VietExplorer2025

It is time for residents and visitors to save the moments with photographs during these days of late March and early April when Hanoi streets don a romantic coat of Hoa Ban (Orchid Tree flowers), Hoa Sua (Dalbergia Tonkinensis flowers), and Hoa Phong Linh (Yellow Tabebuia flowers). The Bun Flower is a lesser-known variety of flowers, though. Only three Bun trees have been found in the capital city thus far.  The Bun tree, also known as Bach hoa or Man man (Capparaceae), blooms only once a year in late March or early April. The brilliant flowers are pure white at first, then turn bright yellow in full bloom, releasing a mild sweet fragrance. The first Bun tree found in Hanoi several years ago is planted in front of the Cultural House of Dinh Thon Village, My Dinh Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi. The tree, with a large old trunk and two broad canopies, is said to be over 300 years old. The second Bun plant in Hanoi w...

Prime Minister arrives in Laos for the fourth Mekong River conference Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his senior delegation landed in Laos’ capital Vientiane late on April 4 to attend the Fourth Mekong River Commission meeting. The event, scheduled for April 5, will bring together government leaders from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, China and Myanmar, through which the Mekong River flows, and representatives from international organizations and societies. The event is an opportunity for the riparian countries to improve their implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement and to discuss challenges and opportunities in water management, sustainable development, environmental protection, and further activities for 2021-2030. The Mekong River Commission Conference was initiated in 2010 and is held every four years. Concert night honors two Vietnamese musicians Musician Do Bao speaks at the press conference introducing the night concert. Photo: Hoa Nguyen The Hanoi ...

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Once a craft village for copper casting since the 15th century, the Ngu Xa area is now better known as the capital’s funky cultural-cuisine rendezvous. Visitors to Pearl Island – Ngu Xa night food street and pedestrian area in Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Photo: Duy Khanh The Pearl Island – Ngu Xa night food street and pedestrian area in Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, draws more than 3,000 visitors on weekends and about 2,500 on weekdays, according to the People’s Committee of Truc Bach Ward. The city’s new food and entertainment hub After only three months of trial, the Pearl Island – Ngu Xa area has developed into a captivating culinary destination of Hanoi, according to Nguyen Dan Huy, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Truc Bach Ward. “Diverse culinary and cultural events have all been held in such a short time, including the ‘Spring Culinary Competition’ involving eight renowned restaurants in the city; folk art and music perform...

A large number of activities on the theme of “Colors of the Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups” will be held until May 3.  A series of activities take place at Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi’s outlying township of Son Tay. Photo: sovhtt.hanoi.gov.vn The event is part of activities to celebrate Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups Cultural Day (April 19), which honors the cultural values of ethnic groups and the country’s cultural diversity. Visitors can experience the cultural spaces of ethnic groups in the northwest and northeast regions, play folk games, and enjoy art performances by the Mong ethnic people from Son La’s Moc Chau District, which was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2018. The native cuisine and goods of the Mong, Dao, Thai, Muong, Kho Mu, and Tay ethnic groups are also available to visitors. The event will also feature cultural activities to showcase tourist destinations from other provinces and citi...

Hanoi authorities on April 4 asked local travel agencies not to send visitors to neighborhoods along the railway in the inner districts of Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem. Foreign visitors enjoy coffee and beverage along the railway that crosses Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times To ensure the safety of visitors, especially foreign visitors, the Hanoi Department of Tourism says that travel agencies are not allowed to arrange trips to the so-called “railway café streets”. The tourism department also asked businesses to inform their customers not to visit, take pictures of, or consume food or drinks in restricted areas. The bureau also advised all companies and organizations to follow the laws on railway safety. Violations will be dealt with by the department’s inspection department. In Hanoi, “railway café streets” have gained popularity as places where people can enjoy a drink while watching trains pass by. In Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh distri...