The fourth national lion dragon dance championship kick-started in Le Huu Phuoc Park, Ninh Kieu district, the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho on February 3.

 Xoan Singing of the northern province of Phu Tho received a UNESCO certificate of an intangible cultural heritage of humanity at a ceremony at Lai Len Shrine, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho on February 3.

 An annual book street festival will be organised in downtown Ho Chi Minh City from February 13-19, or the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the fourth day of the lunar new year, in celebration of Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

 Violinist Nguyen Huu Nguyen will perform a selection of masterpieces by famous composers at a concert at L'Espace French Cultural Centre in Hanoi, at 8pm, on February 3.

 Visitors have complained that the Da Lat Cherry Blossom Festival was held too late when there are no more blossoms to see.

The life of Cuban people is reflected truthfully and colourfully through the lens of Italian photographer Fulvio Bugani. 

 The fifth Vietnam- Japan Festival is scheduled to take place at September 23 Park in Ho Chi Minh City from January 27- 28. 

From January 14 to February 10, the first field of carp-shaped wind streamers is open in Mizuki Park in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing in photographers and Japanese culture lovers.

 This year’s flower street event, to be held from February 13-19, will be titled The Great Ambition, showcasing a modern city that still keeps its attraction.

 AmCham announced the new scholars to not only receive financial rewards, but additional support in job skills training, internships, and job placement assistance.

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 

 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.

However, until recent time, when University of Social Sciences & Humanities youth union coordinated with the Cheo 48 Hours to organize a gala programme, Anh had a chance to participate in a Cheo show and performed cheo on stage.

 The authority of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue is planning to build a puppet and traditional art theater costing VND6.9 billion this year with an aim to boost the province’s tourism development.

 A music night will be held at the French Culture Centre in Hanoi (L’Espace) on January 20, with a highlight on the music repertoires of Hanoi and Hue cities.

Hundreds of fish died en masse after an industrial waste tank cracked open in the He Muong Commune in the northern province of Dien Bien on Monday. 

 Painter Nguyen Thu Thuy had a talk on January 15 with members of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) about the renovated Mirror House in central Hanoi’s Thong Nhat Park and her other ceramics projects.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on January 15-21