(VOVWORLD) - Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, has two of the four most important sites in the Buddha’s life – Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, and Kushinagar, where he entered nirvana. In this week’s Cultural Rendezvous, we’ll explore Uttar Pradesh and its popular Buddhist destinations through a report by Bao Tram.

(VOVWORLD) - Talking about Scotland, most people think of men in skirts playing bagpipes which became a symbol of Scottish identity during the Celtic Revival. But like many traditional crafts, bagpipe making faces extinction as Scotland struggles with declining demand for the handmade instrument due to competition from machine-made versions. This week Cultural Rendezvous takes a look at Scottish bagpipes with a group of Vietnamese students who recently visited Edinburgh.

(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!