Youth in Son La province get rich on homeland

In late March, Bac Ha plateau, about 70 km from Lao Cai city, are adorned with pure white pear blossoms. These blooming orchards create a dreamy landscape, resembling a fairy tale scene in the majestic Northwest mountains. VNA Photo: Hương thu

Thanks to the national target programme on socio-economic development of ethnic-inhabited and mountainous areas, the life of Cong ethnic people in Pa Thom border commune, Dien Bien district (Dien Bien province) has had remarkable changes. Infrastructure works such as roads, cultural houses, safe water systems, and many solid houses have been built. The rate of poor and near-poor households of Cong people in Dien Bien district has decreased from 90% (in 2016) to about 40%. VNA Photo: Xuân Tư

Directive No. 40-CT/TW of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership towards social policy credit has served as a new wind that creates breakthroughs for social policy credit. Over the past 10 years, loan support from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) has met the needs for capital of the poor and social policy beneficiaries across the country, contributing to the socio-economic development of localities. VNA Photo: Trần Việt

The Mekong Delta province of An Giang on March 19 held a ceremony to celebrate the recognition of its Festival of the Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The Festival of the Ba Chua Xu Goddess, held from the 22nd to 27th of the fourth lunar month, is one of the biggest religious events in the south. The festival is celebrated by the Kinh, Khmer, Cham, and Hoa ethnic groups in Chau Doc city to express gratitude to the goddess for her protection of the people's prosperity, health, and peace. It features a palanquin procession, a bathing ceremony to change the clothes and jewelry of the statue of the goddess and the preparation and presentation of offerings. VNA Photo: Thanh Sang

Ha Giang is rapidly becoming a must-visit destination for international tourists, renowned for its breathtaking mountain passes and majestic natural landscapes. The northern mountainous province is especially popular for motorbike adventure tours lasting five to six days, offering visitors an authentic experience by stopping at local towns and ethnic minority villages. In 2025, Ha Giang has seen a surge in interest of tourists from the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Taiwan (China), with Korean visitors showing the strongest growth in search volume. According to Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, this trend reflects a growing global preference for immersive and adventure travel experiences. VNA Photo: Khánh Hòa

Ta Xua peak in Ban Cong commune, Tram Tau district, the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, was coated in thick frost from the night of March 18 until 7:30 am on March 19. Frost typically forms on Ta Xua Peak before the Lunar New Year. The appearance of the rare phenonmena in mid-March is unprecedented. This marks the third time frost has appeared on Ta Xua Peak since the start of the year. Photo by courtesy/VNA

The 250m deep Nightmare sinkhole, with a mysterious underground river inside, is part of the Hung Thoong cave system in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh. Ziplining across this deep sinkhole is an exciting experience for adventurous tourists. Photo by courtersy/VNA

Cham Phtrong Festival, which is associated with the worship of the Thunder God, is one of the most significant festivals of the O Du ethnic people in Vang Mon village, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An province. In their beliefs, the first thunderclap of the year marks the beginning of a new year. With the hope of peace for the village, favourable weather, bountiful harvests, and good health for all, the New Year Thunder Festival features unique rituals that embody the distinct cultural identity of the O Du people. VNA Photo: Xuân Tiến

The "choc troi" (sky-high) pho and stir-fried pho combo (Pho Landmark81), crafted by chefs at Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection in Ho Chi Minh City, offers a unique culinary experience. Diners can savour Vietnam’s traditional pho while taking in panoramic views of the City from above. VNA Photo: Hồng Đạt

Doctor Nguyen Van Hiep was assigned to be in charge of the Den Sang Commune Health Station, Bat Xat district, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, a difficult place with more than 98% of the population being Dao ethnic people. Although the area is a poor and disadvantaged commune of Bat Xat district, the roads are extremely difficult to travel, especially in the rainy season, but with his love for the profession and the people, Doctor Nguyen Van Hiep becomes a reliable support for the local ethnic people whenever they are sick. In addition to examining and treating diseases, Dr. Hiep also educates people about health care, disease prevention, and advice on the first 1,000 days of life for newborns...VNA Photo: Minh Đức