President attends celebration of 200th birth anniversary of blind poet in Ben Tre
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highlighted significant contributions of blind poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu to Vietnam’s literature, education and culture, in his remarks delivered at the celebration of Chieu’s 200th birth anniversary (July 1, 1822 – 2022).
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) presents a gift to Ben Tre at the event (Photo: VNA)
Ben Tre (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hashighlighted significant contributions of blind poet Nguyen DinhChieu to Vietnam’s literature, education and culture, in his remarks deliveredat the celebration of Chieu’s 200th birth anniversary (July 1, 1822 –2022).
Chieu (1822 – 1888) is among the World Cultural Celebritieswhose birth and death anniversaries will be commemorated by UNESCO between 2022and 2023. The decision was made during the ongoing 41st General Conference ofUNESCO in Paris on November 23 last year.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
At the event held in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre onJune 30, Phuc stated that the celebration is an opportunity to honour the man’sdedication to the culture of Vietnam and humankind, and also to discover hisvaluable experiences and lessons serving the local and national development inthe future.
The leader requested studies be conducted to further shedlight on his works and his roles as teacher and doctor. The poet’s works shouldbe promoted widely in Vietnam and abroad, and the legacy of his life andcareer digitised, he said.
Phuc added the UNESCO’s honour of the man’s thought and personalityis also the honour of Vietnamese people’s soul, intelligence, and good deeds.
In his speech, Chairman of the Ben Tre People’s CommitteeTran Ngoc Tam said Chieu spent the last 26 years of his life in the province,with local people considering him a symbol of the land for his thought andpersonality, particularly his patriotism and strong will to overcomedifficulties.
At the celebration, UNESCO Chief Representative in VietnamChristian Manhart presented to the province the resolution on honouring the Vietnamese man.
UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart (R) presented to the province the resolution on honouring the Vietnamese man (Photo: VNA)
Nguyen Dinh Chieu was born in Binh Duong district, Gia Dinhprovince (now District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). The poet was known for hisnationalist and anti-colonial writings against the French and his exemplaryteaching, and was also a popular medical practitioner. He is a role model forpeople with disabilities around the world. Despite his condition, he studiedConfucianism and Oriental medicine.
His most famous work, Luc Van Tien (The Tale of Luc VanTien), is an epic poem written in nom (the old Chinese-based Vietnamese script)was penned in the 1850s. It is regarded as one of the most influential poems inVietnamese history, along with Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu) by Nguyen Du./.
A series of cultural activities and art shows celebrating Vietnamese poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu's 200th birthday anniversary (July 1) are taking place in HCM City and southern provinces.
Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre will organise an international symposium on blind Vietnamese poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu (1822 – 1888) later this June, the first of its kind, spotlighting a man of culture from the southern region.
An exhibition themed “Nguyen Dinh Chieu - The life and career” officially opened at the special national monument and tomb dedicated to the celebrity in An Duc commune, Ba Tri district, Ben Tre province, on June 28.
A international symposium was held in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on June 29 to discuss the life and career of UNESCO-recognised cultural celebrity Nguyen Dinh Chieu, a great poet, an enthusiastic teacher and a moral doctor.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
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.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) presents a gift to Ben Tre at the event (Photo: VNA) 
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart (R) presented to the province the resolution on honouring the Vietnamese man (Photo: VNA) 
