Tết Nguyên Đán (Traditional Lunar New Year) is the biggest among traditional festivals for the Vietnamese people. Today, many ancient customs are still practised in the former royal capital. Many people ask the same question: How was the Lunar New Year organised by the Nguyễn kings in the past?

The Mông ethnic minority use poonah paper as an important part of their spiritual life. However, the craft is at risk of disappearing entirely.

 The city recorded 638 cases of fire over the past nine months, with more than half of them occurring at residents’ private houses, according to the latest report from the Hà Nội Police’s Department of Fire Prevention and Control.

Burning offerings a hot topic

An ancient tradition or a money making ploy?

The practice of burning paper has been with us for generations. But in recent years what once just fake cash and the odd gift has developed into something much more. Paul Kennedy reports.

There is a lot of fire to the votive smoke that rises on every auspicious day in our country, and I guess, other places where this traditional ritual is observed.

Phạm Tất Thắng, vice chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, talks to the Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper about efforts to change public behaviour regarding the burning of votive objects in pagodas or shrines.

The capital city of Hà Nội is adorning its streets in the lead-up to the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday and celebrations.

Instead of giving gifts that offer temporary happiness to the disabled, Đoàn Thị Hoa has dedicated her life to teaching useful skills to the less fortunate. Her classes offer students the chance to learn a trade and earn a living.

Fire prevention and fighting remain a challenge for Hà Nội authorities as a huge number of fires still occurred in the capital city and left serious consequences.

Hundreds of people are running out a building, screaming in terror. Several have their mouths covered with piece of cloth. Ear-splitting sirens blare as large red trucks speed through the streets to where a thick, ominous cloud of smoke billows. Even watchers are shouting and screaming. A deadly fire has struck again.