VietExplorer2026

Thai media tycoon Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, who recently bought the Miss Universe Organization, will also join the group’s trip to Vietnam. However, beauty website Sash Factor has yet to reveal more about the purpose of the visit, as well as details about what activities they will take part in upon their arrival in Vietnam. Their trip has drawn plenty of attention from many Vietnamese fans who commented on the page of Sash Factor, expressing their excitement at the prospect of the appearance of the international beauty queens in Vietnam. This marks the first trip by R’Bonney Gabriel and the two runner-ups of Miss Universe 2022 after being crowned in January. Miss Universe 2022 was the 71st edition of the global beauty pageant and was held in New Orleans of Louisiana in the United States on January 14. The crown went to R’Bonney Gabriel of the US, marking her country’s first victory in 10 years, as well as being the ninth entrant from the US to win the t...

The former diplomat collected the two lacquer paintings, Kieu Hanh (Proud) and Nhung Nu Hon Tinh Yeu (Kisses of Love), when she worked in Vietnam from 1997 to 2001. Berends bought the two paintings from artist Phung Pham and brought the paintings with her in her later terms in other countries, before returning to the Netherlands. The lacquer painting is named Kieu Hanh (Proud) (Photo: Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum) Although she left Vietnam more than 20 years ago, her memories and love for the country have never faded away. The diplomat then headed to the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands to express her desire to donate the paintings to the Vietnamese people. At the handover ceremony, the museum’s representative expressed respect for the former deputy ambassador and thanked Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh, for his efforts to bring the paintings back to Vietnam. Vietnamese artist Phung Pham (left) poses for ...

Similar to the Western custom of adorning the home with a Christmas tree and garlands to celebrate the festive season and the coming new year, Hanoians decorate their homes with kumquat trees and “ Tranh Tet ”, a special range of paintings used only for Tet , during the lunar new year festive season.    Tet in Vietnamese folk paintings The Kim Hoang folk painting “Mother of the Pig Herd” expresses hope for a happy, harmonious, prosperous Lunar New Year ahead. File photos This year, January 21 heralds the beginning of the most important holiday in Vietnam. Tet marks the end of the cold and harsh winter in the north and the beginning of spring. Similar to the Western new year, Tet also signifies new beginnings. Hanging Tet paintings around the home remains a key element of traditional Tet decorations, even as society undergoes various changes. Every spring, Tet paintings appear and add to the excitement as the new year approaches. After the day of “ Ong Co...

Phno Don pagoda is also called Gong Lon pagoda or Stork pagoda. It was built in 1677 on the alluvial bank of a big canal in Dai An commune, Tra Cu district, 40 km south of Tra Vinh city.   The pagoda is surrounded by green bamboo groves, several species of evergreen trees, and vast rice fields stretching to the horizon. Flocks of storks come here to shelter. Trinh Van Minh, a resident of Dai An commune, said, “Storks stay in the land surrounding the pagoda, so people call it Stork pagoda. They come here in the rainy months to nest and breed. This is the largest, most famous, and most beautiful pagoda in Tra Vinh province. It attracts many visitors from across Vietnam and even some foreigners. During the New Year holiday the pagoda is very crowded.” Decoration at Phno Don pagoda The Khmer architectural style can be seen in the pagoda gate, the main hall, the monks’ house, the main hall, and the towers that hold the ashes of cremated monks. The external de...

The world’s famous chef Gordon Ramsay has listed many dishes from Vietnam among the best in Asia and globally.   Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay. Photo: Getty Images Ramsay, the owner of many restaurants, a TV star, and a famous cooking show judge, has recently expressed his love for Southeast Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese ones. Specifically, he shared in an interview with a Korean YouTuber that Vietnam and Laos were two of his favorite culinary destinations. When asked, “Where would you say is the No.1 food destination?”, Ramsay picked three names, including two from Southeast Asia: Vietnam and Laos. “Vietnam is an extraordinary melting pot of food. I fell in love, there’s just such a humble approach to eating food,” he exclaimed. He added that “I recently came out of Laos, and going back to the provinces and spending time in the countryside away from the tourist traps, the food was just off the charts.” It prompts a question what is good about Vietn...