Vietnam ramps up cultural soft power with international festivals and strategy

Vietnam is advancing a long‑term cultural diplomacy strategy that targets a top‑three ASEAN ranking and a top‑30 world position in the Soft Power Index by 2045. The plan calls for expanding overseas Vietnamese cultural centres, securing international awards, and promoting heritage sites as global brands.

In 2026 the country is hosting a series of high‑profile events, including a traditional martial‑arts festival welcoming 16 international delegations, the 13th Southeast Asian Karate Championship in Gia Lai, the first Esports International Grand Awards, and Vietnam’s participation in the Esports World Cup in Paris. Additional activities such as the PPA Asia 500 pickleball tournament in Ho Chi Minh City, a lighting‑kite show on My Khe beach, and a major golden disc awards ceremony in Hanoi further showcase Vietnamese culture to global audiences.

These initiatives are linked to broader goals of boosting tourism, supporting creative industries, and using cultural heritage as a lever for economic growth and international influence.