Vietfest 2016 promotes Vietnamese culture in London

Vietfest 2016, a Vietnamese cultural festival, opened at University College London (UCL) on March 14 as part of activities hosted by Vietnamese students in the UK to promote Vietnam's culture.
Vietfest 2016 promotes Vietnamese culture in London ảnh 1Art performance at the festival (Source: VNA)

London (VNA) - Vietfest 2016, a Vietnamese cultural festival, opened at University College London (UCL) on March 14 as part of activities hosted by Vietnamese students in the UK to promote the image of Vietnam’s people and land.

Booths displaying hand-made souvenirs and Vietnamese traditional dishes attracted the interest of students. An art programme performed by Vietnamese students was also included in the festival.

Under the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK, Vietnamese students also organised an exhibition of embroidery, large-size photographs and folk paintings featuring Vietnam’s landscapes.

Do An, Chairman of the Vietnamese Students Association in UCL (VietSoc UCL), highlighted the significance of the event, saying that preparations for the festival began in September last year.

Through the event, VietSoc UCL wishes to call on other VietSocs in the UK and worldwide to enhance their efforts in promoting the national culture, An said.

At present, there are over 11,000 Vietnamese students studying in universities throughout the UK.

UCL is a leading multi-disciplinary university in London.-VNA

VNA

See more

A performance at the opening ceremony of the Hung Kings Temple Festival and the 2026 Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week on late April 17 (Photo: VNA)

Hung Kings Temple Festival, associated tourism week kick off

The annual festival serves as a major national cultural event, offering an opportunity for people across Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese communities to pay tribute to their ancestors, express gratitude, and strengthen the great national solidarity.

A ritual at Hue Nam Temple Festival (Photo: VNA)

Hue Nam Temple Festival: From imperial relic to distinctive cultural celebration in Hue

Historically known as Ngoc Tran Son Tu, the temple was renamed Hue Nam during the reign of King Dong Khanh in the late 19th century, symbolising royal gratitude to the Mother Goddess. It is also the only temple in Hue that harmoniously combines royal ceremonial elements with folk religious practices, creating a distinctive blend of court ritual and popular belief.

Participants in the 20th Cong hien (Devotion) Awards presentation ceremony in Hanoi on April 15 (Photo: VNA)

Devotion Awards mark two decades of honouring excellence in music, sports

Nguyen Thien Thuat, Editor-in-Chief of the The Thao & Van Hoa newspaper and Head of the organising board of the awards, said, noting that their achievements reflect the spirit of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 80, which emphasises preserving national cultural values while selectively absorbing the essence of world culture.

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.