Hanoi (VNA) -🥀 In November 2024, the “Vietnam Days Abroad” programme made its debut in Latin America, leaving lasting impressions.
Children in Brazil eagerly explored Vietnam’s unique art of water puppetry, while people in Saudi Arabia immersed themselves in a vibrant tropical cultural oasis amidst the desert landscape.
Young participants crafted traditional Vietnamese “to he” figurines, marveling as artisans shaped desert-themed creations like camels. These vivid moments highlight the power of cultural diplomacy - a bridge that promotes Vietnam’s culture and people globally while embracing the world’s cultural richness.
International experts commend Vietnam’s achievements in cultural diplomacy, describing it as a pivotal “soft power strategy” that enhances its standing on the global stage.
Vietnam’s active role in UNESCO’s key governance mechanisms, including its Vice Presidency of the UNESCO General Conference (since November 2023) and the General Assembly of the State Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (since June 2024), further underscores this.
Vietnamese cuisine contributes to spreading the culture of Vietnam to international friends. (Photo: VNA)
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Paris, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu hailed Vietnam as a model for its cooperation with UNESCO and as an active member with marked contributions to the organisation’s affairs.
Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy has already surpassed its ambitious target of achieving 60 UNESCO titles by 2030, reaching 67 as of now. In 2024 alone, the country secured notable recognitions like Ho Chi Minh City and Son La joining the Global Network of Learning Cities in February, the Nine Dynastic Urns at the Hue Imperial Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue inscribed in the Memory of the World Register in May, and the Ba Chua Xu festival on Nui Sam (Sam Mountain) in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December.
Such initiatives as Vietnam Week/Days abroad have amplified the Southeast Asian nation’s image worldwide, strengthening political trust among international partners and enhancing its brand.
Vietnamese culture captivates global audiences, paving the way for cooperation, tourism growth, and sustainable economic benefits. Vietnam’s tourism sector has flourished in 2024, with 17.5 million international visitors, a 38.9% year-on-year increase. The country earned accolades such as “Asia’s Leading Destination,” “Asia’s Leading Heritage Destination,” and “Asia’s Leading Nature Destination” at the World Travel Awards for Asia and Oceania.
According to the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2024 (Australia), Vietnam gained 1.2 points in its overall power relative to 2023.
“Vietnam exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score, which remained steady in 2024”.
In 2024, Vietnam had the greatest gains in diplomatic influence (+3.3), and it improved in cultural influence (+1.9).
Nguyen Viet Ha, Executive Director of the Vietnam Australia Cultural Exchange Organisation (VACEO), called culture a sharp tool in Vietnam’s strategy and international relations. She said as Vietnamese culture touches global hearts, it elevates the nation’s stature.
Cultural exchanges help enhance friendship and understanding between Vietnam and other nations. In Italy, Vietnamese elements enriched New Year celebrations, highlighted by Vietnamese-language renditions of Puccini’s classics performed by opera singer Maria Ielli in Bologna.
Ling Dequan, a researcher on Vietnam affairs, highlighted 2024 as a very marvelous year for Vietnam with many important events in an interview granted to VNA correspondents in Beijing, China.
Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy has evolved alongside the growth of political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. It has been elevated in tandem with the country’s comprehensive national strength and the enhancement of its soft power, he said.
President of the Italy - Vietnam Cultural Bridge Association Le Thi Bich Huong, who is also a Vietnamese language lecturer at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, told VNA correspondents in Rome that the Vietnamese language is now taught as part of the university’s undergraduate programme, elevating Vietnam’s standing compared to other Asian countries whose languages lack such recognition.
Starting next February, the language will also be offered at the University of Turin, she said./.
Cultural diplomacy is an important component of Vietnam's comprehensive and modern diplomacy, a regular and continuous process, and a common task of the whole political system, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son while chairing a July 9 meeting on the cultural diplomacy work for 2024.
If political diplomacy is seen as the core and economic diplomacy as the breakthrough, then cultural diplomacy constitutes a foundational element that shapes the spiritual essence, lending a distinctive character to diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy enhances soft power, projecting a positive and appealing image of Vietnam and its people.
To promote cultural diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has proactively coordinated with international organisations, especially the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
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.
