Lifestyle - Happy Vietnam - Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi welcomes over 33 million visitors in 2025

In 2025, Hanoi welcomed more than 33.7 million visitors, up 20.8% from 2024. International arrivals exceeded 7.82 million, a 22.7% year-on-year increase. Total tourism revenue was estimated at more than 134.46 trillion VND (about 5.1 billion USD), a 21.5% rise year on year.

International arrivals to Vietnam hit new record in 2025, up over 20%

Hanoi’s ethnic culture village kicks off month-long Tet celebrations

Foreign visitors captivated by Hanoi’s street food culture

Ninh Binh on right track to emerge as international destination

Viettel’s “Internet for Schools” project wins top honour at Human Act Prize 2025

The accolade recognises Viettel's nearly two-decade journey of expanding digital access to educational establishments, especially in rural, mountainous and island areas where technological limitations have long hindered learning and development opportunities for younger generations.

Dao women in Lai Chau keep alive traditional yarn-spinning craft

To create traditional costumes rich in vibrant colours and intricate detailing, Dao women in Phong Tho commune, Lai Chau province, go through multiple stages of work, all carried out entirely by hand. Among them, yarn spinning requires exceptional care and patience, as short, fine fibres are twisted and joined to form strong, durable threads.

17 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO

As of December 9, 2025, Vietnam has 17 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO. Among them, the Dong Ho folk painting craft has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, becoming the country’s 17th recognised element.

Deputy PM: STEM classrooms help students explore science, technology

The STEM classrooms should serve as meaningful and practical spaces where students can explore, experience and access knowledge, strengthen creative capacity and critical thinking, and achieve breakthrough learning outcomes that contribute to national development, said Deputy PM Pham Thi Thanh Tra.

Ho Chi Minh City charts roadmap to green public transport

HCM City is implementing a project to convert its bus fleet to electric vehicles, underscoring its commitment to environmentally friendly public transport.

Culinary culture festival links heritage with creativity

The Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2025, to be held from December 19 to 21, is designed as a vibrant meeting point where culinary artisans share their stories and pass on heritage to younger generations.

Documentary film spreads Vietnam’s spirit, image in US

From the opening scenes, the film immersed viewers in a distinctly Vietnamese rhythm of life – Hanoi’s traffic sounds, the green of rice fields, fiery football stands, and folk melodies and monochord music echoing in a modern setting.

Vietnam welcomes 20th millionth international tourist in 2025

With an estimated growth rate of 21% this year, Vietnam's tourism industry is now regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as one of the fastest-growing in the world.

Hanoi officially puts smart traffic control centre into operation

With 1,837 AI-powered cameras installed at 195 key intersections, the Smart Traffic Control Centre is set to serve as the “brain” overseeing traffic conditions and public order in Hanoi in real time. The system enables the public security forces to monitor images across major roads and junctions, promptly detect congestion, violations, accidents and incidents, and respond in a timely manner.

Record arrivals usher in fresh momentum for Vietnam’s tourism industry

The influx of international visitors in 2025 offers a rare window of opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism sector. The pressing task now is to enhance service quality and diversify products so that visitors stay longer and generate higher economic value.

Vietnam to welcome 20 millionth foreign visitor in a single year in Phu Quoc

Vietnam is set to welcome its 20 millionth international tourist in a single year for the first time ever at Phu Quoc International Airport in An Giang province in mid-December, marking a historic milestone for the country’s tourism sector.

Keeping traditional rush mat weaving alive

The traditional rush mat weaving village in Vu Ha hamlet, Phu Duc commune, Hung Yen province, has a long-standing history. Despite many ups and downs, the craft continues to be maintained and modernised.

Hai Phong Port reaches 2-million-TEU milestone

Handling the 2 millionth TEU in 2025 not only demonstrates Hai Phong Port’s operational capacity and the collective efforts of its workforce, but also highlights its increasingly important role in regional and global supply chains, the confidence of shipping lines, logistics firms and the business community, and the effectiveness of policies to improve the investment climate and strengthen maritime infrastructure and services.

SEA Games 33: Vietnam excels with record-breaking performances

The trio of Nguyen Thuy Trang, Trinh Thu Vinh and Trieu Thi Hoa Hong delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 10m air pistol team event on December 14. Competing with consistency and precision, the Vietnamese shooters amassed a total of 1,711 points to win the gold medal and shatter the SEA Games record.

Lao Cai works hard to preserve Pa Di people’s traditional crafts

To preserve their cultural heritage and values, and prevent traditional crafts, especially traditional costume-making, from fading away, the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong, Lao Cai province, are actively working with local authorities and agencies on preservation efforts.

‘Red Rain’ closes Vietnamese Film Week in Paris

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, ‘Red Rain’ draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. The film has stormed into the history books as Vietnam’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, with 700 billion VND (nearly 26.5 million USD) in revenue.

Vietnam becomes founding member of Southeast Asia Mixed Martial Arts Association

Also on December 11, Vietnamese MMA athletes delivered impressive performances, securing two gold medals, one silver and two bronzes in their debut appearance at SEA Games 33.

Return of sarus cranes: Hope takes wing in Dong Thap wetland

Beneath the wide Mekong Delta sky, Tram Chim National Park is racing against time, pouring heart and science into a decade-long (2022–2032) plan to rescue the Eastern sarus crane – an elegant, scarlet-headed bird listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and a living emblem of both the park and all of Dong Thap province.

Dong Ho folk painting craft added to UNESCO’s urgent safeguarding list

The Dong Ho folk painting craft has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This is Vietnam’s 17th intangible cultural heritage element recognised by UNESCO.

Hanoi boasts immense potential in waterway tourism

Hanoi is crisscrossed by seven major rivers with a total length exceeding 550km. Among them, the Hong (Red) River stretches 163km through localities. This geographical advantage positions the capital city favourably for developing waterway tourism. Promoting river-based tours is a new, high-potential direction to diversify tourism products and enhance visitor experiences, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.