Yen Bai (VNA) - Nestled at the gateway to Vietnam’s northwestern region, Yen Ba⛄i proꩵvince is turning its rich cultural heritage into a powerful engine for sustainable tourism, enriching local communities while captivating global travellers with authentic experiences.
Being home to 30 distinct ethnic groups, Yen Bai is a vibrant mosaic of cultural identities, boasting 137 historical and cultural relics, over 40 traditional festivals, and more than 510 intangible cultural treasures.
In Mu Cang Chai, a highland district where over 90% of residents are Hmong, cultural traditions are the heartbeat of a burgeoning tourism sector. A shining example is the Hmong embroidery and weaving cooperative, launched in partnership with Craft Link, a Hanoi-based centre for artisanal crafts. What began as a 10-woman collective has flourished into a nearly 50-member powerhouse, crafting traditional skirts, blouses, and brocade garments for markets in Vietnam and Europe.
A visitor try their hand at sewing traditional Hmong clothing. (Photo: VNA)
Ly Thi Ninh, the cooperative’s director, is on a mission to safeguard these ancestral skills. She mentors women to pass down embroidery techniques to their daughters and partners with schools to host workshops, immersing hundreds of students each year in the art of Hmong needlework.
Elsewhere in the lush green highlands of Na Hau in Van Yen district, the Hmong’s sacred forest worship ceremony draws visitors seeking spiritual and cultural depth. Across Yen Bai, community-based tourism sites maintain regular folk performances and cultural activities, gradually transforming them into engaging tourism products.
Vu Thi Mai Oanh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, credited timely policies to facilitating cultural preservation while encouraging community-led tourism. As a result, Yen Bai welcomed more than 2.2 million domestic and international visitors last year, generating over 1.9 trillion VND in revenue, up 11.7% from the previous year./.
A paragliding festival will be held in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai’s Mu Cang Chai district from September 1-3, featuring pilots from across the country.
Every year, from late October to early November, tourists from all over Vietnam flock to Mu Cang Chai in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai to marvel at the stunning terraced rice fields and the mesmerising white cloud sea atop Cao Pha Pass. But beyond the breathtaking natural scenery, it is the simplicity of life and the unique cultural heritage in the locality that truly captivate visitors.
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
