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The highly anticipated 2025 Spring Calligraphy Festival is set to commence on January 23 at the idyllic Ho Van (Literature Lake). This serene location, nestled within a national special heritage site in Hanoi’s Dong Da District, provides a perfect backdrop for the festival, as shared by Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam). An international guest at the 2025 Spring Calligraphy Festival. Photo: Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam According to Kieu, this year’s festival boasts two prominent highlights. Firstly, the meticulous restoration of the Van Lake area, now presenting a contemporary and inviting space for visitors. Secondly, a diverse range of engaging events scheduled throughout the festival, promising to captivate attendees. The festival will be open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, featuring 47 accomplished calligraphers who will showcase their e...

The ‘Thach Ong Xa’ or laterite snakes lacquerware collection is a stunning display of craftsmanship by artisan Nguyen Tan Phat. Hailing from the ancient village of Duong Lam in Son Tay Town, on the outskirts of Hanoi, Phat’s talent shines through in this exquisite range. The collection boasts 45 intricately designed snake statues, each a masterpiece in its own right. Reflecting Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage, these statues are a true work of art. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times Crafted from locally sourced materials, such as jackfruit wood and laterite, these statues seamlessly blend natural elegance with traditional craftsmanship. Jackfruit wood, a common find in Vietnam’s rural areas, is skillfully transformed into unique snake figures and then lacquered to enhance its beauty and longevity. Each statue is a labor of love, with the creation process being a meticulous one. It takes several days to complete each piece. ...

Thanh Hoa FC, known as Dong A Thanh Hoa, is a Vietnamese professional football club competing in the V.League 1, the country’s premier football league. On Wednesday evening, the club visited BG Pathum United’s BG Stadium in Pathum Thani Province, central Thailand, for their third group-stage match in the 2024-25 ASEAN Club Championship. During the match, a corner kick in the 70th minute led to a scoring opportunity for Thanh Hoa FC. BG Pathum United’s defense failed to clear the ball from the penalty area, allowing Doan Ngoc Tan, a recent winner of the 2024 ASEAN Championship with Vietnam, to strike with the outside of his right foot and find the back of the net. It was a beautiful goal, and the first of the game. However, BG Pathum United showed their resilience. After conceding the unexpected goal, they intensified their attack and were rewarded in the 87th minute when Sanchai Nontasila equalized, making it 1-1. The match then opened up, with both teams adopting a more attacking st...

A vibrant, new 10-hectare park stretches along the Saigon River, from Ba Son Bridge to Thu Thiem Bridge, and is set to become an iconic landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This dynamic urban green space, aptly named Creative Park, was inaugurated just a year after the successful launch of the Saigon Riverside Park, adding to the city’s vibrant landscape. Creative Park boasts a 30-meter-long graffiti wall, a vibrant display of the city’s youthful energy and creativity. Luu Van Tan, director of the Technical Infrastructure Management Center, highlighted this unique feature, celebrating the new generation’s dynamism and artistic expression. The park’s opening holds a special significance as it pays homage to the country’s rich history and development, with the ceremony taking place in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of national reunification. This event was a heartfelt tribute to Vietnam’s journey, with representatives cutting the ribbon to officially open this urban oasis. Offi...