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Le Mat, a village located about seven kilometers from downtown Hanoi, in the present-day Viet Hung Ward of Long Bien District, has gained a reputation for its unique snake farming tradition and mouthwatering snake cuisine. To commemorate this ancient trade, the village hosts an annual festival on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, attracting locals and visitors alike. The village of Le Mat comes alive during its annual festival, with the highlight being the famous Jiaolong or snake dance. This ancient ritual draws visitors from near and far, eager to witness this unique tradition. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times The festival is a celebration of rich cultural heritage, featuring a range of rituals and folk activities. Among these, the Water Offering Ceremony and the Jiaolong or Snake Killing Dance stand out as particularly unique. The latter, one of the ten ancient dances of the imperial capital of Thang Long, showcases the village’s deep-rooted traditions. Accordi...

(Photo: Quest’s World of Wonder) “It’s true what they say: when you first arrive in Vietnam, you understand a lot in just a few minutes. But to truly grasp the essence of this captivating country, you need to immerse yourself in its vibrant reality.” This sentiment, echoed by Richard Quest, perfectly encapsulates his journey through Ho Chi Minh City, inspired by Graham Greene’s Quiet American. According to Quest, Vietnam exudes an irresistible allure that draws tourists from across the globe. The warmth and hospitality of the locals leave a lasting impression on visitors. “It had been two decades since my last visit to Vietnam, and I felt compelled to return and showcase its allure to the world through my show,” Quest shared. (Photo: Quest’s World of Wonder) In Ho Chi Minh City, Quest embarked on a cultural voyage, delving into the local lifestyle and unique traditions. He navigated the bustling streets, indulged in the delights of banh xeo, and even experienc...

Roberto Martinez’s successor has been named, and it’s none other than Rudi Garcia. The Belgian football association has appointed the Frenchman as their new boss, choosing him over competitors like Thierry Henry, Julen Lopetegui, and Mark van Bommel. This announcement came earlier in the day, marking an exciting new chapter for Belgian football. At 60 years old, Garcia brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has previously coached notable clubs like Napoli, Lyon, and Roma, and his task now is to convince Thibaut Courtois to return to the national team. Courtois, who is considered by Garcia as the best goalkeeper in the world, had self-exiled himself due to differences with former coach Domenico Tedesco. Garcia, addressing the media during his unveiling, expressed his confidence in Courtois’ quality and shared his optimism about initial positive signals from the goalkeeper. While Matz Sels and Koen Casteels are capable options, getting Courtois back would be a massive boost for...

As we welcome the Year of the Snake, here are some exciting recommendations to make your celebrations memorable: Indulge in Tet Delights and Floral Splendour at Ba Na Hills The renowned Sun World Ba Na Hills offers a unique Tet experience, combining traditional cuisine and stunning floral displays. At ‘True Taste – Goc Bep Viet’, visitors can savour authentic Tet dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, roasted pork, crispy Vietnamese pancakes, and banh cuon . These delicacies are a tasty showcase of Vietnam’s diverse culinary heritage. From January 25 to May 30, the Ba Na Hills Flower Festival will exhibit millions of vibrant tulips, sunflowers, and roses, creating a sensory escape on Mount Chua. Sun World Ba Na Hills presents a memorable Tet experience with a blend of traditional flavours and breathtaking floral displays. Photo: SGR Explore Vibrant Flower Streets Da Nang has transformed its streets into a floral wonderland with an investment of VND18.6 billion. The Tet fl...

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, known as the Year of the Snake (At Ty), Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi buzzed with excitement as crowds gathered to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and partake in a beloved tradition: calligraphy. A long queue of visitors eagerly waiting at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Photo: Duy Minh/ Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper People from all over Vietnam, along with international tourists, converged at this historic site to seek blessings for a successful, prosperous, and wise year ahead. Many arrived early, eager to explore the ancient architecture and soak in the vibrant energy of Tet, the most significant holiday in Vietnamese culture. Beyond the festive atmosphere, visitors sought the expertise of calligraphers, asking for the word of the year to be inscribed as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. A highlight of the day was the traditional calligraphy display, where skilled “ong do” (calligraphy masters) sh...

Novak Djokovic declined to participate in the customary on-court interview following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday, pending a public apology from Alan Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders, Channel Nine . This came after Jones mocked Djokovic and Serbian fans who had gathered outside the broadcast booth at Melbourne Park, stating that the 24-time Grand Slam champion was “over-rated” and a “has-been.” In a Channel Nine interview on Monday, Jones reflected on the incident, describing his comments as “banter” and expressing his regret over any offense caused. He mentioned that he had immediately offered a private apology to Djokovic’s team once he realized his words had not been taken lightly. “I stand by my apology to Novak,” Jones asserted. “I also want to extend my apologies to the Serbian fans with whom we’ve built a wonderful rapport. I intended my comments as a continuation of our lighthearted banter, but it’s clear that they were not received in th...

In a resignation letter submitted on December 31, 2024, to the Vinh Phuc Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, Huong (born in 2001) brought attention to the fact that she had not received medal bonuses from domestic competitions between 2022 and 2024, nor nutritional support for the year 2024. Huong respectfully yet firmly stated in her letter, “Due to personal and family circumstances, I am requesting a leave of absence from training in canoeing for Vinh Phuc Province, effective January 1, 2025.” Despite the financial setbacks and her expressed desire to step away from training for her hometown, Huong remains dedicated to her sport and continues her training with the national canoeing team in Hai Phong City. Huong is an exceptional athlete and a leading figure in Vietnamese canoeing. Her achievements include a silver medal at the 2024 Asian Canoe Sprint Championships in Japan and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympi...