If you ask the locals what the hottest news in Vietnam right now is, we would be glad to provide a list of headings! “Summit 2019: America and North Korea”, “Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un are going to encounter at America-North Korea Summit in Vietnam this February” or “Why Vietnam is chosen to be the summit host?” As we and very many others who cannot take the heat, we just want to give a big announcement that the two great leaders Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un are going to meet at the summit which is expected to build upon their agreement to “work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula”in Hanoi, Vietnam from this 27^th – 28^th February 2019.

Before the important event, many big magazines and stations have gathered around, day and night, at different governmental organizations as well as Diplomatic department to get the latest news about the following summit. As information provided on open electronic media, as soon as receiving the notice for becoming the host selected from other countries such as Thailand or Singapore, Vietnam only had about 10 days to get prepared for the official event day!

Mingling with the exciting atmosphere, not only local authorities but also Vietnamese citizens, especially Hanoians have been busy getting everything ready for the summit. Now on the streets, particularly the central ones as the Old Quarter, Huế, Hai Bà Trưng, Hoàn Kiếm or Tràng Tiền, you will see new trees being planted and colorful flower baskets hung over sign poles, light poles or even electronic poles! The city is getting alive!

Not only the streets but the people are becoming busier than ever! In a few clothing stores, white shirts printed with Vietnamese, North Korean and American flags are on display. In a few others, Áo Dài with American and North Korean flag-patterned is also garnered behind the glass windows!

A part from clothing stores, souvenir stores are also taking their chance to bring the latest products to the market from 2019 Summit key chains to caps and shirts along with Vietnamese traditional products such as calligraphy. Besides the summit’s information, what many people will probably ask is “where will Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim stop by to eat?” Well, if you still remember Bún Chả Obama then you should take this chance to discover what Mr. Trump’s and Mr. Kim’s favorite Vietnamese dish is!

So if you are ready, let us “bring the house down” with Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in Vietnam this 27^th!

The post Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un: Vietnam summit approaches – All the latest updates appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Whether it is in the Times Square, underneath Big Ben, or on Nguyễn Huệ walking street – the heart of Saigon, and around Hoan Kiem Lake – Hanoi downtown, the Christmas atmosphere is ubiquitously exciting and much yearned for. Although such an occasion is not originally meant for celebration among the Vietnamese, Western influence in recent years and the locals’ love for joy have popularized Christmas culture among Vietnamese adults and children alike.

During the last few weeks of December, Christmas spirit can be found almost everywhere in Vietnam, from the homes of the most ordinary people to the Notre Dame Basilica, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and other large cathedrals, to skyscraping super shopping malls.

Although celebration varies from family to family, the general components of a Christmas party among Vietnamese people are not so different from those of Westerners. A little bit of coziness, some exchanges of stories and laughter among family members, a Christmas tree, and extravagantly large portions of food are to be found in any family.

Along with the tell-tale signs in the dining table, Christmas spirit can also be seen at churches around Vietnam. The churches are glowing with lights, resonating with Christmas carols, and packed with children’s smiles upon receiving presents from their priests in the wake of Christmas Eve.

On a more “Saigon” note, the Christmas spirit is also evident in large shopping malls such as Vincom, Parkson, or Diamond Plaza. In Hanoi, all the people head t the Old Quarter, West Lake area, shopping malls such as Vincom centers, Royal City and alike. There, Vietnamese teenagers can be found gleefully striding from restaurants to restaurants, clothes shops to clothes shops, and making the best of their youth with friends.

The spirit it left in thousands of Vietnamese people’ hearts remained fervent throughout the city even after Christmas. As the occasion brings so much joy to everyone – second only to the traditional Tet – Lunar or Chinese New Year in our opinion.

Here are some photos taken over Christmas in Christians’ residential areas.

Words by Dang Nguyen

Photos taken by Lam Cao and special thanks to all the people who made this photo collection happen.

To see more photos, check the open album below
(Please use the left/right arrows to navigate in the files of the open album)

Photos taken by Lam Cao

The post Christmas in Vietnam – Featured Photo Collection 2018 appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

The post Pop-up Performance & Art presentation: Across the Forest @Da Lat in December appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

1. “The Quintessence of Tonkin” Show (every evening except Tuesday)

Address: Baara Land Entertainment Complex, Đa Phúc Village, Sài Sơn Commune, Quốc Oai District, Hanoi
Time: 19:30 – 21:30
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/01/cultural-spectacle-quintessence-tonkin/

2. Augmented Reality Exhibition “Joy” (19th Jan – 11th Mar 2018)

Address: L’Espace French Cultural Center in Hanoi, 24-26 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: 18:00 (Grand opening, Friday 19th Jan) and all day (from 20th Jan)
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2017/12/augmented-reality-exhibition-joy/

3. Tết Việt Event (22nd Jan – 24th Feb 2018)

Address: Thang Long Imperial Citadel, 19C Hoàng Diệu Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Time: 8:00 – 17:00

4. Travelling Exhibition “Contemporary Wood-Carved Netsuke” (26th Jan – 15th Mar 2018)

Address: The Japan Foundation, 27 Quang Trung Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: 18:00 (Grand opening, Friday 26th Jan) and 8:30 – 18:00 (from 27th Jan)
(The place will be closed for Vietnamese Tet holidays from 13th – 21st Feb)
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/01/travelling-exhibition-contemporary-wood-carved-netsuke/

5. Project Introduction: “Future Written in the Past” (1st – 15th Feb 2018)

Address: Lotte Department Store, Lotte Building, 54 Liễu Giai Street, Hanoi
Time: Costumes display all day
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/project-introduction-future-written-past/

6. Art of Nôm Gallery (2nd Feb – 2nd Mar 2018)

Nôm used to be the national language of Vietnam. Up until now, Nôm calligraphy is still regarded as one of the most beautiful types of culture in Vietnam. In this event, you can explore the art of Nôm as well as ask for Nôm calligraphic paintings from the most respectable calligraphers.
Address: Vietnamese Art Gallery, 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Time: All day

7. Temple of Literature’s Calligraphy Event (9th – 22nd Feb 2018)

At the beginning of the year, most Vietnamese will have the tradition of going to the temples or pagodas to have good or positive words written by the calligrapher. They believe this is a sign of luck and will bring joy throughout the year.
Address: Văn Lake Area, Temple of Literature, 58 Quốc Tử Giảm Street, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Time: 8:00 – 22:00

8. “Màu của tình yêu” (Colors of Love) Gallery (14th Feb – 3rd Mar 2018)

Address: Lotte Observation deck, Lotte Commercial Center, 54 Liễu Giai Street, Hanoi
Time: 20:00 (Grand opening, 14th Feb) and 8:30 – 23:00 (from 15th Feb)
Ticket price: Adult (above 12): 230.000vnd
       Children (from 3-12): 170.000vnd
                      Free for children under 3 years old
Preferential price: 50% discount from 8:30 – 10:30
   50% discount from 22:00 – 23:00
(Tickets should be bought at the ticket counter B1 before 22:30)
For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/420370568400006/

9. “Tet in Vietnam” Event (16th – 18th Feb 2018)

Address: #75 Phủ Diễn Street, Phủ Diễn Ward, Bắc Từ Liêm District, Hanoi
Time: 17:00 (16th Feb) and 20:00 (18th Feb)
Ticket: vietmountaintravel.com.vn/
For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/140925886594617/

10. Light Music Festival (17th Feb – 16th Mar 2018)

Address: Bảo Sơn Paradise Park, Km5+200, Lê Trọng Tấn Street, An Khánh, Hoài Đức, Hanoi
Time and ticket price: (check the link below)
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/light-music-festival/

11. Exhibition “Spring Blossoms of Hanoi” (2nd Feb – 3rd Mar 2018)

Address: Hồ Gươm Cultural Information Center, 2 Lê Thái Tổ Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: (check the link below)
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/exhibition-spring-blossoms-hanoi/

12. Program of Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) (8th, 22nd and 23rd Feb 2018)

Address: Various venues in Hanoi
Time: (check the link below)
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/program-friends-vietnam-heritage-fvh-february-2018/

13. “Selvage/Salvage” – Writing Workshop and Poetry Reading (21st Feb 2018)

Address: Lạc Tạm Antique, 14 Lane 15, Từ Hoa Ward, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/selvage-salvage-writing-workshop-poetry-reading/

14. “Đô thị và Ký ức” (City and Memory) – Solo Exhibition of Artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn (23rd Feb – 31st Mar 2018)

Address: AGOhub, 12 Hòa Mã Street, Hanoi
Time: 18:00 (Grand opening, Friday 23rd Feb) and 9:00 – 19:00 (from 23rd Feb)
For more details: http://www.artvietnamgallery.com/exhibition_detail.php?id=218

15. Concert “Untellable Stories” by Lê Cát Trọng Lý (23rd and 24th Feb 2018)

Address: Manzi Art Space, 14 Phan Huy Ích, Nguyễn Trung Trực, Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Time: 20:00
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/concert-untellable-stories-le-cat-trong-ly/

16. Worship Spring Song Show (24th Feb 2018)

Address: 1st Flr Kim Đức Ca Quán – PHUSALAB, 21/25 Quảng An Street, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Time: 19:30
For more details: https://www.facebook.com/Phusalab/photos/a.137814656989845.1073741828.137290173708960/182881325816511/?type=3&theater

17. African Music Festival (24th Feb 2018)

Address: Hanoi Rock City, 27/52 Tô Ngọc Vân Street, Quảng An, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Time: 21:00
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/african-music-fest/

18. “Happy Year of the Dog”: The Culture of Bình Phước (24th – 25th Feb 2018)

Address: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Nghĩa Đô Ward, Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi
Time: 9:00 – 17:30
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/happy-year-dog-culture-binh-phuoc/

19. Book Introduction: “The Rules of Art” (27th Feb 2018)

Address: L’Espace French Cultural Center in Hanoi, 24-26 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: 18:00
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/book-introduction-rules-art/

20. Concert with DJ Cédric Dekowski and Felix Reifenberg (2nd Mar 2018)

Address: Savage, 112 Xuân Diệu Street, Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Time: 20:00

21. Song Slam “Connection – Kwal” (10th Mar 2018)

Address: L’Espace French Cultural Center in Hanoi, 24-26 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: 20:00
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/song-slam-connection-kwal/

22. Subscription Concert Vol.108 (22nd Mar 2018)

Address: Hanoi Opera House, 1 Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Time: 20:00
Ticket price: 200.000 – 500.000vnd
For more details: https://hanoigrapevine.com/2018/02/subscription-concert-vol-108/

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