The opening ceremony of the 2018 Sa Pa Autumn Festival in Lao Cai province (Photo: VNA)
Lao Cai (VNA) – The 2018 Sa ♑PaAutumn Festival opened in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai onSeptember 1 with a wide range of activities.
The festival is part of cultural and artevents held in the province to promote traditional cultural values of ethnicgroups in the resort district of Sa Pa. Addressing the opening ceremony, ViceChairman of the district People’s Committee Le Manh Hao said Sa Pa has enjoyedstrong growth over the years, especially in tourism services. The festival is viewed as a drive for thedistrict’s tourism sector this year, creating a momentum for its sustainabledevelopment in the future, he noted. The highlights of the festival are a cuisinefestival of the north-western region, a photo exhibition on Sa Pa’s people andlandscapes, along with street performances and re-enactment of ethnic people’srituals such as the bride welcoming ceremony of Dao people and theland-worshipping ceremony of Giay ethnic group, among others. Additionally, a mountain marathon is slatedfor September 20-23 while a seminar on potential and development orientation ofthe Sa Pa National Tourism site in 2018-2020 will be held on September 15-17,with the participation of domestic and international tourism businesses. The Sa Pa Autumn Festival will run untilOctober 30.-VNA
Muong Hoa, Vietnam’s longest mountain rail route developed by Sun Group, was opened on March 31, connecting Sa Pa Town and the existing cable station to Fansipan Peak.
The annual Sa Pa Summer Tourism Festival 2018, the third of its kind, kicked off at Sa Pa resort town, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on April 28.
Sa Pa in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has become increasingly attractive to visitors in recent years, making it important for those who love the pristine beauty of the town to find a place where they can breathe in the fresh air, dive into the green jungle, gaze over the vast paddy fields and experience ethnic culture.
The resort town of Sa Pa has topped the list of six cool weather holiday destinations in Southeast Asia through the year selected by Channel News Asia.
The Lao Cai People’s Committee and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam held a workshop in the northern mountainous province on August 21 to launch the Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) project.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The opening ceremony of the 2018 Sa Pa Autumn Festival in Lao Cai province (Photo: VNA) 
