CULTURE AND SPORT

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.

Vietnam U23 departed for Qatar on December 26 to begin a training camp in preparation for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 finals.

Ho Chi Minh City is set to light up the sky with fireworks to ring in New Year 2026 at six locations, up two places from the initial plan.

Marksmen of the national shooting team are gearing up to compete for medals at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, scheduled for February 2-14 in India.

Vietnam’s first museum dedicated to pho will open on January 15, 2026, at the corner of Nguyen Thai Hoc and Pham Ngu Lao streets in Ho Chi Minh City.

Authorities in south-central Khanh Hoa Province plan a low-altitude fireworks display in Nha Trang to welcome the New Year 2026, alongside a series of cultural and artistic events.