Ceremony marks decade of Giong festival as UNESCO heritage of humanity
A ceremony took place in Hanoi on the evening of December 11 to celebrate 10 years since Vietnam's Giong festival was accredited by the UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony took place in Hanoi on the evening of December11 to celebrate 10 years since Vietnam's Giong festival was accredited by theUNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Held at the national special relic Phu Dong Temple in outlying Gia Lam district's PhuDong village, the celebration featured artperformances and a display of local traditional products.
Speaking at the event, Nguyen Duc Hong, Vice Chairman of theGia Lam People’s Committee, said the district will continue its effort topreserve of promote the festival and the temple.
He unveiled the local plan of building Phu Dong village intoa tourism destination of the capital city in 2021, focusing on the local keyproducts of eco, agricultural, and cultural tourism.
Giong festival is held annually between the seventh andninth day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate Saint Giong, a local herowho sacrificed his life to defeat invaders. It is celebrated with processions,rituals and performances.
The Vietnam Culture and Art Sub-Institute said “The festivalfollows a format written in an ancient book called Hoi Le (FestivalRegulations), which was passed down through the generations.”
The main day of the event is the last day of the festival, when flags arecarried from the Mother Temple to the Upper Temple and sacrifices are made.People perform ritual dances and songs, while battles against the invaders arere-enacted.
In 2010, UNESCO recognised Vietnam’s Giong festival held at PhuDong Temple and at Soc Temple in Hanoi’s Soc Son district as IntangibleCultural Heritage of Humanity.
The recognition of UNESCO has led to a series of research onits cultural and historical values as well as the promotion of the heritage onthe media. Nearly 72 billion VND (3.1 million USD) have been invested on restoringthe Phu Dong Temple and building necessary infrastructure serving the festivalin Gia Lam./.
The Giong Festival began in Phu Dong village, Gia Lam district, Hanoi, on May 2 or the seventh day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, attracting many tourists.
Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen has made history for Vietnam’s dancesport by clinching a bronze medal in the solo Latin category at the WDSF World Championship 2025 in Germany.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
