Dang Hoang Giang, chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, chairs the meeting in Hanoi. (Photo credit: VNCU)

Giang made the remarks at the Commission’s online conference on Wednesday to review last year’s tasks and discuss orientations for this year.

Last year, Vietnam was elected to the two most important agencies of UNESCO: the UNESCO Executive Board, and the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In addition, Vietnam is preparing to join the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages and the World Heritage Committee for the next term.

Le Thi Hong Van, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, said, “Vietnam has always earned plaudits from UNESCO and its member countries as one of the countries that has most effectively implemented UNESCO's cooperation programs. We have gained much experience from participating in UNESCO agencies in previous terms. Vietnam will continue to participate to increase its contributions to the organization's activities and the international community.”

In 2021 the Commission worked closely with UNESCO to gain recognition for Kon Ha Nung Plateau in Gia Lai province and Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan province as world biosphere reserves, and to get the art of Xoe dance of Vietnam’s Thai ethnic minority listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

UNESCO adopted Vietnam’s area extension of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, a resolution celebrating the 250th birthday and 200th death anniversary of female poet Ho Xuan Huong, and a resolution celebrating Vietnamese poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu’s 200th birthday anniversary.

The Commission has planned activities this year to promote Vietnam’s role at UNESCO forums, protect Vietnam’s national interests, and introduce Vietnamese culture to the international friends.