The Saint Giong festival, which was recognized by UNESCO as world intangible cultural heritage, started in Soc Son and Dong Anh districts in the outskirts of Hanoi on February 8 or the 6th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year.

Thanh Hoa province has prepared the dossier on the Ho dynasty citadel to submit to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for consideration and recognition as a world heritage site.

Thousands of visitors gathered for the Dong Da festival (Dong Da district, Hanoi) to mark the 222nd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory on February 7.

Nowadays, yellow apricot trees are planted not only in Dien Hoa commune, but also in Dien Huong, Dien Hai and Dien Loc communes, and Phong Dien district in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue has become famous thanks to apricot cultivation.  

For ethnic groups in the northern province of Lang Son, lion dance has great meaning as it is expected to bring them good luck and wealth. It often makes village festivals more joyful.

Leaders of the central province of Binh Dinh on February 6 offered incenses and flowers at the monument dedicated to Emperor Quang Trung to mark the 222nd anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory over Chinese Qing invaders.

Phu Yen people often sing Bai Choi (singing while playing cards) during the traditional Lunar New Year festival (Tet). It is a unique feature of this region’s culture.  

Last year, Vietnam introduced many of its cultural heritage sites which are not known to the world and need to be recognised and preserved at any cost.

Chinese journalist Zhang Jiaxiang still clearly remembers his experience of Vietnamese Lunar New Year festivals (Tet) when he worked as chief of the Hanoi bureau of the official Chinese News Agency (Xinhua) many years ago.

More and more foreigners have come to live, work, or study in Vietnam, whose traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival is considered a special cultural feature. All international friends interviewed by VOV showed eagerness about Tet.

The Nguyen Hue flower road to mark the Lunar New Year Festival will be open to the public from 28 December- 4 January of the lunar calendar.

The Orange Fleurs d’Espoir association (OFE) and the Association of Batik International (ABI) on January 31 opened an exhibition in Paris to introduce traditional brocade weaving products of the Vietnamese ethnic minority people of Mong.

A lotus festival was held in Hanoi on January 29 to honour the beauty and meaning of lotus, which currently tops the voting list announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

HCM City is preparing for traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) with music shows, charity activities, art exhibitions and calligraphy markets. 

Over 100 Vietnamese book titles which have been translated into the English language are being displayed at the 35th International Book Fair, opened in Kolkata, West Bengal state, India on January 29. 

On January 29, the Hanoi Museum displayed nearly 3000 items which have been presented to it by organisations and individuals.

A photo exhibition on the Party and President Ho Chi Minh opened in Lam Son park, Ho Chi Minh City, on January 27 to thank the Lunar New Year festival and the success of the 11th National Party Congress as well as the 81st anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on Jan. 28 held an international music exchange to mark the Lunar New Year festival (Tet) and the successful organisation of the 11th National Party Congress.

The 2011 Spring Flower Festival opened in Tao Dan park, Ho Chi Minh City, on Jan. 28 to celebrate the founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (Feb. 3) and the success of the 11th National Party Congress.

The award ceremony of the Golden Kite Film Festival will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 13, said Hong Ngat, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Film Association (VFA).

A photo contest on world heritages in Vietnam was launched in Hanoi on January 27.

The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organised an opening ceremony for the Spring Festival 2011, taking place in Hanoi from January 27-February 1.  

More than 30 Tet flower fairs began in Ho Chi Minh City on January 26 to meet the local demand for the occasion of the Lunar New Year festival.

A bursting spring atmosphere will be brought to downtown Hanoi by a festival, gathering typical products such as bonsai trees from handicraft villages on the outskirts of the city between January 27 and February 1.

A photo exhibition by French photographer Sebastien Laval, entitled Communities Through Time, has opened at L'Espace, the French cultural centre in Hanoi.

Khieu Thi Huyen Trang, coming from the northern province of Bac Giang, won the championship title of Vietnam’s Next Top Model contest in its final round held at InterContinental Asiana Saigon hotel, Ho Chi Minh City on January 23.

The 16th Mai Vang (Yellow Apricot) Awards were presented at a ceremony held at Hoa Binh Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City on January 22 with the participation of hundreds of artists and spectators.

Chinese action film star Jet Li(Ly Lien Kiet) attended the Xuan Hong (Red Spring) blood donation festival in Hanoi on Jan. 22 and called for more blood donation to help unlucky people.

A photo exhibition to mark the 81st anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s (CPV) foundation (February 3), and to celebrate the 11th Party Congress and Lunar New Year was held in Gia Lai Museum on January 21.

The male pop group Backstreet Boys (BSB) will perform in Vietnam in March, following their tour to Latin America.