A selection of noteworthy artistic and cultural events that will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from July 2 to 8.

 The Ho Chi Minh City Book Distribution Joint Stock Company (FAHASA) has opened the 2018 Summer Book Fair in Ho Chi Minh City.

Italy might not be playing in the World Cup but at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival on Saturday they were champions.

 The central province of Thua Thien-Hue kicked off the Lotus Festival 2018 themed “Legend of a flower” on June 29, as part of a series of activities to promote Hue, a festival city of Vietnam. 

 Angel Miguel Bastidas Gonzalez, former second Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy to Vietnam, has won second prize of the National External Information Service Awards 2017 with his book about Vietnam. 

 The Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Viet Nam will present a performance of traditional Japanese bunraku puppetry theatre in HCM City in mid-July to mark 45 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties.

 A newly established arts hub called A. Farm in Ho Chi Minh City is showcasing works by artists with diverse styles at its debut exhibition All Animals are Equal.

 Some 40 sketches by lacquer artist Nguyen Gia Tri are on displayed at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum to mark his 110th birthday on June 26. 

Hanoi’s West Lake is now an interesting place to enjoy a cup of lotus tea, although the flower is now less commonly grown on the lake’s waters.

 Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province in December will host the third edition of Epizode, which is Vietnam's biggest underground dance music festival.

Synescape live audiovisual performance merging digital with analogue components will take place at Tinh Dau art space in Hanoi this Saturday.

 An art programme will open at Hue Imperial Citadel every evening from July 1 to delight visitors with ‘Nha Nhac’ (Hue royal court music).

 The ’Water is Life’ exhibition will open on July 7 at 7:30 pm at L’Usine on 151/5 Dong Khoi St in HCM City’s District 1.

Cinema Space of The Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) will screen some ‘mind-bending’ films every Friday.

 A “safari” exhibition featuring origami wildlife has opened on Book Street in downtown HCM City in District 1.

 The Lotus Festival will take place from June 29 to July 1 at Hue High School in the central city of Hue. 

 Seagate Technology on Monday announced a partnership with CyArk, to digitally preserve Tu Duc Tomb and An Dinh Palace in the Complex of Hue Monuments in central Hue City.

 Passenger traffic through airports in Vietnam hit 52.8 million in the first half of this year, a surge of 14 percent year on year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam reported.

 Café Saigon, a contemporary dance featuring HCM City’s lifestyle in the mid-20th century, will premiere at the city’s Opera House on June 30.

A programme honouring UNESCO recognised Chau Van ritual singing of the Red river delta region has been held in Hanoi.