Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, assistant to the Foreign Minister, presented his action plan as a candidate for the post of UNESCO General-Director to the Executive Board of UNESCO and ambassadors of the organisation’s member countries on April 27.
Paris(VNA) – Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, assistant to the Foreign Minister, presentedhis action plan as a candidate for the post of UNESCO General-Director to theExecutive Board of UNESCO and ambassadors of the organisation’s membercountries on April 27.
He is one of the nine candidates for the top postat UNESCO. They presented their action plans on April 26-27 as part of the201st session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris from April 19 to May 4.
In his action plan, Chau put forth threemessages on UNESCO’s vision along with reforms to improve the organisation.
Chau said UNESCO should continue its mission ofcontributing to peace and should press on with reforms to operate moreeffectively and dynamically, better its cooperation, and reposition its statureamong UN organisations.
The ambassador also said UNESCO needs bettercommunication activities to show the world that the organisation not onlyfocuses on cultural and education issues but is also strong in natural andsocial sciences, and that it is resolved to coordinate with countries to buildan information society where everyone has the right to access information.
Following the presentation, Chau answeredquestions from the Executive Board on how he would deal with challenges facingUNESCO, such as limited funds and solutions to enhancing cooperation anddialogue among members.
Talking to media after the interview, he said heis proud to be nominated by the Party and State as a candidate for the post ofUNESCO Director-General. This is the first time Vietnam has proposed a nomineefor the position.
During his presentation, Chau also introducedVietnam’s history, socio-economic accomplishments, and foreign policy ofindependence, autonomy, and diversification and multilateralisation ofrelations.
UNESCO has a new process for selectingDirector-General this year. Instead of closed interviews, representatives ofdiplomatic corps are allowed to attend the hearings, which are also broadcastlive. Hearings have been extended from 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
The UNESCO Executive Board will choose thecandidate for the top position by secret ballot at the 202nd session inOctober. This candidate will then be introduced to the 39th UNESCO GeneralConference in November for approval.
The tenure of incumbent UNESCO Director-GeneralIrina Bokova will end in November.-VNA
Vietnam plays an important role in intensifying mutual understanding and cooperation between the UNESCO member states, Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, said.
The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO will continue to actively get involved in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) - along with its convention in 2016.
The responsible and sustainable tourism development project, sponsored by UNESCO and ILO, has helped promote poverty reduction and improve livelihoods for locals in Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has called on former UNESCO General Director Koichiro Matsuura to continue bridging Japanese and Vietnamese investors.
A ceremony receiving UNESCO certificate of recognition for the Viet Beliefs in the Mother Goddesses in Three Realms as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was held on April 1.
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.
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.
Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau (Photo: VNA) 
