(VOVWORLD) - Cheese is everywhere in Western cuisine. In the UK, cheese has even inspired a race that calls for daring, not to say recklessness. Today, we’ll talk about a Cooper’s Hill tradition that many people love – cheese rolling.

(VOVWORLD) - The International Food Festival that ended at weekend in Hanoi provided a taste of the culinary diversity of participating countries and offered attendees an opportunity to experience the rich cultural traditions through food. The dishes stood out due to their emphasis on regional specialties, cultural significance, diverse offerings, interactive experiences, and the incorporation of local ingredients. These factors contributed to a unique culinary experience that celebrated both Vietnamese cuisine and global culinary diversity.

(VOVWORLD) - In many countries parents prepare lunch boxes for their children to bring to school, but Japanese mothers have reached a new level. Children open their lunchbox to reveal an artful scene.

(VOVWORLD) - Varanasi of India, one of the world's oldest cities, is a popular tourist destination rich in cultural heritage. The millions of people who come here each year to explore the city’s history, tourist sites, and seek spiritual refuge in the Ganges River. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges at least once in their lifetime is a spiritual imperative that can wash away their sins and negative karma. We talked with Saurabh Dixit, often called Bitu, at the local U.P. tourism office about life on the banks of the Ganges.

(VOVWORLD) - Imagine the sound of crispy fried chicken being torn apart, followed by the refreshing clink of beer glasses. This mouthwatering scene is part of Korean life. It celebrates flavors, friendships, and tradition, and it’s called Chimaek culture.

(VOVWORLD) - Loy Krathong, a traditional floating lantern festival of Thailand, has gracefully evolved over the years, embracing modern adaptations while still maintaining its deep cultural significance. The festival's enchanting beauty of floating lanterns on water and its vibrant festivities continue to attract both locals and visitors.

(VOVWORLD) - Peru is a south American country whose music draws on Peruvian, Spanish, and African roots. A concert was performed in Hanoi recently by a young Peruvian singer named Lenin Tamayo, who has been called the founder of Quechua pop.

(VOVWORLD) - It’s often said that a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. In Germany, they give children not just a spoon, but a huge cone-shaped bag full of sugary treats to brighten up their first day at school. Let’s discover the tradition of school cones in Germany with Juergen Schneider, a Bavarian local, in VOV’s Cultural Rendezvous!

(VOVWORLD) - Scandinavian Noir or Nordic Noir is a powerful subgenre of crime fiction, rooted in the rich literary traditions of northern Europe. In this week’s Cultural Rendezvous, we’ll talk to writer Karin Smirnoff, who is considered a representative of the Swedish contemporary literature, about Nordic Noir. Smirnoff is the author of several books in the best-selling and award-winning Millennium series, originally created by Stieg Larsson, a big name in Swedish crime fiction.

(VOVWORLD) - A seminar on Swedish literature took place in Hanoi on Wednesday as part of activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Sweden diplomatic ties, just ahead of the announcement of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.