Symposium looks into Poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s life, career
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.
UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart addresses the event (Photo: VNA)
Ben Tre (VNA) – A international symposium was held in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on June 29 todiscuss the life and career of UNESCO-recognised cultural celebrity Nguyen DinhChieu, a great poet, an enthusiastic teacher and a moral doctor.
According to UNESCO ChiefRepresentative in Vietnam Christian Manhart, during the UNESCO’s 41st General Assemblyin Paris in November 2021, 193 members of the agency approved a resolution to celebratethe Vietnamese poet’s birthday in 2022.
The representative explained thatthe General Assembly made this decision because Nguyen Dinh Chieu was anoutstanding figure, one of the most honoured Vietnamese poets whose works weretranslated into many languages.
According to Associate Prof. Dr. Pham LanOanh, Vice Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, poetNguyen Dinh Chieu had greatly influenced the lifestyle of people in Ben Tre inparticular and the southern region in general over the past nearly 200 years.She gave a number of proposals to preserve and promote the cultural values leftby the celebrity, including the strengthening of teaching and studying of and the digitalisation of his works.
Secretary of the Party Committee of Ben TreLe Duc Tho said that Nguyen Dinh Chieu, with his talents and strong will toovercome adversities, is a mirror in morality, patriotism and resilience forgenerations of Ben Tre and the southern region in general.
Nguyen Dinh Chieu, also known as teacherChieu, Trong Phu and Hoi Trai, (1822 – 1888) was born in Binh Duong district,Gia Dinh province (now District 1, Ho Chi Minh City).
He was a patriotic teacher, physician and poet of the south of Vietnam in thesecond half of the 19th century.
He is best known for his most prominent epic “Luc Van Tien” (The Tale of LucVan Tien), written in “nom” (the old Chinese-based Vietnamese script) in 1850s.The work has been translated into multiple languages, including French, Englishand Japanese./.
The UNESCO decision to, together with Vietnam, commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of classical poets Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Ho Xuan Huong demonstrates this organisation and the international community’s recognition of the country’s cultural and ethical values, as well as the traditional fondness for learning and the thought on gender equality and liberation of women.
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.
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.
UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart addresses the event (Photo: VNA) 
