Vietnam successfully defended their overall title at the 10th Asian Pencak Silat Championships 2026, winning 16 gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

With Vietnamese cuisine securing growing recognition from global bodies, travel publications and rankings, the country now has a real shot at transforming every dish into a cultural experience, sharpening both the appeal and economic power of its tourism industry.

Amid rapid urbanisation and globalisation, Vietnam's centuries-old tradition of “ket cha” (establishing village twinning relations or alliances) – a ceremonial bond between villages – continues to endure as a symbol of solidarity, mutual support and community cohesion. Today, the custom is increasingly viewed not only as intangible cultural heritage but also as a source of cultural vitality and soft power in the country's new era of development.

More than six months after the Politburo issued Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, localities and agencies across the country have stepped up efforts to preserve cultural heritage, accelerate digital transformation, expand cultural industries, and encourage artistic creativity.

The Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 opened in Nha Trang on July 17 under the theme "Colours of the Ocean – Reaching International Heights," highlighting Vietnam's maritime heritage and the province's ambition to become a globally recognised marine tourism destination.

Leading artists and cultural experts have described Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's recent directives on cultural development as reflecting a new development mindset, positioning culture as the nation's spiritual foundation, endogenous resource and motivation for national development in the new era.

The 2026 VPS Cup Fareast 19R Open and International Regatta will be held for the first time in Nha Trang Bay from July 17 to 19, bringing together regional sailing clubs in one of Vietnam’s most prominent coastal sporting events.

The Government has issued Resolution No. 66.22/2026/NQ-CP on digital citizen development, officially designating October 15 each year as Vietnam Digital Citizen Day.

When Vietnamese dancesport athlete Nguyen Trong Nha Uyen stepped off the floor in Bremen, Germany, she carried more than a silver medal.

More than 100 rare artifacts and collections from the Nguyen Dynasty are on show at Long An Palace, the main gallery of the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, from July 10 to October 9.

Vietnam has significant opportunities to strengthen its position in the global Halal market, heard at a conference in the central province of Khanh Hoa on July 8.

The Festival for Peace 2026 opened on the evening of July 4 at the Hien Luong–Ben Hai special national relic site in the central province of Quang Tri under the theme “From memory to the future – Quang Tri for peace.”

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.

A special live television programme, "Rang ro ten Nguoi" (Radiant in His Name), was held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 2 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Saigon–Gia Dinh officially being renamed after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976–2026).

A feature film co-produced by Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), inspired by the life of Vietnam's first Olympic gold medallist Hoang Xuan Vinh, was officially launched on June 29, underscoring growing cinematic cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam is strengthening its appeal to international travellers, combining vibrant cities, rich cultural experiences and diverse natural landscapes to attract growing interest from key source markets worldwide.

Hoi An Ancient Town in the central city of Da Nang, and the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City have been named among Asia’s top attractions in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026.

Vietnam left a strong impression on Bulgarian and international visitors through its vibrant participation in the 2026 Asian Festival, held at South Park in Sofia on June 13–14.

Hundreds of participants joined a mass yoga performance in Hanoi on June 14 as part of activities marking the International Day of Yoga (June 21), helping strengthen cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and India.