The annual event, that honours the various achievements recorded in the cultural, sporting, and tourism sectors over the past year, highlighted the 10 events selected by experts, journalists, and locals through direct votes cast and online voting from December 5 to 7.

Five cultural events were unveiled from the list, namely the 80th anniversary celebration of the Outline of Vietnamese Culture launched by the Communist Party of Vietnam, the inaugural event to honour 78 exemplary cultural figures nationwide in 2023, the recognition of the Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago as world natural heritage, the first cultural festival of ethnic groups with populations of fewer than 10,000 each, and Vietnam elected to the World Heritage Committee for the 2023 - 2027 term.

The three most outstanding events in sports were Vietnam’s top position at SEA Games 32 held in Cambodia in May, the national women's national football team’s competition in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, and local marksman winning the first-ever gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

In the field of tourism, Vietnam implemented electronic visas for citizens of all countries and territories, as well as moving to extend temporary residence to 45 days for 13 visa-exempt countries.

This year also saw Vietnam receive multiple awards from the World Tourism Organization. Notably, the country was honoured as a Top World Heritage Destination for the fourth time and voted as a Top Travel Destination in Asia for the fifth time.

Source: VOV