President Luong Cuong presided over the official welcoming ceremony on December 1 for Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a State visit to Vietnam from November 30 to December 2.
This is the sixth visit to Vietnam by the Sultan of Brunei, contributing to further strengthening and deepening political trust, promoting multifaceted cooperation, and advancing bilateral relations towards increasingly substantive and effective outcomes.
Party General Secretary To Lam received Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Hanoi on November 30, who is on a state visit to Vietnam. The Party chief warmly welcomed the Sultan on his seventh visit to Vietnam, expressing confidence that the trip will advance the Vietnam–Brunei Comprehensive Partnership in a more substantive and effective manner.
They agreed to strengthen political trust; promote and facilitate trade and investment activities, enhance connectivity, and support businesses in exchanging information and seeking partners; and effectively tap cooperation potential in other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, Halal products, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The vibrant display of Vietnamese fine arts, signature cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes impressed visitors at the annual Winternational Embassy Showcase held recently by the Vietnamese Embassy in the US in collaboration with the International Trade Centre.
Visiting Sa Pa in December offers a journey to seek nature’s magical moments, as cherry blossoms reach their most vibrant from December to early the following year.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 11th National External Information Service Awards in Hanoi on December 12
Dong Van Karst Plateau in Tuyen Quang province has been named World’s Leading Regional Cultural Destination for the first time at the 2025 World Travel Awards ceremony in Bahrain, underscoring the unique value of the UNESCO Global Geopark and the rich cultural identity of its highland communities.
On the evening of December 11, Long Thanh Airpor in the southern province of Dong Nai successfully put into operation the entire aviation lighting and signage system on Runway 1, which meets Instrument Landing System Category II standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The system spans the runway’s full 4-km length and covers 1.8 km of the approach areas at both ends, 900 meters on each side, ensuring stable and reliable performance.
On December 11, 2025, at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Vietnam’s U22 team defeated Malaysia 2–0 in the final Group B match of SEA Games 33, with goals from Hieu Minh and Minh Phuc, securing the top spot and a place in the men’s football semifinals.
Vietnam has officially secured a landmark victory at the SEA Games with the gold medal earned by fighter Quang Van Minh in mixed martial arts. In the men's under-65kg modern category final, Van Minh (in blue) delivered a dominant performance, defeating his Malaysian opponent (in red) by technical knockout before the start of the third round.
The Dong Ho folk painting craft has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This is Vietnam’s 17th intangible cultural heritage element recognised by UNESCO.
The ‘che’, a traditional jar used in Ede rituals, holds both spiritual and social significance, symbolising wealth and prestige. Still treasured today, che jars are handed down through generations, reflecting the enduring cultural identity of the Ede people.
On the evening of December 9, 2025, the Opening Ceremony of SEA Games 33 took place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Under the theme “We Are One,” host country Thailand promised a spectacular artistic show that blends vibrant traditional culture with state-of-the-art stage technology.
With a strong humanitarian message, the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025 gala went beyond delivering a dazzling night of performances, underscoring the role of culture and the arts in fostering a happy life for the Vietnamese people, and presenting to the world an image of a beautiful, dynamic and joyful Vietnam.
The Central Highlands Gong Culture Space, recognised by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, stands as a distinctive cultural symbol and a source of pride for ethnic minority communities in Dak Lak. The province is now stepping up efforts to safeguard and promote this treasured heritage amid the context of integration and development.
A traditional costume parade took place on December 7, 2025, in the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian zone in Hanoi, as part of the Vietnam Happy Fest 2025.
The artistic lighting system at Mong Bridge, the Youth Cultural House, the Ton Duc Thang Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum and other sites has just been inaugurated, giving the city’s central area a fresh look and creating a striking visual highlight. It showcases Ho Chi Minh City’s architectural features and attracts visitors at night.
A mass wedding for 80 couples was held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hanoi on the morning of December 6. The event, themed “A day for us – Love is happiness,” co-organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi authorities, was a highlight of Vietnam Happy Fest 2025.
At dawn, Keo Lom Pass in Na Son commune in Dien Bien province awakens above a vast sea of white clouds filling the valley below. In the golden sunrise, layers of mountains appear faint and dreamy, creating a natural scene that is both majestic and poetic. This unspoiled beauty makes Keo Lom an appealing destination for visitors and those who love the landscapes of the northwest mountains.
West Lake is one of Hanoi’s most beautiful landmarks, its timeless charm long inspiring poets and travellers alike. As the largest lake in the capital, it offers breathtaking scenery, from ancient pagodas to stretches of lush greenery.
The transport connectivity project for northern mountainous provinces, approved by the Prime Minister, comprises two routes with a total length of around 200 km. Work is under way to resolve site-clearance obstacles to ensure the project stays on schedule for completion and opening to traffic by June 30, 2026, creating major opportunities for economic growth, tourism and trade across the northwest region.
Con Dao National Park has received Green List certification by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), recognising its effective, transparent and equitable management in line with international standards.
Over the past 65 years, Vietnam and Cuba have always stood shoulder to shoulder, from the struggles for national independence to the challenging periods of national building and development.
