Charlie Win (US citizen), Ambassador of the Hanoi Travel Club, is delighted to experience the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year in the traditional northern Vietnamese ancient house. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) Foreigners in Vietnam whether they have been here for many years or just a short time, or tourists are impressed by Vietnamese traditional culture, customs, and people.
Charlie Win, an American actor and ambassador of the Hanoi Tourism Club, said this was his first visit to Duong Lam, although he has lived in Hanoi for 13 years. He was deeply moved by the reenactment of ancient customs and cultural activities that embody the distinctive essence of Duong Lam and Vietnam.
As a tourism ambassador, he pledged to redouble his efforts to promote and disseminate the captivating images and unique cultural facets of Duong Lam Ancient Village and tourism in Hanoi to his acquaintances.
Charlie Win pledges to redouble his efforts to promote tourism in Hanoi to his acquaintances. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) In Charlie’s thirteen Springs in Vietnam, it's the traditional Tet dishes that have stirred deep emotions about his "second homeland" in his heart. For him, Vietnamese Tet is truly different and special because of the custom of offering incense to ancestors on New Year's Eve, the whole family gathering around the reunion dinner table, among others.
Foreign guests are fascinated by the tradition of asking for calligraphy letters at the beginning of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) To develop tourism in Vietnam in the future, Charlie advises businesses, travel agencies, and localities to focus on story-telling to link tourism with local culture. This helps tourists gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese traditional culture and develop an emotional attachment to the country after each journey.
Excited to experience Vietnam
José Manuel Labrada González, a Cuban student studying at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Hanoi, has been in Vietnam for 4 years. José said he has been learning Vietnamese for only 1 year and really loves Vietnam, especially Hanoi.
From José's perspective, Vietnamese people are very hospitable, hardworking, and he especially loves Vietnamese culture.
During the recent Tet days, José experienced the tradition of making "banh chung" (square sticky rice cake) and found it very interesting. "Making 'banh chung' is not difficult for me," José said.
He also shared his impression of Vietnamese cuisine, especially "pho", "bun cha", "bun tron", "bun dau mam tom", spring rolls, and grilled "nem nuong" (fermented pork sausage from Nha Trang).
"Your Vietnam has so many delicious foods," he told the reporter.
Japanese group of tourists see Dong Ho folk paintings in Tet festival. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) Though not living and studying in Vietnam like Charlie or José, during her 13-day journey to explore Vietnam, French tourist Vandamme Christine said she was struck by the smiles and friendliness of the Vietnamese people along the way.
After 5 days of exploring Vietnam, Vandamme felt there was nothing to complain about. "I love this place, from the cuisine, landscapes to the people, all make me very excited," Vandamme said, adding that she would definitely return to Vietnam./.
Vandamme said she would definitely return to Vietnam (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) 
