Locals prepare thang den, a small glutinous rice flour dessert, served with aromatic roasted ginger-sugar syrup to cater to tourists.

Despite knowing the prohibition, many tourists still give money to children at tourist spots out of sympathy, while experts warn this practice "pushes" children away from school.

From yesterday afternoon until this morning, northern mountainous provinces including Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai were hit by storms and hailstorms, damaging homes and crops.

Every sunday morning, thousands of tourists and locals crowd the narrow streets of Dong Van Old Quarter for its vibrant weekly market.