The title, presented jointly by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations and the Japan Federation of UNESCO Associations, recognizes his outstanding contributions in bringing Vietnamese heritage closer to the public through the language of contemporary stage arts.

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Professor Yuji Suzuki, Director-General of UNESCO Japan, honors director Van Nguyen.

A representative from the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations praised Van Nguyen as a prominent figure in the journey of safeguarding and promoting heritage through performing arts.

Yuji Suzuki, Director-General of the Japan Federation of UNESCO Associations, expressed admiration for the projects Van Nguyen has carried out. He remarked that the growth of Vietnam’s cultural industry owes much to artists who persistently pursue heritage like him.

Van Nguyen shared that receiving the title from UNESCO is an immense encouragement, fueling his creativity grounded in tradition. Every project he pursues seeks to combine heritage with technology and contemporary theatre to create new experiences that resonate more with younger audiences.

Over the years, he has made his mark through various heritage-related projects, including:

The upgraded 2024 version of the live stage spectacle The Quintessence of Vietnam.
The 2022–2023 music series honoring the dan bau (Vietnamese monochord).
A portfolio of theatrical works about the Tu Tran sacred temples of Thang Long.
The 2018 Vietnam Cultural Week and International Exchange Festival.
A collection of plays depicting ancient crafts of Thang Long.

Tinh Le