VietExplorer

The tourist area in Son Tay Town, a suburb of Hanoi, has become much livelier these days with art spaces. A variety of activities under the theme “Colors of the Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups” have taken place to celebrate the important day for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. The annual colorful festival is held from April 14 to 19, where visitors can find a busy, cheerful and happy atmosphere among ethnic minorities participating in cultural activities at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.  Thai ethnic people from Yen Thang commune, Lang Chanh district, Thanh Hoa province, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, passionately performed the Nhay Sap or dance between bamboo poles.  The Cha Mun Festival is an important cultural and religious beauty of the Black Thai ethnic community in Vietnam, conveying their wishes for a healthy and wealthy year with bountiful crops.  The centerpiece of the festival is a cotton tr

Every afternoon, the “Children’s Recycled Playground” in Hoang Lien 2 Residential Area, Lien Mac Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, buzzes with conversation and laughter.  “There are few public playgrounds for children, so it is our wish to have one that is safe and friendly,” said Phuong Thuy, a resident of the ward.  A recycled playground in Lien Mac Ward, Bac Tu Liem District. Photo: Greenhub The Lien Mac Ward Women’s Union came up with the idea to build this playground using recycled materials and equipped with toys made from recycled materials, according to the union’s Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong Huyen. So far, the playground, which costs nearly VND40 million (US$1,705), has completed all the components, including a four-way seesaw, a tire wall, tables, chairs, and other things.  Made of durable materials, vividly decorated and suitable for children, this is one of the city’s “green playground” models. Huyen said the playground is designed to entertain children and impr