10 of Vietnam’s documentary heritage recognised by UNESCO
The Nine Dynastic Urns, housed in the Hue Imperial Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, have been inscribed in the Memory of the World Programme for the Asia - Pacific Region, marking Vietnam’s 10th UNESCO-recognised documentary heritage.
The Nine Nguyen Dynasty Urns crafted for two years under King Minh Mang stand in front of The Mieu yard in Hue Imperial City. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Nine Dynastic Urns, housed in the Hue Imperial Citadꦕel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, have been inscribed in the Memory of the World Programme for the Asia - Pacific 𒉰Region, marking Vietnam’s 10th UNESCO-recognised documentary heritage.
The Nine Dynasty Urns were cast for two years, from 1835 to 1837 at the time of the King Minh Mang – in front of the The Mieu Yard.
King Minh Mang ordered the casting of the urns in December 1835. More than a year later, the work was completed and continued to be refined.
Going through 200 years, all the royal urns still stand in their original placements and remained intact through wars.
These are original and unique copies. Since their formation, the Nine Dynastic Urns have never undergone repair, not even a small detail. Therefore, they have unique original value and are irreplaceable.
The Nine Dynastic Urns are not just a mere decoration but the country’s first illustrated handbook on biodiversity.
Among the 162 embossed motifs on the bronze urns of the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue, up to 90 images illustrate the typical Vietnamese flora and fauna.
They can also be considered a part of the Vietnam Red Book or a list of species in need of protection in ancient times.
The Nine Dynastic Urns are written in Chinese characters and the documents are represented by images bearing names of places, kings’ names, creatures, plants, rivers and mountains. Particularly, they assert the nation’s sovereignty over seas and islands.
Other documentary heritage winning similar title include Vinh Nghiem woodblocks (Bac Giang province), literature on Hue royal architecture (Thua Thien-Hue province), Phuc Giang School woodblocks (Ha Tinh province), Vietnam’s “Hoang Hoa su trinh do” (The Envoy’s Journey to China), “ma nhai” steles on Ngu Hanh Son Mountain (Da Nang city), Sino-Nom documents from Truong Luu village (Ha Tinh province).
Vietnam is also home to three world heritage documents: the woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty, the Doctor’s steles at the Temple of Literature, and the imperial records of the Nguyen Dynasty./.
A national conference on protection and preservation of documentary heritage will be held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the central coastal city of Nha Trang in November.
A ceremony was held in the central province of Ha Tinh on June 24 to receive a certificate recognising the Sino-Nom documents from Truong Luu village as a Document Heritage Memory of the World Programme for the Asia-Pacific region.
The People’s Committee of central Da Nang city on March 1 received a certificate recognising 78 “ma nhai” steles on its Ngu Hanh Son Mountain as part of documentary heritage under the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific.
The People’s Committee of central Da Nang city on March 1 received a certificate recognising 78 “ma nhai” steles on its Ngu Hanh Son Mountain as part of documentary heritage under the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP).
Vietnam is rewriting the playbook on cultural diplomacy, shifting from traditional government-led initiatives to embracing grassroots participation from citizens, businesses, and social media influencers. In an exclusive interview with Vietnam News Agency, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong reveals how those changes have been made possible thanks to the country's new Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030.
Jointly organised by the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in Da Nang, and the Indian Embassy in Vietnam at Tien Son Sports Arena, the event also aimed to foster friendship between Vietnam, India, and other countries.
A standout feature this year is “Manga Fest 2025”, showcasing celebrated comic titles and also offering author meet-and-greets, cosplay performances, and other interactive activities.
The programme featured a range of activities, including group practice sessions of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), Vietnamese–Indian cultural performances, a commemorative flag handover ceremony for clubs, and a beach clean-up to help protect the marine environment.
This year’s tournament has gathered over 300 coaches, athletes, and referees from 18 countries and territories, competing in 28 combat weight categories and eight performance categories. Vietnam’s team has 50 athletes, including six from Thai Nguyen province.
It is the first time that the country is to hold a G1-level tournament which is expected to lure more than 100 athletes of 15 countries and regions at Go Vap Gymnasium.
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.