Cultural Diversity

Like baguette and cheese, wine is a major part of both French culture and of the image France has around the world. When you picture a French person in your mind, it’s probable that they’re either holding a glass or bottle of wine or have one on the café table in front of them. But unlike cheese and bread, wine carries a certain cachet that can make it seem intimidating. In today’s show, we’ll hav...

If you ever visited the Buckingham Palace, the residence of the most important family in the UK, you couldn’t have missed the Queen’s Guards, the soldiers who are always standing still with straight faces. Today we will talk with Calum Bacon, an English young man who is working in Vietnam, to learn more about Foot Guards, the stoic soldiers that guard Her Majesty.  The hat is made from real bearsk...

As any Romanian will eagerly explain, there’s much more to know about Romania than the legend of Dracula. Constantly featured among Europe’s best travel destinations, Romania has plenty to surprise those looking for an exciting, off-the-beaten-track destination. In today’s show, we’ll have Gabriela Drobota from Romania to share with us some facts about Romania, its culture, people, and lifestyle....

From banned happy hours to not having any snakes in their country, Ireland is definitely a country that will surprise you. Today we’ll learn about life in Ireland and food and drink from Francis Moran, an English teacher from Ireland.

Located 80 kilometers north of Lagos in Oyo state, Nigeria, the town of Igbo Ora is well known for a remarkably large number of twin births. Today we’ll have a talk with Laykay Adepoju, a Nigerian who is working in Hanoi, to know more about Ogbo Ora, which is nicknamed “The twin capital of the world”.  Ibeji (Photo: barnebys.se)

 Kuchipudi is an Indian classical dance form counted among the ten leading classical dance forms of India. A dance-drama performance art that originated in a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, India, Kuchipudi evolved from the Hindu Sanskrit text ‘Natya Shastra’ and is connected traditionally with temples, spiritual faith, and travelling bards. In today’s Cultural Rendezvous, Kiran...

The annual candlelit Lucia procession on  December 13 is one of the more exotic Swedish customs, with girls and boys clad in white full-length gowns singing songs together. When the 400-year-old tradition of St. Lucia is celebrated, you will see thousands of young girls emerge from the darkness of a Swedish winter’s day and gently silence the crowds with a procession of light. How exactly is Lucia...

 In the Philippines, as in other Southeast Asian countries, paying respect to older people is a tradition passed from generation to generation. In today’s program, we’ll talk to Emmanuel Abalos about “mano” or “pagmamano”, an "honoring gesture" performed in Filipino culture as a sign of respect for an elder and a way of requesting a blessing from the elder. Mano - a beautiful tradition o...

The Han river (or Hangang) is the major river flowing through the heart of Seoul, South Korea. This river is an iconic symbol of the capital not just because of its beautiful scenery but also its historical value. Indeed, spending a whole day exploring the Han river is one of the most amazing things to do in Seoul. If you find yourself enjoying a trip in South Korea, it would be a shame if you mis...

Cricket is a beautiful bat-and-ball game. And with an estimated 2.5 billion fans worldwide, it is the second-most popular sport in the world behind soccer. In England, Cricket has a mass number of followers, around 65% of the population. Today we will talk to Callum Bacon, a young English gentleman to know more about the sport. Tung: What is the origin of cricket? Callum: It was centuries ago, I t...

In our previous show, we explored some beautiful cultural traditions and culture of Ireland known across the world. In today’s Culture Rendezvous, our guest MH, a former student of Cork Institute of Technology in Cork City, Ireland, is back to share with us more about another Irish cultural highlight landmark - Hurling. Welcome back, MH. We loved your story about Cork City and The Irish Pub in the...

Every year, during Spring, the South West England Gloucester region hosts the annual cheese-rolling event where people from far and wide travel to watch competitors launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. This is a historical event that originated hundreds of years ago and reflexes an indispensable part of England’s culture. Today, we will talk to Callum Bacon, an English yo...

 Though best known as a poet, Rabindranath Tagore was a man of many talents. The first Indian to win a Nobel Prize for literature, he wrote and composed a wide array of songs, including India’s national anthem. He was a pedagogue who established a university that challenged the conventional form of education, and also a painter, whose style played an important role in modernising Bengali art. Dr....

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, also known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar, or Second New Year, is a colorful parade in Cape Town, South Africa. It is as rich in history as in culture. Today we will talk to Ray Smit, a South African who is living in Hanoi to know more about the festival. (Photo: Cape Town Travel)

The traditions and culture of Ireland are known across the world and whilst millions celebrate and enjoy Irish traditions such as the Saint Patrick’s Day, Pub Culture, and Sports, many are not aware of their origins. In today’s Culture Rendezvous, we will talk with Van Minh Hien, a former student of Cork Institute of Technology in Cork City, Ireland, who will share her experiences in Cork City, wh...

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is well-known for its numerous tribes and ethnic groups. Yoruba people, one of Nigeria’s biggest ethnic community, have developed a variety of different handicraft products including pottery, weaving, beadwork, metalwork, and mask making. Today we will talk to Laykay Adepoju, a Nigerian who is working in Hanoi, to know more about Yoruba’s traditional a...

A baby shower is a way to celebrate the expected or delivered birth of a child by presenting gifts to the mother at a party. The term shower is often assumed to mean that the expectant mother is "showered" with gifts. The baby shower is typically arranged and hosted by a close friend rather than a member of the family. In the United States, baby shower is a common tradition. Marry Janny...

How much should I tip? Is 15% a standard rate that applies across the board? Do residents of different countries view tipping differently? What about those coin jars placed near cash registers? Lauren Brown from the US, who has been working in restaurants for years, will talk about tipping in the US.  

Celebrating your birthday is a big thing. For every decade and milestone, you have to celebrate it with all of your family and friends. Every birthday is a highlight in your life but your 18th birthday is the most important one. The celebration may vary between countries. Today, we’ll talk to Josi, a 21-year-old German student, to find out how Germans mark their 18th birthday.  An 18th birthday in...

In many cultures all over the world, wedding ceremonies go hand in hand with special traditions and superstitions. Today we’ll talk to Josephine Struckmeier, a German student working in Hanoi to find out some interesting customs in a German wedding.  A Hochzeitslader, the man who deliver wedding invitation (Photo: Pinterest)

Germany is a beer country, and that’s a fact. Thousands of brands of German beer have been created using just 4 ingredients: hops, barley, yeast, and water. That number continues to grow and no other European country produces more beer than Germany. Let’s talk to Josi, a German student, to find out more about German beer culture and how to drink like a German. If there is one festival in Germany t...

Although ice hockey is not the Finnish national sport, it is by far the most popular sport when measured by attendances and by national television coverage. Despite the country’s tiny population, the Finns punch far above their weight on the international scene, and their national men’ team are one of the best. Today we will talk to Amir Degheidy, a Finnish who is enjoying his vacation in Vietnam...

Hanoi’s rich history, culture, and architecture have inspired a great number of Vietnamese and foreign artists. Marcus Lacey, a professional photographer from England is one. He has lived and took photographs of England, New Zealand, Africa, Holland, and many other countries. He has stayed in Hanoi for 2 years and recently published a photo book capturing the beauty of Hanoi’s people and landscape...

Iyengar is the most famous and celebrated modern yogi, esteemed both in India and around the world. He is a realized master of yoga theory and practice. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Iyengar’s birthday, VOV interviewed Dr. G.B. Harisha, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center, about Iyengar’s contributions to bringing Indian yoga to the world.   B.K.B. Iyengar is the most f...

Unquestionably that Finland has one of the best education systems in the world. According to a Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, Finnish school children are among the best in group problem-solving. In today’s Culture Rendezvous, we will hear the story of Amir Degheidy, a Finnish construction engineer who is visiting Vietnam, to learn more about Finland’s education system...