A grand ceremony heralded the National Tourism Year 2018 and the Carnaval Ha Long programme in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on April 28, with the presence of several Party, National Assembly and Government leaders. 

 A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events that will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc beat a drum to kick off the Trang An Festival 2018 in the Trang An Landscape Complex, the northern province of Ninh Binh, on April 29.

 The annual Sa Pa Summer Tourism Festival 2018, the third of its kind, kicked off at Sa Pa resort town, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on April 28. 

Phu Tho province is Vietnam’s place of origin, where many cultural heritages associated with the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the Vietnamese nation, are preserved. 

 The Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the western ouskirts of Hà Nội recently hosted Thanks Gods ritual of Cơ Tu ethnic minority group from A Lưới District, central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế.

A sacred ceremony that is organised every five years in Hanoi’s Xuan Dinh village is dedicated to a local woman who brought prosperity to the locality in the 17th century.

 The glorious moment in the history of the fight for liberation and independence, the people’s steadfast struggle in the south, and the contributions to the victory from localities nationwide, are vividly reflected at an exhibition opened in Hà Nội.

 Da Nang officially launched the summer holiday at Mỹ Khê Beach with series of cultural and entertainment activities during the May Day vacation as well as the 7th Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Competition.

 The lacquer painting Thác Bờ (Bờ Waterfall) by Nguyễn Huyến (1915 –94), will be auctioned on April 29 in Hà Nội. The starting price is US$120,000.

 A special art performance together with a firework display opened the Hue Festival 2018 at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) Square in Hue imperial city on April 27 night. 

 The Mon Asian Food Festival – MAFF 2018 opened in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on April 27.

 The Vietnamese film ‘Cha Cong Con’ by director Luong Dinh Dung was named Best Asian Film at the 36th Fajr International Film Festival, held in Tehran on April 27.

 The 2-km Nguyen Trai Street in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City has been named Fashion Street which accommodates more than 200 fashion boutiques selling all kinds of items, from clothing, footwear, bags to hats and sunglasses.

A kaleidoscope of art and cultural activities featuring traditional and royal values will be nudged closer to domestic and international visitors to the Hue Festival 2018.

 The “Europe Days 2018” programme will take place at Ly Thai To Square by Hoan Kiem Lake, downtown Hanoi from May 4-6, said Ambassador Bruno Angelet.

 The northern province of Quang Ninh’s Ha Long city was treated to a splendid parade on April 26 held as part of the spectacular Carnival Ha Long 2018.

 There are many exciting festivals being held over the upcoming national holidays (Liberation Day and May Day), here are just a few you should not miss the chance to see.

The Dam boat racing festival which is held every five years has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

 The heaven worship ritual of Dai Co Viet, the first centralised feudal state of Vietnam, was re-enacted at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province on April 25.