Culture - Sports

Int’l choir competition to celebrate Reunification Day

The fourth International Choir Competition will be held at the ancient town of Hoi An, central Quang Nam province, in celebration of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification (April 30) and May Day (May 1).
The fourth International Choir Competition will be held at theancient town of Hoi An, central Quang Nam province, in celebration ofthe Southern Liberation and National Reunification (April 30) and MayDay (May 1).

More than 1,500 artists from 15countries around the world are expected to compete in 13 categories atthe event, taking place from April 29 to May 3.

Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and TourismDinh Hai said the contest creates a chance for chorus lovers to exchangeexperience and increase their mutual understanding of culture,friendship, solidarity and cooperation.

Hoi An wasselected by the German Interkultur organisation in 2011 to host thefirst international choir competition in Vietnam.

The organising board will arrange choir troupes to perform internationalmelodies on the street to serve visitors, in addition to dance andmusical instrument performances.

Hoi An AncientTown, recognised by UNESCO in 1999, is an old trading port dating backto the 15th century. Its architecture and layout reflect the indigenousand foreign influences that melted together to produce the uniquecharacter of the town.

In 2012, Hoi An wasshortlisted in the top ten Asian cities for US magazine Conde Nast'sTraveller’s Readers Choice Awards.

The following year, the city was chosen for the Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia.

Most recently, the city placed fifth in the Top City category of the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2015.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Artisans and students take part in cultural activities and exchanges in the Xoan singing performance space at Hung Lo ancient communal house in Phu Tho province (Photo: VNA)

Ancestral legends revived through contemporary performance

Beyond cultural value, well-organised festival programmes linked with tourism and media can contribute to the development of cultural industries and enhance Vietnam’s cultural soft power, positioning heritage-based events as distinctive national cultural brands in the international arena.

Khue Van Cac (Khue Van Pavilion) stands as a defining cultural symbol of Hanoi, closely associated with Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of valuing education and honouring knowledge. (Photo: VNA)

Greater efforts needed for heritage to shape Hanoi’s identity

As suggested by UNESCO experts, heritage should be approached as an integrated system encompassing space, people and everyday life. This perspective can inform urban planning, cultural tourism development and the creation of clear economic drivers.

Participants at the gathering (Photo: VNA)

Lao, Cambodian students welcome traditional New Year in Ho Chi Minh City

In his speech, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong said the municipal Party organisation, authorities and people always value the close ties and solidarity among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. He described the three nations’ longstanding ties, forged through shared hardships, as an invaluable spiritual asset and a bedrock for sustainable development.

Vietnamese kickboxers win 32 gold medals at the Kickboxing World Cup 2026. (Photo: Vietnam Kickboxing Federation)

Vietnam finish third at Kickboxing World Cup 2026

According to Vu Duc Thinh, President of the Vietnam Kickboxing Federation, the strong results reflected careful preparation by local training centres and the determination of Vietnamese fighters. The team’s participation, funded largely through socialised and local resources, also demonstrated growing support for the development of kickboxing in Vietnam.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Trinh Van Quyet speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

National Radio Festival opens in Quang Ninh

The opening night was combined with an artistic programme titled “sounds of the new era,” drawing around 50,000 spectators. The programme was structured in three chapters: Origins of Sound, Heritage Sound, and Sound of the New Era.

Vietnamese puppetry faces pressure to adapt to modern lifestyles, particularly amid growing competition from diverse entertainment forms (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

People’s Artist Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Chairman of the Hanoi Theatre Association, noted that while northern Vietnam had 27 puppetry guilds in 1986, only 14 remain today. Many traditional plays and original scripts have been lost, hurting restoration and preservation efforts.

Visitors enjoy the "Stone History Preserves Memories" exhibition, featuring a traditional format combined with digital technology solutions (Photo: VNA)

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.