Sixty-three lacquer paintings by 20 artists are being showcased at the second edition of the Dòng Chảy Sơn Mài (The Confluence) art exhibition at Toong workspace in HCM City’s Xuân Hào Ward.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake remains a popular attraction, with colourful flowerbeds drawing residents and tourists for walks and photos. Visitors can continue through the Old Quarter, explore cafés in old buildings and sample local favourites such as phở and bún chả.

The Vietnamese booth, presented by the Vietnamese Women’s Association in the RoK, attracted visitors with traditional items such as áo dài, conical hats, handicrafts and models showcasing Vietnamese folk culture, offering insights into the country’s heritage and people.

The opening ceremony and an art programme under the same theme will take place on November 24 at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Phong Nha commune, highlighting the UNESCO-listed natural heritage site and promoting cave exploration tours.

Experts stressed that rural tourism can develop sustainably only when local communities actively participate and benefit from it. Investment in transport, accommodation and attractions must go hand in hand with clean water, waste treatment, hygiene, traditional craft preservation and environmental protection.

The entries drew on a wide range of materials and techniques, blending traditional cultural values with creative design and production.

The fourth Mông Ethnic Culture Festival 2026 brings together artisans, performers, athletes and Mông ethnic people from 11 provinces to showcase traditions preserved across generations.

Professor and guitarist Đặng Ngọc Long, director of Berlin-Gesundbrunnen Music School in Germany, has used the Berlin International Guitar Competition and Festival to showcase Vietnamese culture through music.

The event brought together scientists, experts and managers from state agencies, universities, research institutes and professional organisations at home and abroad, as well as representatives of the descendants of the Lý Hoa Sơn clan in the Republic of Korea.