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.

Children’s art workshops offer a dynamic cultural experience, introducing young participants to the vibrant world of contemporary Vietnamese art.

Film screenings will begin nationwide to celebrate the 70th anniversary of August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

Vietnamese star swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien won a silver medal at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Cup 2015 in Moscow, Russia, in the women’s 400m medley individual event on August 12.

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held a ceremony to inaugurate and put into use its information centre in Hanoi on August 11.

It is necessary for Vietnam and the US to enhance cooperation in culture, sports and tourism, specifically through art performances, concerts and exhibitions to increase mutual understanding and people-to-people exchanges.

An international conference gathering more than 100 Vietnamese and foreign scholars confirmed once again the glorious life and literary work of great poet Nguyen Du (18th century), who richly deserved to be considered as a cultural symbol of the country.

A ceremony to kick off the first international Vietnamese traditional martial arts championship – Thang Long Cup, was held at the My Dinh Indoor Athletics Gymnasium in Hanoi on August 9.

The Vietnamese Cultural Days in the US kicked off in Washington D.C. on August 8 to mark the 20th founding anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic ties (1995-2015).

Ministry of Information and Communications and Vietnam Corporation of Postal (VietnamPost) held a ceremony to launch the official stamp to welcome the ASEAN Community in Hanoi on August 7.

Forty outstanding fashion designs featuring Vietnam and New Zealand’s common identity were unveiled in Ho Chi Minh City on August 6, part of the first fashion collaboration project between the two countries.

A concert featuring famous works of 20th century Russian composers Aram Khachaturian and Sergei Prokofiev will be held by the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) on August 9.

Korean and Vietnamese performers begin their tour of the northern and central regions on August 6.

A number of artefacts have been discovered in the southern area of the Ho Dynasty Citadel’s Trench in the central province of Thanh Hoa, revealing the original structure and unique values of the Citadel.

Don ca tai tu – southern folk music - was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013. Since then, Ho Chi Minh City has been organizing activities to preserve and promote this art form.

Some 20 ancient carved sandstone slabs were recently discovered scattered in fields and around villages of Tang Ghenh, Hu Tru Lin and Hong Nhi Pa in Lao Chai commune, Mu Cang Chai district, the northern province of Yen Bai.

Vietnamese pianist Luu Hong Quang won the second prize at the third Euregio Piano Awards in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

The Saigon Chamber Music`s second season, a week-long summer music festival and intensive training course for young musicians, will take place from August 1 to 9 at the HCM City Conservatory of Music.

The information was heard by Director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism To Van Dong at a press conference in Hanoi on July 28.

Five members of the Vietnam Harmonica Orchestra will set off for the Seoul International Harmonica Festival in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on July 29.

According to the Performing Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the 2015 ASEAN traditional music festival, the first of its kind in Vietnam, will be held in the central province of Thanh Hoa from August 1-6.

Dominating the match with skills, a perfect performance and world-level power, the English Premier League runners-up Manchester City soared to an 8-1 win over Vietnam in a friendly match at Hanoi`s National My Dinh Stadium on July 27.