Culture - Sports

Son shocks former world chess champion

International Grand Master (IGM) Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son sent shockwaves through the chess world at the Cap D'Agde Rapid Chess Tournament in France after beating former world champion Russian Anatoly Karpov in his fifth match on Oct. 26.
International Grand Master (IGM) Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son sent shockwavesthrough the chess world at the Cap D'Agde Rapid Chess Tournament inFrance after beating former world champion Russian Anatoly Karpov inhis fifth match on Oct. 26.

The win took Son to third place in Group A, which should help him secure a quarter-final berth.

In an earlier game, Son drew with Bu Xiangzhi, one of his main rivals at the Asian Games in China next month.

"It's the first ever time a Vietnamese player has beaten the 12-timeworld champion," said an official from Vietnam Chess Federation, TruongGiang.

"However, the winning move was just a moment ofinspiration for Son, 20, in his battle against the 59-year-old formerworld champion," he said.

He added that any player could lose a game during speed play with just one move.

Six years ago, Son became the second youngest IGM in world chess history at the age of 14 years and nine months.

The 20-year-old started to draw attention in 2000 when he won the World U-10s Chess Championship in Spain .

Meanwhile, Son's teammate, Le Quang Liem overcame the host country'sGharamian Tigran in his fourth game before drawing with Ukraine 'sVasily Ivanchuk. Liem scored 5.5 points that puts him second inGroup A. The event has drawn 16 participants divided into two groups.The top four from each will qualify for the quarter-finals. Thetournament will finish on Oct. 30./.
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Delegates at the launch ceremony of the photography contest “Global Eyes on Da Nang” at APEC Park on September 10 (Photo: VNA.)

Photo contest highlights Da Nang through international eyes

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee and head of the contest’s organising committee, said the competition aims to showcase diverse perspectives from the foreign community, diplomatic missions, international organisations, press agencies, professional and amateur photographers, and visitors.

The Vietnamese delegation attends the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi to host Asia-Pacific dialogue on heritage, authenticity

The event aims to provide an international scientific forum for further research, exchanges and discussions on authenticity in world heritage conservation, in close connection with the outstanding universal value, integrity and cultural values of heritage elements.

Materials on President Ho Chi Minh are on display as part of the series of events honouring President Ho Chi Minh in Kunming, China (Photo published by VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh relic site opens exhibition in China marking 76 years of diplomatic ties

The centerpiece exhibition features more than 100 documents, materials and photos, some made public for the first time. It highlights President Ho Chi Minh’s life, career and revolutionary activities in China and his close ties with Chinese revolutionaries, intellectuals and people, underscoring the formation, cultivation and continuation of Vietnam-China friendship across periods.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra delivers a speech at the ceremony in Hanoi on September 9 to see off the Vietnamese sports delegation to the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese sports delegation leaves for ASIAD 20 in Japan

The Vietnamese delegation comprises 496 members, including athletes, coaches, experts, officials, doctors and medical staff. The teams will depart in several groups depending on their competition schedules, with the largest group expected to leave on September 16. The squad has set a target of winning at least four gold medals at ASIAD 20.

A performance by the Ruby’s Dance Crew at a celebration of Vietnam's National Day in Hong Kong (Photo: VNA)

Artist helps Vietnamese culture shine in Hong Kong

Teaching traditional dance and songs to children growing up overseas has never been easy. Differences in living environments and ways of thinking, together with pronunciation influenced by the local language, mean that the children need more time to grasp rhythms and pronounce Vietnamese correctly.

A musical performance at the Vietnamese Cultural Festival in Asahikawa, Hokkaido (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Cultural Festival brings people together in Japan

Over the two days, the festival featured a range of cultural, artistic and community activities, including a Japanese speech contest for Vietnamese participants, quizzes on Japanese law, culture and history, a Japanese karaoke contest, art performances and Yosakoi exchanges.

Vietnamese Consul General in Perth Pham Hai Anh delivers the opening remarks at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Lantern Festival connects cultures in Darwin

This year’s festival showcased the waterways, boats and monkey bridges of the Mekong Delta, along with handicrafts made from coconut leaves, bringing the distinctive character of Vietnam’s southern region to life through decorations, interactive activities and artistic performances.

Top 6 contestants of 73rd Miss World pageant (Photo: VNA)

Miss World 2026 promotes Vietnamese culture, tourism

On September 4-5 alone, Khanh Hoa welcomed around 95,000 visitors staying overnight, including approximately 38,000 international visitors, highlighting the event’s considerable appeal and the province’s image as a safe, attractive and welcoming destination.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany (Photo published by VNA)

UNESCO, countries welcome Vietnam-led cultural initiative

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany hailed the UN General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036), thanking Vietnam for promoting the initiative, as well as all co-sponsoring countries, members of the core group and the Group of Friends for Culture at the UN for their support.