Ninh Binh ceremony to mark 50 years of UNESCO convention on cultural, natural heritage protection
The 50th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage will be marked with a ceremony in northern Ninh Binh province on September 6.
Boats sail for Thung Nang, a tourist site in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 50th anniversary ofthe Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and NaturalHeritage will be marked with a ceremony in northern Ninh Binh province onSeptember 6.
The event will be held by Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism (MCST), the Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee, and the VietnamNational Commission for UNESCO, on the occasion of an official visit by UNESCO Director-GeneralAudrey Azoulay from September 5 to 7, the MCST said.
Other activities will include a photo exhibition on worldcultural and natural heritage sites in Vietnam, the screening of short filmsabout heritages and preservation efforts, and an award ceremony for aheritage-themed painting contest by the UNESCO Hanoi Office.
NinhBinh, the venue of the coming ceremony, is home to the Trang An Landscape Complex– a mixed cultural and natural heritage site of the world that earned therecognition in 2014.
According to the MCST, UNESCO chose the theme “World Heritagefor Resilience and Sustainable Development” for the 50th anniversaryof the 1972 Convention amid countries’ efforts to achieve the SustainableDevelopment Goals and enhancement of their responsiveness to global challenges,especially climate change and epidemics.
Boats on Ngo Dong River in the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist site, part of the Trang An Landscape Complex. (Photo: VNA)
The Convention,adopted by UNESCO at its 17th session in Paris on November 16, 1972,is the only combining cultural and natural heritage protection. As many as 194 stateshave become members of this convention.
SinceVietnam ratified the deal on October 19, 1987, it has had eight cultural,natural, and mixed heritages inscribed in the world heritage list. The siteshave greatly contributed to local socio-economic development and helped popularise the country’s images to international friends, the MCST noted.
The ministry said asUNESCO has encouraged member states to mark the convention’s 50th anniversary ahead of the global celebration in Florence, Italy, this November, theceremony in Vietnam will help demonstrate the country’s role, contributions,and sense of responsibility towards this convention.
Itwill also help popularise Vietnam’s achievements in preserving and bringinginto play world heritages, affirm its stature within the UNESCO framework,create favourable conditions for the country’s candidacy for a seat in theWorld Heritage Committee for 2023 - 2027, and further strengthen the Vietnam -UNESCO cooperation in the time ahead, according to the MCST./.
Vietnam on July 6 was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term during the ninth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention 2003, held in Paris.
Hoi An, the sole representative of Vietnam, is ranked 20th among the 25 best cities of the world in 2022, as voted by readers of Travel + Leisure US travel magazine.
The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai has completed its preparation to host a ceremony to receive the UNESCO's certificate recognising the art of Xoe dance of the Thai ethnic people as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on September 24, according to Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu Thi Hien Hanh.
As Hanoi has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, it has a need for plenty of space for art and creativity. The idea of transforming industrial heritage like old factories and construction sites into creative hubs was proposed over the past few years. The network, “For a liveable Hanoi”, held a music concert to continue sending its message.
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.
Boats sail for Thung Nang, a tourist site in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA) 
Boats on Ngo Dong River in the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist site, part of the Trang An Landscape Complex. (Photo: VNA) 
