2024 witnessed a strong resurgence of Vietnamese culture with a series of outstanding events, marking an impressive transformation across many fields. From macro policies to vibrant artistic activities, from honored cultural heritage to unique traditional festivals, all have created a colorful cultural picture, imbued with national identity. This article reviews 10 typical Vietnamese cultural events in 2024, highlighting the remarkable milestones that contribute to affirming the position and vitality of Vietnamese culture on the international stage and in the hearts of every citizen.
National Target Program on Cultural Development for 2025-2035 – Investing in Vietnam’s Cultural Future
National Target Program on Cultural Development for 2025-2035
The 15th National Assembly approved the investment policy for the National Target Program on Cultural Development for the period 2025-2035, a strategic decision reflecting the deep concern of the Party and State for the cultural sector. This program is not only a concretization of guidelines and policies on cultural development but also a breakthrough, creating a strong impetus for culture to truly become an endogenous strength, a driving force for national development and defense.
The program focuses on key areas of culture and arts such as cultural heritage, grassroots culture, performing arts, literature, fine arts, photography, exhibitions, cinema, libraries, cultural education, training, ethnic culture, foreign culture, and cultural industries. The program’s scope extends across the country and to some countries with long-standing cultural relations with Vietnam, where there are large Vietnamese communities living, working, and studying.
The program’s implementation in the direction of maximum decentralization to localities, in line with the guiding spirit of “Localities decide, localities implement, localities take responsibility,” demonstrates confidence in the capacity and responsibility of local authorities at all levels in cultural development. This is a strategic Vietnamese cultural event, opening a new, comprehensive, and sustainable development phase for the country’s culture.
Revised Law on Cultural Heritage – Completing the Legal Framework for Heritage
Revised Law on Cultural Heritage
The 15th National Assembly also passed the revised Law on Cultural Heritage, a significant milestone in completing the legal framework for the cultural heritage sector. The revised law is based on inheriting the relevant contents of the 2001 Law on Cultural Heritage and the amendments and supplements in 2009, while overcoming difficulties and obstacles, and solving practical problems arising in the management, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage values.
The revised Law on Cultural Heritage focuses on addressing three major policy groups: improving regulations on the protection and promotion of cultural heritage values; improving regulations on decentralization of state management of cultural heritage; and improving regulations on mobilizing resources for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage values.
The law adds 12 new regulations, adjusting inadequacies and urgent current issues such as: management of documentary heritage, policies for artisans of intangible cultural heritage, protection of cultural heritage at risk of fading, decentralization of authority to localities in the preservation and restoration of relics, regulations on purchasing and bringing Vietnamese artifacts and antiquities from abroad back to the country, ranking cultural heritage with distribution areas from 2 or more localities, multinational dossiers, and regulations on the use and exploitation of cultural heritage. This is a legal Vietnamese cultural event, creating more favorable conditions for the preservation and promotion of the country’s cultural heritage values.
Planning the Network of Cultural and Sports Facilities and the Tourism System – Building a Synchronous Cultural Infrastructure
Planning the Network of Cultural and Sports Facilities and the Tourism System
The Prime Minister issued the Planning for the network of cultural and sports facilities; and the Planning for the tourism system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045. These are important milestones, contributing to removing institutional bottlenecks, implementing guidelines, policies, and policies for the development of culture, sports, and tourism in Vietnam in the new era.
The planning of the network of cultural and sports facilities is important in connecting with the market mechanism, creating resources for the development of cultural industries and sports economy. The goal is to create high-quality cultural and sports products and services, meeting the needs of society, serving lifelong learning and training of people, contributing to building a civilized and modern society.
The planning of the tourism system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, is considered an important basis for orienting the development of Vietnamese tourism to become a spearhead economic sector in accordance with Resolution 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo. This plan focuses on developing cultural tourism, ecotourism, and community-based tourism, contributing to the preservation and promotion of cultural, historical, and natural values of Vietnam. This event demonstrates a long-term vision in developing cultural infrastructure, creating a solid foundation for the development of Vietnamese culture and tourism.
Series of Events Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory – Honoring Historical and Cultural Values
70th Anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory
In 2024, Vietnam solemnly organized a series of activities to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – May 7, 2024), an important political event, of particular interest to Party and State leaders. Many magnificent and large-scale programs with great significance and outreach were organized, contributing to affirming the meaning and historical stature of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism chaired and coordinated with relevant agencies to organize many cultural, sports, and tourism events to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. Rich and diverse cultural activities such as exhibitions, art festivals, film screenings, art performances, and scientific conferences… recreated the heroic atmosphere of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, honoring the historical, cultural, and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese nation.
The series of events commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory is not only an opportunity to review the heroic history of the nation but also an opportunity to educate patriotic traditions, arouse national pride, and the will to rise up among the younger generation. This is a Vietnamese cultural event of deep historical and political significance, attracting the attention of a large number of people at home and abroad.
“The Relief Carvings on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Citadel” Recognized by UNESCO – World Cultural Treasure
"The Relief Carvings on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Citadel" Recognized by UNESCO
On May 8, 2024, at the 10th session held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, “The Relief Carvings on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Citadel” of Vietnam was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific. This is a proud Vietnamese cultural event, affirming the special cultural and historical value of Vietnamese heritage on the international stage.
“The Relief Carvings on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Citadel” is a unique collection of 162 carvings on nine bronze urns (Cửu Đỉnh) placed in front of the Thế Tổ Miếu Temple in Hue Imperial Citadel. These carvings vividly and richly depict the geography, history, culture, society, and art of Vietnam under the Nguyễn Dynasty.
The recognition of “The Relief Carvings on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Citadel” by UNESCO is not only a great honor but also a great responsibility in preserving and promoting the value of the heritage. This event contributes to raising the total number of Vietnamese documentary heritages recognized by UNESCO to 10, affirming Vietnam’s position as a country with a rich cultural history and heritage.
Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, Sam Mountain Recognized by UNESCO – Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, Sam Mountain Recognized by UNESCO
On December 4, 2024, at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2003 Convention held in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay, UNESCO inscribed the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, Sam Mountain on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This is a Vietnamese cultural event of special significance, honoring the spiritual and folk belief values of the Vietnamese people.
The Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, Sam Mountain is a large and important traditional festival in An Giang province, attracting millions of pilgrims each year. The festival is not only an opportunity for people to express their sincerity and gratitude to Ba Chua Xu but also an opportunity to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values and unique folk beliefs of the Southern region.
The UNESCO recognition of the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival, Sam Mountain is proof of the richness and diversity of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage. This event also contributes to raising awareness of the importance of preserving and promoting intangible cultural values, while promoting the image of Vietnamese culture to the world.
Developing Cultural Industries – New Momentum for Economic Growth
Developing Cultural Industries
2024 recorded many positive signs in the development of cultural industries in Vietnam. Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024, concerts of the programs “Adoring Brothers”, “Hello Brothers”, the program “International Jazz Festival – Nha Trang 2024”, the success of the films “Dao, Pho and Piano”, “Face Off”… have created positive effects, contributing to promoting the development of cultural industries.
The “International Jazz Festival – Nha Trang 2024” program is a typical example of contributing to the success of the performing arts industry last year. This is the first time a Jazz festival has been held in Vietnam, marking an important event in the country’s musical life. The two TV shows “Hello Brothers” and “Adoring Brothers” with record numbers have created bright spots for the performing arts industry – a key cultural industry in Vietnam.
The film industry also marked a new milestone with “billion-dollar” directors such as Tran Thanh and Ly Hai with films with total revenue exceeding VND 1,000 billion. Hanoi Creative Design Festival set a record with more than 110 activities, realizing Hanoi’s initiative when joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. These events show the strong development and great potential of Vietnam’s cultural industries, making an increasing contribution to economic growth and promoting Vietnamese culture.
Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program in Hollywood – Promoting Culture Through the Lens of Cinema
Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program in Hollywood
For the first time, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized the Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program in Hollywood, the capital of cinema, on a large scale, attracting more than 500 guests, including leading Hollywood producers and directors. This is a breakthrough, an innovative innovation in promoting Vietnamese tourism to exploit tourism development through cinema.
At this program, many cooperation agreements on tourism and cinema development between Vietnamese units and localities and American filmmakers were signed. The Vietnam Tourism – Cinema Promotion Program in the US helps to bring Vietnam destinations and Vietnamese tourism products and services closer to American tourism and film businesses – a large market for Vietnamese tourism.
This event demonstrates Vietnam’s proactiveness and creativity in promoting tourism and culture through cinema, an effective and far-reaching communication channel. Approaching the Hollywood market, the world’s film center, opens up great opportunities for Vietnam to attract investment, cooperate in film production, and promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the world.
Vietnam Tourism Strongly Recovered – Attractive Cultural Destination
Vietnam Tourism Strongly Recovered
In 2024, Vietnam tourism fully recovered after the Covid-19 pandemic, welcoming 17 million international visitors and 120 million domestic visitors. Many key tourist provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Nha Trang… have renewed themselves, organized many effective tourism programs, and welcomed more international visitors than before the pandemic.
In 2024, Vietnam was honored to receive 3 awards: “Asia’s Leading Destination”, “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” and “Asia’s Leading Nature Destination”. This is the 6th time in the past 7 years that Vietnam has been honored as “Asia’s Leading Destination”, affirming the position of Vietnamese tourism as an attractive destination, a bright star on the tourism map of Asia and the world.
Cultural tourism plays an important role in the recovery and development of Vietnamese tourism. World cultural heritages, traditional festivals, handicraft villages, unique cuisine… are factors attracting tourists to Vietnam. This event affirms the attractiveness of Vietnamese culture to international and domestic tourists, making an important contribution to economic development and promoting the image of the country.
International Conference on Rural Tourism and Best Tourism Villages Tra Que – Cultural Tourism Associated with Community
International Conference on Rural Tourism and Best Tourism Villages Tra Que
The first International Conference on Rural Tourism, held in December 2024, was a global conference, attracting the participation of more than 300 delegates from 50 countries around the world. The conference not only promoted the development of agricultural and rural tourism in Vietnam but also demonstrated Vietnam’s role, responsibility, and prestige in international tourism organizations.
Within the framework of the International Conference on Rural Tourism, the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) awarded the title of Best Tourism Village to Tra Que vegetable village (Hoi An, Quang Nam). This is the only representative of Vietnam to win this award this year. This event contributes to honoring the value, spreading the brand, and promoting Hoi An tourism to international tourists.
Rural tourism and community-based tourism are increasingly focused on development in Vietnam, linking tourism with local culture and community life. Tra Que Best Tourism Village is a successful example, harmoniously combining tourism and traditional cultural preservation, creating unique and attractive tourism products. This event demonstrates the trend of sustainable tourism development, linking culture and community, bringing economic and social benefits to the locality.
Vietnam Women’s Volleyball Team Wins World Medal – Sports Glory, National Cultural Pride
Vietnam Women's Volleyball Team Wins World Medal
At the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Challenge Cup 2024 held in early July in the Philippines, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team made history for the country’s volleyball when they won a medal for the first time at a world-level tournament. Previously, the Vietnamese women’s team also successfully defended the championship title of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup 2024.
Although a sporting event, the achievements of the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team bring great pride to the Vietnamese people, contributing to raising Vietnam’s position in the international arena. Sports is also a part of culture, reflecting the solidarity, will to rise, and aspiration to win of the Vietnamese nation. This event concludes a successful and proud year of Vietnamese culture in many fields.
Conclusion
2024 is a year full of outstanding Vietnamese cultural events, from macro-level decisions to vibrant artistic activities, from honored cultural heritage to proud sports achievements. All have created a colorful cultural picture, affirming the strong vitality and great development potential of Vietnamese culture. These events not only contribute to preserving and promoting traditional cultural values but also create new momentum for economic development, tourism, and promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam to the world.