Vietnam news in brief - April 11

UNESCO recognizes works by Le Quy Don and Hoang Van

UNESCO announced on April 10 that it will join Vietnam in commemorating the 300th birthday of Le Quy Don (1726-2026), an 18th-century polymath who wrote some 40 encyclopedic works. On the same day, the music collection of composer Hoang Van (1930-2018) was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. His valuable archive reflects post-colonial Vietnamese music and the fusion of Eastern and Western influences. The inscription highlights Vietnam's intellectual and creative heritage while promoting its national heritage on the global stage.

Flights for the April 30-May 1 holiday are nearly sold out

Flight bookings from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to popular tourist destinations for the upcoming National Holiday (April 30 - May 1) have reached 85-100% capacity. Ticket prices range from US$115 to US$147, with Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines offering the highest fares. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, local airlines plan to operate 7,536 flights during the holiday, up 24% from 2024.

Lotus Village Festival 2025 honors Uncle Ho, celebrates patriotism

The 2025 Lang Sen (Lotus Village) Festival in Nghe An, from May 9-19, will celebrate President Ho Chi Minh's 135th birthday. Highlights include a grand opening, statue unveiling, cultural activities, and sports events to honor his legacy and inspire patriotism. Held every five years since 2002, the festival is broadcast live nationwide.

Hung Kings Temple wins national architecture award

The Temple of the Hung Kings in the southern city of Cantho won bronze at the 2024-2025 National Architecture Awards. Built with over US$5.1 million in private funding, it has become a cultural icon in the Mekong Delta, attracting visitors and preserving regional heritage. Alongside sites like Cai Rang Floating Market and Ninh Kieu Wharf, it is set to boost Cantho's tourism appeal.

Website launched featuring portraits of 3,000 heroic mothers

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) launched a website on April 11 featuring more than 3,000 portraits of Vietnamese heroic mothers by artist Dang Ai Viet, painted since 2010. Each portrait is paired with stories and personal details, honoring the mothers' sacrifices during the war. The exhibition aims to preserve memories, educate younger generations, and promote patriotism in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's Reunification Day. The website can be accessed at https://chandungme.vn.

HCMC celebrates Vietnam Reunification Day with fireworks 

To celebrate Vietnam's Reunification Day, Ho Chi Minh City will hold fireworks shows at 30 locations on April 30, including two aerial shows at the Saigon River Tunnel (Thu Duc District) and the Ben Duoc Memorial (Cu Chi District). The remaining 28 shows will be ground fireworks and will be held throughout the city. Pyrotechnic displays will begin at 9 PM and last 15 minutes. A meeting with 300 war heroes and witnesses will also be held on April 28.HCMC launches integrated bus-metro MultiPass card

Integrated bus-metro MultiPass card released in HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City launched the MultiPass card on April 11, allowing passengers to pay for bus and metro fares. Developed by the Department of Transportation in partnership with Sacombank and Mastercard, the card enables cashless payments and is expected to be used in other public transport modes such as water buses and shared bicycles. With discounts to encourage adoption, the card supports the city's efforts to digitize urban mobility and build a passenger data system.

Vinmec wins ‘Healthcare System of the Year’ at Asia-wide awards

Vinmec, one of Vietnam’s top healthcare providers for both Vietnamese and international patients, won “Healthcare System of the Year” and “Health Tech Innovation of the Year” at the 2025 Healthcare Asia Awards. Recognized for its strong expertise, JCI accreditation, and global-standard services, Vinmec stood out with its 3D-printed titanium chest wall reconstruction surgery. The annual Healthcare Asia Awards honors top healthcare systems across Asia for global achievements, innovation, quality, safety, and community impact.