Vietnamese lacquer paintings introduced in Russia

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism opened an exhibition featuring Vietnamese lacquer paintings in Moscow on May 23 as part of activities within the “Vietnamese Culture Days in Russia 2019” from May 21-28.
Vietnamese lacquer paintings introduced in Russia ảnh 1Visitors enjoy Vietnamese lacquer paintings (Photo: VNA)

Moscow (VNA) – TheMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism opened an exhibition featuringVietnamese lacquer paintings in Moscow on May 23 as part of activities withinthe “Vietnamese Culture Days in Russia 2019” from May 21-28.

Thirty paintings introducespecial artistic values of Vietnamese lacquer paintings and the development pathof the Vietnamese lacquer art.

Addressing the openingceremony, Ma The Anh, Vice Director of the Fine Arts, Photography and ExhibitionDepartment under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismsaid that lacquer is the unique fine art material of Vietnam.

Russian Deputy Minister of Culture Pavel Stepanov showed his delight to attendthe cultural event with great significance to people of both countries.

He read Russian Minister ofCulture Vladimir Medinski’s letter welcoming the Vietnamese Culture Days inRussia, which states that the cultural cooperation between the two countries isan important factor of the Russia-Vietnam strategic partnership, bringingpeople of both countries closer together.

Along with the paintings, participants at the event also enjoyed folk music ofVietnam and Russia.

Son mai comprises two words son (lacquer)and mai (grind) which relate to the material and process usedto make a son mai painting (a lacquer painting).

Vietnamese people had been using resin fromthe lacquer tree to make crafts and valuable objects for hundreds ofyears, including objects of religious value. 

Vietnamese lacquer paintings are covered and ground many times with lacquer resin beforethe artist inlays crushed egg shells, gold, silver and other materials.

The first Vietnamese lacquer paintings were made by students at ÉcoleSuperieure des Beaux Arts de I’Indochine(Indochina Fine Art Colleges) in the 1930s.

Over the years, Vietnamese lacquer masters reachedmilestones in developing traditional crafts towards artistic creativity.-VNA
VNA

See more

Local residents enjoy bathing in flooded fields during the flood season in the Cong Bung Ren area, Vinh Loi hamlet, Phu Huu commune, An Giang province (Photo: VNA)

An Giang’s flood season bathing offers unique tourism experience

Although the flood season lasts only a few months, bathing in flooded fields offers more than seasonal recreation. For residents of An Giang’s border headwaters, it is a way to strengthen community bonds, preserve childhood memories and share the distinctive riverine culture of the Mekong Delta with visitors.

Delegates at the award ceremony (Photo: VNA)

VNA, Hanoi press agency named outstanding at capital press awards

A group of authors from the Hanoi Press and Radio - Television Agency won the special prize, while A prizes went to Tien Phong newspaper, Quoc Phong Thu Do (Capital Defence) newspaper and the Hanoi Press and Radio-Television Agency. VNA reporters took one B prize and three C prizes.

Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in Algeria and Tunisia Hoang Duc Nhuan (L) introduces some Vietnamese products on the sidelines of an African trade and investment forum. (Photo: VNA)

Tunisia values Vietnam’s competitive products: Trade Counsellor

According to Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade reached 59.43 million USD in the first nine months of 2026, up 9.7% year-on-year. Vietnam’s exports totalled 45.47 million USD, an increase of 10.2%, while imports from Tunisia stood at 13.96 million USD, up 8.3%.

“Steel Land” tells a moving story of sacrifice and courage among soldiers and residents of Cu Chi during Vietnam's struggles for independence and reunification. (Photo: VNA)

Play brings Vietnamese history, culture to international audiences

Set against the life of Heoric Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Ranh, who lost eight children and two grandchildren during the resistance wars against the French colonialism and US imperialism, “Steel Land” tells a moving story of sacrifice and courage among soldiers and residents of Cu Chi during the country’s struggles for independence and reunification.

A performance of Xuan Pha dance in Thanh Hoa province. The traditional dance was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM orders nationwide push for first Vietnamese Culture Day

November 24, 2026 marks the first Vietnamese Culture Day, meant to put the Politburo’s Resolution 80-NQ/TW on cultural development into practice. The aim is to embed culture more deeply in social life, letting every citizen create and enjoy it while helping preserve, pass on and enrich the values of Vietnamese culture, country and people.

The Po Klong Garai tower complex on Trau Hill in Do Vinh ward, Khanh Hoa province, is one of the finest examples of Cham architecture preserved to this day. (Photo: VNA)

Po Klong Garai: Cham towers preserving centuries of history

The complex comprises three main structures: the Chinh (Main) Tower, Cong (Gate)Tower and Lua (Fire) Tower. The Main Tower stands about 20.5 metres tall, featuring a square base and tiered roofs that narrow towards the top. The Fire Tower, with its distinctive boat-shaped curved roof, adds a contrasting feature to the ensemble. Columns, niches, lotus motifs and decorative patterns adorn the brick walls.

Nguyen Trong Ho (right), head of Vietnam’s delegation to the Asian Para Games 2026, offers encouragement to athletes. (Photo: Vietnam Para Sports Delegation)

Vietnam targets gold at Asian Para Games 2026

Vietnam will send 36 team members, including 21 athletes competing in five sports: athletics (seven), swimming (seven), powerlifting (four), table tennis (two) and badminton (one).

A dance performance celebrates the traditional craftsmanship of the Cham people in Ninh Phuoc commune, Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Preserving Bau Truc pottery heritage in modern life

Bau Truc pottery is distinguished by its traditional handmade techniques. Without pottery wheels or moulds, Cham women use their hands to shape clay, water and fire into unique products that embody the community's folk knowledge, customs, memories and cultural identity.

A drum performance opens the launch of a nationwide campaign calling for all people to practice physical training in Hanoi on October 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Preserving heritage and harnessing cultural strength in a new era

On the morning of October 10, a ceremony was held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging regular physical exercise under the message “Everyone should choose at least one suitable sport to practise regularly”. The event was held in person and connected online with 33 provinces and cities nationwide.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the ceremony marking the Hanoi Police Football Club's 70th anniversary on October 10, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader applauds Hanoi Police FC’s 70-year achievements

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed delight at the encouraging signals recorded so far, noting that with its valuable traditions, the enthusiasm of today's youth, and the attention from leaders of the Party, State, Ministry of Public Security, Hanoi Police, and local authorities, the team has every opportunity to thrive.

International visitors stroll beneath the leafy trees along Hoan Kiem Lake, enjoying Hanoi’s cool autumn weather. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi’s autumn charms visitors with scenery, food and memories

Hoan Kiem lake remains a popular attraction, with colourful flowerbeds drawing residents and tourists for walks and photos. Visitors can continue through the Old Quarter, explore cafés in old buildings and sample local favourites such as pho and bun cha.

Guitarist Dang Ngoc Long performs with the Tübingen Symphony Orchestra (Germany) at the “A Rhapsody of Two Worlds” concert at Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi in December 2025. (Photo: VNA)

From Berlin, the Vietnamese guitar fosters cultural connections to global community

This year, 30 contestants from 15 countries entered the competition, with five finalists set to compete on October 10 at Ballhaus Prinzenallee in Berlin. The programme also includes a gala concert, masterclasses and a guitar exhibition. Long’s compositions have been selected as compulsory pieces, introducing international musicians to Vietnamese music.