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At the ‘Nha Nhieu La’ house, a unique initiative saw the collection of hand-me-down clothing, which was then distributed to ‘zero-dong stores’ for those in need. This innovative project, a clothing swap with a twist, allowed people to exchange their pre-loved garments for something a little more… green. Yes, you guessed it – plants! A university student, thrilled to be part of this eco-friendly exchange. Photo: Bao Tran Meet Thanh Xuan, a 40-year-old local from District 5, who has participated in this clothing-for-plants swap not once, not twice, but three times! “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that my old clothes will find new life with someone who truly needs them,” she shared. Xuan’s passion for the environment and belief in reducing waste shine through as she enthusiastically takes part in these activities, ensuring her pre-loved items stay out of landfills. And the plant options? Succulents! Participants, like Nguyen Thi Man, a sophomore at the Ho Chi Minh City U...

In a historic move, renowned Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a significant shift for the organization. Coventry, already an iconic figure in Olympic circles, prevailed over other candidates in a single round of voting, securing 49 out of 97 votes. With a beaming smile, Coventry expressed her gratitude and the significance of this moment, stating, “It’s a really powerful signal… It’s a signal that we’re truly global, and that we have evolved into an organization that is truly open to diversity, and we’re going to continue.” The election of Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medalist, signifies more than just a change in leadership. It represents a new era for the IOC, with her victory serving as a testament to the organization’s commitment to inclusivity and evolution. Coventry’s background as a successful athlete and her subsequent involvement in the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission in 2012 bring a u...

The highly anticipated annual sporting event is back and bigger than ever, with an exciting line-up of races and a record-breaking number of international participants. This year, the competition will offer a range of distances to cater to runners of all levels, including a full marathon (42km), a half marathon (21km), and a 5km race. There will also be two fun-filled Ronny Dash events for children, with distances of 500m and 1.5km. With an expected attendance of over 7,000 athletes, the energy and enthusiasm are sure to be electric. What’s even more remarkable is the significant increase in international participation. Approximately 3,000 runners from 72 countries and territories are set to join, marking a 42-percent surge from 2024. This impressive statistic accounts for 41 percent of the total participants, setting a new record and highlighting Da Nang’s growing reputation as a world-class sports and tourism hub. The marathon will feature an elite field of athletes, including ren...

THE HANOI TIMES — With the looming rise in transaction fees on e-commerce platforms, regulators are facing calls to act and ensure the sustainable development of online markets, sellers, and buyers. A snapshot of the Shopee platform. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times Shopee has revealed that from April 1, they will be increasing fees from 0.5% to 6% across various categories, with some even reaching 10%. Similarly, TikTok Shop will be raising its commission fees. Regular sellers will see an increase from an average of 3% to 4%, while those in the Shop Mall segment will face a rise from the current maximum of 4.54% – 5.78% to a new rate of 6.05% – 7.7%. On top of these fixed fee hikes, platforms are also reducing incentives and tightening support policies, further adding to the financial burden on sellers. According to a report by Metric, a research firm, the combined revenue of Vietnam’s top five e-commerce platforms (Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Tiki, and Sendo) grew by 37% y...

We are pleased to inform you that in celebration of our establishment on March 23, 1864, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is organizing a series of events to express our gratitude to the residents of the southern metropolis and the tourists who have supported us. In addition to offering free entry passes for people with March birthdays, we will also be giving away key rings with our logo to visitors on March 23 and 24. Furthermore, individuals who were born on March 23 will receive an additional special gift. Established in 1864, the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in the world. Our zoo is home to a diverse range of animals, with over 2,000 animals representing 135 different species. Among the rare species found in our zoo are the crested argus, red-shanked douc, yellow-cheeked gibbon, Indian hog deer, and Asian golden cats. In addition to our animal collection, we also boast a stunning collection of over 2,500 plant species. In recent years, our z...

Nguyen Hoang Duong and his family often spend their weekends in Soc Son District, a suburb of Hanoi. They enjoy cycling on the scenic forest roads and taking in the mountain landscape, while Duong indulges in his favorite sport, golf. Duong believes that Hanoi has immense potential for sports tourism, with its picturesque mountainous regions, abundant rivers and lakes, and charming heritage streets in the city center. However, this potential remains largely untapped. Unlocking the potential for sports tourism Soc Son District, located on the outskirts of Hanoi, is known for its diverse terrain and captivating scenery, making it an ideal location for activities like cycling, jogging, and climbing. Recently, several roads have been constructed specifically for mountain biking, jogging, and races. These include routes such as Dong Quan Lake-Keo Ca Lake-Thanh Giong Monument (11 km long), Soc Temple-Saint Giong Monument (5 km long), and Dong Quan Lake-Soc Temple (8 km long). ...

The event witnesses the presence of representatives from the organising board of the SEA Games 32, the Embassy of Cambodia in Vietnam, and the General Sports Administration of Vietnam. The torch relay starts at the headquarters of the Cambodian Embassy and then passes through different main streets throughout Hanoi before returning to the embassy. Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and Special Envoy of the Cambodian SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games Organising Committees Hor Sarun holds the torch as it parades through the streets. Dang Ha Viet, general director of the General Sports Administration of Vietnam, carries the torch before passing it to Nguyen Thi Huyen, Southeast Asian’s best 400m runner. Huyen takes part alongside outstanding individuals of Vietnamese sports and guests, in addition to 300 athletes and sports students who carry the SEA Games torch throughout the capital. The torch is 75cm tall and one kg in weigh...

The highlight is an experimental play on money and love adapted from Honoré de Balzac’s novel Eugénie Grandet. The Vietnamese play adapted from Eugénie Grandet was written by female director Viet Linh, who is talented and well-known in both theatre and movies. Linh worked with her younger colleague, theatre director Tay Phong on the play script. The play is about a wealthy but miserly Felix Grandet whose deeds lead to tragedy for his daughter Eugénie and himself. “I believe Vietnamese versions of French theatrical plays will offer something new and interesting for audiences, particularly the youth,” said director Phong in an interview with local media. “Balzac released Eugénie Grandet in 1839 but it has modern content. The play’s message is about the hypocrisy and shallowness of wealthy people and how money controls their lives.” Phong has worked with theatre designers to perfect his production with costumes, choreography, music, lighting and visual e...

This year’s leaf market was hosted by the People’s Committee, the Women’s Union, and the Youth Union in Phu Binh Ward, Long Khanh City, Dong Nai Province and featured 23 booths selling 33 kinds of food, drinks, and goods. Visitors to the marketplace were given three leaves each which they could exchange for products. By the end of the day, most booths had sold out of their products, leaving only happy vendors with handfuls of leaves. Local authorities sample products at the Leaf Market in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam  for food safety testing. Photo: A.Loc / Tuoi Tre “The market was interesting and special because it was so unique. Dishes were free but clean and tasty,” said local resident Tran Thi Thong Nhat. “I hope similar markets will be held in the future.” The vendors who participated in the market did so simply because they enjoyed sharing their food and drinks with others.   “I brought 600 servings of banh troi nu...

The show with the theme “Dating with a Kiss” is set to be organised in Sunset Town, a resort entertainment complex developed by Sun Group. This is the fifth time the group has worked with director Long Kan, the show’s producer, to introduce admirable fashion shows which also helps promote Vietnam’s tourism. A collection with a futuristic style by designer Chung Thanh Phong named “Kiss the Stars” will be staged at the show with multimedia technologies, amidst the majestic sea and sky, the combination of fire, water, light, laser, and music. On the second night of Fashion Voyage #5, the show stage is the Kiss Bridge – an architectural masterpiece, a symbol of the Vietnamese-Italian cultural interference. Dong Thi Ngoc Anh, deputy general director of Sun Group, said that after the Fashion Voyage, it is expected that many artists will come to Sunset Town in particular, and Phu Quoc in general, to seek inspiration and bring here special events, festivals, art programmes to spread t...

Photo: Vietnam.Vnanet.vn Currently, Hanoi Horse Riding Club is a very methodical and professional horse-riding school. This place is attracting many horse enthusiasts to participate and practice on a daily basis. Nguyen Thi Hoa Hop, chairwoman of the Hanoi Horse Riding Club, said that she knew about horseback riding many years ago. In 2011, she and her husband opened a horse riding club both to relax and to serve foreign guests. At first, most of the visitors to the club were foreigners, but after a period of operation, this sport became known to many Vietnamese people. Photo: Vietnam.Vnanet.vn Hanoi Horse Riding Club is currently offering two types of services, one is horse rental for riding and the other is a meeting place for members who own their own horses. The club currently has about thirty horses of different breeds, most of which are imported from Europe. The food of these horses must also be imported. If these horses eat normal grass or bran for a whi...

Renato Darsie (R), Chairman of the Italy – Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in Veneto, presents the right to use the Vietnamese cultural centre to a representative of Vietnamese students in May 2022. Photo: VNA With multiple-year experiences, the Italy – Vietnam friendship sub-associations in regions of the European country can make practical contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries by providing information on Vietnam to Italian people and businesses, said Renato Darsie, Chairman of the Italy – Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in the Veneto region, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. He described the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship (March 23, 1973 – 2023) as an important milestone marking the growing friendship and political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. Bilateral relations over the last 50 years are those of solidarity and friendship across the board as seen in the Italian peo...