CULTURE AND SPORT

Localities tap heritage assets to develop tourism, cultural services and creative industries, generating tangible economic benefits while promoting sustainable growth.

Vietnam U23 booked a place in the semifinals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 after a dramatic 3-2 victory over UAE U23 on January 16 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The international short documentary film festival “Viet Culture in Motion” made its debut in Vietnam and several countries on January 16.

Pho (Noodle) Museum, the first privately operated culinary museum in Vietnam, opened in HCM City on Thursday, providing visitors with the over-100-year journey of Pho, the country’s most iconic dish.

Vietnam have been drawn in the same group as Indonesia and Singapore at the ASEAN Championship 2026 (ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026), following an official draw held in Jakarta on January 15.

Vietnamese painter Le Trang has gained international recognition since early 2024, with her works featured in major exhibitions in London, Florence and Paris.

Vietnam pulled off a major upset at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, defeating tournament hosts Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their match to secure a place in the quarter-finals with a perfect record.

Artists from around the globe will take to the stage in Hanoi this month, blending improvisational storytelling and musicality to spark new worlds and a memorable experience.

Nearly 30 cultural, entertainment and artistic activities will take place in Nha Trang and surrounding cultural venues during the 2026 Lunar New Year or Tet.

Vietnam claimed a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in the second match of Group A on January 9, strengthening their chance of advancing to the knockout stage of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup.

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.