Features

Thousands of children’s picture books published by Vietnamese and foreign publishing houses and book distributors will be showcased at the first-ever festival for picture books in Viet Nam.

The Association for the Protection of Vietnamese Music Performing Artists (APPA) on May 20 presented the commemorative medal “For the Cause of Vietnamese Music Performance” to artists who have made significant contributions to the country’s performing arts.

On the morning of May 18, in Ha Noi, the Institute of Social Sciences Information under Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences opened the exhibition space on EFEO Documentary Heritage to introduce and spread the value of the rare documentary collection transferred to Viet Nam by the French School of the Far East (EFEO) in 1957.

According to information from the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, Cham cultural identity will converge and spread during the 6th Cham Ethnic Culture Festival to be held in Khanh Hoa Province from June 26–28. The event will honour unique heritage values while opening up “golden” opportunities to connect tourism and create sustainable livelihoods for Cham ethnic communities nationwide.

Over many decades, especially after 40 years of renovation, the role of architecture and architects has increasingly been affirmed in the work of building and shaping the country, with the architectural appearance of urban and rural areas developing in an increasingly civilised, modern and distinctive direction.

With the aim of bringing the beauty of mother-of-pearl inlay closer to contemporary audiences, especially young people, an exhibition on mother-of-pearl inlay titled “Thuy Sac Van Trai” is set to take place at the Ha Noi Museum. The event will feature a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, demonstrations of the crafting process, hands-on workshops, and exchanges with artisans.

The We Love Pho Association, in coordination with the Ninh Binh Culinary Culture Association, held a press conference in Ha Noi, on May 14, to announce the “Pho Cultural Roadshow Europe 2026” programme.

Considered a force that “keeps the cultural and artistic flame alive”, many artists, especially those working in traditional theatre, dance and circus arts, still struggle to make a living beyond the stage lights.

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is the soul of the thousand-year-old capital. In the past, it was the setting for numerous royal rituals and court ceremonies. Since the early 19th century, however, Thang Long ceased to be the nation’s capital, and its court rituals and ceremonial life gradually disappeared.

Pho Hien once flourished between the 16th and 18th centuries as a bustling trading port frequented by merchants from 12 countries around the world. Traces of the ancient Pho Hien trading port remain visible today in its architectural works, spiritual practices, and the cultural life of local residents.

Under the National Assembly's Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16 on the development of Vietnamese culture, the State is set to allocate at least 2% of total annual state budget expenditure to cultural development.

The 11th “Viet Nam Day at MGIMO,” themed “Soar as One,” was held at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on April 30, attracting hundreds of students and lecturers.

Ha Long Carnaval 2026, themed “Wonder Illuminates a New Era”, took place at October 30 Square in Ha Long Ward, Quang Ninh Province, on the evening of April 30, with the participation of hundreds of performers, artists, international art troupes and folk artisans, creating a unique, attractive and distinctive Carnaval of Quang Ninh.

The National Assembly officially adopted a Resolution on the development of Viet Nam’s culture with a high approval rate (477 out of 489 deputies) on April 24. The Resolution marks an important step in completing the institutional framework, creating momentum for culture to truly break through and become an endogenous resource and a driving force for the country’s strong development in the new phase.

In the face of the upheavals of modern life and the powerful impact of globalisation, correctly identifying the position and role of traditional artistic values, and finding effective ways to promote them, presents many challenges. Researcher Nguyen Hung Vi, who is deeply committed to national culture, granted an interview to Nhan Dan Newspaper to share his thoughts on this issue.

Many heritage sites in the Old Quarter were once occupied as households for residential use over many years, making the preservation and promotion of their values difficult. Hoan Kiem Ward in Ha Noi is gradually relocating residents in an effort to restore the original condition of these sites and bring their values into use.

Vietnamese patterns are not merely decorative elements but also preserve stories of culture, history, beliefs and aesthetics across many centuries. Yet in contemporary life, these motifs are largely confined to ancient architectural works or research materials.

Following its inscription by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, Yen Tu now has the opportunity to establish itself not merely as a spiritual destination, but as a cultural and intellectual centre of international standing.

Binh Da Festival 2026, a national intangible cultural heritage, held in honour of Lac Long Quan, the legendary ancestor of the country, will take place on April 22, or the sixth day of the third lunar month, with a series of distinctive traditional cultural activities.

The popularisation of lacquer art is finding new approaches, making it more interactive and appealing to younger generations. Nhan Dan reporter Thuy Phuong spoke with Meritorious Artisan painter Nguyen Tan Phat, who has been steadily bringing lacquer closer to the public through free experiential workshops at Ha Vi Communal Temple and Duong Lam Ancient Village in Ha Noi.