Major event, such as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 115th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the 60th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day celebrations, were highlighted among the top ten.

Acclaiming the successful organisation of various festivals, the MoCI said that these festivals affirmed the cultural values of the country’s ethnic communities.

Another event noted by the ministry was the UNESCO’s recognition of the gong culture of the Central Highlands region as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The MoCI also hailed the two diaries, Mai Mai Tuoi Hai Muoi (Forever 20 Years Old) written by young soldier Nguyen Van Thac and Nhat Ky Dang Thuy Tram (The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram), which have become the best sellers in Vietnam in the last 20 years. Both diaries showed the spirit of volunteers who served the liberation army in the 1960s.

The MoCI has recently decided to print a further 20,000 copies of both books to be distributed to the youths in mountainous, remote and isolated areas.

Also on the list was the Government decree on tackling social vices in bars, restaurants, karaoke bars, and discotheques, and a decision on the implementation of practising thrift at wedding parties, funeral ceremonies and festivals.

The five-year information strategy for spurring development, launched by the Prime Minister was also mentioned in the list.

An exhibition of Cham sculpture, the first-ever displayed at France’s Guimet Nationa Museum of Asian Arts in Paris, was well appreciated by the French and the people of Europe, the ministry said.

The 240th anniversary celebrations of the great Vietnamese writer Nguyen Du was held throughout the country, including his native land in the central province of Ha Tinh.

The 2005 National Fine Arts Exhibition, organised by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in Hanoi, which selected 23 outstanding artworks during the 2001-05 period was also listed.

Last but not least are cultural exchanges between Vietnam and other countries around the world, particularly during National Day celebrations. The ministry, highly praised various press and media agencies for good reporting and articles on cultural activities like art shows, fashion shows, tourism festivals, trade and investment promotion activities, organised with an aims to introduce Vietnam to the rest of the world.

The MoCI also outlined existing problems to be dealt with in the future, including the prevalence of online games, a number of wasteful festivals and celebrations, and advertising violations, among others.