(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.

(VOVWORLD) - India is famous for its culture and traditions, like its lovely traditional way of welcoming guests. Welcoming a guest is an expression of a person's cultural sensitivities and worldview. Each culture has its own way of welcoming a guest. In Indian tradition, guests are garlanded, and a red dot is applied to their forehead as a mark of honor and respect.

(VOVWORLD) - If you love chocolate and picturesque mountains, you’ve probably thought of Switzerland. This small country, located in central Europe, is one of the world’s wealthiest. There is not a single official language in Switzerland. People speak one of several languages, including Swiss, German, French, and Italian. The Swiss education system is known for being among the best in the world, so Switzerland is also a very attractive destination for students around the globe. The guest for our show today is Kalie Bui, who has studied in Bern, Switzerland for more than six years. Kalie will share some interesting things about Switzerland, especially for students preparing to study in there.

(VOVWORLD) - The Japanese Tea Ceremony, also known as the Way of Tea, is a traditional ritual centered around preparing and presenting matcha, a powdered green tea.

(VOVWORLD) - Persian calligraphy is one of the most revered arts throughout Persian history and is an example of fine Persian culture. We had a quick talk to Javad Baskhi, First Secretary of the Iranian Embassy in Hanoi, at the ongoing Iranian arts exhibit "Colors and patterns: the road to Iranian arts" about the traditional arts of Iran.

(VOVWORLD) - Tuscany is known for its rich art heritage and countryside landscapes, but the region’s traditional cuisine is equally impressive. Under no false pretense, Tuscan cuisine leaves people wanting for more purely because of the simple, yet top-notch ingredients. Chef Nico Ceccomoro, owner of two Italian restaurants Cugini and SanZio Deli in Hanoi, will take you through the culinary journey of Tuscany in VOV’s Cultural Rendezvous today.