In the Government’s strategy for developing cultural industries, heritage is viewed not only as an object of preservation but also as a resource for growth. For the heritage city of Hue, the key challenge lies in how to enable heritage to step beyond exhibition spaces and participate directly in the creative value chain and the urban economy.

The People’s Committee of Ninh Binh Province organised an international scientific conference titled “Defining the proposed boundaries of the nomination area and identifying criteria for Outstanding Universal Value in line with the orientation for preparing the dossier for UNESCO recognition of the Tam Chuc Complex and the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve as a World Heritage Site”, on January 14.

According to information from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Government Office has issued a document to the minister as well as the chairpersons of the People’s Committees of Ha Noi, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, and Hai Phong, conveying the directive of Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh on the preparation of scientific dossiers for “Pho” (Vietnamese noodle soup) and “Water Puppetry” to be proposed for inscription on UNESCO’s Lists.

From the age of six, Nguyen Thi Them accompanied her mother to singing sessions, so quan ho singing has become an indispensable part of the life of this artisan who was born in Bac Ninh Province in 1959. She is regarded as a nucleus in preserving and safeguarding many ancient and complex quan ho melodies and has successfully passed them on to successive younger generations.

On December 9, 2025, in India, the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO adopted a decision inscribing Dong Ho folk painting craft on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The Southeast Asian Gong Harmony Night 2025 was held on December 20 evening at Lam Vien Square in Xuan Huong-Da Lat ward, Lam Dong province, drawing thousands of local residents and visitors to a vibrant celebration of regional cultural heritage.

Viet Nam currently has 37 heritages inscribed by UNESCO, among which the craft of Dong Ho folk painting is the 17th intangible cultural heritage.

The Dong Ho folk painting craft was included in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Need of Urgent Safeguarding at the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of ICH on December 9 in New Delhi, India, according to the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ha Noi is among the 72 cities from 46 countries named members of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities on December 4.

When the Tugging Ritual and Tug-of-War Game was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, many people did not understand how tug-of-war could become a heritage. But today, communities have developed a different perspective. The number of practitioners has increased, and new tug-of-war heritages have been identified.

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.

A draft resolution recommending the launch of an “International Decade on Culture for Sustainable Development” was unanimously adopted at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on November 8.

As of now, Viet Nam has four out of more than 200 global geoparks worldwide recognised by UNESCO.

Viet Nam’s election as a Vice President enables the country to make more substantive contributions to UNESCO’s policy-making, coordination, and implementation of initiatives across education, culture, natural and social sciences, and information and communications.

At the 43rd Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan on October 31, the organisation adopted a Resolution to honour and take part in commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of the cultural luminary Le Quy Don. The historic moment took place at 17:08 (Uzbekistan time), equivalent to 19:08 (Viet Nam time).

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van described the recognition a milestone in the materialisation of the Party and State’s policies on international integration and cultural revitalisation in the new era. It also reflects the country’s commitment to promoting cultural diplomacy and developing cultural and creative industries.

The Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has approved Viet Nam’s initiative proposing that the United Nations (UN) consider declaring the International Decade on Culture for Sustainable Development, with priority on the 2027–2036 period, as soon as possible.

In July, the World Natural Heritage Site Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri Province) was approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for a boundary adjustment to include Hin Nam No National Park (Khammouane, Laos), becoming the first transboundary natural heritage site in Southeast Asia.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong hosted a reception in Ha Noi on July 23 for Dr Johannes Joseph Maria Bos, Chair of the International Advisory Committee for UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, and Dr Fackson Banda, Chief of the Documentary Heritage Unit of the Programme.

The Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Relics and Landscape Complex has recently been inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.