Vietnam Leverages Cultural Heritage for Soft Power Growth

Within the heritage space of the Temple of Literature, “A Day of Strolling” programme offered children an unforgettable memory filled with traditional folk games, crafts, and cultural experiences alongside family and friends. As part of events marking the 950th anniversary of the Imperial Academy (1076-2026), Vietnam’s first national university, the “Garden of Light” programme offers visitors a distinctive cultural experience at the Temple of Literature. The artwork themed “Vinh quy bai to” (Return Home in Glory), currently displayed at the Thai Hoc House of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation. The spectacular carving illustrates the scene of a traditional procession whereby a man who has passed a royal exam to be eligible to work in the court, returns home to pay tribute to his ancestors to the tumultuous welcome of the whole village. Taken together, the simultaneous push on copyright enforcement, heritage protection and heritage economy shows that Vietnam is delivering on the Resolution 80-NQ/TW’s core goals. By unlocking cultural soft power, policymakers aim to make culture a strategic engine of rapid, sustainable and identity-rich national development in a new era. As esports continues to gain recognition as a key component of the digital sports economy, Vietnam's participation in EWC 2026 reflects the country's growing presence on the global esports stage while showcasing a dynamic, innovative Vietnam ready to compete at the highest international level. The final leg of Viet Culture in Motion in Belgium on July 3-5 presented a rich and diverse portrait of Vietnam. All films were subtitled in French and Dutch, making stories from Vietnam and Vietnamese communities worldwide accessible to audiences in Brussels. The Vietnamese tea cultural space at Vietnam Expo 2026 is designed not only to introduce tea products but also to build connections with distributors, business partners and tea enthusiasts in Thailand, supporting the expansion of Vietnamese tea into international markets. Over four editions, Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) has steadily established itself as a bridge connecting Vietnamese and Asian cinema with international audiences while creating new opportunities for Vietnam's film industry to integrate more deeply into the global market. Held in the heart of Hanoi's pedestrian zone, the "Crescendo – Symphony of Connection" concert blended classical music with the lively atmosphere of the capital, bringing orchestral performances beyond the traditional concert hall and closer to the public. Standing on the historic land of Quang Tri, alongside the Ben Hai River, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the national martyrs’ cemeteries, people are reminded of the true value of peace and the sacrifices made for national independence, freedom and reunification. One of the exhibition's highlights is the "Our Sound" installation, where visitors become part of the artwork itself. As multiple participants interact simultaneously, sound and light merge into a shared composition, conveying messages of connection, sharing and collective responsibility for building sustainable communities in harmony with nature. The programme retraced the city's half-century journey of construction and development while conveying the affection and pride of people across the country for Vietnam's economic powerhouse. Unlike conventional fireworks that are launched directly into the sky, water fireworks are fired into the water first. After absorbing water, they burst upward from the surface, creating striking light effects against the backdrop of the Saigon River. Chinese entertainment stars are increasingly choosing outfits by Vietnamese designers for red carpet events, concerts, magazine shoots and international appearances, propelling Vietnamese fashion into the spotlight across Chinese social media and strengthening its presence in one of Asia's largest fashion markets. The “Vietnam Day in Skopje 2026” event has been held in the heart of Skopje, bringing Vietnam’s cultural heritage and contemporary image closer to the people of North Macedonia and international visitors. The event opened a series of commemorative activities marking 50 years since Saigon – Gia Dinh was officially named after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976–2026). Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association and Director of DANAFF IV, said the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, and Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture have created a solid foundation for advancing cultural industries and a creative economic sector, and strengthening IP protection, opening up new opportunities for Vietnam's film sector. Titled "The Last Bullet," the film follows the remarkable journey of the Olympic shooting champion, highlighting the perseverance, discipline, coach-athlete bond and personal sacrifices behind his historic achievement. The photo exhibition featured vivid images of Vietnam's majestic natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, distinctive customs and centuries-old traditional craft villages. The festival conveyed a meaningful message on safeguarding and promoting ethnic cultural identities to both domestic and international audiences. It helped raise public awareness and community responsibility while creating new momentum for tourism development, cultural industries and traditional crafts closely associated with the lives of Cham people in the new era. Jointly organised by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, the Guangxi Arts University of China and the Lijiang School of Painting of Guangxi, the exhibition features more than 90 selected paintings which cover a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, flowers, birds and portraits. Held from June 26 to 28 around West Lake, the festival featured a vibrant programme of cultural performances, exhibitions, hands-on experiences and tourism promotion activities, helping showcase Hanoi as a safe, friendly and culturally rich destination. After three editions under the theme "Bridging Asia", DANAFF IV has adopted the new theme "Bridging Asia to the World", reflecting its ambition to connect Vietnamese cinema more closely with regional and global film industries. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.