The annual Indian Diwali Fest 2018 in HCM City (Photo: Incham)
HCM City (VNS/VNA)- More than 1,000 expats and Vietnamese attended the annual Indian DiwaliFest 2018, known as “The Festival of Lights”, in HCM City on November 3.
Diwali or Deepavali is the biggest festival in the year for the Indian communityin Vietnam.
Organised by the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (Incham) at GEM Center inDistrict 1 from 6pm until late, the event provided unique dance performances aswell as authentic cuisine from the ethnically diverse Indian sub-continent, a freeflow of drinks, and prizes for a raffle draw.
It included performances from Bollywood playback singer Shabab Sabri andhis band, the winner of the Aap Ki Awaz Media Excellence Award 2014.
A part of the proceeds from ticket sale will be donated for charity, accordingto Incham.
Diwali is one of the most sacred festivals for Hindus and is widely celebratedacross India. It spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, orgood over evil.
Preparations for Diwali start a few weeks before the festival date, and therituals typically extend over a five-day period.
The main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night ofthe Hindu calendar month Kartika. Based on the Gregorian calendar, Diwali nightfalls between mid-October and mid-November.
Besides India, Diwali is also widely celebrated in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nepal,Malaysia, Mauritius and other countries.-VNS/VNA
A group of four female motorcycling enthusiasts from India have reached Vietnam as part of their journey to cover UNESCO World Heritage Sites in seven nations along Mekong River.
The Indian band Pranavanaadham band will perform a concert combining classic instruments with modern equipment at Nguyen Hien Dinh Theatre in the central city of Da Nang on April 4 as a part of cultural exchanges between Vietnam and India.
An Indian tourism promotion themed “Incredible India Roadshow 2018” was held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 8 by India’s Ministry of Tourism and General Consulate in the city, giving a chance for travel firms of the two sides to explore partnership opportunities.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on May 29 on the first leg of his tour to three Southeast Asian countries.
The Centre for Vietnam Studies under the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) coordinated with the Embassy of Vietnam in India to screen the movie “I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass” on July 10 to bring Vietnamese culture closer to its Indian friends.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
The annual Indian Diwali Fest 2018 in HCM City
