A silk painting featuring a woman holding a paper fan by noted painter Nguyen Nam Son, co-founder of the Indochine Fine Arts College, shocked experts after being sold for EUR440,000 (US$504,300) at an auction sale at Aguttes in Paris on October 22, marking the highest price paid for a work by the painter in a public sale.
Titled Tonkinoise à l’eventail (A Northern Woman and a Fan), ink and watercolour on silk, 61.5cm x 43cm, the painting was made between 1935-1936. Experts predicted the work to go for 50,000-80,000 euro.
“The most important feature in the painting is the background, which was drawn as embroidered silk,” said researcher Ngo Kim Khoi, a grandson of the late painter. “This style can be seen in other silk paintings by Nam Son, proving his expertise when he taught art decoration at the college.”
He also commented that the price surpassed expectations of participants at the sale and was a positive sign for Vietnamese paintings in the international market.
The painting was in its original frame, created by the Tam Tho Boi Tranh workshop, run by Bui Ngoc Luu on 58 Rue Maréchal Pétain in Hanoi.The workshop was famous for framing paintings using traditional techniques.
Painter Nam Son used to get his paintings framed here and sent his oldest daughter Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa to the workshop to learn the techniques.
The painting used to belong to Fernand Maller, a French military official, who was stationed in Hanoi between January 1936 and April 1938. The painting was then brought to France and has since been preserved by the official’s family.
At the same auction, as many as 141 items were sold, 28 of which were works by Vietnamese painters or foreign painters on Vietnam.
Paintings sold included works by Tran Van Can (1910-1994), Nguyen Tien Chung (1914-1976), Vu Cao Dam (1908-2000), Le Pho (1907-2001), Mai Trung Thu (1906-1980), Alix Aymé (1894-1989) and Tran Van Tho (1917).
Works by French painters who lived in Vietnam included those by Jean Louis Paguenaud (1876-1952), Henri Mège (1904-1984) and Maurice Ménardeau (1897-1977).
On March 26, another silk painting featuring a northern woman by Nam Son was also sold at Aguttes for 205,000 euro.
At the same sale, a painting by Tran Van Can was sold for EUR230,000 which is the highest price paid for a piece by Tran Van Can so far.
The Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon and tourism promotion event themed Meet Guangxi (Baise) brought distinctive Chinese cultural features to the capital through activities organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The Phu Quy special zone, an island district off the south-central coast of Vietnam, is capitalising on its strong marine economy potential, particularly in tourism and fisheries, to transform the island’s economy, improve local livelihoods and position itself as a key sea-based economic hub.
Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).
A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.
As Tay Ninh identifies tourism as a crucial economic pillar, integrating Don ca tai tu into tourism offerings is seen as a strategic move.
The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.
Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.
In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.
In Ho Chi Minh City, leaders, residents, overseas Vietnamese, students and pupils offered incense and flowers in tribute to the Hung Kings and Nguyen Huu Canh, credited with opening up the Sai Gon – Gia Dinh area.
The gathering offers a platform for photographers worldwide to exchange ideas and share experiences, marking the fourth edition of the event.
A survey by booking.com shows that around 33% of Vietnamese respondents are planning short domestic trips for the upcoming Hung Kings Commemoration Day and Reunification Day (April 30)–May Day (May 1) holidays, while 22% are opting for longer international journeys compared to last year.
In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam posted the fastest tourism growth in the region, welcoming 6.76 million international arrivals, up 12.4% year-on-year. Key markets such as China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan continued to underpin demand.
From the moment attendees entered the exhibition space in Paris, visitors were enveloped in a harmonious blend of sensory experiences, with the delicate aroma of tea, the robust notes of coffee, and the vivid colours of Vietnamese handicrafts.
Only when culture is nurtured basing on the self-awareness and pride of each individual can it exist and develop sustainably, remarked Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
This year’s festival drew the participation of 15 representatives from embassies in Russia, along with a large number of students from countries, including Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Haiti.
With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market
Mui Ne’s appearance in global trend reports signals a new movement, where destinations can no longer rely solely on scenery but must tell their own stories and craft distinctive and personalised experiences.
Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.
By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.
Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.