(VOVworld) - Visitors to Hoi An not only have the chance to explore the ancient town but can also listen to folk music typical of the central province of Quang Nam. On a trip to Hoi An, John Haward, the owner of a Dutch tourist company, said that it’s very interesting going to folk music concerts in Hoi An, whether they are free or not. The uniqueness of the shows lies in their simplicity, as each street corner can become a stage. Lan Anh reports…

(VOVworld) - Saint Giong, one of Vietnam’s four immortals, was proclaimed as Phu Dong Thien Vuong or The Heaven Sent King of Phu Dong Village by one of the Hung Kings, who then ordered people to build a temple to worship him in his hometown. Although the Giong Festival is celebrated across Vietnam to commemorate a national hero, the Phu Dong village festival is second to none. The festival celebrates the Vietnamese people’s determination to repel all invaders while expressing their hope for peace and propserity.

(VOVworld) - Hanoi residents were treated to colorful performances and exhibitions last week featuring the cultures of northwestern Vietnam. Entitled "The Colors of the Northwestern Region", the show included a wide range of activities such as cultural and artistic exchanges, fashion shows and traditional folk games of people from Son La, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai province. Lan Anh reports….

(VOVworld)-The city of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, has a history of more than two thousand years. It is a city steeped in tradition, culture, and art, which is home to two globally recognized cultural heritages: the Hue Imperial City complex and Royal Court Music. VOV reporter Vinh Phong spotlights the city’s efforts to preserve its heritages.

(VOVworld)-The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the list of nominations for the 4th Ho Chi Minh awards and the State awards for Literature and the Arts. Writer Ma Van Khang, who is famed for his many novels including “Summer Rain”, “The season of fallen leaves”, and “Alone in life”, was among the list, thanks to his significant contribution to the country’s literature.

(VOVworld)-Stories about the daily lives and unique culture of the Dao ethnic group of Nậm Búng commune in the northern province of Yen Bai are being recorded through thousands of images as part of the PhotoVoice project. Conducted by the Institute for Studies of Society Economy and Environment (ISEE), the project aims to help farmers and ethnic people throughout Vietnam use digital storytelling methods to represent themselves and help others see the world through their eyes.

(VOVworld)-The long dress or ao dai is a tight-fitting silk tunic worn over pantaloons. Although there has never been an official document designating the “ao dai” as the national dress of Vietnamese women, the tunic is worn by Vietnamese women for any important or formal occasion such as a national holiday or a traditional festival. The beautiful tunic has always been a source of pride for Vietnamese.

(VOVworld) Kho Mu ethic people hold rituals to pray for rain before the crop season begins with seeds being sown on field. They pray for ancestors and genies’ support for a bumper crop. The rituals reflect Kho Mu ethnic people’s belief in the nature’s soul. Lan Anh gives you an insight into Kho Mu’s ritual to pray for rain in Dien Bien.

(VOVworld) Vietnam aims to harmoniously resolve the relations between economic development and cultural preservation. Vietnamese cultural authorities and activists have tried to preserve and developed the value of thousands of historical and cultural relics in the country.

(VOVworld) The Hung Kings Temple Festival has been held annually to commemorate the 18 Hung Kings who founded the country. The anniversary of the death of the Hung Kings, which falls on the 10 th of the third lunar month, has become a national celebration and holiday. Vietnam is completing a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition of the “Hung Kings Veneration Ritual” as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.