VietExplorer2023

Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Marek Zalewski as the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam, according to the Holy See’s announcement on December 23, as reported by VNA. Archbishop Marek Zalewski, who joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1995, has served in various countries. He was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore and the non-resident Papal Representative in Vietnam in 2018. During his tenure as the non-resident Papal Representative in Vietnam, he visited and conducted pastoral activities in almost all dioceses of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. He also met with representatives from ministries, sectors, and local administrations nationwide. Archbishop Marek Zalewski, first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. Photo: Vietnam Episcopal Council Vietnam and the Holy See have made progress in bilateral relations, particularly since establishing a regular dialogue mechanism through their Joint Working Group in 2009. Numerous meetings

According to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the temperature in the North is still at a low level. Many measuring stations have recorded temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast in different regions Northwest region: The weather is predicted to be less cloudy and sunny during the day, with moderate to heavy rain in some places. The lowest temperature is expected to be between 10-13 degrees, and in high mountainous areas, it may drop below 5 degrees. The highest temperature is expected to range from 18-21 degrees. Northeast region: The weather will be less cloudy and sunny during the day, with no rain at night. The wind from the northeast will be at level 2-3. The lowest temperature will range from 11-14 degrees, and in high mountainous areas, it may drop below 8 degrees. The highest temperature is expected to range from 19-22 degrees. The weather will be warmer in Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Ha Thanh Hoa – Thua Thien Hue: The weather wi

The newly-launched event titled “Weekend Book Street” will be one of the highlights of Hanoi Book Street in Hoan Kiem District at the weekend. Artist Xuan Bac will join the weekend event at Hanoi Book Street. Photo courtesy of the event organiser This is an initiative of the Hanoi People’s Committee to enrich the operation of Hanoi Book Street every weekend, making the place an attractive destination for Hanoians and foreign visitors. The premiere program will begin this weekend, from December 31 to January 2, to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2023. There will be a host of activities, such as book launching ceremonies, instructions on how to read books effectively, craft workshops, bookbinding, cover drawing, a calligraphy contest, and instruction on making artistic flower arrangements. In addition, some gastronomic events will also be organized, such as the practice of the Vietnamese tea ceremony; street cooking demonstrations; the corner of Hanoi specialties, among other

Contestants from 35 countries and territories competed in the final night of Miss Tourism World 2022 at Ho Chi Minh Square Park in Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province on Saturday evening. This is the first time Vietnam has hosted the final round of Miss Tourism World, with the theme ‘Bringing the World to Vietnam.’ Vietnamese beauty Huong Ly and the top five of Miss Tourism World 2022 during the pageant’s finale in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, December 10, 2022. Photo: Mai Thuong / Tuoi Tre The 35 beauties previously had a journey to discover landscapes, historical, and cultural relic sites in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, and Vinh Phuc. At the final night, the audience had the opportunity to look back on the journey of the contestants and see them in their national costumes, silk ao dai by designer Anna Hanh Le, and evening gowns by designer Thach Linh. The finale of Miss Tourism World 2022 in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, December 10, 2022. Photo: Mai Th

Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, Head of the European Department, Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (R), and Marius Kach, Member of the Executive Committee of the Swiss-Vietnam Friendship Association at VUFO’s Room of tradition (Photo: Thu Ha) Speaking at the meeting, Marius Kach thanked VUFO for welcoming him to its headquarters and to Vietnam and expressed his affection for Vietnam and his impression on his first visit to Vietnam. As a young representative from the Swiss – Vietnam Friendship Association – VUFO’s partner in Bern, Switzerland, he wishes to cooperate with VUFO to organize visits to Vietnam for young members of the Swiss Friendship Association. – Vietnam and young Swiss love Vietnam, thereby contributing to the cooperation relationship between the two countries. Sharing the view, Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, Head of the European Commission, VUFO , proposed to hold regular exchanges between Vietnamese and Swiss youth, especially in the culture and economy in order t

The Southeast Asian nation has surpassed many other destinations such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand, to earn the accreditation. Rina van Staden, Director of the annual awards, said that the results were based on a year-long search for the world’s top culinary brands, with experts and the public joining related voting. Winners of the 2022 edition are those that have strived to elevate the culinary excellence around the world, she added. Vietnamese cuisine has been highly valued in prestigious competitions and by ranking organisations in the world. The country was ranked 5th among the top 10 countries globally with the best food by readers of the Canadian magazine The Travel last October. On December 1, Michelin, for the first time, announced Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as the latest destinations joining the international selection of the MICHELIN Guide. MICHELIN inspectors will present their list of restaurants selected in June 2023. The post

Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang. Photo: VNA Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city of the northern province of Tuyen Quang has been ranked fifth among 11 outstanding landscape projects winning the Asian Townscape Awards 2022, VNA reported. Covering an area of over 8.5 ha, Nguyen Tat Thanh Square is an impressive work in both landscape and urban architecture. It also serves as a place for organising cultural, political and historical events. At the center is the “Uncle Ho and the people of ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang province” monument. In front is a group of 7 figures, in which the statue of Uncle Ho is in the central position, 7.9m high; surrounded by characters representing the armed forces, children, young people, women, workers and intellectuals, simulating Uncle Ho’s visit and talk with the people of Tuyen Quang ethnic groups in March 1961. Behind is a relief of the symbol of Tan Trao banyan tree, a historica

Photo: luhanhvietnam.com This cave is surrounded by a rather desolate area. It is located in Hong Nam commune, Hoa An district, about 30 km from the city center. Compared to other famous places in the province, the name Kem Coong is still quite new and relatively unknown. However, this is a perfect destination for young people who love to conquer and explore. Although it is called a cave, Kem Coong is actually a high cliff. There is a small stream that flows below. These elements have created a wonderful picture of mother nature. That’s why many people come here to enjoy the scenery and calm their souls. Photo: luhanhvietnam.com Compared to other caves in Cao Bang such as Nguom Ngao or Ghi Rang, Kem Coong is more special. Only a small part of the cliff is on the inside. It is not too difficult for visitors to explore this place and take some commemorative photos. Due to the ravages of time and nature, this cliff has become jagged and rough due to the erosions

Overview of the talks. Photo: M.Đ Senior officials of central Quang Tri province and Laos’ Savannakhet and Salavan provinces held talks in the Vietnamese locality’s Dong Ha city on December 27, during which they signed cooperation agreements in various fields for the period 2023-2025, VNA reported. This was an activity to mark the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (September 5), and 45 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18). The conference focused on comprehensively reviewing and assessing the results of the agreements between Quang Tri Province and Savannakhet, Salavan provinces for the period 2020-2022; discussing and agreeing on cooperation contents and plans for the period 2023-2025. Thereby, the sides will continue to maintain and develop sustainably the friendship, improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in all fields. In the cooperation agreement between Quang Tri and Sava

Namphake- an archaic village in Dibrugarh district of Upper Assam, about a kilometre and a half from Naharkatia, is home to the Tai Phake community, descendants of the great Tai race of Southeast Asia. Archaic because the community chooses to diligently hold on to their original lifestyle and traditions over modern means and amenities. Preserved over 100 of years, this undiluted originality of the village gives outsiders a feeling of traveling back in time. This is summed up by a tourist who thinks, “It’s like I have time travelled to the Ahom era.” Far away from their other Tai relatives spread across Myanmar and Thailand, the small Tai Phake community of Assam has a population of hardly 2000. Crossing over the Patkai hills around 1775, the Tai Phakes migrated from Howkong valley of Myanmar to the Northeast of India. For the next 50 years, they shifted to several places in the Northeast, in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Presently, there are nine Tai Phake villages in the Tinsukia