Throughout the long history of nation building and defence, culture has always been a solid spiritual foundation and a source of strength, enabling our people to overcome every challenge. Every transformation of the country has been closely linked with the development of cultural thought.

Culture is a firm spiritual foundation that forges national character, unites collective strength, and plays a vital role in safeguarding independence, freedom and territorial integrity. In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and deep international integration, culture also serves as a form of soft power, asserting the nation’s standing on the global stage.

Traditional games allow children to experience collective activities that enrich their inner lives. They are not merely a source of joy; they also safeguard folk wisdom, community values, and the Vietnamese spirit embedded in every movement and melody. Introducing traditional games into schools is a way to teach culture, foster patriotism, compassion, and creativity among the younger generation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasised that the culture, sports, and tourism sector must embrace innovative mindset and decisive action to achieve tangible results, creating a vibrant space for development in the new era and positioning culture as both intrinsic strength of the nation and spiritual foundation of its people.

An exhibition entitled “Vietnamese cultural heritage – vitality from tradition to modernity” opened on December 25 in Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnamese culture and cuisine were in the spotlight at the annual International Christmas Charity Bazaar held on November 23 at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, with the Embassy of Viet Nam and the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka presenting a vibrant showcase.

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Woo Won Shik and his spouse Shin Kyunghye visited Ninh Binh province on November 22, as part of their three-day official visit to Viet Nam.

The initiative highlights UNESCO’s pioneering role in making culture an independent pillar contributing to sustainable development at both national and global levels — a motivation to maintain peace, promote creative industries, and protect cultural diversity and inclusive economic growth, and enhance social cohesion.

National Assembly deputies have commended the innovative spirit and strategic vision reflected in the draft Political Report submitted to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, particularly its reaffirmation of the vital role of culture, people, and Vietnamese value systems in the country’s sustainable development.

An international symposium on the cultural industry, which is considered as a strategic driver for sustainable development, opened in Tokyo on October 17.

Vietnamese children in Japan and Austria are welcoming the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 with lanterns, lion dances, and traditional mooncakes, bringing the warm spirit of reunion and national culture to expatriate communities.

Home to more than 500 Vietnamese-language books, the Vietnamese Bookcase at Phat Tich Pagoda in Vientiane has become a familiar destination for students of the pagoda’s free Vietnamese classes, serving as a bridge nurturing a love for the Vietnamese language, culture, and knowledge among the Lao community.

 Viet Nam left a strong impression at the Embassy Festival in The Hague of the Netherlands on September 6, where art and fashion performances by the Vietnamese community showcased a nation that is both traditional and modern, graceful yet powerful.

The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee's Commission for Propaganda and Training held a seminar in Vientiane on August 27 to mark the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam’s August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2), underscoring the close bond between the two countries.

A book on Hanoians’ eating and drinking etiquette through the history by author Vu The Long, in its Chinese-language edition, has received the 2025 influential Southeast Asian book award in China.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 1 chaired a meeting of the Government Party Committee’s Standing Board to discuss a number of important issues, including a draft scheme aimed at promoting Vietnamese culture globally and absorbing world cultural quintessence.

In the era of globalisation, countries compete not only in terms of economy or military, but also in terms of cultural identity and influence. The national cultural brand is a soft passport that helps the country to be present and raise its status in the international arena.

The diverse cultural identity of Vietnam took centre stage at the “Viet Nam – Land and People” space during the 2025 International Student Festival held at Santa María University (USM) in Caracas, Venezuela.

Culture is being increasingly affirmed as a cornerstone in shaping the nation’s standing. Recognising this, the Party has elevated the role of culture into concrete action, as seen in the Politburo and Party Secretariat’s assignment of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to lead the development of a national proposal on cultural promotion and international integration.

The 2023 Cultural and Culinary Festival is scheduled to be held at Cua Viet Tourism Area in Gio Linh District, in the central province of Quang Tri, from April 28-30.