The Lao government will seek inscription of several traditions on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, including Larb, the Sou Khuan ceremony, Pu Yer – Ya Yer, Lao New Year (Bun Pi Mai Lao), and Khao Tom–Khao Lam. It will also pursue World Heritage status for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, the Plain of Jars in Houaphanh Province, and That Ing Hang.
Ninh Binh will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts, businesses and local communities to ensure sustainable preservation and restoration of the complex. The province also plans to gradually prepare a nomination dossier for “Tam Chuc Complex – Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve” to seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
UNESCO’s inscription is grounded in criteria on the Outstanding Universal Value, underscoring the organic relationship between the sacred landscape of the Yen Tu mountains and the Con Son–Kiep Bac area, Truc Lam Buddhist thought, and the political authority of the Tran Dynasty.
In the vast treasure trove of Vietnamese folk art, Xoan singing stands as a unique jewel, inextricably linked to the worship of the Hung Kings — the nation's legendary founders.
Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh called for enhanced capacity building, experience sharing, stronger international cooperation and effective implementation of the recommendations related to Article 16 on preferential treatment for developing countries.
Vietnam has officially submitted its application to UNESCO to recognise "pho" (Vietnamese noodle soup) and water puppetry as Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, while several new local intangible cultural heritage properties have been added to the national list.
According to the State Records and Archives Department, part of the archives from the French colonial period (1858–1954) is preserved in Vietnam, while the remainder is kept in France.
Climate change adaptation remains a top priority in Vietnam’s development strategy and national security outlook through 2050. Vietnam will maintain close cooperation with Japan, UNESCO and other partners to guarantee the project’s effectiveness and advance common goals.
Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh highlighted the historical significance of the CPV’s 96-year journey of development and revolutionary leadership, which has guided the nation to victories, steadily advancing international integration and strengthening its global position and prestige.
From UNESCO’s perspective, the resolution articulates a concrete roadmap for structural reform, aiming to mobilise social capital, catalyse the creative economy, and safeguard cultural diversity. This builds upon Vietnam’s long-standing cultural advocacy and will enable Vietnam to navigate the complexities of the digital era and a volatile global landscape, he stated.
Politburo Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW represents a significant shift in the development paradigm, formally recognising culture not merely as an auxiliary sector, but as one of the four indispensable and co-equal pillars of sustainable development - alongside the Economy, Society, and the Environment.
The Oc Eo Civilisation, which flourished in southern Vietnam from the 1st to the 7th centuries, was first discovered in 1942 by French archaeologist Louis Malleret through artefacts unearthed in Ba The Mountain area, now part of Oc Eo commune.
Beyond heritage and culture, Vietnam has increasingly demonstrated its role as an active, responsible and proactive member contributing to UNESCO’s policy-shaping processes, thereby enhancing national prestige and promoting humanistic and peace-loving values on the global stage, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Paris.
Vietnam is entering a new developmental phase on firmer footing, with heightened stature and greater strategic space, though it must strengthen internal capacity and improve growth quality to weather future uncertainties.
Hanoi has been recognised by UNESCO as a member of the Global Learning Cities Network in recognition of its strong efforts to build a comprehensive learning society, where all citizens have opportunities for lifelong learning.
Vietnam currently has 17 intangible cultural heritage elements inscribed by UNESCO, contributing to enhancing the country’s image on the global tourism map.
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 complex is assessed as a unified and interconnected heritage space that fully reflects the formation, development and far-reaching influence of Vietnam’s unique cultural and spiritual values.
The event brought together artisan troupes from three Southeast Asian countries – Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, alongside representatives from Vietnam’s Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, and Phu Tho provinces.
As of December 9, 2025, Vietnam has 17 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO. Among them, the Dong Ho folk painting craft has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, becoming the country’s 17th recognised element.