The event marks the 10^th anniversary of Multicultural Day and provides opportunities for cultural managers and planners to work out new orientations to enhance the role of culture for sustainable development in Vietnam.

Katherine Marine Muller, Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, praised the crucial role culture plays in every country’s development, saying that it has also helped Vietnam boost its successful implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

As a partner of Vietnam, UNESCO has continually supported the country, working closely with international organisations, and donors to effectively implement many projects to protect water resources and promote education activities, she added.

Participants discussed mechanisms for cooperation between cultural management agencies, businesses and individual donors.

A seminar on heritage education in schools and the signing of a project on sustainable tourism development in the My Son Sanctuary will also take place during the week..

The cultural event will run until March 9.