Locals look forward to the holiday season, and Hanoi's Old Quarter is a hive of activity as Christmas preparations get underway.

The "Bach Hoa Bo Hanh" or "Parade of Flowers" is a celebration of the Vietnamese national attire, showing young people's love and pride for the nation's cultural heritage.

The goal of the first-ever Vietnam International Piano Competition and Festival is to establish itself as one of the country's most prominent piano contests and cultural events.

"Vietnam Star" is a cooperation program between Vietnam Television and South Korea, creating opportunities for the vocal talents of Vietnam to experience the process of basic training in South Korea to become a star.

Film lovers will not have to pay to watch local blockbuster “Dong Mau Anh Hung” (The Rebel) by Vietnamese American director Charlie Nguyen this Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Saigon International Film School (SIFS) in HCMC’s Binh Thanh District.

Eight select short films about women, made by filmmakers from Hanoi Doclab, will be showing at Hanoi Goethe Institute at 6:30 p.m. on March 23.

Nearly 8 movies and 21 short films on Vietnam will be screened at the Viet Film Fest (VFF), during April 10-13 at the UltraLuxe Cinemas, Anaheim GardenWalk, California, US.

​The famous English singer will perform in the first picnic music festival in Vietnam, to be held at the Phu Tho Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City on April 12.

The first Miss Vietnam International 2014 hosted by Viet Show Entertainment and Future Star has launched its audition rounds in Vietnam as well as many different countries since end-March 2013.

Le Ngoc Anh Kiet, the only Vietnamese violinist of the Berliner Symphoniker Orchestra, is committed to introducing traditional Vietnamese folk songs to German audiences in a unique manner.

Government will grant a project worth A VND165 billion (US$7.85 million) for helping encourage artisans, amateur singers and young people in the northern province of Phu Tho to keep xoan alive.

The Golden Kite Awards ceremony took place at the Friendship Palace in Hanoi on March 15 with the participation of well-known artists.

Hundreds of contestants joined the qualification round of Project Runway at the Grand Palace in HCMC’s Tan Binh District yesterday to seek to become a professional fashion designer.

Doan Thi Hai Linh from Luong Tai district, Bac Ninh province was named winner of the 2014 Kinh Bac beauty pageant at the crowing ceremony on March 12.

The band The Six Tones, including two Vietnamese traditional instrument players Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Ngo Tra My and Swedish guitarist Stefan Ostersjo, will join string players from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in a concert later this month.

Equestrian activities have started to make their way into the middle classes of the largest city in Vietnam.

The annual Francophone Film Festival will be organised in Ha Noi, Hue, Vinh, and HCM City from March 11 to 29.

The fourth International Choir Competition will take place in Hoi An, Quang Nam, from April 29 to May 3, 2015.

The opening of 3D cinemas with free viewings in remote city districts has proved a hit among kids and parents, especially those living in suburban areas.

A French-language film festival will be held at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France from March 12 to 29.

Bong Sen Traditional Song and Dance Theater announced they will host the monthly dance performance “Lotus” starting March 5 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House.

A 24-episode documentary (10 minutes each episode) titled “Vietnam and Thailand: One Heart to Asean Economic Community (AEC)” will be aired every week on HTV4 and VTC9 starting from next month.

The Craig Thomas gallery will offer a three-hour preview of selected works by 10 artists that are headed for an art exhibition in Hong Kong later this month. The preview will be held at the gallery on March 7.