Vietnamese, Lao provinces enhance youth cooperation

A delegation of the Youth Union of Vietnam’s Son La province held talks with its counterparts from Laos' Oudomxay and Xayabury provinces on December 25 in the Vietnamese locality.

The sides engaged in open, candid, and constructive discussions, reaffirming their shared determination and common orientations for future cooperation. They agreed that over the past time, bilateral coordination has received close attention and direction from Party Committees and authorities at all levels; solidarity, mutual trust and understanding have been further strengthened; and many joint activities have been implemented in a practical and effective manner, generating positive spillover effects among young people and local communities.

Alongside these achievements, the delegations also acknowledged existing difficulties, including wide and mountainous terrains, limited transport conditions, uneven resources, and insufficiently flexible coordination mechanisms in certain areas, thus requiring continued efforts and solutions in the time ahead.

They reached a consensus on maintaining and further promoting areas of cooperation that have proved effective, particularly in youth education, friendship exchanges, cultural activities, volunteer movements, social welfare initiatives, and support for youth in developing skills and capacity to meet new requirements. They also agreed to expand substantive cooperation, enhance flexibility in implementation, and strengthen the application of information technology and digital transformation in coordination and information exchange, according to VNA.

Delegates to the talks between the Youth Union of Vietnam’s Son La province and the Youth Unions of Laos' Oudomxay and Xayabury provinces (Photo: VNA)

It is necessary to proactively propose innovative, effective, and replicable cooperation models; and promote the role of youth organizations in mobilising social resources.

With a spirit of solidarity, trust, responsibility, and strong determination, the parties expressed confidence that agreed cooperation orientations will continue to be translated into concrete and meaningful programs and activities, further deepening youth cooperation in the coming time.

Exhibition highlights vitality of Vietnamese cultural heritage

An exhibition entitled “Vietnamese cultural heritage – vitality from tradition to modernity” opened on December 25 in Ho Chi Minh.

The exhibition features nearly 200 images showcasing Vietnam’s cultural heritage and efforts to preserve and promote its values in recent years. It is structured around four themes: the legal and policy framework for heritage protection; Vietnamese heritage recognised by UNESCO; the diversity and uniqueness of Vietnamese cultural heritage; and cultural heritage for sustainable development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Thu Hien said the exhibition aims to present vividly and accessibly the outstanding values of Vietnam’s cultural heritage to domestic and international audiences, while raising public awareness, fostering national pride and inspiring younger generations.

Delegates at the opening of the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

She noted that Vietnam currently possesses a vast and diverse heritage system, with more than 40,000 relics nationwide, including nine UNESCO-recognised cultural and natural heritage elements, 17 items of intangible cultural heritage, and 11 documentary heritage listings, along with thousands of national and special national relics, reported VNA,

Nguyen Minh Nhut, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports, said the city now has 321 ranked relics and a network of 25 museums, both public and private. While notable progress has been made, he stressed that further efforts are needed, particularly in preserving intangible and documentary heritage.

The exhibition will run until January 15, 2026.

Vietnam named among Asia’s most attractive winter destinations for Indians

According to the website, Vietnam has become India’s breakout destination of 2025 thanks to its budget-friendly itineraries, easy e-visa, and a strong appeal for travellers seeking culture plus adventure in one trip.

“It offers the best value in Southeast Asia, with December–January bringing pleasant weather across the country”, Hindustan Times stresses.

Vietnam is one of Asia’s most attractive winter destinations for Indians, according to Hindustan Times of India.

The outlet reveals that from the tranquil landscapes of Phu Quoc to the iconic Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills in Da Nang, a 4–6 day tour priced at around 80,000 rupees per person (equivalent to nearly VND30 million) offers a complete experience.

Hindustan Times also suggests that holidaymakers should try delicious cuisines, such as Pho (noodle), banh mi (baguette), and coffee.

Rounding off the list of top 6 attractive winter destinations are Japan, Thailand, Maldives, Dubai, and Singapore.

Vietnam sets four-day holiday and grand firework plans for New Year 2026

For New Year’s 2026, civil servants and public employees in Vietnam will enjoy a four-day break from Thursday, January 1 to Sunday, January 4.

The Government has approved the proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs, allowing a swap of the regular working day Friday, January 2 with Saturday, January 10 to create an extended holiday.

Employers in the private sector are encouraged to apply the same holiday schedule for their workers. However, they must still comply with labor regulations and ensure employees receive all entitled benefits. Companies are also urged to negotiate arrangements that further benefit employees where possible.

Vietnamese labor law considers holidays a fundamental right. According to Decree 12/2022/ND-CP, employers violating regulations on weekly rest, annual leave, or public holidays may face fines ranging from $400 to $800 USD. Fines between $80 and $200 USD may also apply if employers deny unpaid or personal leave, or fail to notify authorities about excessive overtime exceeding 200 to 300 hours annually.

If an employer requires staff to work during the official holiday, it must be with employee consent and accompanied by proper overtime compensation.

As part of the New Year festivities, Hanoi will host a 15-minute firework display from 11:45 PM on December 31, 2025, to midnight on January 1, 2026, at five venues, featuring six launch sites combining high- and low-altitude fireworks along with traditional pyrotechnic effects.

This year’s firework shows will incorporate modern light technology to elevate the visual experience and create more spectacular displays than in previous years, VNN reported.

For New Year 2026, workers in Vietnam will have a four-day break. Photo: Hoang Minh

In addition to fireworks, Hanoi will also hold a “Countdown 2026” event under the theme "Reconnect for real", running from 7:00 PM to midnight on December 31, 2025, at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and the pedestrian zones around Hoan Kiem Lake.

For Lunar New Year (Tet) Binh Ngo 2026, the capital plans to launch fireworks at 31 locations, including 11 high-low combined launch sites and 21 low-altitude sites. The fireworks will begin at midnight on February 17, 2026 (Tuesday), marking the Lunar New Year’s Eve.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the New Year 2026 celebration will feature three high-altitude firework shows at the Saigon River Tunnel (An Khanh Ward), Binh Duong New City Center, and Tam Thang Square (Vung Tau Ward), along with one low-altitude display at Dam Sen Cultural Park (Binh Thoi Ward).

All fireworks will last 15 minutes, starting at midnight on January 1, 2026, with funding sourced entirely from socialized contributions.

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