A more than a century-old house in the southern province of Long An is famous for its 120 wooden pillars.

There is still one week left before Christmas but the festive atmosphere is hard to avoid with many streets colourfully decorated in the capital city of Hanoi.

 The Korean band GOT7 are set to liven up Ho Chi Minh City with a concert on January 19 along with the participation of numerous Vietnamese singers.

 Remnants of altars, carved letters in the old Nom script, carvings, architectural posts and beams have been collected together to honour dinh lang, the ancient Vietnamese communal houses that still dot the country. 

 Actress and film director Kim Khanh recently launched her new project, Hon buom (Butterfly Soul), a documentary on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in HCM City.

Construction of a giant Xmas tree of 5,000 earthen pots is underway in the Phu My parish in Tru Son commune, Do Luong district, the central province of Nghe An to welcome fast-coming Christmas season.

A Bodhisattva statue made of Bat Tu flowers in Linh Phuoc Pagoda, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, has been named the world’s biggest Buddha statue by the World Records Union (Worldkings). 

 Finnish conductor Kalle Kuusava will lead a concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of Finland at the HCM City Opera House on December 19.

 The central highlands province of Lam Dong has almost completed all preparations for the 7th Da Lat Flower Festival to be taken place from December 23-27.

 Japanese-American violinist Tamaki Kawakubo gives a performance themed “Melodies of happiness” at Hanoi Opera House on January 17.

 A majority of the population in Ninh Thuan province are Cham. They have preserved their traditional festivals and folk games both for enjoyment and strengthening community bonds.

 Martin Rama was the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Vietnam from 2002 to 2010 and is the author of many books about Vietnam and Hanoi in particular. He has developed his great love for Hanoi since he first came here 20 years ago.

 Bai choi, a folk music genre practiced in central Vietnam, has been officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

 A German- style Christmas Market is taking place for the first time ever in Hanoi, bringing the Christmas atmosphere to the city dwellers.

 Revelers will have the opportunity to experience new imaging technology including virtual reality photography on Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

VietNamNet Bridge - Do you have a plan for this upcoming Christmas? Why not come to Ben Thanh Theater to join My Tam, Khoi My, Tia Chop Bac Band and FBand in "The AR Concert – Connecting Art”?

 Born into a family with a rich tradition in music, young pianist Luu Duc Anh, whose elder brother is acclaimed pianist Luu Hong Quang, has won a number of prestigious international music competitions.

 M’nong women in many hamlets in Dak Ndrung commune, Dak Nong province, are engaged in weaving brocade fabric. Their colorful products show off their dexterity and diligence and contribute to preserving M’nong tradition and culture.

 Following are a couple of weekend destinations which might be of your interest. 

 Special programs will be held in the ancient town of Hoi An to welcome the New Year, said the Centre for Culture and Sports of Hoi An City on December 14.