A dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the fourth Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival on November 22 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The fourthVietnam Cultural Heritage Festival opened with a ceremony held at the ImperialCitadel of Thang Long in Hanoi on November 22.
Nguyen Phuc Luu, Director of theUNESCO Centre for Culture and Sport Development under the Vietnam Federation ofUNESCO Associations, said the festival aims to honour cultural heritage valuesof Vietnam to step up the sustainable preservation and promotion of thosevalues. It is also an occasion to popularise the UNESCO-recognised intangible culturalheritage elements of Vietnam as well as others to the public, including foreignersin Hanoi.
The two-day festival, held inresponse to the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23), offers specialexperiences to visitors via special performances of traditional arts such asthe singing genres of Then, Van, Bai Choi, Quan ho, Cheo, Vi Dam, Tru, and Xam.Folk games like tug of war and stick pushing, the demonstration of making “to he”(toy figurines), and a calligraphy exhibition also form part of the event.
A drum performance at the opening ceremony of the fourth Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival (Photo: VNA)
Thefestival also aims to improve the community’s awareness and sense ofresponsibility towards the preservation and promotion of cultural heritagevalues, boost cooperation in the sustainable development of heritage tourismamong regions, and share experience in managing, preserving, and bringing intoplay cultural heritage values, Luu noted.
The event isorganised by the UNESCO Centre for Culture and Sport Development and the ThangLong Heritage Conservation Centre Hanoi./.
Vietnam considers culture a driving force of socio-economic development, placing culture on par with economy and politics, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said on November 16 when meeting with UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay in Paris.
The management board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter on November 18 kicked off a wide range of activities in the Old Quarter in the capital city to mark the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day which falls on November 23.
With more than 35 pieces of heritage of various types recognised by UNESCO, and cities joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Vietnam is proud of its diverse and rich culture imbued with national identity.
On February 24, 2005, the Prime Minister signed Decision No 36/2005/-TTg on adopting November 23 every year as “Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day”. The move aims to promote the traditions and sense of responsibility among those working to protect and promote the value of Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
Vietnam was elected member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023 - 2027 tenure on November 22 with the highest number of votes among Asian-Pacific states.
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.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
A dancing performance at the opening ceremony of the fourth Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival on November 22 (Photo: VNA) 
A drum performance at the opening ceremony of the fourth Vietnam Cultural Heritage Festival (Photo: VNA) 
