The special ambience of Christmas has spread throughout Hanoi. In many corners of the capital, from churches to shops, everywhere is decorated with colorful lights, Santa Clauses, reindeers, and snow houses. Everyone is looking forward to a warm Christmas. Bui Hang reports on preparations for Christmas in Hanoi.

(VOVworld) - A special exhibit, entitled “Vietnam Insight: Vietnam in the early 20th century through photos of the French School of the Far East (EFEO) has opened in Hanoi. The exhibit consists of 60 photos depicting people’s everyday life, anniversaries, folk festivals, and religious rituals in the last century. Thu Duyen and Vinh Phong report:

(VOVworld) - The first Hanoi Old Book Festival 2014 took place in late November, attracting a great number of book lovers. The event is of great significance as it has encouraged the reading culture among Vietnamese people while introducing book lovers to famous time-honored books.

(VOVworld) - An exhibition titled “Yem - The beauty of Vietnamese costume” opens at Dong Lac temple at 38 Hang Dao street, Hanoi. The exhibition treasures the value of Yem, a special item and part of the traditional costume of Vietnamese women in the northern region, and silk weaving craft.

(VOVworld) – The “ASEAN great unity days, one vision, one identity, one community” will take place at the Vietnam National Village of Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi from November 21 to 23.

(VOVworld) –Vegetarian eating according to Buddhist beliefs is a way to show respect to and treasure life. But to Hue citizens, it’s a good way to stay healthy. Vegetarian restaurants in the city are also a meeting place of Buddhist followers. Le Hieu reports:

(VOVworld) – These days, Khmer people in Tra Vinh province are jubilantly celebrating the Ok Om Bok festival, one of their 3 biggest festivals of the year. In Cau Ngang district’s Ba So village, people are busy producing green flat rice flakes in preparation for the festival. VOV’s Sa Oanh reports….

(VOVworld) – Being called “the Ambassadors of Hanoi”, Hanoikids’ members, most of whom students, are loved by international visitors to Hanoi. With the motto “No tips, no charge”, Hanoikids club has guided more than 7000 tours for international visitors to explore Hanoi over the past 8 years. VOV’s Bui Hang reports….

(VOVworld) – Anyone who visits the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is moved by the President’s rubber sandals made from old tires. The simple sandals and clothing symbolize his modesty. Such sandals were used by Vietnamese soldiers during Vietnam’s two national resistance wars. Most are now on display in museums but artisan Pham Quang Xuan is able to reproduce them.

(VOVworld)- On September 9, 1969, thousands of people in Vietnam could not hold back their tears at President Ho Chi Minh’s state funeral in Ba Dinh square in Hanoi. At such a historic moment, Japanese cameraman Misao Ishigaki, representing the Nihon Denpa News of Japan in Vietnam, recorded those precious 10 minutes of Vietnamese people in color motion picture film. Last September, the cameraman returned to Vietnam, visited Ba Dinh square and recalled his memories of that day 45 years ago.