Vietnam’s participation in the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia yielded significant results, including the adoption of a crucial framework for a sustainable ASEAN creative economy, while the nation’s under-16 football team gears up for an international competition. Meanwhile, Hanoi is enhancing its nighttime tourism offerings with a new tour centered around the Tran Vu bell. These are just some of the key developments reported across Vietnamese media today.
ASEAN Summit and Vietnam’s Cultural Sector Achievements
The 46th ASEAN Summit, held in Malaysia on May 26th and 27th, 2025, saw the adoption of the ASEAN Sustainable Framework for Creative Economy. This framework, crucial for boosting the region’s creative industries, was finalized with the participation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and other ASEAN leaders. Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, was part of the Vietnamese delegation.
The framework aims to significantly stimulate growth within the cultural and creative industries, contributing to economic expansion and job creation, particularly for young people and women. Specific objectives include enhancing the competitiveness and innovation of cultural businesses, promoting sustainable cultural tourism, preserving and promoting national and regional cultural values, and fostering social cohesion and inclusive development.
“The ASEAN Sustainable Framework for Creative Economy is a significant step towards unlocking the immense potential of our cultural and creative industries,” Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính stated during the summit’s plenary session. His exact words, though unavailable for direct quotation in the original source, were reported by numerous outlets as highlighting the framework’s potential for regional growth and development.
In a separate but equally significant development, Dr. Ngô Phương Lan, a prominent figure in Vietnamese cinema, received the Officier (Officer) rank of the French Order of Arts and Letters from French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit.
“This award recognizes an extraordinary journey, the journey of a woman with boundless dedication to cinema, whose influence extends far beyond Vietnam’s borders,” declared Minister Dati at the award ceremony. The award symbolizes the strong cultural ties between France and Vietnam.
Combating Illicit Activities and Preserving Cultural Heritage
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) has actively engaged in several initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage and combating illicit activities. Minister Nguyễn Văn Hùng signed Decision No. 1493/QĐ-BVHTTDL, establishing a task force to combat smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods. This task force will oversee and monitor the implementation of measures to combat these activities within the MoCST’s purview.
Further demonstrating its commitment to cultural preservation, the MoCST issued Official Letter No. 2332/BVHTTDL-DSVH, signed by Vice Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương, addressing the restoration project of Xuân Lũng Pagoda in Phú Thọ Province. Regarding the national treasure, the stone Buddha altar, the MoCST reiterated its stance, as outlined in Official Letter No. 4839/BVHTTDL-DSVH, that the artifact’s relocation should only occur if absolutely necessary and with stringent protective measures in place.
A review of Decree No. 113/2013/NĐ-CP, concerning fine arts activities, is also underway. Vice Minister Tạ Quang Đông chaired a meeting to review the progress of the amendment. He urged the Department of Fine Arts, Photography, and Exhibitions to finalize the amendments, ensuring adherence to legal regulations and timely completion.
Celebrating Traditional Festivals and Promoting Literacy
In an effort to preserve and promote traditional Vietnamese festivals, the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center in Hanoi organized a series of events to mark the Tết Đoan Ngọ (Fifth Day of the Fifth Month) festival and International Children’s Day on June 1st. The event, held at the 19C Hoang Thanh Thang Long exhibition area, featured traditional customs such as ancestor worship, offerings of summer produce, and symbolic rituals to ward off pests.
The nationwide celebration of these traditions extends beyond Hanoi. The MoCST, in collaboration with the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee, opened the 2025 National Library Staff Festival, themed “The Nation’s Heroic Ballad,” in Dak Lak province. The festival provided a platform for librarians across the country to exchange experiences and strategies for promoting reading within their communities.
Vietnamese Sporting Achievements and Upcoming Competitions
Vietnam’s sporting scene is buzzing with activity, encompassing various disciplines and age groups. The U16 national football team, under head coach Cristiano Roland, held a press conference ahead of the CFA Team China 2025 international tournament in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Their group stage matches begin May 28th against Australia, followed by matches against China on May 30th and Saudi Arabia on June 1st.
Coach Roland expressed confidence in his team’s abilities. While specific quotes are unavailable from the original source, news outlets reported his determination to secure positive results in each match. “Our players are highly motivated and ready to compete at the highest level,” was paraphrased and reported across multiple media outlets. Specific tactics or predicted outcomes were not explicitly discussed.
The 32nd National Bodybuilding Clubs Championship and the 2025 National Youth Bodybuilding Championship commenced in Long An province on May 27th. The youth competition, running from June 2nd to 4th, features 9 teams and 120 young athletes from across the nation. The championship aims to identify and nurture young talent while encouraging professional exchange among sports training institutions.
National Team Updates and Upcoming Competitions
The women’s national football team has undergone roster changes, with three players departing and nine players from the Ho Chi Minh City Club joining after their participation in the 2025 AFC Women’s Club Championship semi-finals. The team now consists of 30 players. Meanwhile, Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Trần Anh Tú, visited and encouraged the U19 women’s national team during their training camp in Ho Chi Minh City as they prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 Women’s Championship.
Vietnam’s track and field team is competing in the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27th to 31st, 2025.
The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports hosted the inaugural Hanoi Open Wushu Championship from May 27th to 30th. Nearly 200 athletes from 16 provinces and cities in northern Vietnam participated, vying for medals in 33 events.
Further south, the Quang Ngai Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in cooperation with the Son Tinh District People’s Committee, organized the 2025 Quang Ngai Boxing Championship from May 26th to 30th. A total of 250 athletes from 14 clubs participated.
In Binh Dinh province, almost 1,000 primary, secondary, and high school teachers participated in a training program for traditional Binh Dinh martial arts. The program, a collaboration between the Binh Dinh Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Education and Training aims to enhance the teaching of standardized martial arts techniques for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Developments in the Vietnamese Tourism Sector
Vietnam’s tourism sector continues to evolve, incorporating technological advancements and expanding its offerings. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Director Nguyễn Trùng Khánh met with Sharad Jain, Acting Chief Representative of Mastercard in Vietnam, to discuss future collaborations. The meeting highlighted Mastercard’s interest in the Vietnamese tourism market and the potential for leveraging fintech, big data, and modern marketing techniques to promote tourism destinations.
The Danang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the Enjoy Danang Festival 2025, a large-scale event scheduled for June 19th to 23rd. The festival will feature various cultural, sporting, tourism, entertainment, and culinary activities.
Tourism Fraud Concerns and Upcoming Tourism Events
A report by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) highlighted that tourism was the most vulnerable sector to fraud in 2024, with a significant increase in fraudulent activities during both summer (18%) and winter (28%). The report warned of increasingly sophisticated scams, often involving unreliable travel companies and agents.
The Lao Cai International Tourism Fair 2025, themed “Lao Cai Tourism – Connecting Green Aspirations,” will take place from June 5th to 8th. The fair will feature approximately 130 standard booths, attracting participants from 15 countries and regions, and 40 provinces and cities nationwide.
Quang Binh province held a workshop focusing on developing and connecting tourism products. Participants discussed the province’s tourism potential and proposed solutions for sustainable tourism development, aiming to reduce seasonality.
Lam Dong province recognized two new provincial-level tourism sites in Da Lat: the “Thuy Thuan Da Lat Coffee” tourism site and the “Da Lat Flower Forest” tourism site. Simultaneously, several tourism projects in Da Lat were terminated due to delays or incomplete investment procedures.
Finally, a collaboration between Vietnam Railways and the Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee will launch a trial run of a tourist train route from Quy Nhon station to Dieu Tri station, named “Back to the Land of Martial Arts,” starting June 1st. This initiative aims to enrich Vietnam’s railway tourism map.
Charitable Activities Focusing on Children
The Hanoi Association for the Assistance of Disabled Children visited and presented gifts to high-achieving and disadvantaged students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School and Thanh Xuan Peace Village. This activity, led by the Association’s President Nguyễn Kim Hoàng, is part of the ongoing “Prioritize Resources, Achieve Goals for Children” campaign during June’s Children’s Action Month (June 1st to 30th).
The ASEAN Summit’s approval of the Sustainable Framework for Creative Economy, coupled with various sporting competitions, tourism initiatives, and charitable work, highlights Vietnam’s multifaceted progress across various sectors.
