Published:  00:00 Thursday - December 25, 2008

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced the selection of the best ten events in 2008.

1. Vietnam successfully organised a host of cultural exchanges inside and outside the country, leaving a positive impression on international friends.

2. April 19 was observed as the Cultural Day of ethnic Vietnamese people under a decision signed by the Prime Minister. Cultural, sports and tourism days were also held successfully across the country.

3. The Miss Universe Pageant ’08 was held for the first time in five big cities, attracting 81 beauty queens from across the globe.

4. Vietnam organised the Hue Festival ’08, the Tay Son – Binh Dinh Festival, the first fireworks display contest in Da Nang City and the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival ’08.

5. The country hosted the UN Day of Vesak ’08 for the first time with the participation of 600 Buddhist delegations from around the world. A grand ceremony was also held to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of King Tran Nhan Tong who abdicated his throne and founded the Truc Lam sect to practise a religious life.

6. The motion picture Bao Gio Cho Den Thang Muoi (The Love Doesn’t Come Back) was selected as one of the 18 best Asian films of all times by the cable news network CNN. A collection of photos featuring the cultural traditions of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands won the 29th Black and White World Cup of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) held in Slovakia in August.

7. By snatching a silver medal in the weightlifting event, Vietnam ranked 71^st among 200 countries and territories taking part in the Beijing Olympic Games ’08 in China.

8. Vietnamese players bagged 4 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals, ranking second on the medal tally at the World Junior Chess Championships held in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

9. The national U22 football team won the trophy of the Merdeka Cup held in Malaysia. Vietnam qualified for the Southeast Asian Football Championship (AFF) Suzuki Cup ’08 co-hosted by Indonesia and Thailand. Vietnamese mountaineers conquered Everest Mount peak in July.

10. Vietnam launched voting campaigns for Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park and Mount Fansipan as new world natural wonders. It also successfully organised the Year of National Tourism in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

The Ministry has also identified five weaknesses in 2008 as follows:

01. The shameful performance by two students at FPT Arena Centre at a ceremony to mark the 20^th anniversary of FPT Corporation raised the alarm about the unhealthy lifestyle among some youths.

02. Organisers of the Miss Vietnam Pageant ’08 were found to have committed violations of the rules, and shortcomings in managing and organising beauty contests were identified.

03. Domestic violence, especially for the elderly, children and women, raised considerable public concern.

04. Hooliganism continued to cast a shadow over the development of Vietnamese football. Bloody clashes erupted between spectators of Petrol Song Lam Nghe An and Cement Hai Phong clubs in a V-League match in May. One person was killed and several others were beaten unconsciously and hospitalised under tight security.

05. National resources for tourism were seriously degraded in many localities, affecting the image and attractiveness of the national tourism industry.