang province, is a distinctive spiritual destination in the Seven Mountains (Bay Nui) region. The pagoda’s most striking feature is the 24-metre-tall Amitabha Buddha statue, solemnly positioned atop the main hall, rising prominently against the sky and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Hue royal apricot blossoms evolve from imperial pastime to industry

Hue royal apricot blossoms evolve from imperial pastime to industry

At a time when industrial yellow apricot trees and mass production dominate the market, Hue quietly preserves something more precious than gold: royal apricot blossoms (hoang mai). More than just a Tet flower, Hue’s royal apricot blossoms are emerging as a trend-setting economic sector, where preserved genetic sources, imperial heritage, and the refined aesthetics of the former capital combine to create a value no other apricot-growing region can replicate.