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.

Australia`s team, Howard and Sons, won the 2015 Danang International Fireworks Competition for its fireworks and musical performance at the festival called, "The Symphony of Colours."

This week, Vietnamese will enjoy a six-day national holiday from April 28 to May 3.

A delegation of 70 Vietnamese expatriates from over 20 countries and territories worldwide were present at the temple of the Hung Kings in northern Phu Tho province on April 27 to commemorate the legendary nation founders.

The South African team, newcomers to the 2015 Da Nang International Fireworks Competition, will perform the curtain-raiser on April 28, said the organising committee at a media briefing on April 24.

On April 23, Hanoi held ceremonies to receive certificates recognising the two ancient Buddhist pagodas in the west of the city - Tay Phuong and Thay, as special national relic sites.

KTĐT - Nearly 150 photos, documents and objects highlighting instances of international support for Vietnam during its revolutionary wars during 1954-1975 will be displayed at an exhibition in Hanoi. 

Thach Ban ward in Long Bien district, Hanoi city received special certification recognising its traditional local tug of war custom as a piece of national intangible cultural heritage on April 21.

A film month screening works on war and revolutionary topics will be arranged nationwide from April 20, as part of activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975- 2015).

A hot air balloon festival will take place at an urban township development Ecopark in Hanoi from April 30- May 2 during the National Reunification Day and May Day holidays.

An arts programme on legend of monetary road was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 17 to honour the Vietnamese banking sector for its great contributions to the development of the country.

The Vietnam’s largest book festival celebrating the 2nd annual Vietnam Book Day kicked off at Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi on April 17.

The National Assembly House design by German company gmp International GmbH has just won the Grand Prize 2014 of the Viet Nam Architects` Association.

As many as 10,000 books and documents featuring the national struggle against the US and the 1975 Spring Offensive will be on display at the General Science Library of Ho Chi Minh City from April 27 to May 1.

A scientific workshop on the roles of the general headquarters of the 1975 Spring Offensive was held in Hanoi on April 14 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification.

Ministry of Information and Communications in coordination with the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution, and several publishing houses nationwide will organize the "Day of Vietnamese Book" on April 17 in Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi.

The National Organizing Committee for Commemoration of Major Anniversaries held an international press conference in HCM City on April 13 to announce the programs for marking the 40th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2015).

The relationship between the northern capital city of Hanoi, central Thua Thien-Hue province and southern Ho Chi Minh City was spotlighted at a programme, broadcast live over the three local television channels on April 11.

Outstanding pieces of art painted by renowned Vietnamese and Norwegian artists are being displayed in Norway’s Baerum city.

A Vietnam Spring Press Festival 2015 opened at a ceremony in Vientiane, Laos on April 10 on the occasion of the Lao traditional New Year Festival Bun Pi May.

Five Vietnamese artists in printed painting will meet their seven Belgian counterparts at an art exhibition scheduled to take place in Hanoi from April 10-20. This year, the exhibition will be held at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi.