Sports is a "smokeless" industry that can create considerable value for society if the intangible assets derived from sports are properly capitalised on.

Hue is now poised to become a centre for culture, tourism and specialised health care in Southeast Asia. On that journey, the continued engagement of international experts remains a valuable resource, helping the city not only preserve its past but also shape its future.

Despite the passage of time, traditional theatres in Ho Chi Minh City remain committed to staying active. Efforts to revive classic works and integrate heritage into education and tourism are highlighting the resilience of traditional arts in the urban setting.

As Tay Ninh identifies tourism as a crucial economic pillar, integrating Don ca tai tu into tourism offerings is seen as a strategic move.

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector is set to sharpen its focus on quality-led growth in 2026, placing visitor experience at the centre, urban cultural identity at the core, and innovation and digital transformation as key drivers.

Following the Politburo’s issuance of Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on developing Vietnamese culture, Hanoi is steadily translating the resolution into concrete action. The capital is working to make culture a genuine driver of sustainable development with practical and lasting impact.

Vietnam welcomed 8.8 million international visitors in the first four months of this year, up 14.6% year on year and marking the highest figure ever recorded for the period.

The name “Nong Moo Daeng” received the highest number of votes among five shortlisted names, securing its place as the calf’s official name. The result indicates strong public engagement and growing interest in wildlife cared for by the national zoo network.

ASEAN aims to boost intra-regional trade to at least 30% by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen economic integration within the bloc, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.

TAT, together with the Department of Internal Trade and the Department of Intellectual Property, aims to enhance Thai tourism by highlighting Geographical Indication (GI) products as distinctive features of each destination.

Speaking at a press conference following the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu on May 8, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said all member states agreed on the need for stable and reliable energy supply chains and stronger regional cooperation on energy security.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka issued a joint statement on the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership within the framework of the state visit to Sri Lanka by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam from May 7 to 8, marking a significant milestone in the two countries’ relations and opening a broader and more substantive framework for future cooperation.