CULTURE AND SPORT

Vietnam’s U22 football team were awarded substantial bonuses after winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games, with rewards coming from the Vietnam Football Federation and sponsors.

Vietnamese fans poured onto streets nationwide late on December 18 after U22 Vietnam clinched a dramatic victory over Thailand in the SEA Games 33 final.

Vietnam scored their third goal in extra time after they leveled 2-2 with hosts Thailand in the main 90 minutes of the 33rd SEA Games men's football final to secure the title.

Vietnam’s women’s team failed to defend their SEA Games title after losing 6-5 to the Philippines on penalties in the final on December 17.

Ahead of Christmas 2025, chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai has sent a congratulatory letter to Catholic and Protestant communities nationwide.

The knowledge of preparing and enjoying cha ca La Vong has been designated a national intangible cultural heritage, recognising one of Hanoi’s most celebrated culinary traditions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced shortlists for the 98th Academy Awards across 12 categories, however, Vietnam’s wartime film Red Rain was absent.

Vietnam U22 will take on Thailand U22 in the men’s football final at the 33rd SEA Games, with head coach Kim Sang Sik poised to make history.

Late goals from Le Van Thuan and Thanh Nhan lifted Vietnam to a 2-0 win over the Philippines on December 15, securing a place in the mens football final at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

Vietnam’s women’s football team secured a resounding 5-0 victory over Indonesia in the SEA Games 33 semifinal on December 14 in Thailand, booking their spot in the final.

The Vietnam “Pho” Day, in response to the Pho Week in Europe 2025, kicked off in Germany and Bulgaria on December 12.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Vietnam’s U22 men’s and women’s football teams after their group-stage victories secured places in the semi-finals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.

The 2026 Hanoi Creative Design Festival will light up the capital with a range of engaging activities aimed at fostering a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

The Hue International Tea Festival 2025 opened at Truong Sanh Palace in the Hue Imperial Citadel on December 11, bringing together the finest tea traditions from around the world.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Phuong, Nguyen Ngoc Tram and Hoang Thi Thu Uyen won gold in the women’s team kata at the 33rd SEA Games on December 11, defeating hosts Thailand.

Lang Van Parish Church in the northern province of Ninh Binh has been inaugurated after a decade of construction, becoming the largest Catholic church in Vietnam.

Vietnamese pickleballer Ly Hoang Nam jumped to second place in the PPA Tour Asia men’s singles rankings after clinching the PPA Asia Open 2025 title in Hangzhou, China, on December 6.

Vietnam will send 141 para athletes to compete in 11 sports at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand from January 15 to 26, aiming to secure 40-50 gold medals and finish in the top four overall.

This is Vietnam’s 17th intangible cultural heritage element recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).