Culture must be a pillar of sustainable development: symposium
Culture must be considered a pillar of sustainable development, aside from economic, environmental and social aspects, heard a symposium in Hanoi on March 1.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai speaks at the symposium (Photo: toquoc.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Culture must be considered a pillar ofsustainable development, aside from economic, environmental and social aspects,heard a symposium in Hanoi on March 1.
The seminar, attracting nearly 100 scientists,researchers and culture officials, was organised by the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism and the National Cultural Heritage Council.
Participants said there remain limited awarenessof the role of culture in sustainable development in Vietnam. Culture has yetto really be regarded as a development resource, and it is still dwarfed byother factors in the sustainable development strategy.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismHuynh Vinh Ai said Vietnam is home to 40,000 tangible heritage and 60,000intangible heritage, and the problem is how to manage and optimise them in aneffective manner while developing new values for those heritage so as to enrichthe heritage treasure.
Culture and heritage will become a priceless andendless resource if they are preserved and used scientifically, he noted.
Participants said instead of simply listing andcompiling dossiers of heritage, it is necessary to quantify heritage value inorder to devise scientific preservation and exploitation strategies. The wholepolitical system, not only culture agencies, must engage in this work.
Community-based heritage preservation anddevelopment are a global trend and a solution for sustainably optimisingheritage value since culture is an asset of a community, they said, adding thatwhen heritage values benefit the community, local residents will proactivelyuphold heritage.
Vietnam has been expanding community-basedtourism which is a right development orientation, experts said, asking for morehigh-value products and long-term strategies in this type of tourism.-VNA
Whenever describing the Kinh Bacarea (an old name for a large area in northern Vietnam, covering the provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang), we always mentionthe two world heritage sites and hundreds of relic sites, beauty spots, and traditional craft villages.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recognised Bo Da pagoda festival in the northern province of Bac Giang as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.
The 23rd festival of “don ca tai tu”, the musical art recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, took place in the southern province of Long An on February 12-13.
A 123-year-old house in Tay Ninh city, the southern province of Tay Ninh, has been recognised as an artistic and architectural relic by the provincial People’s Committee.
Cua Ong Temple Festival in the northern province of Quang Ninh receives the national intangible cultural heritage status at a ceremony held in the locality on February 28.
Vietnam’s 50-athlete delegation delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Asian Muay Thai Championships, securing 46 medals: 14 golds, 16 silvers and 16 bronzes.
The event, organised by the VNUFA, featured nearly 40 presentations from Vietnamese and foreign participants, including those from Russia, France, and Japan.
The reimagined gallery not only presents artefacts in a more structured and thematic layout, but also incorporates 3D visual storytelling to enhance audience engagement. The addition of film installations offers visitors a more vivid and immersive understanding of the objects on display.
With the unique concept of travelling the country through traditional music, the album takes listeners on a journey across Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes, immersing them in vibrant traditional festivals, retelling heroic tales of the nation’s history, showcasing local specialties, and reflecting the spirit and love of the modern Vietnamese people.
Participants discussed internal developments within the Nguyen Dynasty during the Franco-Spanish coalition’s campaigns, particularly the tension between pro-war and pro-peace factions, and their impact on the political and military situation at that time.
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.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai speaks at the symposium (Photo: toquoc.vn) 
