Opportunities to develop Vietnamese culture in the new era
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, affirmed that as Vietnam enters an era of integration and rapid development, Vietnamese culture is facing numerous opportunities to promote its growth and reach on the international stage, stepping into a new era—the era of the Vietnamese nation’s rise.
This statement was shared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương at the 2024 Year-End Review and 2025 Mission Implementation Conference for the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, under the theme “Building a Progressive Culture, Rich in National Identity—A Driving Force for Development in the New Era, the Era of the Vietnamese Nation’s Rise,” held on the morning of December 18 at the Government Headquarters, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương, Vietnam is currently enjoying numerous advantages and opportunities, including deep international integration, an increasingly prominent international standing, technological and industrial innovation, a young and abundant workforce, political stability, legal reforms, and strong investments in education and culture. These factors have laid a solid foundation for sustainable development and the preservation of national identity, while also contributing to enhancing public awareness and understanding.
With the process of international integration, Vietnam has the opportunity to exchange and learn from various cultures around the world. This creates conditions for cultural diversification, while also allowing Vietnamese culture to access new trends, styles, and technologies, enriching the national identity. Furthermore, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the development of the internet and digital technologies, presents a great opportunity to promote and preserve culture. Through digital platforms, Vietnam can easily bring its culture to international friends, while also allowing younger generations to access traditional culture in a convenient and vivid way.
“Vietnam is transitioning from an agricultural economy to an industrialized and modernized economy, focusing on high technology, automation, and artificial intelligence. The government has also introduced many policies to develop digital infrastructure and foster innovation, creating favorable conditions for technology companies. With the advantage of a young, dynamic population with an entrepreneurial spirit and a continuous drive to learn, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for multinational companies. The workforce in Vietnam possesses high levels of education and skills, which helps drive production and develop service sectors such as information technology, logistics, and tourism,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương shared.
In particular, the state’s cultural policies continue to be improved. In recent years, the Party and the government have continued to implement policies investing in the development of the economy and society in general, and culture specifically. Cultural and artistic activities are being invested and developed, with an emphasis on preserving traditional cultural values. The government is increasingly focused on preserving and promoting national cultural values and encouraging the development of creative culture. The cultural environment is improving, and cultural institutions are being invested in, aligning with the movement to build new rural areas and smart cities.
“The material and spiritual lives of the people are gradually improving, and political security and social order are being ensured sustainably. The construction and development of culture and people to meet development requirements is being given attention. These policies not only help protect cultural heritage but also promote creative culture, making Vietnamese culture an important part of the national development strategy,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương shared.
Along with the aforementioned advantages, the development of the cultural environment in Vietnam has been given great attention, with many beautiful traditional cultural values of the nation and individual regions being inherited. Many cultural heritages have been preserved and promoted, and the cultural life of the people has continuously improved. The socialization of culture has expanded, and the cultural institutional system has been invested in and gradually transformed in terms of mechanism and methods of operation. The quality and effectiveness of cultural activities have gradually been enhanced, with civilized and modern lifestyles being promoted, leading to tangible impacts.
Vietnam has been attracting international attention through events such as the recognition of many cultural heritages by UNESCO, as well as traditional festivals and unique cultural products. This has helped elevate the position of Vietnamese culture on the international stage and promote the development of cultural tourism. Moreover, in the context of globalization, the Vietnamese people—especially the younger generation—are increasingly realizing the importance of preserving national cultural identity to avoid being diluted in the flow of global culture. Many individuals, organizations, and enterprises have participated in activities aimed at preserving and restoring traditional values, as well as developing creative cultural products that are deeply imbued with Vietnamese identity.
“The rapid development of Vietnam’s economy creates favorable conditions for investing in the fields of culture and arts. The purchasing power and the public’s interest in cultural products have also increased, providing more momentum for the Vietnamese cultural, entertainment, and creative industries to thrive,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương analyzed.
By Ngọc Quỳnh