For the headmaster of the Japanese School of Hanoi, Toshiharu Ishibashi, Vietnam is not only a pleasant working environment but also an ideal destination for tourists.

Raquelle Azran, a woman who was born in Israel with American and French blood, has fostered a deep and mutual love for Vietnam and the capital city. After 18 years she considers the country to be her second home and have many fond memories of her time in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has given an interview to Chessdom, a well-known website featuring chess tournaments, games and history.

Considering how much foreigners like us learn about the traffic in Hanoi it’s pretty surprising that we haven’t figured it all out yet. This is a popular topic of conversation but many still find the unwritten rules of the road confusing. For example - what does the horn ‘mean’?

Today, "pho Hanoi" (Hanoi noodle soup) is not only a popular dish but also a national dish of Vietnam. As a culinary ambassador, it promotes the city's culture around the world.

Foreign visitors to Hanoi are impressed by the capital's pavements where they can chat, drink tea or coffee, and even have something to eat.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most traditional and popular family holidays in Vietnam, is enjoyed by people throughout the country, regardless of their background or economic status.

If you want it, you will find it in Hanoi’s markets. Finding it, however, is a completely different question.

Ask any foreigner what their least favourite aspect of Vietnam is and the list will undoubtedly include Xe Om (motorbike taxi) drivers. They are annoying at best. Pushy, smelly, rude and downright dangerous at worst.

I walked out  my Hanoi Backpackers Hostel in the Hoan Kiem district  that morning and was promptly accosted by the xe-om drivers.  It was a sunny morning and I had no appointments that day. I pulled out my pocket a paper scrap listing American war monuments in the Hanoi lake districts.

Undoubtedly, the most pressing global issue today is the environment. No matter who you are, where you live, or what you do, you are affected by environmental pollution. Everyone is responsible for protecting the planet; after all, there is only one Earth and if it is ruined, we have nowhere else to go.

A new book, “My Quest for Yummy Banh Mi”, charts the culinary tour of a Vietnamese Canadian woman named Thu Nguyen, an avid traveler, photographer and "foodie without borders”, who backpacked through Vietnam searching for the country’s finest crusty bread rolls.

Most early birds in Vietnam start their day by going to parks to exercise. In Hanoi, they go to parks or near the lakes while in Danang they go to beach.  

Last weekend Vietnam held general elections for its National Assembly (NA) and all levels of People's Councils. Such elections are held every five years but this year's elections were particularly significant because it was the first time the NA and People's Councils were elected simultaneously.

I look forward to the biggest celebration in the Vietnamese lunar calendar as I enjoy the festive atmosphere buzzing during the weeks leading up to Tết. The air is vibrant and filled with excitement from the shopping and home preparations.

Moving on to Tet Nguyen Dan for 2011, most of the staff at International School, Vietnam National University, in Hanoi are looking forward to a trip home to their families, or a short holiday away, from the ever-increasing demand of work in Vietnam’s educational sector.