Social welfare is the foundation for spreading cultural heritage.

VOV.VN - In the development of modern society, preserving and promoting cultural heritage values ​​is not only a matter of conservation, but also closely linked to the issue of social welfare.

In An Giang , a place where diverse cultures and religions converge, caring for the lives of artisans – these “living human treasures” – is not only a cultural policy but also a pillar of social security, a foundation for nurturing faith and motivation to pass on heritage through generations.

From policies supporting artisans and facilitating the transmission of knowledge to the younger generation, to the orientation towards the socialization of cultural activities after the merger, Ms. Nguyen Diep Mai, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang province, shared candidly, showing how the locality cultivates "Spring of Hope" from a sustainable cultural foundation.

Nguyen Diep Mai, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of An Giang province.

PV:   Madam, following the merger, could you please tell us how many folk artisans An Giang province currently has and what policies the locality is implementing to promote the role of these artisans in heritage preservation?

Ms. Nguyen Diep Mai: Currently, An Giang province has four People's Artisans, who are active in various fields. Over the past period, the province has issued and implemented many policies to support the artisans, identifying social security as a crucial factor in ensuring their peace of mind and commitment to the heritage.

First and foremost, the province focuses on supporting the livelihoods of artisans through policies such as subsidizing health insurance and providing monthly living allowances. This is a practical source of encouragement, helping artisans stabilize their lives and thus continue practicing and preserving their traditional crafts and the heritage values ​​they possess.

Alongside welfare initiatives, the province consistently creates opportunities for artisans to directly participate in the practice and transmission of their heritage within the community. Artisans are invited to organize training classes for students and local residents, aiming to pass on the knowledge, experience, and skills preserved through generations.

In addition, we also organize short-term training courses, inviting artisans themselves to participate in teaching and sharing their practical experience with the younger generation and cultural workers at the grassroots level. This creates a connection and interaction between state management and the community – those who are both creators and beneficiaries of cultural heritage.

PV:   Since the province was merged, how have the training courses and teaching programs been implemented and what results have they achieved, Madam?

Ms. Nguyen Diep Mai: From July 1st, 2025 to the present, the Department of Culture and Sports has organized two training courses. One course focused on disseminating the basic contents of the amended Law on Cultural Heritage of 2024, helping artisans and cultural workers at the grassroots level understand the legal regulations to apply them to practical activities in their localities.

The second training course focused on the protection of historical sites and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage associated with these sites. The course attracted a large number of participants, including artisans, site management boards, site protection committees, and cultural officials from communes, wards, hamlets, and villages throughout the province. Through these courses, awareness and practical skills in heritage preservation at the grassroots level have significantly improved.

PV:   In the process of promoting the role of artisans, what difficulties are localities facing, and what solutions are proposed for the future?

Ms. Nguyen Diep Mai: Currently, the amended Law on Cultural Heritage of 2024, as well as the guiding decrees, have clearly stipulated the support levels for artisans. However, these levels are still general in nature and do not fully meet actual needs.

In reality, the majority of artisans practicing their craft do not have a stable source of income, do not receive salaries, and mainly rely on monthly living allowances from the State. When artisans organize training classes or heritage preservation activities, they often face difficulties regarding facilities and funding. Given this situation, the Department will continue to advise the Provincial People's Committee on more appropriate solutions to address these issues in the future.

PV:   In the context of the local area expanding its heritage management space after the merger, what are the directions for preserving and promoting the value of An Giang's heritage in the coming time, Madam?

Ms. Nguyen Diep Mai: The amended Law on Cultural Heritage of 2024 has come into effect, along with guiding decrees that are about to be implemented, creating a fairly complete legal framework for the management, preservation, and promotion of heritage values ​​in all fields, not just for artisans.

Based on that, the Department will advise the Provincial People's Committee on developing short-term and long-term plans. Initially, a comprehensive five-year plan will be developed, encompassing the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as heritage associated with historical sites, and maximizing the role of the community in conservation efforts.

In the long term, the province will develop a 10-year strategy to promote the socialization of cultural activities. An Giang is a locality with high diversity in culture, religion, and beliefs, including many indigenous religions – which are also an important part of the national cultural heritage. Therefore, heritage preservation must be linked to social welfare and the lives of the people, so that cultural values ​​can continue to be preserved and promoted sustainably.

PV:   Thank you, ma'am!
Source: https://vov.vn/xa-hoi/an-sinh-la-nen-tang-de-lan-toa-di-san-van-hoa-post1265769.vov