To make Quoc Oai District a magnet for visitors, the local government planned to improve service quality and work with travel agencies to include its destinations in tour itineraries.

From sunrise workouts in bustling parks to cleaner meals on family tables, Vietnam is quietly embracing a lifestyle centred on health and wellness.

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

Hanoi Tourism Department opened the "Memories of Hanoi" programme at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel on December 30 to bring back the congenial atmosphere of old Hanoi to the dwellers of all ages and international visitors.

Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports said that numerous special art performances will be organised to celebrate New Year 2016.

According to an announcement of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a cultural programme promoting ethnic minority groups’ vibrant traditional culture and customs will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Son Tay Town, Hanoi from January 1-3.

Gardeners in Nhat Tan flower village on the edge of Hanoi`s West Lake are busier these days tending to a variety of flowers, particular peach blossoms, so that they can bloom on time for the Lunar New Year Tet holiday.

People in Hanoi are increasingly embracing the festive period with more buying Christmas decorations for their homes.

When winter arrives in Hanoi, fried sweet potato and banana cakes will become favorite foods of Hanoians and visitors. Stalls selling hot potato and banana cakes have begun appearing along the streets in the capital.

The programme themed "Memory of Hanoi", which will take place from December 30 to January 4, 2016, will be the first cultural tourism activity held by Hanoi Tourism Department aiming to introduce the capital of Hanoi in memory to numerous local residents, domestic and foreign tourists.

Archeologists have found traces of large-scale architectures dating back from the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) at the Thang Long Royal Citadel.

The Thang Long Royal Citadel was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO five years ago. Many archaeological research activities have been carried out to evaluate, preserve, and promote this heritage.

French cultural center L’Espace announced that French pop-rock singer Sophie Huriaux, who is known by her stage name La Grande Sophie, will perform in Hanoi on December 12.

Hanoi will spend 12.939 billion VND to repair 10 antique houses dating back 100 to 400 years in Duong Lam village on the outskirts of the city.

The fifth national stamp exhibition (Vietstampex 2015) will be held at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi from December 11-13.

Vietnam`s capital of Hanoi has just been ranked in the top 50 Ideal Destinations in 2016 selected by the US`s Business Insider newspaper.

The Foreign Ministry’s Service Department for Diplomatic Corps hosted a food festival themed “the ASEAN community and international friends” in Hanoi on December 5.

Service Department for Diplomatic Corps under the Foreign Ministry organised the third international food festival themed “the ASEAN community and international friends” in Hanoi on December 5. Mai Thi Hanh, spouse of State President Truong Tan Sang attended the event.

Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hoi An has been selected in the top 10 most beautiful destinations in Southeast Asia, according to USA Today newspaper.

The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports held a ceremony on November 23 to announce the recognition of collection of 82 doctoral laureate steles at Hanoi’s Van Mieu - Temple of Literature as a national treasure.

“Preserving and promoting world heritage values from the angle of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel” was the main focus of an international workshop in Hanoi on November 23.

Hanoi Department of Culture and Information held a ceremony on November 19 to mark the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23) and present the Outstanding Artisan award to 39 artists of various folk art performances in the area of the capital.

The Vietnam-RoK culture, food festival 2015, as part of activities to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties will be co-chaired by International Cooperation Department in collaboration with the Korean Embassy in Vietnam.