Festival connects ethnics in Vietnamese, Lao border provinces
A culture, sports and tourism festival of ethnic minority groups in Vietnamese and Lao border localities is taking place in A Luoi district, Thua Thien-Hue province.
A dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the festival in A Luoi district, Thua Thien-Hue province, on May 17 (Photo: VNA)
Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – A culture, sports and tourismfestival of ethnic minority groups in Vietnamese and Lao border localities istaking place in A Luoi district, Thua Thien-Hue province.
The event attracts more than 600 artisans, artists, and amateurathletes from both sides. They come from Vietnam’s central and CentralHighlands provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, andKon Tum, and the Lao provinces of Attapeu, Sekong, Savannakhet, and Salavan.
Opening the festival on May 17, Vietnamese DeputyMinister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy said the event aims tohonour and introduce the special cultural values of ethnic minorities whileenhancing the solidarity, friendship, cooperation and cultural exchange betweenthe two countries’ border provinces.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of LaosBuangan Xaphuvong said the great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation of the two countries are hard to be found anywhereelse in the world. This festival will help reinforce cultural exchanges betweenLaos and Vietnam, as well as relations between the two peoples in general.
Activities in the festival include exhibitions of thelocalities’ culture and tourism products, arts performances, shows oftraditional costumes and brocade making, reenactment of traditional festivalsand customs, and a culinary competition. The programme also features traditionalsports of local ethnics such as pole pushing, tug of war, and crossbow shooting.
Vietnam’s TE-FOOD company on May 13 signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation with the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Livestock and Fisheries to build a herd management and information system for urgent epidemic prevention through smart phones, amidst the spreading African swine fever (ASF) in the region.
Experience in trade union work was shared between the northern mountainous province of Son La and the northern Lao provinces of Houaphanh, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Luang Namtha from May 13-15.
The culture, sports, and tourism festival for ethnic minority communities in the Vietnam-Laos border area, central region, and Central Highlands regions will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from May 17-19 under the theme “Solidarity, friendship, and development”.
A cooperation deal has been signed between the Vietnam Business Association for Cooperation and Investment in Laos (BACI) and the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Laos (YEAL), expected to open up more partnership chances for the countries’ businesses.
The Vietnamese Party and State has consistently attached great importance to friendship exchanges between the Vietnamese and Lao youth, creating favourable conditions to enhance their relations and promote mutual understanding, thus contributing to the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, a senior Party official said.
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.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
A dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the festival in A Luoi district, Thua Thien-Hue province, on May 17 (Photo: VNA) 
