The Vesak Celebrations 2026 kicked off on May 23 with a wide range of activities in downtown Da Lat city, the central province of Lam Dong.

The “In Gratitude” concert took place at Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on May 22, featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Kevin Kenner, winner of the 12th International Chopin Piano Competition, alongside Vietnamese pianist Nguyen Viet Trung and the Quintet ensemble.

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s representative Thu Truc finished in the top 21 at Miss Eco International 2026 and received Miss Eco International Asia 2026 title at the pageant’s final held in Egypt on May 22.

The 22nd Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange 2026 kicked off in the central city of Da Nang on May 22 evening.

Thousands of children’s picture books published by Vietnamese and foreign publishing houses and book distributors will be showcased at the first-ever festival for picture books in Vietnam.

The contemporary ballet GAT will be staged at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on May 27, marking the official opening of Korea Season 2026 in Vietnam with a production that blends traditional Korean aesthetics and modern choreography.

VOV.VN - Vietnamese film Quan Ky Nam (Ky Nam Inn) won the Best Director award at the 2026 Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) in Macau (China), marking another international achievement for Vietnamese cinema.

VOV.VN -US entertainment publication Variety has reported that the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) will officially launch DANAFF Industry Days as part of its fourth edition, scheduled to take place in the central city of Da Nang from June 28 to July 4.

VOV.VN - Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, has added Vietnam’s signature noodle dish phở (Vietnamese noodle soup) to its campus lunch menu as part of a programme encouraging students to explore international cuisines and food cultures.

VOV.VN - Lam Dong province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22 jointly inaugurated the Indian Cultural Space at the Lam Dong Provincial Library as part of efforts to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and India.

A photo exhibition themed “Vietnam’s seas and islands in our hearts” opened in Berlin on May 21, highlighting the beauty of Vietnam’s coastal and island regions while strengthening patriotism and connections between overseas Vietnamese and the homeland.

VOV.VN - The Da Nang Food Tour 2026 opened at East Sea Park on May 21, marking the first time Da Nang has organised a large-scale culinary tourism festival aimed at turning local cuisine into a strategic tourism product.

VOV.VN - An art programme and exhibition were held in Moscow on May 21 as part of “Hanoi Cultural Days in Moscow 2026.”

VOV.VN - The Hanoi International Jazz Festival 2026 is scheduled to take place in the capital city from September 17 to 19, bringing together between five and eight foreign bands alongside three to five leading Vietnamese groups.

An exhibition showcasing Vietnam-inspired artworks by 33 Belgian artists opened in Brussels on May 20, offering visitors an emotional journey through the landscapes, culture, and everyday life of the Southeast Asian nation.

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s national culinary team won silver at the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s professional culinary industry at one of the world’s most prestigious cooking competitions.

After nearly a year in operation, the Russia – Vietnam Cultural Centre at the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia has steadily expanded its activities and emerged as a trusted hub for cultural promotion projects, opening up new academic and career pathways linked to Vietnam for Russian students.

VOV.VN - The French Institute in Vietnam has just announced a special tour of the contemporary dance “What The Day Owes To The Night” (Ce que le jour doit à la nuit) choreographed by Hervé Koubi across Vietnam in June.

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, launched the “Happy Vietnam 2026” human rights media awards in Hanoi on the morning of May 21.

Vietnamese cinema is gaining increasing international attention at this year’s Marché du Film (Cannes film market), with leading US entertainment outlets including Deadline and Variety highlighting a new wave of local productions for their box-office success, fresh storytelling and global ambitions.

VOV.VN-Embroidery competitions, phở (Vietnamese noodle soup) stir-frying contests and traditional feasts featuring mountain specialties added to the lively atmosphere of “Hội Kiêng gió” (Wind-Avoidance Festival) in Hoanh Mo commune, Quang Ninh province, highlighting the cultural traditions of the Dao ethnic community.

VOV.VN - The “Gánh vị Đà Nẵng” (Da Nang Flavor Parade) was held on the evening of May 20 for the first time along My Khe Beach and nearby tourist streets in the central city of Da Nang.

VOV.VN - Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon from the Republic of Korea (RoK) will hold fan concerts in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in June as part of his “2026 Park Ji-hoon Asia Fancon” tour.

VOV.VN - Hue International Music Week 2026 will take place from June 13 to June 18 along the banks of the Perfume River as part of Hue Festival 2026, featuring artists and performing groups from Vietnam and several countries.

The National Assembly’s approval of a pilot mechanism for establishing a culture and arts fund under a public-private partnership model reflects a new mindset in Vietnam’s cultural development.

VOV.VN - Vietnamese model Nguyen Huong Giang stole the show on the opening night of Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars 2026 in Thailand on May 19, wining the Stars World Famous Award alongside two other beauties.

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung delivered remarks at a seminar on cultural infrastructure, art preservation and Vietnamese heritage at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., on May 18.

The Politburo’s Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture defines culture as a source of national soft power and a direct driver of socio-economic growth.

VOV.VN - More than 200 Vietnamese students have participated in the 2026 Korean Literature Drama Competition, an annual cultural event promoting Korean literature and cultural exchange between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

VOV.VN - Acclaimed Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei-fung and Julien Rejl, artistic director of the Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival, will serve on the jury for the Asian Competition section at the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV) in 2026.