63 years of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties: Legacy preserved at Combatant Alliance Museum

Sixty-three years have passed since the establishment of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962), the Laos – Vietnam Combatant Alliance Museum in Dong village, Sepon district, the Lao province of Savannakhet, stands as a powerful reminder of the two nations’ enduring solidarity.

Officially opened on December 12, 2012, the museum spans over three hectares and serves as a dynamic cultural and historical space. It houses hundreds of artefacts and photographs related to the Route 9 – Southern Laos Campaign, images of the allied forces transporting supplies and weapons, and scenes illustrating the deep attachment between the peoples and armed forces of the two countries.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Houmphanh Chansanga, Director of the museum, said the exhibitions, both indoors and outdoors, are designed to provide a complete and appealing narrative.

The indoor section is divided into six themes, covering the Lao people’s uprisings, resistance strategies, the organisation of forces, the victories of the Lao and Vietnamese armies, and the solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations. The outdoor displays vividly recreate the atmosphere of the resistance years, with many valuable artefacts, he noted.

Houmphanh said that in addition to welcoming domestic and international delegations, the museum regularly organizes programmes for pupils and young people to study and experience history, thus fostering a sense of gratitude and responsibility to preserve and promote the traditions, according to VNA.

The Laos – Vietnam Combatant Alliance Museum in Dong village, Sepon district in the Lao province of Savannakhet (Photo: VNA)

The museum serves not only as a repository of artefacts but also as a bridge between history and the present, thus inspiring patriotism and national pride, he went on.

To enrich its collection, the museum has also closely collaborated with local communities to gather and add new exhibits. According to Houmphanh, staff have actively visited villages to collect wartime items for display. The museum has also encouraged localities to organize study visits and contribute historical information, especially concerning the Lam Son 719 Campaign, which took place in the area.

The museum’s significance is further highlighted through extracurricular visits by schools. Khomchay Sithisone, Vice Principal of the Dongsavanh School in Sepon district, described the museum as a valuable opportunity for students to learn history in a vivid and direct manner.

Students’ joy and pride were evident as they explored the exhibits and deepened their understanding of the special Vietnam – Laos relationship.

Teacher Phonmouny Phachansisoula of the Dongsavanh School stressed that the museum’s main purpose is to help students appreciate the sacrifices by past generations of Lao and Vietnamese fighters, thereby understanding the inseparable bond between the two nations and strengthening the foundation for future solidarity.

Over more than six decades, the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have become invaluable assets of both nations. The Laos – Vietnam Combatant Alliance Museum stands as a lasting testament to the enduring value of this unique relationship.

Sapa listed among Asia’s most popular rural getaways

Sa Pa ward in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has been named among Asia’s top rural destinations, according to digital travel platform Agoda.

This year, Sapa ranked sixth in the Asia-wide listing, highlighting its growing international appeal.

Famous for its terraced rice fields and local villages, Sapa draws visitors with stunning landscapes, unique culture, and breathtaking views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range from Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak, known as “Indochina roof.” Agoda data showed that searches for the hilltop town rose 21%, reflecting its increasing popularity.

Sapa among Asia’s top rural getaways at sixth place (Photo: Agoda)

“Rural destinations in Vietnam, particularly the highland town of Sapa, are gaining popularity among travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and natural beauty,” Agoda noted. The platform also featured Sapa’s seasonal charm: plum and peach blossoms in spring, lush green rice shoots in summer, golden terraced fields in autumn, and rare snow-dusted vistas in winter.

“The vibrant local highland markets remain a highlight that draws both domestic and international visitors. With its blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, Sapa stands as one of Asia’s most distinctive mountain destinations,” Agoda stressed.

Vu Ngoc Lam, country director at Agoda, said Vietnam’s representation in the Asia list through Sapa shows how the country’s landscapes and heritage continue to captivate travelers. “From terraced rice fields and mountain treks to rich cultural traditions, visitors are showing stronger appetite for authentic and immersive experiences away from big-city hubs,” he added.

The ranking covers destinations across eight Asian markets with populations under 50,000, based on Agoda accommodation searches from February 15 to August 15. Other top rural getaways include Cameron Highlands (Malaysia), Khao Yai (Thailand), Puncak (Indonesia), Fujikawaguchiko (Japan), Kenting (Taiwan, China), Munnar (India), and Pyeongchang-gun ( The Republic of Korea).

International searches for Vietnam's tourism rise sharply: conference

International searches for Vietnam's tourism have increased sharply since late 2024 and early 2025, heard the 2025 national tour operators’ conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 5.

The event, organized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), reviewed international tourist arrivals in Vietnam and discussed ways to achieve this year's target of 25 million international visitors.

Participants highlighted that key source markets of searches include the US, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and several European countries such as the UK and Germany. Since the beginning of 2025, searches for Vietnam's tourism have grown by 10–25%, ranking seventh globally.

Vietnam is currently outpacing other Southeast Asian destinations such as the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The top ten most-searched destinations in Vietnam are HCM City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Vung Tau, Da Lat, Phan Thiet, and Hue. Notably, Vung Tau and Ninh Binh have recorded the highest growth rates, exceeding 75%. The markets showing the strongest interest include the US, India, Australia, Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the UK, Malaysia, and China.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong underlined that the conference took place at a time of national transition, creating both opportunities and challenges for the tourism sector.

Despite strong growth in recent years, making tourism a bright spot in Vietnam’s economic landscape, he emphasised the need for further breakthroughs to establish tourism as a key driver of the economy, stressing the crucial role of the private sector in driving tourism development and national economic growth.

The Deputy Minister noted that enterprises have a critical role to play by contributing innovative ideas, devising concrete action plans, and strongly cooperating with suppliers and international markets to enhance Vietnamese tourism’s competitiveness, cited VNA.

At the conference (Photo: VNA)

VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu reported that as of July 2025, Vietnam had 4,361 international tour operators, including 1,330 joint-stock companies, 3,025 limited liability companies, and six private enterprises, along with 2,115 domestic tour operators. The country also boasts 280 five-star hotels with nearly 93,000 rooms, and 340 four-star hotels with almost 47,000 rooms. More than 42,000 licensed tour guides are currently active nationwide.

However, most tour operators are small and medium-sized enterprises with limited competitiveness, insufficient resources for large-scale product development and promotion, and a lack of incentives to attract more visitors.

Within the framework of the conference, representatives from ministries, local authorities, and travel enterprises held panel discussions on the Northeast Asian – ASEAN markets, the European – North American – Australian markets, and the Indian – Middle Eastern markets. These discussions focused on measures to boost arrivals in each segment, proposals for more effective promotion mechanisms, the strengthening of transport connectivity, and the restructuring of businesses to meet the growing demand for digital transformation in tourism.

Delegates agreed that to achieve the target of 25 million international arrivals in 2025, Vietnam must mobilise the combined efforts of all stakeholders, make the most of domestic and international opportunities, and leverage favourable institutional and policy conditions to accelerate growth.

Vietnam to experience rare blood moon in early hours of September 8

Vietnamese skywatchers are in for a visual treat as a rare blood moon - a total lunar eclipse - will occur in the early hours of September 8. The phenomenon will produce a striking, deep-red moon visible across much of the world, with the total eclipse phase lasting 1 hour and 22 minutes.

The celestial event begins on the night of September 7 and peaks before dawn on September 8. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, with the Earth casting its shadow across the Moon's surface.

During this time, the Moon will be completely immersed in Earth’s umbra, causing its surface to glow red - a phenomenon known as the blood moon.

This upcoming lunar eclipse will span a total of 5 hours and 27 minutes. The full eclipse phase will occur from 12:30 AM to 1:52 AM (local time) on September 8.

Observers in Africa and Europe will have the best viewing conditions right after sunset. In Asia and Australia, the eclipse is best seen at midnight or before dawn. North and South America will miss the event as the Moon will remain below the horizon, reported VNN.

The blood moon creates a dramatic and rare spectacle. Photo: NewScientist

Globally, over 7 billion people will be able to witness this lunar spectacle, with around 6.2 billion people able to observe the full eclipse from start to finish. Vietnam is among the most ideally positioned countries to experience the blood moon.

Key stages of the eclipse include the penumbral phase starting at 10:28 PM on September 7, followed by the partial eclipse at 11:27 PM. The full blood moon begins at 12:30 AM on September 8, reaches maximum eclipse at 1:11 AM, and concludes at 1:52 AM.

According to the Hanoi Astronomical Society (HAS), this eclipse occurs just 2.6 days before the Moon reaches perigee (its closest point to Earth), making it appear larger and darker - a rare opportunity to view a super blood moon.

The lunar eclipse is completely safe to observe with the naked eye, without requiring any special equipment. However, using a telescope or binoculars can significantly enhance the experience.

To enjoy the best viewing conditions, observers should find open areas with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, away from artificial lighting such as street lamps and building lights.

In addition to the eclipse, on September 21, Saturn and its iconic rings will appear in opposition to the Sun, offering another spectacular stargazing opportunity. Saturn will rise in the east after sunset, reach its highest point at midnight, and gradually descend toward the western horizon by dawn.

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