80 years of culture accompanying the nation, creating new strength

Culture and art have accompanied the nation throughout history.

Vietnam has achieved many successes in the field of culture, preserving and promoting national identity. However, there is still a need for synchronous solutions to continue developing culture, building a developed culture, contributing to promoting the comprehensive development of the country in the new era.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the cultural sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025), we would like to share with readers some opinions of artists who have contributed to the development of the country's culture.

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations

Stimulate and invest in creative teams

Looking back at the 80 years of the country's cultural sector, we feel happy and proud. What is even happier is that today's young generation has inherited a culture built from a solid foundation. Especially since the Outline on Culture was born in 1943, the Party and Uncle Ho put forward three basic principles: "National-Scientific-Mass", culture has not only become the driving force for social development but also is on par with the political , economic and social fields. Cultural life has also been of interest to the Party and the State, especially the development of culture has been widespread, synchronous, and does not exclude any subject in society.

What we see very clearly is that in cultural development, there is a group that is always highly regarded, which is intellectuals and artists. They are the ones who create spiritual values, fostering the cultural life and cultural career of the country.

Today, we have the right to be proud when looking back at the 80-year journey of cultural development. There have been many achievements, which are the works, projects and names of our predecessors, which are shining examples of the dignity and personality of the Vietnamese people. We are also proud of the team working in cultural work today, which has grown very strong and has depth, meaning that culture has permeated deeply into people's lives.

Culture is expressed in all fields, creating new inspiration and trust in society during the country's transformation period. I believe that culture will be a driving force, along with fields such as politics, economics, diplomacy , national security and defense... to become a bridge connecting Vietnam with the world.

In the coming time, we need to stimulate and invest in the creative team, including artists, so that they can create more, invest more in works of high ideological and artistic value, because works that are deeply imprinted in the hearts of the people will stay longer. To have such works, artists must be moved, must be close to life, and moreover, must grasp the spirit of the country and national pride, only then can we hope to have good and valuable works.

People's Artist Le Tien Tho, former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism:

Cannot reach out if forget the basic culture

I believe that culture is the spiritual foundation, the driving force and also the development goal of the country. Entering the stage of the century of development, culture becomes an even greater driving force.

Looking back at 80 years of formation and development of the industry, we are very proud that culture has always accompanied the nation, creating a solid foundation for innovation and integration. Vietnamese culture is a multi-disciplinary entity, associated with sports, tourism and information, all of which have developed strongly.

Over the years, many of our tangible and intangible heritages have been recognized by UNESCO, affirming their great value and national pride. More importantly, we still maintain our identity in the integration period. As former General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once affirmed: "If culture exists, the nation exists!". That cultural foundation comes from the Party's guidelines, based on three factors: science, nation and mass, both inheriting the quintessence of our ancestors and expanding exchanges. Caring for culture is also caring for people, the creative subject and the destination of all activities.

Despite many achievements, investment in grassroots culture and literature and art is still not enough. Grassroots culture is the foundation of the entire spiritual and social life. Where grassroots culture is concerned, there the mass movement, spiritual life and creativity of the community will develop.

In recent times, many localities have proactively built cultural institutions and organized art and sports activities, but in general, investment is still scattered and lacks depth.

There needs to be stronger priority policies, from cultural houses, libraries, cinemas, to community creative spaces, so that people, especially young people, can access and enjoy culture regularly.

When people have equal and broad access to culture, generations of creative citizens will be formed, from which talents and valuable works can be produced.

People's Artist Tran Ly Ly, President of the Council of Vietnam Dance Academy

Cultural industry development must go hand in hand with high art.

The achievements of the cultural sector over the past 80 years are the blood, tears, as well as the intelligence and creativity of many generations, step by step along the length of the country's history. For our generation, those who still have the strength to contribute to culture and art, the greatest wish is to witness the stronger development of culture and art in the future.

There is a very different direction, which is to develop the cultural industry associated with people, in accordance with its purpose, but at the same time we must develop high art. We cannot separate these two fields. We still have to seek new values, innovative values, the high value of art associated with technology, so that culture does not stop but is always raised.

Culture is an ecosystem. To develop sustainably, we must build that ecosystem on connections. In the past, a single individual could make a success, but now we need connections to create a foundation, a closed circle to be solid.

In the future, we must build a creative ecosystem, from producers, creators, consumers, to those working in PR, marketing, media, and journalism. The press not only accompanies artists' creativity, but also has the role of objectively reflecting the public's voice to evaluate the value of works.

My biggest hope is still creativity. We need "catalysts" to create more groundbreaking works of art. Because, a single author cannot create change, but it takes a whole generation of authors, together creating a change in art and ideology for the new generation.

And please remember: developing culture and art does not mean only economic development, but needs to go deeper, higher, touching the spiritual values of people.