80 years of culture serving the country

Over the past 80 years, the culture - sports and tourism sector has accompanied the nation on a glorious and proud journey, serving the country and the people.

The "Say hi brothers" perform in a special art program celebrating the Party and spring on the evening of February 3, 2025 in Hanoi - Photo: T.DIEU

This morning (August 23), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Cultural Sector's Traditional Day (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025).

80 years ago, along with the birth of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, on August 28, 1945, the Ministry of Information and Propaganda (renamed the Ministry of Propaganda and Agitation from January 1, 1946) - the predecessor of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - was born. Since then, August 28 every year has become the traditional day of the culture - sports and tourism sector.

Interesting history of mergers and changes

Historically, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been split and merged many times in interesting historical contexts.

After the 1st National Assembly convened on March 2, 1946, the coalition government was officially established, and the Ministry of Propaganda and Agitation was no longer there. Two months later, on May 13, 1946, the General Directorate of Information and Propaganda (under the Ministry of the Interior) was established. On November 27, 1946, the name was changed to the Information Department.

On July 10, 1951, President Ho Chi Minh issued a decree merging the Information Department into the Prime Minister's Office and a decree merging this Information Department with the Department of Literature and Arts under the Ministry of Education into the Propaganda and Arts Department, headed by poet To Huu.

The name continued to change during the period of building socialism in the North and fighting for national reunification (1954 - 1975). The Ministry of Propaganda was established by the Government Council in mid-August 1954. Then, the 5th National Assembly approved on May 20, 1955, changing the name to the Ministry of Culture; Professor Hoang Minh Giam became the minister.

In the South, when the Provisional Government of the Republic of South Vietnam was established on June 6, 1969, musician Luu Huu Phuoc was assigned the important responsibility of Minister of Information and Culture. Thus, from 1969 to 1975, in the North there was the Ministry of Culture, and in the South there was the Ministry of Information and Culture.

In 1976, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established with a Ministry of Culture for the whole country.

In 1977, the General Department of Information merged with the Ministry of Culture to form the Ministry of Culture and Information, and on July 4, 1981, the name was changed to the Ministry of Culture.

In February 1986, the Ministry of Information was re-established by separating the departments of publishing, press, information, propaganda, and exhibition management from the Ministry of Culture. On March 31, 1990, a new organization was formed, merging four agencies: the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information, the General Department of Sports and Physical Training, and the General Department of Tourism into the Ministry of Culture - Information - Sports and Tourism. Musician Tran Hoan became the minister. However, immediately after that, it was separated into two departments, Tourism and Sports. In 1993, the old name of the Ministry of Culture and Information was restored.

July 31, 2007 marked a major turning point when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was established, performing multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary management functions and tasks. From March 1, 2025, the ministry received additional functions and tasks of state management of press, publishing and media from the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Revolutionary cinema accompanied the nation through the great resistance war against America. In the photo: actress Tra Giang in the film Chi Tu Hau - Photo: document

80 years of "culture guiding the nation"

On November 24, 1946, the first National Cultural Conference was convened in Hanoi. President Ho Chi Minh opened the conference and stated: Culture must guide the nation to achieve Independence, Self-reliance and Self-determination. This has also been the guiding principle throughout all activities of the cultural and information sector over the past 80 years.

It can be said that in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, culture and information were truly sharp spiritual weapons, contributing to arousing passionate patriotism, fostering a strong will to fight and building strong belief in the final victory of the revolution.

The revolutionary artists and press immersed themselves in combat, "using pens as swords" and "using art as weapons". Many artists, journalists, and cameramen fell on the battlefields, leaving us with priceless writings, works, and documentary films.

Vietnamese culture has contributed greatly, together with the entire Party, people and army, to writing the great epics of the nation in the 20th century. The 4th National Party Congress stated: "Our country's literature and art deserve to be in the vanguard of anti-imperialist literature and art in today's era."

In the 10 years after reunification, despite many challenges, the Vietnamese cultural sector has shifted from a culture of resistance to a culture of nation building, achieving new developments, making an important contribution to the cause of building socialism and fostering the spiritual foundation of the country.

An important turning point in the development of Vietnamese culture took place in 1986, when the Party initiated and led the comprehensive national renovation. Vietnamese culture continues to play an important role, always pioneering and guiding public opinion for bold economic and social reforms; always accompanying the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

With great achievements and contributions during the 80 years of construction and development, the industry has been honored by the Party and State with noble awards such as the Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, and many other noble titles and awards that have been awarded by all levels and sectors from the central to the grassroots to thousands of collectives and individuals.

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* Article from documents provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

BIRD OF PARADISE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/80-nam-van-hoa-phung-su-dat-nuoc-20250823094406807.htm