The northern province of Ninh Binh, which is famous for its beautiful scenery and historical relics, has attracted a sharply increased number of domestic and international tourists, earning VND245 billion in revenues, up 51 percent from the same period last year.

Singapore’s model and popular Music Television Channel (MTV) presenter Denise Lorraine Keller visited Vietnam as an Ambassador of Elegance for the famous Swiss watchmakers Longines on December 17.

Ancient dances, an exceptional art genre that stems from the old capital city of Thang Long, are being revived after falling into oblivion.

Scattered across the provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son la, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, the H’mong people (also known as the Meo) are closely associated with Vietnam’s mountainous north, along the Chinese and Laotian borders.  

The Buon Me Thuot-Dak Lak Tourism and Culture Week entitled “ The Legend of the Central Highlands Elephant” opened in the central highlands province of Dak Lak on December 16.

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha hosted a ceremony on Yen Tu Holy Mountain on December 16 to commemorate the 701st anniversary of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong, the founder of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism, reaching Nirvana.

The UNESCO country director on December 12 awarded the certificate of Documentary Heritage to the State Records and Archives Department for woodblocks from the Nguyen Dynasty two centuries ago. 

The Republic of Korea (RoK) - Vietnam Fund and the Korean Cultural Centre have presented 10,000 books in Korean to universities based in the capital city of Hanoi.

The 15th anniversary of Ha Long Bay’s recognition as a world natural heritage site was celebrated in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on December 15.

Over 170 things left by famous foreign rock and roll artists are being displayed at the Kumho Asiana Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nearly 200 documents, photos, and artifacts concerning late President Ho Chi Minh collected during the 2000-2009 are being exhibited at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi.  

A bronze statue of King Tran Nhan Tong will be cast at the Yen Tu Buddhist Centre in the northern province of Quang Ninh.  

The annual European Music Festival is anticipated not only by Vietnamese artists, specialists and audiences but also by European people, who are living and working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The 16th Vietnam Film Festival wrapped up at Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoa Binh Theatre on December 12 after five days.

Tran Thi Diem Huong was crowned Miss Jewelry 2009 in the final round of competition held in Can Tho City on December 12. She was awarded VND100 million in cash and a crown worth VND530 million.

Three feature films and two documentaries will be shown at the 53rd Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Kaosiung City, Chinese Taiwan from December 17-20.

An exhibition entitled “Ha Long Bay – 15 years as a World Heritage site” opened in Hanoi on December 11 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Bay’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

David Minh Duc designer and EvE Group’s models have set off to Milan, Italy and Madrid, Spain to showcase 30 traditional long dresses (ao dai) in a fashion show themed “Vietnam’s perfume and beauty”.

The 15th anniversary of the Duyen Dang Vietnam (Charming Vietnam) music gala will be celebrated with a nostalgic look at the past and a warm welcome to the future, said the organizers on December 10.

A seminar on Vietnamese short films in the context of international integration was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 9 in the framework of the 16th National Film Festival. 

The Hanoi-based CAMA collective are expected to rock southern audiences in Ho Chi Minh City on December 11-12. 

A monument to soldiers of the Soviet Union, Russia and Vietnam was inaugurated at Cam Ranh airport in the southcentral coastal province of Khanh Hoa on December 10 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties.

A programme of cultural exchanges to promote Vietnam’s image will be held in France on December 14 by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VAT).

Artist natives of Da Lat will gather together for a first of its kind tribute to their native place at the Dong Dao club in District 3, HCM City on December 13.

Six leading designers of Vietnam’s two premier fashion companies, Viet Tien and Viet Thang, and 16 freelance designers will take part in Vietnam Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2010 in HCM City on December 11-12.

 “21 And A Wakeup” written and directed by ex-Marine Chris McIntyre, who served during the height of the Vietnam War was screened in Washington, the US on December 8.

A book exhibition is being held in the Institute for Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) in HCM City from December 7-12 to honour the culture of reading.

Around 20 standard hotels in Da Lat city in the central highland province of Lam Dong have registered for a promotional programme entitled “Da Lat-Lam Dong Impression 2009”.  

The 16th Vietnam Film Festival opened at the White Palace Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on December 8.

The UK Film Week will start in Hanoi on December 11 with “Looking for Eric”, a comedy by director Ken Loach.