There are certain words, phrases, gestures and occasions that can be understood the world over—like a universal language that translates in all corners of the globe.

When New Yorker Neal Bermas was planning a trip around Asia in 1999, he chose HCM City as one destination among several. He did not expect that his encounters with homeless and street children here would become the first chapter in the story of his attachment to Việt Nam.

First recognised in 1969, the Vườn  Chuối archaeological relic in Hoài Đức District on the outskirts of Hà Nội languished for decades. When scientists began excavations in 2002, they discovered that the site contains the oldest evidence of human settlement in the capital. Now, the onward march of history threatens to destroy the remaining relics to make way for apartments. Minh Thu reports.

Deep in the rural district of Xênh Mùa Ca, home to members of the Mông ethnic minority people in Lào Cai Province, lives a kind-hearted old man who plays a melodious pan pipe that bewitches fellow villagers and passersby.

In the spring of 1948, the country was struggling through its resistance war against the French. To encourage the entire nation to contribute to the revolution, on June 11, 1948, President Hồ Chí Minh made an appeal for patriotic emulation. Hà Nguyễn reports

There are plenty of pizzerias in Hanoi, but if you are looking for a really good Neapolitan pizza here, The Nomad Quynh can guarantee Belga will be one of your best bets.

Having implemented series of geological surveys and researches on Lý Sơn Island and a large coastal and mountainous area in Quảng Ngãi Province, experts from the Việt Nam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources and international scientists proposes to build up a 2,000sq.km site for a Global Geo-Park for approval by UNESCO.

Responsible tourism is on the rise, connecting tourists to local communities.

Trần Duy Quang, 29, has only been running for three years but has already won a number of events. He triumphed in the men’s 70km category of the Dalat Ultra Trail International Marathon in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng in March and is the first Vietnamese runner to win the Việt Nam Mountain Marathon in Sa Pa, Lào Cai Province, which is one of the largest ultra-running events in Asia and a landmark event in Southeast Asia. Thanh Nga catches up with him.

Like phở for the Vietnamese, frog porridge is a point of pride among Singaporeans. Tourists are advised that a trip to Singapore without a bowl of frog porridge is a failure. Mộc Miên discovers.

Lê Hương explores a doll collection owned by architect Ngô Thị Hương Ly, who is based in HCM City. Apart from designing award-winning buildings, Ly enjoys adding to her large number of stylish figures.

Pet and book cafes have been popular in various cities across the country. Yet a cafe run by a group of young people in the central province of Quảng Nam has lured customers with vegetables grown using hydroponic methods. Lê Hương explores.

with chef Nguyễn Văn Tuân from Fortuna Hotel Hanoi  

Glorious jade sceptres, precious terracotta mythical creatures and gigantic bronze drums are few among 300 artefacts being showcased in public for the first time.

If you think you already know dishes like bánh xèo, bánh tráng or nem nướng too well, Anan Saigon’s creative versions might surprise you. Plus, their unique location is a bonus. The Nomad Quynh reports.

Trần Minh Châu, 14, is one of the youngest recipients of Việt Nam's Outstanding Youth Awards for the year 2017. A lover of Franz Liszt, she has already won the top trophy in several international piano competitions, balancing her intense music studies and hours of daily practice with her school work. Thanh Hà reports.

Nun Thích Nữ Quảng Phát has been known for inspiring hundreds of school students in the northern province of Thái Bình to read books at a library she set up at Thiên Phúc Pagoda, where she acts as the head nun.

with head chef Vũ Anh Đức from the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel