An expert said that while Vietnam has yet to build globally influential cultural brands like the US' Hollywood or the Republic of Korea’s K-pop wave, folk culture offers a unique advantage thanks to the diversity of its ethnic cultures.

Themed “the essence of Vietnamese Ao Dai", the event featured 19 performances and cultural activities, including ao dai showcases, musical performances, art exhibitions and interactive cultural spaces, offering audiences a vivid glimpse into Vietnamese culture in the heart of Europe.

In his opening speech, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Thai Van Thanh noted that over 45 years, the event evolved from “Songs from Sen Village” and the “Sen Village Singing Festival” into the Sen Village Festival in 2002. Since then, it has been staged annually at the provincial level and every five years on a national scale.

The northeastern province of Quang Ninh is scheduled to host World 7 Wonders Day on Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-resigned World Heritage site, on July 7, promising a series of attractions and experiences for both residents and visitors.

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.

China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) continued to lead as Vietnam’s largest source markets in the quarter, with 1.4 million and 1.3 million visitors respectively, accounting for around 40% of total arrivals.

Nestled in the remote border area of Nghe An province, Huoi Man hamlet is often affectionately referred to by local residents and visitors as the “hamlet at the top of the sky.”

The design centres on a white dove – the global symbol of peace – carrying a golden rice ear and three flowing multicoloured silk ribbons.

In Hanoi, the VNSO concert will take place on April 11 at the Vietnam National Academy of Music’s Great Hall, featuring Symphony 92 by Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite and Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suites 1 and 2.

Vietnam’s tourism sector continues to show resilience and a shift toward more sustainable growth, supported by steady demand and evolving travel preferences.

From community art spaces to large-scale international events, and from policy direction to concrete action, the capital is shaping a vibrant cultural industries ecosystem. This effort is helping to define the image of a creative, globally integrated, and sustainable city in the new era.

Amid rising costs and increasingly cautious consumer sentiment, Vietnam’s tourism market is undergoing a notable reset, with both domestic and international travellers gravitating toward shorter, more flexible and experience-driven journeys.

Vietnam’s cultural scene has become more vibrant with the regular presence of international-standard performances.

During the period, the city has welcomed more than 1.9 million visitors, up 31.3% year-on-year. Of the total, international arrivals exceeded 843,000, rising 26.7%, while domestic visitors reached over 1.05 million, up 35.2% compared with the same period last year.

Hanoi plans a new 2,500-seat theatre valued at 2 trillion VND (75.9 million USD) on Vo Thi Sau street in Bach Mai ward.

The Vietnam Youth Development Strategy for 2021–2030 positions youth at the heart of efforts to cultivate and harness human resources, recognising them as a dynamic and pioneering social force in national construction and defence.

The Russian Culture Days in Vietnam 2026, taking place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 23 to 27, are expected to further strengthen cultural exchanges and deepen the traditional friendship between the two nations.

UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site Hoi An in Da Nang city has been named among the world’s 51 most beautiful destinations in 2026 by Time Out, a UK-based global media platform specialising in travel, culture, food, and events.

Vietnamese choral music has resonated inside the historic Saint Roch Church in central Paris during the Paris International Choir Festival (Festival International de Chant Choral de Paris), an annual event that brings together choirs from many countries.

Despite recording a third consecutive month with international arrivals surpassing 2 million, Vietnam’s tourism industry is facing fresh challenges in 2026 as Middle East tensions and rising fuel prices push up airfares and operating costs.

Under a new code of conduct for cultural behaviour in the digital environment, users are required to comply with Vietnamese laws, respect the legal rights and interests of all organisations and individuals, act in a civilised and respectful manner, and preserve the cultural identity, ethical values, and noble traditions of the Vietnamese people.

Asia is emerging as one of the regions attracting the greatest interest from French travellers in 2026, with Vietnam ranking among the most searched destinations, according to a recent survey.

This year’s event will feature leading fireworks teams from around the world, delivering themed performances across more than a month of artistic light shows.

Vietnam’s presence at the sixth International Book and Culture Festival in Laos is intended not only to promote knowledge-sharing but also to strengthen the great friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

More than 50 outstanding books and book series across five different categories were honoured at the 8th National Book Awards ceremony held in Hanoi on March 8.

In February alone, the country welcomed more than 2.2 million foreign visitors, marking the third consecutive month that the number of international arrivals exceeded the two-million mark, following 2.45 million in January 2026 and 2.02 million in December 2025.

A highlight of the festival will take place on the morning of March 8, featuring a mass folk dance performance and an Ao Dai parade expected to attract about 50,000 participants across the city, including around 3,000 on Nguyen Hue walking street.

Hanoi has been named among the world’s 50 most beautiful cities by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, highlighting the Vietnamese capital’s enduring charm and cultural depth.

To build a national culinary brand, Vietnam must align heritage, the food and beverage industry, and artisan standardisation—laying the groundwork for greater global presence and the elevation of Vietnamese cuisine as a tourism icon.

International arrivals to Hanoi in February reached approximately 680,800 in February, marking a 16.2% increase compared to the same month in 2025, while domestic visitors totaled around 2.5 million, up 32.3%. Total tourism revenue was estimated at 12.39 trillion VND (476 million USD), a rise of 24.8%.