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.

On January 22, Hanoi People`s Committee has issued the Plan on the organization of activities for 85th celebration of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3rd, 1930- 2015).

Enhancing cultural exchanges between Vietnamese and foreigners is one of several activities to be implemented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Minister Ho Anh Tuan has told Vietnam News.

An Antraxit coal monolith currently displayed at the Museum of northern Quang Ninh province has been recognised by the Vietnam Book of Records (Vietkings) as the largest of its kind in Vietnam.

An international conference discussing policies which incorporate sustainable development in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention took place in the northern province of Ninh Binh on January 22.

KTĐT - UNESCO recognized the Trang An Landscape Complex as the first mixed natural and cultural heritage in Vietnam in 2014. The certificate receiving ceremony for the declaration as a heritage site will take place at 8p.m on January 23rd at Bai Dinh pagoda, Gia Vien district in the northern province of Ninh Binh.

Over 9,000 people visited the six-day exhibition on historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, which was held in the central coastal of Binh Thuan from January 16-21.

A series of cultural activities have been taking place in Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus, during the Vietnam Days, which runs from January 18-30.

From January 22nd to 24th, the northern province of Ninh Binh is organizing diverse activities in Ninh Binh city, Gia Vien and Hoa Lu districts to honour the Trang An landscape complex.

Circus artists brought home awards from the 32nd Golden Circus Festival Du Roma Capital, which took place in Rome, Italy from December 21 to January 14.

More than 300 artifacts dating from over a thousand years ago are on display in the provincial museum of the northern province of Ninh Binh from January 20-24.

Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, with their centuries old cultural values and techniques passed down from generation to generation, have become increasingly popular with tourists.

In a major new development, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology will be opening a new museum in Hanoi embracing 32 hectares of nature for visitors to enjoy a unique outdoor experience.

Singer My Tam will be the sole Vietnam representative to perform with guitarist Oshio Kotaro at ‘Dreaming together in Osaka’ this upcoming April.

KTĐT - On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Cyprus (1975-2015), the Embassy of Vietnam in the Republic of Italy and Republic of Cyprus organizes the Vietnam Cultural Week in the Republic of Cyprus on January 18th – 30th.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hanoi will organize the Spring Festival to welcome the lunar new year 2015 from February 4-10 (the 16th to 22nd day of the last lunar month) at Quan Ngua Sports Palace.

A photo exhibition featuring 65 years of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties opened in Hanoi on January 19.

The Government of India has allocated 2.5 million USD to assist Vietnam in restoring and preserving the My Son Sanctuary world cultural heritage site in the central province of Quang Nam, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

For the first time in reality TV contest Vietnam`s Next Top Model, judges have announced two winners, 18-year-old Nguyen Oanh (female) from northern Quang Ninh province and 22-year old Quang Hung (male) from the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

More than 30 tuong (classical drama) actors from Dao Tan Theatre in the central Binh Dinh Province will tour HCM City during Tet to propagate their traditional art form.

Bai choi is a unique Vietnamese game combining folklore and a competition. Conservation of the performance art game is crucial to keeping the country`s history alive, attendees of a two-day conference wrapped-up in central Binh Dinh Province on Jan 14, said.