CULTURE AND SPORT

Nearly 200 creative groups will take part in an event in Hanoi on January 10-11, marking the start of a series of activities leading up to the C.

Vietnam’s U16 PVF will meet youth teams from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Aspire Academy in Qatar, a venue cluster set to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029.

The Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 is expected to take place from May 30 to July 11 under the theme Danang-United Horizons, organisers said on January 7.

Vietnam U23 opened their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Jordan U23, underlining the squad’s tactical discipline and match control.

The Homeland 2026 Spring programme will be held on February 8 in Hanoi, according to the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy PM Mai Van Chinh has agreed to the preparation of dossiers on pho and water puppetry as intangible cultural heritage, to be submitted to UNESCO for inscription on its heritage lists.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on January 4 that its Cinema Department has requested Netflix to remove the film “Shine on me” from its website and app.

Head coach Kim Sang-sik said his Vietnamese team are confident as they target a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, ahead of their opening match against Jordan.

Vietnam U23 enter the U23 Asian Cup 2026 with growing expectations, having won the gold medal at the SEA Games 33.

A new night-time cultural programme was held at the Temple of Literature-Quoc Tu Giam on January 1, offering the public a novel way to experience the special national relic site.

Khanh Hoa will host its first international kitesurfing tournament from January 15 to 17, 2026, as the coastal province seeks to expand high end sea sports and tourism offerings.

The Hue City People’s Committee on January 1 announced Hue Festival 2026 at Ngo Mon Gate relic site, with a stage performance reenacting the Ban Soc ceremony.

In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a priority stop for major shows, concerts and festivals, drawing strong public interest.

Lam Dong will stage 15 minute low altitude fireworks displays at three locations at midnight on January 1, 2026, to welcome the New Year.

Vietnam lost 2-1 to Syria in a closed-door friendly on December 30, a match aimed at testing squad depth and tactical options ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.

Xuan Huong-Dalat Ward in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Lam Dong will host a month-long cherry blossom festival to mark the 2026 New Year, featuring a range of cultural and artistic events.

Danang will welcome the new year with a late-night fun run as the city stages the Danang New Year’s Ever Run along the Han River on December 31.

Cooler weather brought by the northeast monsoon is drawing young Hanoians out in ao dai to capture Hanoi at what they see as its most atmospheric time of year.

Midfielder Hoang Duc won the Vietnam Golden Ball 2025, marking the third time in his career he has claimed the country’s most prestigious individual football honor.