Hanoi, November 6, 2026, The Europe Today: Vietnam is set to organise more than 400 cultural, artistic and sporting activities across the country on November 24 to celebrate the first-ever Vietnam Culture Day, while commemorating the 80th anniversary of the First National Cultural Conference held in 1946.
The nationwide celebrations aim to honour Vietnam’s national cultural identity, strengthen solidarity among communities and provide opportunities for people to actively participate in, create and enjoy cultural activities.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a total of 406 programmes and activities had been planned as of November 5, including 282 cultural and artistic events, 36 sporting activities and 85 exhibitions and displays. All 34 provinces and centrally governed cities have prepared plans to mark the occasion.
The celebrations will feature traditional cultural performances, exhibitions, sporting competitions, craft demonstrations, community exchanges, reading programmes and activities promoting Vietnam’s diverse cultural heritage.
Digital Initiatives and Cultural Programmes
One of the major initiatives marking Vietnam Culture Day 2026 is the launch of the Vietnam Cultural Digital Map (CMAP), introduced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on November 1 at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
The digital platform, accessible at cmap.vn, provides information about cultural events, heritage sites and artistic activities across the country. It will continue to be updated before, during and after the celebrations, helping residents and visitors explore Vietnam’s cultural attractions.
Another major initiative is the nationwide programme titled Sounds of Vietnam – Melodies of Life, running from October 12 to November 30. The campaign encourages people, particularly younger generations, to create and share musical compositions and melodies reflecting everyday life, regional diversity and the country’s cultural traditions.
The programme offers total prizes of VNĐ175 million (approximately US$6,800), with selected musical works scheduled to be performed on November 24.
Major Celebrations Across the Country
The central commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the First National Cultural Conference will take place at 9:00 am on November 24 at Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television’s VTV1 channel and the Voice of Vietnam’s VOV1 channel.
In Hanoi, the opening ceremony of Vietnam Culture Day will be held on November 21 near the monument of Emperor Ly Thai To at Hoan Kiem Lake, featuring a heritage parade and artistic performances. Interactive cultural spaces and artistic stages will also operate around the lake from November 21 to 24.
A major artistic programme is scheduled for 8:00 pm on November 24 at My Dinh National Stadium, with approximately 50,000 spectators expected to attend. The event will be broadcast live on television and digital platforms and will feature a fireworks display.
In Hue, cultural performances and exhibitions highlighting Vietnamese and Hue heritage will take place from November 22 to 24. Visitors will also have an opportunity to explore a digital exhibition featuring poems by Emperor Thieu Tri at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.
Meanwhile, Thai Nguyen will host an ethnic cultural festival featuring traditional performances and sporting activities on November 22 and 23. Bac Ninh will organise a festival showcasing traditional Quan Ho folk-singing villages from November 16 to 18, followed by performances on boats on November 23.
Quang Ninh will arrange community cultural activities and an artistic programme promoting Yen Tu heritage, while Cao Bang and Lang Son will organise exhibitions, traditional performances, craft demonstrations and cultural activities celebrating their ethnic communities.
In addition, Da Nang is preparing a 3D mapping light show along the Han River on November 23, followed by an artistic programme the next day. Ca Mau and other southern localities will showcase traditional music, including Don Ca Tai Tu and Khmer cultural performances.
The celebrations will also include a film week marking the eighth Hanoi International Film Festival and Vietnam Culture Day from November 18 to 24, with free screenings and mobile film presentations in remote, mountainous, border and island communities.
The nationwide initiative highlights Vietnam’s commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, encouraging public participation in cultural life and strengthening national solidarity through arts, education, sports and community engagement.
