Lung Cu border commune in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang captivates visitors with its majestic natural landscapes, the rich cultural depth of highland ethnic communities, and the peaceful rhythm of life.
In recent days, thousands of residents and visitors have flocked to Ha Phat Church in the southern province of Dong Nai to admire a 35-metre-tall Christmas tree crafted from 3,000 traditional Vietnamese conical hats. Striking in both scale and creativity, the unique structure celebrates cultural heritage and has become a major attraction ahead of the Christmas season.
On December 18 evening, after Vietnam’s U22 team staged a dramatic 3-2 comeback against host Thailand to claim the gold medal in the men’s football event at the 33rd SEA Games, huge crowds across the country flooded the streets, waving flags, cheering, and celebrating the victory.
Over 12 days and nights, from December 18 to 30, 1972, the US Air Force launched an unprecedented bombing campaign in Indochina, in an attempt to “throw North Vietnam back to the stone age”. With courage, determination, ingenuity and close coordination, the armed forces and people of the North shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52 bombers. The decisive victory over Hanoi shattered the peak of US military escalation and led to the signing of the Paris Agreement, ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam and Indochina.
Vietnam are crowned champions of the men’s football event at SEA Games 33 after a thrilling 3–2 victory over Thailand at Rajamangala National Stadium on December 18, 2025.
The festival functions as a space to bring together regional OCOP excellence, a forum connecting OCOP stakeholders with distributors, investors, experts and consumers, and a platform to spread pride in indigenous culture, local knowledge, and the aspiration for legitimate prosperity.
The Startup Festival 2025 marked the largest annual event summarising a year-long startup support programme.
The Party and State continue to define infrastructure development as one of the three strategic breakthroughs, with priority given to building comprehensive and modern infrastructure, particularly transport facilities, technological infrastructure, and green – digital transition infrastructure, to help realise the national target of double-digit growth, the PM said.
To create traditional costumes rich in vibrant colours and intricate detailing, Dao women in Phong Tho commune, Lai Chau province, go through multiple stages of work, all carried out entirely by hand. Among them, yarn spinning requires exceptional care and patience, as short, fine fibres are twisted and joined to form strong, durable threads.
Identifying mandarins as one of the crops helping ethnic minority communities escape poverty, instead of expanding cultivation area, authorities in Chieng Coi ward, Son La province are promoting stronger application of science and technology, organic and VietGAP-oriented farming, while linking production with mandarin brand building and the development of experiential tourism. This approach opens up a sustainable pathway for the specialty crop of Chieng Coi ward in particular and Son La province in general.
After more than two years of construction, by mid-December 2025, the transport links directly connecting Long Thanh Airport (Routes T1 and T2) are largely complete. The nearly 8-km routes, designed for speeds of 80–100 km/h, are now lined with greenery. Contractors are mobilising manpower to finish remaining work, aiming to complete the entire route within December.
The traditional rush mat weaving village in Vu Ha hamlet, Phu Duc commune, Hung Yen province, has a long-standing history. Despite many ups and downs, the craft continues to be maintained and modernised.
The vibrant display of Vietnamese fine arts, signature cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes impressed visitors at the annual Winternational Embassy Showcase held recently by the Vietnamese Embassy in the US in collaboration with the International Trade Centre.
Visiting Sa Pa in December offers a journey to seek nature’s magical moments, as cherry blossoms reach their most vibrant from December to early the following year.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 11th National External Information Service Awards in Hanoi on December 12
Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province has been named World’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination for the first time at the 2025 World Travel Awards ceremony in Bahrain, underscoring the unique value of the UNESCO Global Geopark and the rich cultural identity of its highland communities.
On the evening of December 11, Long Thanh Airpor in the southern province of Dong Nai successfully put into operation the entire aviation lighting and signage system on Runway 1, which meets Instrument Landing System Category II standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The system spans the runway’s full 4-km length and covers 1.8 km of the approach areas at both ends, 900 meters on each side, ensuring stable and reliable performance.
On December 11, 2025, at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Vietnam’s U22 team defeated Malaysia 2–0 in the final Group B match of SEA Games 33, with goals from Hieu Minh and Minh Phuc, securing the top spot and a place in the men’s football semifinals.
Vietnam has officially secured a landmark victory at the SEA Games with the gold medal earned by fighter Quang Van Minh in mixed martial arts. In the men's under-65kg modern category final, Van Minh (in blue) delivered a dominant performance, defeating his Malaysian opponent (in red) by technical knockout before the start of the third round.
The Dong Ho folk painting craft has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This is Vietnam’s 17th intangible cultural heritage element recognised by UNESCO.
The ‘che’, a traditional jar used in Ede rituals, holds both spiritual and social significance, symbolising wealth and prestige. Still treasured today, che jars are handed down through generations, reflecting the enduring cultural identity of the Ede people.
On the evening of December 9, 2025, the Opening Ceremony of SEA Games 33 took place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Under the theme “We Are One,” host country Thailand promised a spectacular artistic show that blends vibrant traditional culture with state-of-the-art stage technology.
With a strong humanitarian message, the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 gala went beyond delivering a dazzling night of performances, underscoring the role of culture and the arts in fostering a happy life for the Vietnamese people, and presenting to the world an image of a beautiful, dynamic and joyful Vietnam.
The Central Highlands Gong Culture Space, recognised by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, stands as a distinctive cultural symbol and a source of pride for ethnic minority communities in Dak Lak. The province is now stepping up efforts to safeguard and promote this treasured heritage amid the context of integration and development.
A traditional costume parade took place on December 7, 2025, in the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone in Hanoi, as part of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025.
The artistic lighting system at Mong Bridge, the Youth Cultural House, the Ton Duc Thang Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and other sites has just been inaugurated, giving the city’s central area a fresh look and creating a striking visual highlight. It showcases Ho Chi Minh City’s architectural features and attracts visitors at night.
A mass wedding for 80 couples was held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi on the morning of December 6. The event, themed “A day for us – Love is happiness,” co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi authorities, was a highlight of Vietnam Happy Fest 2025.
At dawn, Keo Lom Pass in Na Son commune in Dien Bien province awakens above a vast sea of white clouds filling the valley below. In the golden sunrise, layers of mountains appear faint and dreamy, creating a natural scene that is both majestic and poetic. This unspoiled beauty makes Keo Lom an appealing destination for visitors and those who love the landscapes of the northwest mountains.
