Yoga is increasingly popular in Vietnam. For several years the Indian Embassy has organized activities to celebrate Yoga International Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of this year’s activities are being held on line. The celebration in Quang Ninh was livestreamed on the Indian Embassy’s Facebook page last week.

Mr. Pranay Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, said: "In addition, we have also this year launched a global video blogging contest called "My life, my yoga". The idea is to have common people practice yoga and then put it out for global community to see and practice yoga in daily life, how people experience the benefit of yoga. That's the idea of the video blogging contest. These videos will be linked to our social media platforms, the Embassy, and the Ministry of Traditional Medicine and Yoga which will then look at the entries. We will select three prizes for three best performances in Vietnam. Apart from that those three contestants will be eligible for the global contest."

More than 3,000 yogis from Vietnamese and foreign yoga associations and leagues participated in the Yoga International Day celebration in Ha Long city. Activities included yoga practice in Cam Pha city, yoga performances with traditional long dresses and conical hats at Tuan Mai beach, and a program called “Vietnam Yoga – Connecting Vietnamese spirit” at the Yen Tu historical and tourism site in Uong Bi city.

“We have cooperated with Yoga leagues and clubs and other departments to organize activities, including a meditation session in Cam Pha beach, whose principle aim is to stimulate tourism in Quang Ninh province," said Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 

Yoga International Day will also be celebrated in Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Phu Yen provinces.