The year 2025 closed with 10 outstanding highlights of the culture, sports and tourism sector, ranging from institutional breakthroughs, national-scale exhibitions, landmark milestones in journalism and culture, UNESCO-recognized heritage, Vietnam’s global cultural initiatives, a boom in arts and cinema, impressive sports achievements, to record-breaking growth in tourism.

The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations held a conference to review its work in 2025, set tasks for 2026, and convene a meeting to collect opinions from voters at the workplace to introduce a candidate for the 16th National Assembly on January 6 in Ha Noi.

Ha Thanh, President of the Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered these remarks at the Conference reviewing people-to-people diplomacy in 2025 and setting directions and tasks for 2026, held on December 30 in Hanoi.

The establishment of annual international cultural exchange events bearing a distinctive local identity is considered one of the key orientations to elevate cultural diplomacy and promote the image of the people and land of Can Tho amid the current period of deep international integration.

In preparation for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the overseas Vietnamese community has actively participated in contributing opinions to the draft Congress documents. These earnest and responsible contributions reflect overseas Vietnamese’ deep attachment to their homeland and country, while also affirming the increasingly prominent role of the overseas Vietnamese community as an important source of intellectual capital in the process of shaping national development policies.

Following the serious fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Valais canton, Switzerland, on January 1, the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland promptly implemented citizen protection measures, closely monitored developments, and actively coordinated with local authorities.

Along with the practical contributions of overseas Vietnamese in Switzerland and Greece, the external outreach efforts of the Vietnam Mission in Geneva have continued to receive attention and positive responses from many international organizations, helping support Vietnam in addressing the consequences of natural disasters.

In response to the call of Vietnamese representative agencies overseas, Vietnamese communities in many countries have continued to actively donate and provide support to people at home in addressing the consequences of storms and floods in the South Central Coast, Central region, and the Central Highlands.

Amid the vibrant atmosphere welcoming the New Year 2026, on January 1, the Vietnamese community in Malaysia organized the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Food Fair 2026 at The Mines Resort in Selangor State. Spanning three days, the event not only showcased the essence of traditional Vietnamese cuisine but also served as a cultural meeting point, fostering community bonds and promoting the image of Vietnam to international friends.

By rotational procedures and consensus adopted in Brazil in December, India has taken over the BRICS+ presidency for 2026.

The strategic cooperation between India and the Central Asian republics in defense and security is driven by mutual aspirations for stability and development.

After a 14-year hiatus, the leaders of the India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum assembled in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the sixth IBSA Summit on the sidelines of the twentieth G20 Summit

During the New Year’s Day holiday of 2026 (from January 1 to January 4), Vietnam’s tourism sector is estimated to have welcomed and served approximately 3.5 million visitors.

The 2026 New Year holiday, spanning four days from January 1-4, marks a peak travel season as demand for rest, recreation, and exploration rises.

In 2025, Vietnam’s tourism sector has not only achieved a full recovery but has set historic records, emerging as a primary engine for socio-economic growth.

In the first 11 months of 2025, the total number of international tourists to Vietnam has reached more than 19.1 million, which increased by 20.9% compared to the number of a year earlier. This number is the highest breakthrough of Vietnam, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak of more than 18 million arrivals in 2019, according to the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.