VietExplorer2025

Today, 19 Thang 12, or the 19th of December, is Hanoi’s first book street, crowded with visitors walking around and taking pictures. But few people know that the area used to be called the Underworld Market for its mass grave during the Anti-French Resistance War. A mysterious corner of Hanoi Today Hanoi’s Book Street. Photo: Donic Trinh  Hanoi has a small street near the Supreme People’s Court and Mélia Hanoi Hotel, stretching only about 200 meters from Ly Thuong Kiet Street to Hai Ba Trung Street. Named “Hanoi Book Street”, it was once a market known only by Hanoians born before the early 1980s, with a spooky name: the Underworld Market. An Pham, 54, a resident who lives in Cua Nam Ward, Hoan Kiem District, told The Hanoi Times that when she was a child, she was filled with fear whenever she walked down Hai Ba Trung Street or Ly Thuong Kiet Street. The market was a desolate and mysterious place. “The two ends of the street were barricaded, with only quietness ...

Vietnam Treasures Extensive Strategic Partnership with Japan: President" style="max-width:100%; padding:0px; margin:0px;" title=" Vietnam Treasures Extensive Strategic Partnership with Japan: President"> Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and Japanese PM Kishida Fumio hold talks in Tokyo. Photo: VGP During the talks, which took place as part of Phuc’s stay in Japan to attend the state funeral for former PM Abe Shinzo , the President offered his deepest condolences to the Liberal Democratic Party, parliament, Government, and people of Japan, along with the family of Abe, who he described as a “close friend” of the Vietnamese leaders and people. He affirmed that Vietnam ’s leaders and people cherish former PM Abe’s sentiment towards and significant contributions to the two countries’ friendship and cooperation, according to Vietnam Plus. PM Kishida appreciated President Phuc and other Vietnamese leaders’ messages for Japan and for...