CULTURE AND SPORT

Vietnam are aiming for a convincing victory over Malaysia in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier on March 31, despite already securing a place in the finals.

Vietnam will, for the first time, participate in the Venice Art Biennale in Italy with an independent art project and dedicated exhibition space.

Phan Thanh Nhien set a record as the youngest Vietnamese man to climb Mount Everest and the first Vietnamese person to twice carry the national flag to the summit.

Danang will open its 2026 beach season with a nine-day festival from April 25 to May 3, featuring cultural, sporting and culinary events across key coastal sites.

Vietnam delivered a dominant performance to defeat Bangladesh 3-0 in an international friendly in Hanoi on March 26.

An exhibition featuring paintings created by Vietnamese Emperor Ham Nghi during his years of living in exile will be showcased in Hanoi this April.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has set a target of returning to the FIFA top 100 rankings and qualifying for the World Cup, with a focus on coaching development and youth restructuring.

Naturalised striker Nguyen Xuan Son has been named the most valuable player in Vietnam’s national team for the March 2026 training camp, while Hoang Hen ranks seventh, according to Transfermarkt.

Hanoi plans to build a new theatre with up to 2,500 seats, with estimated investment of about VND 2 trillion (about USD 75.94 million) in the 2026-2030 period.

Thirteen foreign cyclists will compete in the 38th edition of the Ho Chi Minh City Television Cycling Cup, organisers announced at a launching ceremony held in the city on March 22.

Vietnam will host Miss Heritage Global 2026 in August, marking the first time the international pageant is staged in the country and in Asia.

Hanoi will host nearly 330 players from 21 countries at the Vietnam International Challenge from March 24 to 29, as top badminton athletes compete for titles and prize money.

A striking image of a fisherman in Hoi An has won the top prize at a major photography competition in the UK, beating more than 14,500 entries.

Two gold-plated crosses have been hoisted to the top of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, marking a major milestone in its long-running restoration.

Authorities in Ca Mau Province have approved a USD 615,700 project to renovate the Cao Van Lau Theatre and Cultural Exhibition Centre, known for its distinctive three conical-hat design.

A contemporary ballet inspired by Vietnamese folk culture will premiere at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on March 29, offering a fresh take on classical performance.

A mega concert featuring popular artists from famous TV reality shows will headline the opening ceremony of National Tourism Year-Gia Lai 2026, promising an energetic night for young audiences.

Around 10,000 runners from Vietnam and abroad are expected to take part in the Danang International Marathon 2026, scheduled for March 21-22 with several race categories and community events.

Quang Ninh will organise a summer tourism week featuring 14 large-scale cultural, artistic, sporting and tourism activities that will create a vibrant festive atmosphere across the province.