A group of young artists from a social enterprise in Hanoi have brought new life to tens of thousands of used plastic items and transformed them into impressive artworks which are on display at an ongoing exhibition in the capital.
Opened to the public at the Vincom Centre for Contemporary Art (VCCA) last week, the exhibition Plastic Planet presents a serious message about the environment, especially the harmful effects of plastic garbage.
The highlights of the exhibition are four large installation artworks, including Loc Xoay (Tornado) – a 4.5m high installation created from thousands of used plastic items.
Student Huy Trung said he felt overwhelmed standing in front of the work. “There are many TV programmes about natural disasters, so I know how serious tornados and their deadly power can be. When I look at this work, I can imagine the similar devastation being caused by plastic use,” he said.
According to Trung, the message about the environment is made “visible” by the artwork.
At the exhibition, visitors, especially children, have been attracted by a vivid “aquarium”. A whole ocean with sea creatures such as octopus, lionfish and horse fish all made from used plastic bags can be seen here.
The work, Canh Dong (The Field), which was created from thousands of plastic straws, and life-sized statues of a couple, which has been name Family, are other attractions at the exhibition.
The exhibition also offers a chance for visitors to interact using other senses.
At the “Secret Box” section, visitors can touch screens to listen to the sound of water pouring into a sea of plastic bottles or to see how quick plastic garbage destroys the eco-system.
At the “Safe Zone” section, children present their angle on nature and the environment through cute and colourful paintings.
Months before the exhibition, in order to have enough materials for the artworks, the exhibition’s initiator, To He – a Vietnamese social enterprise that provides a creative learning playground for disadvantaged children to play and learn in a different academic setting, called on people to donate used and clean plastic bags. In exchange, every donor would receive a small potted plant. The “green proramme” has been supported by many people.
During the exhibition, VCCA will also host several educational activities targeting children. The activities include mini concert, environment-themed workshops and exhibition tours for children.
The Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon and tourism promotion event themed Meet Guangxi (Baise) brought distinctive Chinese cultural features to the capital through activities organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The Phu Quy special zone, an island district off the south-central coast of Vietnam, is capitalising on its strong marine economy potential, particularly in tourism and fisheries, to transform the island’s economy, improve local livelihoods and position itself as a key sea-based economic hub.
Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).
A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.
As Tay Ninh identifies tourism as a crucial economic pillar, integrating Don ca tai tu into tourism offerings is seen as a strategic move.
The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.
Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.
In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.
In Ho Chi Minh City, leaders, residents, overseas Vietnamese, students and pupils offered incense and flowers in tribute to the Hung Kings and Nguyen Huu Canh, credited with opening up the Sai Gon – Gia Dinh area.
The gathering offers a platform for photographers worldwide to exchange ideas and share experiences, marking the fourth edition of the event.
A survey by booking.com shows that around 33% of Vietnamese respondents are planning short domestic trips for the upcoming Hung Kings Commemoration Day and Reunification Day (April 30)–May Day (May 1) holidays, while 22% are opting for longer international journeys compared to last year.
In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam posted the fastest tourism growth in the region, welcoming 6.76 million international arrivals, up 12.4% year-on-year. Key markets such as China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan continued to underpin demand.
From the moment attendees entered the exhibition space in Paris, visitors were enveloped in a harmonious blend of sensory experiences, with the delicate aroma of tea, the robust notes of coffee, and the vivid colours of Vietnamese handicrafts.
Only when culture is nurtured basing on the self-awareness and pride of each individual can it exist and develop sustainably, remarked Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
This year’s festival drew the participation of 15 representatives from embassies in Russia, along with a large number of students from countries, including Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Haiti.
With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market
Mui Ne’s appearance in global trend reports signals a new movement, where destinations can no longer rely solely on scenery but must tell their own stories and craft distinctive and personalised experiences.
Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.
By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.
Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.