Local people make giant lanterns for a parade during the Thanh Tuyen Festival (Photo courtesy of the organiser)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Some of the country’s intangible culturalheritages will go on show at a festival in the northern province of Tuyen Quangon September 20.
This is the first time the festival has been held in the province, givinglocals and tourists the chance to enjoy unique art performances.
The four-day event is expected to attract people from all over the countryfeaturing globally-recognised Thua Thien–Hue’s nha nhac (royal courtmusic), the gong culture of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), BacNinh’s quan ho (love duet), ca tru (ceremonial singing)and xoan singing (spring songs from Phu Tho province).
Also in Tuyen Quang province, the Thanh Tuyen Festival is taking place, whichis known as a festival of giant lanterns. It will feature a number ofinternational delegations and embassies.
The annual festival will take place from September 20-23 to honour and promotelocal culture and art, according to Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice Chairman of the provincialPeople’s Committee.
The opening ceremony will be held on September 21, with an art performance.
Other activities include historic and cultural exhibitions, food presentations,sports and a conference about preserving and promoting intangible heritages withtourism development.
The festival started in 2004 when some families modeled and decorated a few biganimal lanterns which were dragged along the street with a lion dance and song.
This was a big hit with children and adults alike and gradually evolved intothe festival it has become today.
Families would make modes of fish, rabbits and dragons.
The festival also became a cultural specialty of Tuyen Quang and wasrecorded by Vietnamese Guinness Records as having the biggest lanterns inVietnam.
As the years passed, lanterns became more beautiful and more sophisticated withmany new styles but not forgetting the traditional roots. Thanks to this event,Tuyen Quang attracts hundred thousand visitors.
“Beyond the meaning of a unique cultural festival, the Thanh Tuyen Festival isa chance to introduce the tourism potential as Tuyen Quang houses manybeautiful destinations, cultural heritages and historical vestiges,” said Anh.-VNS/VNA
Those who have visited Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic people in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam are often astounded by traditional Then singing, which is accompanied by a handmade gourd lute called “Dan tinh” or “Tinh Tau”.
The first national intangible cultural heritage festival will take place simultaneously with the Tuyen Quang City Festival in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang from September 20-23.
Teams from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam will compete in the International Kyline and Lion Dance competition at Da Nang’s Helio entertainment centre on September 14-16.
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.
Local people make giant lanterns for a parade during the Thanh Tuyen Festival (Photo courtesy of the organiser) 
