Hanoi wrapped: your 2025 in the capital

You said xin chào with verve and shouted em ơi with conviction. You wanted your bike repaired and received a yoghurt instead. The tones are hard, but the people were kind.

Giving Vietnamese kids an access to art education

Living in Việt Nam during the COVID-19 pandemic changed how children’s writer Roby Bellemans views art, education and possibility. In this Q&A with Việt Nam News , he discusses founding the Art for Children Gallery and his evolving relationship with Vietnamese culture.

Teaching in Việt Nam: an open letter

I could never have known, when I moved here with the intention to teach English for a year or two, that I could fall so deeply and spectacularly in love with a place that it would change the course of my life.

How do foreign travellers declare their temporary residence in Việt Nam?

Foreign visitors to Việt Nam must have their temporary stay registered with local authorities, though accommodation providers are responsible for carrying this out. Here are the key points travellers should know about residence declaration, possible penalties and how long they are allowed to stay under Vietnamese law.

Surviving the wet season in HCM City

One of the things I learned as a resident of HCM City is that you always carry a spare set of clothes in your bag. They do not need to be anything fancy. I carry a simple T-shirt, shorts and one pair of socks. This way, I can continue with my job in some form if I happen to get caught in the rain.

Working title only: Your song of Việt Nam

With the opening of the country in the late ’80s, songs from the ’50s to the ’80s became first-time hits to the ears of adventurous Vietnamese youth. It was a time when everything was new, creating memories that are still shared in karaoke clubs and homes all over Việt Nam.

Two women’s days, one message

For anyone who has spent more than a hot minute in this country, it is easy to see why there would be multiple days to celebrate its women.

United in the floods

Wading uncles offering make-shift water-taxis. Complete strangers pushing bikes together. Machete-wielding party men clearing fallen trees. Hà Nội unites.

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