Category: Sports

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 3 demanded enhancing inter-regional, national, and international connectivity in culture, sports, and tourism.

He made the request at a hybrid conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to review the performance last year and launch tasks for 2024.

Highlighting the growing role and position of the culture, sports, and tourism sector in recent years, he said the Party and State attach great importance to culture, which is an internal strength of a nation. While sports help improve physical and mental health as well as will of each people, tourism is a key sector in national economic development.

PM Chinh applauded efforts and achievements by those working in the fields of culture, sports and tourism, but also pointed out certain problems, shortcomings, difficulties, and challenges they need to surmount.

He asked the sector, including the MCST, to make breakthroughs in institutionalising the Party and State’s viewpoints, guidelines,
policies, and laws on cultural, sports, and tourism development; pay more attention to reforming administrative procedures, improving the investment and business climate, and stepping up digital transformation; press on with preserving, upgrading, and bringing into play national heritage and cultural values, along with tangible and intangible cultural values of regions; harmonise the relationship between preservation and development; and diversify forms of communications and education about heritage.

The sector needs to coordinate with other sectors and localities to build, upgrade, and promote the effectiveness of cultural facilities; properly organise cultural activities in celebration of major anniversaries and events of the country; and strongly bring into play the role of families in nurturing people’s morality and dignity, he continued.

The Government leader told the sector to improve the effectiveness of and reform state agencies’ management over sports, facilitate private parties’ engagement in spor
ts development, devise mechanisms and policies for promoting sports economy, and reform the mass sports movement.

In addition, the PM ordered strongly reforming tourism promotion methodology, developing a smart tourism ecosystem in tandem with conducting digital transformation, enriching experiences for tourists, and stepping up green technology application so as to reach the targets of 18 million international tourist arrivals, 110 million domestic visitors, and 850 trillion VND (34.8 billion USD) in tourism revenue this year.

He asked the sector to strengthen connectivity within each region, among different regions, and with other countries in cultural, sports, and tourism affairs.

It is also necessary to ensure equal access to culture, sports, and tourism, particularly for residents in rural, remote, border, and marine areas and for vulnerable groups, PM Chinh emphasised.

Looking back on the sector’s performance last year, participants said major national and inter-regional cultural, sports, and touris
m events were held and received warm response from people and tourists.

In particular, thanks to creative methods adopted and policies issued to tackle bottlenecks, tourism recovered quickly with about 12.5 million international visitors attracted to Vietnam – exceeding the initial target of 8 million and rising 3.5-fold from 2022, and 108 million domestic visitors – 5.8% higher than the target.

Cultural industries were fostered while sports activities received more investment. At the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), the Vietnamese delegation for the first time topped the medal standings of a SEA Games held in another country, the conference heard./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Tokyo: Strong cultural industries will help promote Vietnam’s stature in the region, said Prof. Furuta Motoo, Rector of the Vietnam Japan University under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Furuta said that he was highly impressed with the Vietnamese culture and people right on the first time he set foot in Hanoi in December 1974.

The culture of Vietnam is characterised by factors seeming to be contrary to each other but co-existing. The Vietnamese people’s patriotism, demonstrated by their continuous struggles against foreign invaders, is a typical feature recognised by people around the world. They are also open to good factors of other countries’ cultures, which can be seen in the Southeast Asian nation boosting its integration into the world while bringing into play its national identity, he said.

At the national conference on culture held in 2021 to implement the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu
Trong noted culture forms the spiritual foundation of society and the internal strength of the country, and that focus must be paid to building and developing culture, which means developing people with dignity and a good lifestyle and building a healthy cultural environment.

With regard to Vietnam’s goal of becoming a developed country by 2045 with importance attached to culture, Furuta perceived that if one country possesses a rich culture but its economy is underdeveloped, it will be hard for that country to maintain its culture. Meanwhile, if people in a developed and economically rich country are not spiritually satisfied, that society will also become unstable.

Given this, the viewpoint identified by General Secretary Trong is suitable for the current development period of Vietnam, the professor noted.

A new task set at the 13th National Party Congress is to develop cultural industries and perfect the cultural market, in which culture is developed comprehensively and harmoniously in relation to econo
mic growth and social progress.

About the new task’s impact on the Vietnam – Japan relations, especially in cultural cooperation, he considered the building of an equal partnership in the future relationship between the two countries as critically important.

Furuta held that ‘soft power’ will play an active role in the formation of equal partnerships among countries in East Asia, including Vietnam and Japan.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam will develop strong cultural industries to help promote its stature in the region and shape an equal partnership with Japan./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: Nachi Nguyen, a Vietnamese manga (Japanese comic) lover and comic artist, has won the silver prize at the Japan International Manga Awards with her work ‘Dieu nhay cua vu tru’ (The Dancing Universe).

Nachi’s work stood out from 587 other artists from around the world even though it was just a one-shot (a comical work composed of a single standalone chapter).

The story was deeply inspired by Nachi’s enthusiasm for astronomy, and it revolves around the daily life of celestial bodies such as the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter and their coordinated efforts to protect and make life on Earth sustainable.

‘I enjoy learning about astronomy, but I am not really good at math, so my dream of working for NASA is nearly impossible. Hence, I think of a way to tell stories about this topic using my perspective and imagination,” she said.

Through meticulous illustrations and the humanisation of planets and stars in the universe, Nachi hoped to bring astronomy closer to people in a much sim
pler way.

There will be three chapters in the series, and the first will be released next year.

‘I genuinely do not expect much in my work, so I am beyond happy and honoured having received this award,’ she told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The Japan International Manga Award, started in 2007, is held annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to honour maga artists around the world who contribute to the development of manga culture.

It is among the most prestigious international comic awards since all works are meticulously selected by the MoFA and renowned manga artists such as Machiko Satonaka.

Including Nachi’s award, Vietnam has won a total of five prizes, with a bronze for Dat Rong (Dragon Land) in 2012, a silver for Long Than Tuong (Holy Dragon Imperator) in 2015 and Dia Nguc Mon (Gateway to Underworld) in 2016, and a bronze for Bam thay Tuong, co thay Vu de tim! (Rain in a Moon Night) in 2022./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Cao Bang: Recent archaeological findings at Ban Phu Citadel, Na Lu Citadel, and Ban Thanh hamlet in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang were released on December 26.

To shed new light on historical issues in Cao Bang, the Institute of Archaeology under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences recently coordinated with the Cao Bang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct excavations of Ban Phu Citadel (Hung Dao commune, Cao Bang city), Na Lu Citadel (Hoang Tung commune, Hoa An district), and Ban Thanh hamlet (Hung Dao commune, Hoa An district).

According to historical records, Ban Phu Citadel was where three kings of the Mac Dynasty (1527 – 1592), namely Mac Kinh Cung, Mac Kinh Khoan, and Mac Kinh Vu, granted audiences.

Excavating a 150 sq.m area in the south of this citadel, archaeologists found a number of pottery and porcelain pieces dating back to the Ly Dynasty (1009 – 1225), the Tran Dynasty (1225 – 1400), the Le So (1428 – 1527) Dynasty, and the Mac Dynasty, with most of the obje
cts belonging to the Mac Dynasty. Besides, the majority of pottery items from China discovered there date back to the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century.

Basing on the findings, scientists perceived that Ban Phu Citadel was built in around the 17th century, the same time the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bang after they had been defeated in Thang Long capital, now Hanoi.

Meanwhile, Na Lu is one of the four most important ancient citadels in Cao Bang. It was built at an order by Gao Pian, a general of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), when Vietnam was under the rule of this Chinese dynasty. In the 11th century, Nung Ton Phuc, a ruler of the Quang Nguyen region (now Cao Bang), continued upgrading the facility. In 1589, the Mac clan retreated to Cao Bang and chose Na Lu Citadel as its base, according to legend and historical records.

At Na Lu, archaeologists dug a total area of 220 sp.m., discovering vestiges of a citadel gate and a wide range of objects from bricks, tiles to pottery and metal items dating back to diff
erent historical periods like the Tang and Ming dynasties of China, and the Tran, Le Son, and Mac dynasties of Vietnam.

At the archaeological site in Ban Thanh hamlet, they excavated 50 sq.m. in the ‘Guoc da Ban Thanh’ area, which was once believed to be linked with the legend of ‘nine lords competing for the throne’ in the third century BC.

However, experts found that stone structures at Ban Thanh used materials, including limestone, pebble, brick, and wooden stake dating back to the 17th century, along with pottery items of the Ming Dynasty. They held that this could be a stone bridge over a stream constructed during the Mac Dynasty.

Researchers noted that due to limited conditions, archaeological studies were carried out on just a small scale, so they are still unable to make precise conclusions on the history in Cao Bang. In addition, the relic sites are being damaged, and local authorities should take actions early to protect them./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The pedestrian space in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district will open from December 29 through January 1 to serve local residents and visitors during the 2024 New Year holiday.

In its announcement, the municipal People’s Committee said the space around Hoan Kiem Lake and neighbouring areas as well as pedestrian streets in the Old Quarter will be available from 7pm on December 29 to midnight on January 1, 2024, instead of only weekend as usual.

The extension aims to facilitate visitors’ recreation demand during the holiday, according to Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of the district People’s Committee.

The pedestrian spaces around Hoan Kiem Lake and pedestrian streets in the Old Quarter have become an attractive destination, drawing a lot of local residents and visitors at weekends and on holidays.

The pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake welcomes an average of 20,000-27,000 visitors on weekend, and even 40,000 during holidays./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History on December 25 opened an exhibition showcasing 100 antiques with dragon images as the Lunar New Year 2024 – the Year of Dragon – is nearing.

Titled “Long Van Khanh Hoi – Dragon Images in Vietnamese Culture”, it introduces 100 antiques from the Ly Dynasty to the Nguyen Dynasty (11th century to early 20th century) collected by the museum and private collectors, with the dragon images seen in the royal court, daily life, religious beliefs, and architecture.

The exhibition’s highlights are items associated with the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) such as royal robes, ceramics, seals, and gold and jade books.

Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of the museum, said that the dragon images in Vietnamese culture are not simply a cultural symbol but also carry deep and meaningful spiritual and humanistic values, demonstrating the connection between humans and nature, honouring the pride of the Vietnamese people in the process of conquering the nature and in the society.

Through
the exhibition, visitors can feel the characteristics of the dragon images in each dynasty and the changes in their shapes, the official said.

The exhibition will run until March 31, 2024./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Experts, managers and artisans looked into intangible cultural heritage preservation in Vietnam over the past 20 years at a workshop in Hanoi on December 26.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention). Vietnam was one of the first 30 countries to join this important international convention on September 5, 2005.

Participants said Vietnam was one of the first countries that included matters regarding intangible cultural heritage in their cultural heritage laws, which, they said, has significantly contributed to cultural heritage preservation achievements over the past 20 years, and balancing conservation and promotion activities.

Nong Quoc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Vietnam was the first country to
ask the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to remove a heritage element from List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, referring to the case of Xoan singing, a folk music genre in Vietnam.

Highlighting joint efforts in cultural heritage protection in Vietnam, the official affirmed that as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2022 – 2026 term, Vietnam will continue to share its experience, make greater efforts, and promote its responsibility in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The participants also raised proposals to improve the efficiency of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding in Vietnam, including adjustments and supplements to the Cultural Heritage Law.

Vietnam possesses a total of 15 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO.

Just a few examples of these include the Nha Nhac – Vietnamese Court Music, Space of Gong Culture, Quan Ho Bac Ninh Folk Songs, Ca Tru Sing
ing, and the Giong Festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency