The photo "Hidden Smile" of Vietnamese 70-year-old boat rower has been sold for US$30,000 at an auction, said the author of the picture, French photographer Réhahn Croquevielle.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on January 22-28 

 Hanoi’s book street has attracted fewer visitors, seriously affecting the revenues of publishers that have outlets and if the situation does not improve, the street may have to close.

 Jordan Vogt-Roberts, director of the Hollywood blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”, on January 21 returned to Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh for a family trip.

 The Siberian Patterns folk dance ensemble from Russia has registered to perform in the Hue Festival 2018, announced the organising committee on January 21.

Long Bien bridge is now severely degraded after a century of traffic. Maintenance work has been carried out to preserve its beauty and ensure safety for the public.

 A large bookstore covering on an area of more than 3,000 square meters opened in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 10 on January 19.

 An exhibition featuring photography, video, audio and installation works of the life of people with autism will open at Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi from January 20-28.

 An exhibition on “Contemporary Wood-Carved Netsuke” will open at Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam on January 24.

 UNESCO’s recognition of Bai choi singing as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last December brought great pride and joy to people in the central coastal province of Phu Yen, one of Bai choi’s birthplaces.

 Bookbinding has become a lifetime career of Vo Van Rang in Ho Chi Minh City. All the old and torn books are given a new appearance with Rang’s skillful hands. Over the years, thousands of books have been restored with his dedication.

Wire artist Bui Xuan Hoang’s hands are full of callosities and scars. They are the result of years of curving metal wire to make artworks.

 Vietnamese movie star Truong Ngoc Anh will star in a leading role as a psychologist named Anna in a US film produced by Roger Corman.

During the forthcoming Lunar New Year 2018 holiday, commonly known as Tet, authorities of Hanoi have decided to tighten security at traditional cultural festivals to minimize the confusions.

 Thach Xa commune in Hanoi's outskirts district of Thach That is well-known for the craft of making bamboo dragonflies. 

 The Mirror House in Thong Nhat Park is a place closely related to the childhood memories of most 7x and 8x generations in Hanoi. The Mirror House was built by the Czechoslovakian Government in 1979.

 Following are a couple of weekend destinations which might be of interest to visitors during the weekend break.

 Northwestern province promoting its culture and tourism offerings around Hoan Kiem Lake from January 19 to 21.

 Visitors to Ha Long will be able to enjoy the natural wonders of the world recreated in fresh flower displays at the flower festival in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province from January 27 to February 20.

A Long-term exhibition by French photographer Réhahn on the beauty of Hoi An, the ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam, has been opened in Hoi An Museum.