Tra Que, a vegetable village in the central town of Hoi An, has been named the “Best Tourism Village in the World 2024” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The award ceremony took place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on November 15. In this fourth edition, 55 villages from around the globe were honored, the Saigon Tiep Thi news site reported.
According to representatives from Hoi An, UN Tourism recognized the rich cultural and natural resources of Tra Que vegetable village, along with the village’s commitments and actions in adhering to the three main pillars of sustainable tourism development.
In April 2022, the vegetable farming profession in Tra Que was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage, categorized as folk knowledge and traditional crafts.
Giving a little joy to strangers
In front of a café on Vo Thi Sau Street in Bien Hoa City, pink gerbera daisies and a note reading, “Take a flower for a smooth start to your day,” have been bringing smiles to passersby and spreading positivity on social media.
The heartwarming gesture is the brainchild of Phan Tran Quoc Tu, a 30-year-old resident of Bien Hoa, Dong Nai Province. After years of exhausting commutes and work-related stress, Tu decided to open a coffee stand with a unique twist — creating an “energy station” by handing out flowers along with morning greetings.
Tu and his team set up their coffee stand daily at 6:30 a.m., with Tu personally selecting fresh flowers from the market. He shared with Thanh Nien news site that this routine brings him joy and helps him start his day on a positive note. In addition to flowers, Tu often surprises customers with small treats included with their coffee orders, adding an extra touch of delight.
Although his business is still growing and not yet highly profitable, Tu finds deep fulfillment in brightening the day of each customer. “Spreading joy and creating meaningful experiences for others makes me truly happy,” he said.
Restaurants in HCMC recommended by Michelin
Of the 73 restaurants in HCMC recommended by Michelin Guide in 2014, eight small ones serve delicious dishes at reasonable prices, vnexpress.net reported.
Nhu Restaurant opened since 1995 to serve beef noodle soup with fried pork fat toppings in an alley in District 3 received Michelin Selected award thanks to its special toppings.
Bo Kho Ganh eatery at Ngo Gia Tu Condominium on Su Van Hanh Street, District 10, was recommended by Michelin Guide inspectors for its Vietnamese beef stew.
Banh Xeo Restaurant at 46A Dinh Cong Trang Street, District 1, received Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award thanks to its southern-style sizzling pancakes served from 1986.
Bun Bo Hue 14B Restaurant serving beef noodle soup in a small alley in District 4 received a Bib Gourmand award thanks to its high-quality dishes at reasonable prices.
Oc Oanh eatery on Vinh Khanh Street, District 4, received Michelin Selected award by serving grilled scallops, grilled blue crabs, and steamed clams.
Thuy 94 (old) Restaurant on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, District 1, won a Michelin Selected award with its diverse dishes prepared from crabs.
Also recommended by Michelin Guide are Xoi Number One eatery serving sticky rice dishes at Nguyen Trung Truc-Luu Van Lang T-junction in District 1, and Co Lieng Restaurant on Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, serving grilled beef in lolot leaf and grilled beef in caul fat.
Tram carriage model made from ceramic pieces
An old streetcar carriage model made of 15,000 ceramic pieces by artist Nguyen Xuan Lam is now displayed at Cau Giay Station in Hanoi.
The artwork, named “Il est cinq heures, Hanoï s’éveille” (It is 5 a.m., Hanoi gets up), was introduced on the occasion of the commercial operation of the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line on November 9. As this elevated metro line marks the Vietnam-France relationship in sustainable urban development, the French Development Agency (AFD) coordinated with the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) and artist Nguyen Xuan Lam to make this artwork in five months.
According to vnexpress.net, the ceramic tram carriage model is decorated with a garden with animals and plants depicted in Dong Ho and Hang Trong folk paintings on both sides, and Voi Phuc Temple on the front part. The artwork is 3.5 meters long and 2.8 meters tall and is placed on a hexagon platform.
