Vietnam Enhances International Presence Through Culture, Sports, and Cuisine

Vietnam is steadily enhancing its international presence by gaining recognition in diverse fields such as sports, culture, and cuisine. In football, the national team secured the top spot in Group A of the ASEAN Cup, delivering a performance "worthy of the defending champions." Despite the fervent atmosphere created by approximately 30,000 home fans, the squad maintained composure and organization to clinch victory, finishing the group stage with 10 points. Culturally, an event titled "The Sound of Crossing the Sea" is expected to promote Vietnam's distinctive cultural and artistic identity to international audiences and the ASEAN community in Hong Kong. The "Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Festival" in Da Nang has also cemented its place as an annual diplomatic event, spotlighting the distinct cultures of both nations, fostering friendship, and driving cooperation with Korean localities and partners. Traditional martial arts are also expanding their global reach. The ninth International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts has fostered the martial spirit, strengthened national pride, and promoted cultural exchanges. This festival attracted nearly 1,000 martial artists from Vietnam and overseas, including participants from 16 delegations across nine countries, such as Thailand and Laos. In terms of culinary arts, Vietnamese cuisine has garnered increasing international attention, ranking 16th globally in the latest TasteAtlas rankings and being described as "exceptional" by Travel + Leisure. My Quang, a signature dish of the Quang region, reflects the history, culture, and daily life of communities in central Vietnam, thereby strengthening Da Nang's position on the culinary tourism map. Furthermore, there are efforts to brand "Vietnamese Silk" and aim for World Heritage status for areas like Van Phuc silk weaving village. With its millennia-old heritage and integration of preservation and innovation, Van Phuc village is poised to become a distinctive cultural destination, promoting Hanoi's sustainable cultural tourism and bringing the quintessence of Vietnamese silk weaving closer to domestic and international visitors. These initiatives are likely part of Vietnam's soft power strategy under its one-party system, aimed at improving the country's image and generating economic benefits. In particular, the international promotion of cultural heritage and culinary traditions is expected to contribute to attracting tourists and encouraging foreign investment.