Top 10 sports, culture, tourism events in 2012

In the top position was the UNESCO recognition of the unique practice of worshipping Hung Kings in the northern midland province of Phu Tho as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humankind on December 6. This is the first ritual heritage in the world that has been recognised by UNESCO.

The other nine events are as follows:

2. UNESCO recognition of Buddhist woodblocks kept at Vinh Nghiem pagoda in the northern province of Bac Giang as part of the world documentary heritage of Asia-Pacific.

3. The inaugural of a statue of late President Ho Chi Minh in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai , related State-level commemorative activities.

4. Vietnam ’s winning the bid to host the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD) in 2019.

5. Activities marking the Friendship Year between Vietnam and Laos , Cambodia , the Republic of Korea and India , and the artistic and cultural exchanges between border provinces of Vietnam-Laos , Vietnam - Cambodia .

6. Ha Long Bay being listed as one of the seven new world wonders of nature.

7. Tourism sector’s reception of 6.847 million international arrivals and serves 32.5 million domestic tourists and the 2012 National Tourism Year in Hue-Northern Central coastal provinces.

8. The 4 th presentation of Ho Chi Minh Award on literature and arts, the third presentation of State award on literature and arts, the 7 th presentation of the titles of People’s Artist and Meritorious Artist.

9. Vietnam’s success in the international sports arena: 18 athletes win official tickets to compete at the Olympic 2012, 11 athletes participated in the Paralympic 2012, a total of 271 gold medals, 234 silvers and 154 bzones gained at international sporting events.

10. The special sports, culture and tourism festival of the Cham ethnic group in the central province of Ninh Thuan and the inauguration of the Cham towers at the Vietnam Ethnic Tourism-Culture Village.