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.

The Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiep Bac Relics and Landscape Complex has been recognised as a World Culture Heritage site.

Viet Nam has reaffirmed its commitment to effectively implementing the World Heritage Convention, placing communities and people at the heart of heritage protection, and balancing conservation with socio-economic development.

A Vietnamese delegation, including Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, is attending the 47th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris from July 6 to 16.

UNESCO and SOVICO Group have signed two strategic cooperation agreements, officially launching two key projects on culture and education for the 2025–2030 period. These projects are within the framework of the 10-year strategic cooperation agreement between UNESCO and SOVICO signed in Paris in 2024.

Lang Son has officially joined the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, becoming Viet Nam’s fourth global geopark after Dong Van Karst Plateau, Non Nuoc Cao Bang, and Dak Nong.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to multilateral cooperation and the role of UNESCO while receiving UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay in Ha Noi on June 28.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay in Ha Noi on June 28.