Lifestyle

Lonely Planet highlights Hanoi as an appealing autumn destination, with cool weather making it a pleasure to explore its winding, invigorating streets. Dreamy Ha Long Bay is at its clearest and the warm waters are perfect for a dip, while Sa Pa and Tuyen Quang, including the former Ha Giang area, welcome visitors with golden terraced rice fields during the harvest season.

As part of the 2026 Lu Ethnic Culture Festival, themed “Colours of Lu Ethnic Culture”, Khun Ha commune in the northwestern province of Lai Chau province re-enacted the Su Khon Khoai festival. Its highlight, a buffalo soul worship ritual, expresses gratitude to the animals for their hard work, hopes for good harvests and prosperity, and helps preserve the Lu community’s spiritual traditions.

When innovation deepens understanding of traditional values rather than replacing them, heritage becomes not only something to preserve but also a resource for sustainable tourism, economic development and reinforcement of Hanoi’s position as a UNESCO Creative City.

Another track-and-field medal for Vietnam at Asian Para Games 2026

Returning for the first time since its inaugural edition in 2018, the festival provides a platform for cultural exchange and showcases the traditional music of participating countries.

A convoy of 100 motorbikes set off on a journey across Ma Pi Leng Pass on October 21 as part of a roadshow campaign to promote safe motorcycle travel in the northern province of Tuyen Quang, home to the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the US travel magazine ranked the heritage train journey between Hue and Da Nang at 10th and The Vietage by Anantara at 14th.

2026 marks a decade since the practice of Mother Goddess worship in Vietnam was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its cultural values continue to be upheld through traditional ceremonies, ritual singing (hat van), elaborate costumes and ritual spirit mediumship performances (hau dong).

A celebration marking the seventh founding anniversary of the Vietnamese Migrant Women’s Association (VMWA) in Ansan, Gyeonggi province, the Republic of Korea, took place on October 18, featuring cultural exchanges and activities to mark Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20).

The event also served as a showcase for Vietnamese culture, customs, cuisine and traditions, in step with Vietnamese Culture Day. It encouraged Vietnamese of all generations to hold onto their cultural identity while spreading the image of Vietnam and its people among Hungarians, adding to people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries.

Thanks to specialised training and close coordination with their handlers, service dogs of the Southern Security Guard Department have become an effective line of defence at events of special importance.

Colourful traditional Vietnamese Ao dai (traditional long dresses) brought a festive touch to the streets of Bankstown, Sydney, on October 17, as more than 20 Vietnamese people from different generations took part in an Ao dai street parade held as part of the Viet Soul 3 Festival.

For generations, local residents have adapted to the natural rhythms of the rising waters, using traditional fishing tools to earn a living. Today, these practices have become part of eco-tourism activities imbued with the spirit of the Mekong Delta.

Mong traditional costumes in the northwestern province of Dien Bien are distinguished by vibrant colours, intricate embroidery and flared skirts. Handmade and passed down through generations, they reflect the craftsmanship of Mong women and the community’s rich cultural heritage.

Located in My Phong ward in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, Vinh Trang Pagoda is a national historical and cultural relic that draws both domestic and international visitors. Built in the early 19th century, the pagoda features a distinctive blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, making it a unique cultural and architectural landmark.

Chairman of the Lao Cai provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tuan Anh said the province regards culture as the spiritual foundation, an endogenous resource and a driving force for sustainable development, with people at the centre of cultural creation, preservation and enjoyment.

The reserve, covering 8,408 hectares, aims to protect and maintain the area and quality of natural forests, conserve biodiversity, endangered and rare species, and natural habitats typical of the region.

Politburo’s Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2026 on developing Vietnam’s tourism into a spearhead economic sector in the new era identifies Phu Quoc as gradually becoming a new growth pole and a high-end seaside resort tourism centre with international competitiveness and the capacity to host major international events. Alongside promoting its strengths in natural landscapes and resort tourism, Phu Quoc is accelerating infrastructure investment, including facilities for the 2027 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, creating further impetus for economic and tourism development and enhancing the position of the Pearl Island.

Visitors must walk about one kilometre from the Thung Ui forest entrance, climbing stone steps to an elevation of over 100 metres. The cave extends approximately 60–70 metres and features stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years.

The Southern Women’s Museum has so far digitised 1,113 artefacts, but only 113 are currently accessible to the public. According to deputy director of the museum Pham Thi Dieu, thousands of other artefacts are awaiting an exhibition system under an expansion project. The museum hopes to complete the system in 2027, enabling online visitors to explore the digitised collections.