Ten major culture, sports and tourism events in 2015

1. The special art performance programme marking the 70th anniversary of National Day themed “Vietnam – Aspiration for Peace”, which honoured the cultural diversity and aspiration for peace from ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Bringing together 2,500 artists and artisans, the programme highlighted the country’s cultural achievements in different historical stages.

The programme also vividly portrayed the special cultural features of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam and UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage as well as the whole nation’s aspiration for peace and development.

2. The exhibition on 70 years of social-economic achievements, the largest of its size to date, displayed the country’s most outstanding achievements in defence, security, politics, economy, education, culture and society.

The exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, attracted the participation of 27 ministries, agencies and 30 provinces and centrally-governed cities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung presided over the event’s opening ceremony, while Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and many Party and State leaders were among dav tens of thousands of visitors to the event.

3. The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province was recognised by UNESCO as a world natural heritage for the second time. The park is also the only World Natural Heritage site in Vietnam to satisfy three criteria on bio-diversity.

The park was put on the list of World Natural Heritage sites for the first time in 2003 for its striking geological and geomorphological features.

Tug of War rituals and games (Credit: VNP)

4. UNESCO inscribed the Tug of War rituals and games, which are traditionally practiced in Vietnam, the Republic of Korea, Philippines and Cambodia, in the list of humankind intangible cultural heritages.

It is the first time Vietnam has joined in building a multinational heritage dossier.

5. The State for the first time conferred the Emeritus Artisan title on artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritages who are considered living treasures of humanity.

The title is in recognition of the artisans’ contributions to the preservation of the country’s precious heritage.

6. “I saw yellow flower on green grass” became the first film produced in the public-private model to see artistic, public and financial success.

A scence in the film "I saw yellow flower on green grass"

With resounding box-office success and four important awards at the 19th Vietnam Film Festival - the best movie, the best director, the best camera and the best film as voted by audiences - the film is a rare phenomenon in Vietnam’s film industry, receiving good feedback from both critics and the public.

7. The government issued resolutions on exempting visas of certain durations for citizens from six European countries - the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Belarus - beginning July 1, 2015. The decision helped remove difficulties for Vietnamese tourism in drawing tourists from important markets.

8. The US television station ABC News ran a 90 minute broadcast of the programme "Good Morning America" live from Son Doong and En caves in central Quang Binh province, attracting a huge number of viewers.

The US television station ABC News broadcast of the programme Good Morning America live from Son Doong and En caves in central Quang Binh province.

Only one week later, images of the two caves appeared in advertising clips for the blockbuster Peter Pan, attracting more than 10 million views.

9. Vietnam’s sports saw great success at the 28th Southeast Asian Games with a total of 186 medals, with 64 out of 73 gold medals from Olympic sports.

10. Anh Vien was voted one of the five best swimmers in Asia and given the nickname “Steel Girl” by international media.

Swimmer Anh Vien

The 19 year-old won 8 gold medals, one silver and one bronze and broke eight SEA Games records at the 28th SEA Games in Singapore.

With 15 gold medals, six silvers and three bronzes, 2015 has been Vien’s most successful year. She also earned the right to compete in the Summer Olympics 2016 in Brazil.