In the context of technology booming, it is easier for people to access information via Internet. However, many people are still keeping their habit of collecting printed books no matter how old they are.

 The book 1987, containing stories of those born in 1987 — the first year after the initiation of the country’s famous Đổi Mới (Renewal) policy — has become a best-seller, with 10,000 copies selling out only three months after its release.

 An exhibition showcasing foreign people and international landscapes through the lens of Vietnamese photographers will open at Vietnam Art Photograph Archives and Exhibition Centre on Ton That Thuyet Street on March 17.

 A 380m ironwood-floored pedestrian road is under construction along the southern bank of Huong River, one of the most well-known destinations in Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

 The Japanese cherry blossom festival is slated for March 23 to 26 in the capital city of Hanoi, as part of cultural exchange activities to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the Australian National University (ANU), one of the world’s top ten research universities, right after his arrival in Canberra on March 14 (local time). 

 The Embassy of Italy in Vietnam and the IBLA Foundation will co-organise a concert on March 16 at the Hanoi Youth Theatre, as part of celebrations for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 A mural painting project called “Fresco for the Future” is restoring the colourful appearance of Canh Duong fishing village following the devastation of storm Doksuri in September 2017. 

Amongst the thousands of businesses currently listed on the local stock exchanges, many have been led by bold and talented female leaders.

 Events in Hanoi & HCMC on March 12-18.

 Provinces in the Mekong Delta have stepped up efforts to prevent forest fires as the region is entering the highly risky dry season.

 Every year on the 8th day of the first lunar month, Phu Gia villagers organize a festival to honor steamed sticky rice.

 The French environmental documentary entitled Tomorrow will be shown at L’espace on March 31. It is one of eight documentaries the centre will screen this month in honour of several international environmental days. 

 Local designer Nguyen Cong Tri has been busy preparing his latest collections for the Vietnam International Fashion Week 2018 (VIFW) scheduled for April 19-22 in HCM City.

 Female sculptor Le Thi Hien is holding her first solo exhibition, which will open from 5pm today at the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum.

 The charm of Vietnamese traditional Ao Dai (long dress) was the main theme of a talk in HCM City on March 8 as part of the fifth Ao Dai festival in the city.

 Around 148 new books by Vietnamese and international authors have been released as part of Tháng 3 Sách Trẻ (Youth Books in March) programme.

 The fourth Steinway Youth Piano Competition will launch the countrywide audition round on March 20 to select the national winner to represent Vietnam at the regional final in Taiwan.

 The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on March 5 launched a 158 million USD energy project to help key industries and enterprises with energy saving.

Mong ethnic women in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien have been competing to see who can crochet the best patterns, attracting a large crowd of spectators in the early Lunar New Year.