Martin Rama was the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Vietnam from 2002 to 2010 and is the author of many books about Vietnam and Hanoi in particular. He has developed his great love for Hanoi since he first came here 20 years ago.

 Bai choi, a folk music genre practiced in central Vietnam, has been officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

 A German- style Christmas Market is taking place for the first time ever in Hanoi, bringing the Christmas atmosphere to the city dwellers.

 Revelers will have the opportunity to experience new imaging technology including virtual reality photography on Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

VietNamNet Bridge - Do you have a plan for this upcoming Christmas? Why not come to Ben Thanh Theater to join My Tam, Khoi My, Tia Chop Bac Band and FBand in "The AR Concert – Connecting Art”?

 Born into a family with a rich tradition in music, young pianist Luu Duc Anh, whose elder brother is acclaimed pianist Luu Hong Quang, has won a number of prestigious international music competitions.

 M’nong women in many hamlets in Dak Ndrung commune, Dak Nong province, are engaged in weaving brocade fabric. Their colorful products show off their dexterity and diligence and contribute to preserving M’nong tradition and culture.

 Following are a couple of weekend destinations which might be of your interest. 

 Special programs will be held in the ancient town of Hoi An to welcome the New Year, said the Centre for Culture and Sports of Hoi An City on December 14.

 HCM City’s streets are full of colourful decorations to welcome Christmas and New Year.

Located in Lac Trung street, Hanoi, the robotic coffee shop has attracted a large number of customers these days with a robot serving drinks to the tables.

 Illustrations by famous contemporary painters have given a totally different look to two classics in Vietnamese literature.

 A bestselling novel for teenagers by noted writer Nguyen Nhat Anh has recently been published in Japan by translator Kato Sakae.

Over the past five centuries, locals in the ancient pottery village of Thanh Ha in Hoi An, Quang Nam have kept their traditional method of making pottery - hand made and wheel thrown.

A flower street will be opened on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in Ho Chi Minh City from February 13 – 19 to welcome the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) 2018.

 An exhibition hosted by the Embassy of Indonesia in Vietnam opened at the Umah Indo exhibition house in Hanoi on December 13.

 Chairman of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association Takaoka Terumi has been awarded with the insignia “For Peace, Friendship between Nations” for his dedication to promoting cultural exchange and tourism between Vietnam and Japan. 

'No & Meaning’ – a solo exhibition by visual artist Nguyen Minh Thanh – one of the most important artists of contemporary art in Vietnam today, opened on December 9 and will last until January 8 at Manzi Art Space, 14 Phan Huy Ich, Hanoi.

VietNamNet Bridge - The final exhibition of the “Beyond Structure” Program will take place at 4th floor, Agohub space, 12 Hoa Ma, Hanoi from December 17 to 21.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Two comedians from Australia and the UK will perform in Hanoi and HCM City on December 13-14.