Happy Vietnam

The Vietnamese women’s sepak takraw team defeated the Philippines 2–0 in the women’s doubles final, securing the second gold medal for the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD 2026). The victory also marked the return of Vietnam’s women’s sepak takraw to the top of the ASIAD podium after a 20-year wait. According to the team’s registered roster, athletes Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly, Le Thi Hong Lien and Nguyen Thi Thu Trang contributed to Vietnam’s gold-medal performance. Photo: Xinhua/VNA

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a project on conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Kinh Thien Palace at the World Heritage Site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi on September 29. Kinh Thien was the principal palace of the Forbidden City of Thang Long under the Le Dynasty (1428 -1789). The conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Kinh Thien Palace goes beyond recreating an architectural structure. It aims to gradually restore the central space of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and highlight the historical and cultural values of the nation. Photo: Thong Nhat - VNA

Every year in late September, early October the Ngoc Con Valley in Dinh Phong Commune, Cao Bang, dons its most vibrant attire. Amidst the vast expanse of rolling rocky mountains, golden rice fields cast their reflections upon the winding Quay Son River, creating a natural masterpiece that is both majestic and poetic. Far from the noise and haste of city life, the harvest season in Ngoc Con is imbued with the tranquil charm of a highland village: early morning mist dancing on mountain peaks, the rich fragrance of fresh rice carried on the breeze, and the radiant smiles of locals amidst stalks heavy with grain. Photo: Quoc Dat - VNA

The Nghe An Border Guards are establishing an additional channel for quickly, conveniently and securely receiving information from people in border areas through the “Anonymous E-Mail Box” model. The model not only encourages local residents to report crimes but also helps Border Guard forces closely monitor the area and promptly handle arising incidents, contributing to maintaining security and public order in border areas. Photo: Bich Hue - VNA

In the border commune of Muong Nha, Dien Bien province, the square-starred militia members are always ready to perform defence and security tasks while staying close to local residents and grassroots communities, joining hands to help people stabilise their lives. From border patrols, training and force building to assisting residents and conducting public communications and mobilisation, every effort helps strengthen the people-based defence posture and maintain peace in the border area. Photo: Xuan Tu - VNA

Following the Party and State’s policies on promoting national digital transformation and developing the digital economy and digital society, localities across Ca Mau province are proactively implementing modern infrastructure solutions and payment methods, bringing significant changes to traditional commercial activities. Photo: Chanh Da - VNA

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ba Chuc commune, An Giang province, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ninh Kieu ward, Can Tho city, on September 26, 2026 organised a programme providing free medical check-ups, medicines and gifts for poor households and policy families in Ba Chuc commune, An Giang province. At the programme, the delegation provided medical examinations, health consultations and free medicines to 300 local residents, and presented 300 gift packages to poor households and policy families, each including rice and essential necessities. The delegation also presented 25 gift packages to disadvantaged students. Photo: Thanh Sang - VNA

Pung Luong Commune (Lao Cai Province) jubilantly held its "New Rice Celebration" on September 26 - a traditional ritual rich in ethnic cultural identity and deep spiritual significance. This event serves as an opportunity for the community to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, while also showcasing the unique cultural beauty of the Hmong people to a wide range of domestic and international tourists. Photo: Tuan Anh - VNA

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