More than 11,000 runners from 38 countries and territories, along with over 200 running clubs nationwide, gathered in Ha Noi on the morning of October 18 for the VPBank Ha Noi International Marathon 2026 (VPIM 2026).

Viet Nam showcased its cultural heritage at the second Better Together Seoul Culture & Wellness Festival, held on October 9 at Oullim Square in Seoul, the Republic of Korea.

The second Cultures of the World Festival in Ha Noi 2026, scheduled for October 1-4, will bring together representatives from 50 countries and international organisations, offering a diverse programme spanning arts, cinema, fashion, cuisine, technology and heritage-inspired creativity.

Following the Vietnamese Film Week in France in 2025, Madame Ly put forth the idea of holding a Vietnamese Theatre Week in France in October, featuring water puppetry, musical theatre, contemporary dance and excerpts from traditional Vietnamese performances.

The UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development reflects Viet Nam’s increasingly proactive role at multilateral forums.

The Moc Chau Cultural and Tourism Week 2026 and the Son La International Brocade Festival opened in Moc Chau ward, the northern mountainous province of Son La on August 31 as part of activities marking the 81st anniversary of Viet Nam’s National Day (September 2, 1945–2026).

The Government has issued Decree No. 261/2026/ND-CP, which stipulates occupational preferential allowances and training and performance allowances for public servants and personnel engaged in specialised activities at public performing arts institutions and performing arts units under the armed forces.

Cultural industries, creative spaces and innovation-driven start-ups built on cultural assets are emerging as defining trends of the modern era. Many scientists argue that developing the creative economy is also an effective way to reinvest in, preserve and promote cultural values.

Building on the success of the first edition in 2023, this year’s Ho Chi Minh City Short Film Festival continues to promote the development of a dynamic, professional, and internationally integrated film environment in the city.

The Viet Nam space was opened at the Foire de Paris on May 4 by the Viet Nam Cultural Centre in France, marking the country’s continued presence at one of Europe’s most prominent trade and cultural events.

First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Hea Kyung attended the Korea Culture and Tourism Festival 2026 with a wide range of vibrant activities in Ha Noi on April 23, as part of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Viet Nam.

To ensure the lifeblood of heritage is preserved and continues to shine, artisans in Bac Ninh have constantly innovated and actively engaged in promotional and experiential activities, bringing heritage closer to the community.

A series of vibrant cultural and tourism activities officially kicked off on April 20 at the Hung Kings Temple historical relic site, marking the start of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, the Hung Kings Temple Festival and the 2026 Ancestor Land Culture and Tourism Week.

The Ha Noi Tourism Festival 2026, highlighting green tourism and digital experiences wrapped up on March 15 at Thong Nhat Park after three days of activities.

For many years, the approach to investing in culture has often been heavily focused on preservation, maintaining traditional activities and supporting physical infrastructure, leading to a situation in which resources have not been fully utilised and the effectiveness of investment has not been commensurate with potential.

Nearly 200 Lao–Vietnamese bilingual titles are on display at the sixth International Book and Culture Festival in Vientiane, reflecting the close and enduring ties between Viet Nam and Laos.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Gia Lai provincial People’s Committee, held an international press briefing in Hanoi on March 5 to introduce the Visit Viet Nam Year – Gia Lai 2026 under the theme "Mountains embrace the Sea".

A photo exhibition titled "Celebrating the Party, the Spring, and the Success of the 14th National Party Congress" opened on January 28 at the 29 Hang Bai Exhibition Hall in Ha Noi.

In the context of the global and regional economy undergoing complex and unpredictable fluctuations, profoundly impacting production and business activities, there is an urgent need to build a community of enterprises and entrepreneurs with ethics and culture in business, meeting high standards of transparency, integrity, social responsibility, and sustainable development.

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.