‘Using culture to sustain culture': A path to economic growth and heritage preservation
Vietnam’s heritage has increasingly contributed to local economic development. However, long-term strategies are essential for preserving, restoring, and promoting cultural landmarks while boosting tourism.
The Giong Festival, a unique cultural event in Viet Nam, is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 2024 Hanoi Creative Design Festival recently brought urban heritage sites like the University of Natural Sciences, the Government Guest House, and Gia Lam Locomotive Factory into the spotlight🧸. Crowds of visitors highlighted the potential of these locations to serve as cultural and creative hubs, forming a strong foundation for cultural industries and tourism.
According to Associate Professor Dr Do Van Tru, President of the Viet Nam Association of Cultural Heritage, Viet Nam has over 10,000 provincial relics, 3,621 national relics, 130 special national relics, and around 7,000 intangible cultural heritage elements documented. Several of these have earned UNESCO recognition, including nine world cultural and natural heritage sites, 15 intangible cultural heritage elements, and 10 documentary properties.
Associate Professor Dr Do Van Tru, President of the Vietnam Association of Cultural Heritage. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)
Viet Nam is also home to 127 public museums and 70 private museums, collectively housing over 4 million artefacts. Among these, 294 objects have been designated as National Treasures.
Associate Professor Nguyen Quoc Hung from the Viet Nam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies highlighted that heritage sites such as the Complex of Hue Monuments and Ha Long Bay made substantial contributions to local budgets, generating revenues of over 350 billion VND (13.8 million USD) and 790 billion VND (31.1 million USD), respectively, in 2023.
Hue Imperial Citadel, recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1993, is one of Viet Nam's most iconic landmarks. (Photo: Quoc Viet/VNA)
Despite growing recognition of heritage’s value, experts believe heritage tourism still underperforms. Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Quoc Hung stressed that poor preservation could erode authenticity, undermining its educational and economic significance.
Professor Dr Trinh Sinh suggested learning from countries like Japan and China, which have managed to preserve cultural identity while pursuing economic growth.
A sacred ritual performed at Hang Bac Street, Hanoi’s Old Quarter. (Photo: Minh Thu/Vietnam+)
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr Bui Hoai Son, a standing member of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education, proposed creating a Cultural Heritage Conservation Fund. This fund would establish legal frameworks and policies to address challenges in preserving heritage.
On November 23, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh issued Decree No. 65/SL on "the preservation of relics across Vietnam," a milestone now commemorated as Viet Nam Cultural Heritage Day.
By November 23, 2024, the National Assembly is expected to pass the revised Law on Cultural Heritage. This updated legislation will provide a modern legal framework to protect and promote Viet Nam’s heritage, ensuring sustainable development and cultural preservation./.
A series of activities themed “Culture in You - Cultural fulcrum, Artistic bridge" has been underway in several schools across Hanoi with musical exchanges involving leading artists from Australia such as Philip Quast, Ann-Maree McDonald, and Nicholas Gentile.
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.
