Last weekend, the vibrant city of Ho Chi Minh played host to an extraordinary gathering — the Green Vietnam Festival. An event dedicated to celebrating and promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle. With a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, the festival attracted a community passionate about making a positive impact on our planet.
Hai Phong nightlife might not be as active as Hanoi – only a few hours away by car. But if you explore a bit, especially around the Minh Khai District, you’ll find all sorts of choices. Bars, nightclubs, discos and karaoke joints are to be found while the live music scene here has become more and more common and quite active lately. This comes as something of a surprise considering Hai Phong is not a big party town. Though it’s true that most businesses close their doors early, there are a few places that stay open after midnight. Visitors just need to ask around and the best source is at your hotel tour or receptionist desk. They should be able to lead you to the nearest cool place for a fun night out. Alternatively see the following list for some recommendations.
Though there are limited options for shopping in Halong Bay, what is actually available can be very interesting. Try the night market at Bai Chay Town. It is set up with many small open-air stalls with good collections of Vietnamese products includes the famous traditional Vietnamese silk dress (ao dai), lacquerware, chopsticks, trinkets, ceramic tea sets, Vietnamese conical hats (nón lá) and dolls. Experienced shoppers recommend bargaining hard to 30-50% of the original offered price. Most shops accept US Dollars as well as the local currency, Dong. Another fun way of shopping is from small floating shops. Local people row boats filled with goods such as beer, vodka, cigarettes, potato chips, cookies and other snacks. Their small boats are usually laden with goods in a very organised way and even if you're not buying anything these vessels are fascinating to see and photograph. It is important for shoppers not to encourage vendors selling stalagmites and stalactites as they should stay where they belong – inside Halong’s caves and grottos.
India's G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, shone a spotlight on the 2023 New Delhi Declaration in the lead-up to the prestigious G20 Summit in Brazil. He described the declaration as not just "ambitious," but also "very ambitious," and praised its progressive nature.
On Friday, the Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, inaugurated a landmark event: the first trilateral power flow transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh. This historic occasion was hosted virtually by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, marking a significant step forward in regional energy cooperation.
The people of PoJK's civil society took to the streets in an act of defiance, protesting the lack of allocated funds for the much-needed repair and development of the Sudhan Gali Road in the Bagh district of Pakistan.
Hanoi's vibrant energy comes alive during the year-end festivals, with a bustling atmosphere that is dynamic and captivating. The city's hectic pace offers a unique sense of connection for solo travelers, making it an ideal destination to explore and immerse oneself in the vibrant culture.
