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The top destinations highlighted below offer exciting exploration and unforgettable vacations. Each location promises a unique experience, from coastal paradises to cultural intersections and serene natural escapes. The wild and rugged red sand dunes of Mui Ne Beach in Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam, offer a dramatic contrast to its clear blue beaches. This coastal paradise is a haven for water sports enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy kitesurfing and windsurfing. The following are the destinations chosen by Booking.com for their unique appeal: Mui Ne Beach : Located in central Vietnam, Mui Ne Beach stands out for its striking red sand dunes and pristine coastal beauty. It’s a dream destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts. Approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City lies Vung Tau Beach , renowned for its serene beauty and pristine beaches. It offers a tranquil escape with its lush mangrove ecosystems and exciting fishing e...

During the festive season of Tet (Lunar New Year), the streets are filled with beautiful peach blossoms as preparations are made for the upcoming celebration. Musician Nguyen Quang Long, known for his expertise in traditional Xam music, has recently shared his latest music video titled Xam Tet Viet (a song about the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) with The Hanoi Times . Being born in the Year of the Dragon (1976), Nguyen Quang Long has big plans for the Year of the Dragon in 2024, as it marks his 30th year in the music industry. Often referred to as the “archaeologist” of Xam art, Long is renowned for his efforts in rediscovering and preserving many classic Xam songs. Originating from Bac Ninh, a northern province known for its traditional love duet singing called Quan ho , Long grew up in a musical family and developed a passion for music from a young age.  Musician Nguyen Quang Long and the Xam Ha Thanh group. Photo: The Hanoi Times In 2005, while working at the...

Similar to the Western custom of adorning the home with a Christmas tree and garlands to celebrate the festive season and the coming new year, Hanoians decorate their homes with kumquat trees and “ Tranh Tet ”, a special range of paintings used only for Tet , during the lunar new year festive season.    Tet in Vietnamese folk paintings The Kim Hoang folk painting “Mother of the Pig Herd” expresses hope for a happy, harmonious, prosperous Lunar New Year ahead. File photos This year, January 21 heralds the beginning of the most important holiday in Vietnam. Tet marks the end of the cold and harsh winter in the north and the beginning of spring. Similar to the Western new year, Tet also signifies new beginnings. Hanging Tet paintings around the home remains a key element of traditional Tet decorations, even as society undergoes various changes. Every spring, Tet paintings appear and add to the excitement as the new year approaches. After the day of “ Ong Co...

Phno Don pagoda is also called Gong Lon pagoda or Stork pagoda. It was built in 1677 on the alluvial bank of a big canal in Dai An commune, Tra Cu district, 40 km south of Tra Vinh city.   The pagoda is surrounded by green bamboo groves, several species of evergreen trees, and vast rice fields stretching to the horizon. Flocks of storks come here to shelter. Trinh Van Minh, a resident of Dai An commune, said, “Storks stay in the land surrounding the pagoda, so people call it Stork pagoda. They come here in the rainy months to nest and breed. This is the largest, most famous, and most beautiful pagoda in Tra Vinh province. It attracts many visitors from across Vietnam and even some foreigners. During the New Year holiday the pagoda is very crowded.” Decoration at Phno Don pagoda The Khmer architectural style can be seen in the pagoda gate, the main hall, the monks’ house, the main hall, and the towers that hold the ashes of cremated monks. The external de...

The world’s famous chef Gordon Ramsay has listed many dishes from Vietnam among the best in Asia and globally.   Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay. Photo: Getty Images Ramsay, the owner of many restaurants, a TV star, and a famous cooking show judge, has recently expressed his love for Southeast Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese ones. Specifically, he shared in an interview with a Korean YouTuber that Vietnam and Laos were two of his favorite culinary destinations. When asked, “Where would you say is the No.1 food destination?”, Ramsay picked three names, including two from Southeast Asia: Vietnam and Laos. “Vietnam is an extraordinary melting pot of food. I fell in love, there’s just such a humble approach to eating food,” he exclaimed. He added that “I recently came out of Laos, and going back to the provinces and spending time in the countryside away from the tourist traps, the food was just off the charts.” It prompts a question what is good about Vietn...