Van Hoa (Culture) Newspaper of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 23 held a press conference in Hanoi to launch the vote for the top 10 outstanding cultural, sports and tourism events of 2025.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, part of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site.

Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Anh Vu, head of the organising board, said 2025 recorded notable achievements of the culture, information, sports and tourism sectors, particularly in institutional improvements, large-scale events and sustainable development.

Many activities helped enhance Vietnam’s national standing and promote its image and values internationally. The ministry assigned the newspaper to coordinate the selection to honour these highlights.

The organising board received a total of 135 nominations from 50 agencies, shortlisted to 30 and then to 15 for public voting with the participation of central and local media agencies to select the final top 10 events.

Key nominations include major institutional milestones in 2025, such as the revised Press Law, adopted on December 10, 2025 and effective from July 1, 2026; the amended Advertising Law, passed on June 16, 2025 and effective from January 1, 2026; and the issuance of guiding decrees and circulars for the Law on Cultural Heritage, reflecting strong efforts to improve the legal framework.

A highlight is the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Cultural Industries to 2030, with a Vision to 2045, approved on November 14, 2025, with a target that cultural industries will contribute 9% of GDP, accounting for 8% of employment, and positioning Vietnam as a leading cultural and entertainment hub in Asia.

The list also features the large-scale exhibition “80 Years of Independence – Freedom – Happiness”, the inaugural Autumn Fair 2025, and notably four UNESCO-recognised heritages, namely the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex (World Heritage); the expanded Phong Nha – Ke Bang World Natural Heritage Site including Hin Nam No National Park of Laos; the collection of composer Hoang Van, which has become a Memory of the World; and the Dong Ho folk woodblock printing craft, an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Other nominations span major commemorative cultural programmes, milestones in music and performing arts, anniversaries marking 100 years of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press and 80 years of the cultural sector, sports achievements including Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup title and a top 3 finish at the 33rd SEA Games, as well as strong tourism growth with international arrivals exceeding 20 million for the first time.

The voting is conducted in person on December 23 and online via Van Hoa Newspaper’s platforms and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism portal from December 23–25, with results to be announced after the votes are counted.

Con throwing festival highlights cross-border solidarity, culture

The ninth Vietnam–Laos–China “con” throwing festival is underway in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on December 19, aiming to preserve traditional culture while promoting cross-border solidarity and mutual understanding among the three countries.

 

Yen Tu Festival 2025 kicks off in Quang Ninh province

With its role as a bridge linking the past, present and future, the Yen Tu Festival 2025 features a range of activities, highlighted by an exhibition presenting artefacts, ancient documents and modern 3D digital materials related to the Truc Lam Zen Sect.

 

Two Vietnamese writers honoured with S.E.A. Write Award

The S.E.A. Write Award has become a cherished tradition that celebrates exceptional literary voices and works reflecting the depth of the human experience, helping to enrich the spiritual life and fostering a shared cultural voice across ASEAN.

 

Thai Nguyen: 12 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees win national heritage status

The recognition honours the biological, cultural and historical values of these centuries-old Shan Tuyet tea trees - natural treasures deeply woven into the livelihoods, traditions and identity of local ethnic communities. The title affirms the community’s commitment to preserving and promoting the value of this iconic local tea variety.

 

Vietnam Pho Day launched in Europe amid broader culinary push

Prior to the launch, the Vietnamese Embassy encouraged businesses and restaurants throughout Germany to join in the event. By December 12, six partners had signed up via the We Love Pho organisation's website (welovepho.org), committing to promotional posts, website and social media shares, features in Vietnamese language media, and special discounts for pho customers during the event.

 

‘Red Rain’ closes Vietnamese Film Week in Paris

Adapted from the novel by Chu Lai, ‘Red Rain’ draws inspiration from the 81-day battle to defend the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in 1972. The film has stormed into the history books as Vietnam’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, with 700 billion VND (nearly 26.5 million USD) in revenue.