Brian Jeffrey
On December 16, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism revealed the top ten significant cultural, sports, and tourism highlights for 2024, which included:
In the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, the investment policy for the National Target Program on Cultural Development (2025–2035) was given the green light. This initiative is set to enrich Vietnam’s cultural landscape, nurturing a progressive culture that embraces national identity and propels human growth and national advancement.
Additionally, the National Assembly enacted a revised Law on Cultural Heritage during the same session, signifying a leap forward in the legal preservation of cultural heritage.
Two crucial plans—the Cultural and Sports Infrastructure Network Plan and the Tourism System Plan (2021–2030, with a vision extending to 2045)—were launched by the Prime Minister. These strategies aim to dismantle existing institutional barriers and facilitate advancements in Vietnam’s cultural, sporting, and tourism realms.
A range of events were held to honor the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu victory, creating a lasting impression and earning enthusiastic praise from participants and attendees alike.
In 2024, two cultural highlights gained recognition on the UNESCO lists: The reliefs on the Nine Dynastic Urns located in the Imperial Citadel of Hue were recorded in the Memory of the World Regional Register for Asia and the Pacific, and the Vía Bà Chúa Xứ Festival at Sam Mountain was celebrated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Vietnam’s cultural sectors experienced notable growth in 2024, demonstrated through various events:
The Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2024.
The concerts Brothers Say Hi and Call Me By Fire.
The inaugural International Jazz Festival – Nha Trang 2024.
Successful releases of Vietnamese films like Dao, Pho, and Piano and Lat Mat.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized a significant event in Hollywood promoting Vietnamese tourism and cinema for the first time, drawing over 500 industry leaders, including prominent producers and directors, showcasing cinema’s role in tourism growth.
Vietnam opened its doors to around 17 million international tourists and 120 million domestic travelers in 2024, marking a strong recovery following the global pandemic.
The country effectively hosted the UN World Tourism Organization’s International Conference on Rural Tourism in 2024, reinforcing Vietnam’s position in global tourism discussions.
The Vietnamese women’s volleyball team celebrated its inaugural world medal and achieved its second championship title in Asian competitions.
Especially noteworthy were the concerts Brothers Say Hi and Call Me By Fire, recognized for their societal impact and creative excellence, underscoring the dynamic growth of Vietnam’s cultural scene and the nation’s innovative capabilities.
Along with these events, the films Dao, Pho, and Piano emerged as cultural landmarks of 2024, alongside the debut Nha Trang International Jazz Festival.
