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.

Vietnamese handicraft producers are showcasing their products at the Import Shop Berlin, o­ne of the biggest sale exhibitions in the Europe.

The Hanoitimes -  An exhibition featuring Vietnam ’s border, sea and island sovereignty is taking place in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son from July 30 – August 10.

Opportunities to study in France will be introduced at separate exhibitions in Hanoi, HCM City and Danang in August.Vietnamese students who are studying in France will exchange information with prospective candidates and those who are interested in studying in France.

Vietnamese cinema has taken a giant step forward over the past decade and local audiences are starting to return to the silver screen, according to participants at a workshop reviewing the advance of domestic film makers.

Vietnamese circus artists returned from the second Indochina Circus Talent Competition with eight prizes, including o­ne top prize.

An exhibition of works made of rattan and bamboo is o­n at the Vietnam Culture and Arts Exhibition Center at 2 Hoa Lu Street, Hanoi.

The Muong Land exhibition featuring contemporary artworks that explore the culture of the Muong ethinic group will be open to the public from Sept. 30 at the Muong Cultural Museum in the northern province of Hoa Binh.

Song Lam Nghe An won the national football championship V-League after a 1-1 draw with Hanoi T&T o­n home turf at Vinh Stadium o­n Aug. 21.

As Ho Chi Minh City has established a dominating status in Vietnam’s entertainment industry, the rise of Hanoi as a new hub for high-end showbiz activities has drummed up interest.

Local publishing house Tri Viet – First News has said it will sue copyright violators for publishing pirated Dale Carnegie Vietnamese versions en-masse.

The Hanoitimes - Idecaf lines up a moviefest with French, German and Vietnamese films being shown throughout July.

More than 800 domestic and foreign businesses will take part in the International Exhibition of Construction, Building Materials, Housing and Interior Decor (Vietbuild), in Ho Chi Minh City o­n July 2-6.

The Hanoitmes - French band Merzhin will rock the capital city's Youth Theatre o­n June 20.

Vietnam ’s “Buc Tuong” (The Wall) rock band has won the audience’s applause at a rock festival during the ASEAN Youth Cultural Exchange Festival 2011 (AYCEF 2011) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

All 63 cities and provinces across the country will set off fireworks at 0-0.15 am o­n Feb. 3 (the first day of the New Year o­n lunar calendar).