Highlights of the 2021-2026 term in the Culture, Sports and Tourism sector: Aspiration to build national soft power.

The 2021-2026 term marks a period of significant effort, innovation, and breakthroughs for the Culture, Sports, and Tourism sector. In the context of national changes and new development demands, the sector has chosen a decisive, substantive, and comprehensive approach, from state management to task implementation at the grassroots level. Looking back over the past five years, it is clear that a period of strong transformation has occurred, with Culture, Sports, and Tourism placed in its rightful position – as the spiritual foundation, driving force for development, and soft power of the nation.

During the 2021-2026 term, global and regional developments present a complex mix of difficulties and challenges. Internationally, peace, cooperation, integration, and development remain the dominant trends, but face numerous obstacles; strategic competition among major powers is intensifying; regionalization, economic fragmentation, and technological competition are increasing; and challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, natural disasters, and climate change are becoming more complex and unpredictable, causing particularly serious consequences.

General Secretary To Lam presents the First-Class Labor Order to leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - Photo: Vu Toan

In this context, under the wise, thorough, and timely leadership and guidance of the Central Committee of the Party, the National Assembly, and the Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has closely followed and implemented synchronously and effectively the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations; the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party, the 5-year socio-economic development plan 2021-2026, the conclusions of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 2021 National Culture Conference, the directives of General Secretary To Lam; and the resolutions at the regular sessions of the Government; with the spirit of "3 Determinations, 4 Proactivenesses, 5 Effectivenesses"; at the 8th session, the National Assembly approved the National Target Program on cultural development for the period 2025-2035 with many new policies, unlocking resources and creating conditions for the rapid and sustainable development of culture, sports, and tourism.

"The great road has been opened, leading to the future." The national culture, sports, and tourism sector has united, been dynamic and creative, and successfully completed the set goals and tasks. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proactively implemented the Prime Minister's directives to promote the development of a cultural environment with the goal of creating a new face for grassroots cultural life, fostering healthy cooperative relationships, promoting creative capacity, and enhancing the cultural enjoyment of the people... During the 2021-2026 government term, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism achieved many important and outstanding results, becoming a bright spot in the economy.

INSTITUTIONS - A BREAKTHROUGH MARK

Over the past period, the sector's greatest achievement has been the positioning and core values ​​established within the overall context of the Party and State's policies and guidelines, especially the Resolution of the 13th National Congress. The sector has strived to break through, overcoming short-term thinking, fostering development, and achieving breakthroughs in institutional and policy development, with the largest number of legal documents ever drafted in a single term. This has created resources and momentum for sustainable development through the National Target Program on Cultural Development for the period 2025-2030.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism identifies the institutionalization of Party resolutions and the development and promulgation of legal documents as a key and top priority task to meet the requirements of state management.

During the 2021-2026 term, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism spearheaded the development, promulgation, and submission to competent authorities of a total of nearly 130 legal documents. To date, the legal system in the fields under the Ministry's management is basically complete with over 430 documents. These include many new documents and policies, many of which are unique and being issued for the first time, contributing to the construction of a legal framework that creates mechanisms, policies, and resources for the development of the sector.

Notably, the task of advising on the drafting of the "Resolution on some solutions for revitalizing and developing Vietnamese culture in the new era," which was reported to the Party Committee of the Government and submitted to the Politburo, reflects the Party's renewed thinking on the development of Vietnamese culture and people, aiming towards two centenary goals: forming a culture worthy of a developed nation, oriented towards socialism, and making a worthy contribution to the flow of human civilization.

Submitting to the National Assembly the National Target Program on Cultural Development for the period 2025-2035

The investment policy for the National Target Program on Cultural Development for the period 2025-2035, approved by the National Assembly after many years of interruption, includes 9 target groups, 10 component contents, and 180 detailed activities, creating a strong impetus for cultural development in the coming time.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has submitted to the National Assembly five major draft laws with far-reaching impacts on social life, including: the Law on Cinematography (amended), 2022; the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence (amended), 2022; the Law on Cultural Heritage (amended), 2024; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Advertising, 2025; and the Law on the Press (amended), 2025. Currently, the Ministry is also coordinating with relevant agencies to finalize the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Publishing.

Every year, the Ministry conducts inspections and reviews of legal documents – a crucial step in amending, supplementing, and issuing new regulations, aiming to improve the legal system and resolve difficulties and obstacles for organizations and individuals, while also serving the Party's policy on streamlining the state apparatus.

Throughout its term, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reviewed over 2,400 documents. In particular, the Ministry regularly organized thematic meetings on lawmaking. This was a significant effort to improve institutional quality and create a comprehensive and effective legal framework for the fields of culture, sports, and tourism.

CULTURE - THE SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION THAT RECEIVES COMPREHENSIVE CARE

Over the past five years, policies on building a cultural environment have been strongly promoted, creating a shift from awareness to action. Traditional cultural values ​​and national heritage continue to be preserved and promoted; artistic, fine arts, photography, and exhibition activities are organized continuously and on a large scale, creating a vibrant creative atmosphere in social life.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the ceremony commemorating the 1015th anniversary of King Ly Thai To's coronation as Emperor; received the Certificate of Ranking as a Special National Monument for Dinh Bang communal house, the National Monument for the memorial house of Comrade Le Quang Dao, and the Decision recognizing the Golden Seal "Emperor's Treasure" as a National Treasure.

In particular, the 2021 National Cultural Conference, organized by the General Staff, became a significant milestone, a strategically oriented event marking a shift in thinking about cultural development and affirming the pivotal role of culture in national development. Since the conference, many programs, projects, and policies have been implemented in a systematic, long-term, and in-depth manner.

Alongside this, cultural and artistic activities, along with diverse forms and products, have developed to meet the new needs of social life, contributing to raising the level of cultural and spiritual enjoyment of the people, while effectively serving the goals of ensuring political security and socio-economic development. Cultural and artistic activities are organized in a flexible and practical manner, with the grassroots and the people at the center.

Significant achievements have been made in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Many traditional cultural values ​​have been inherited, preserved, and effectively utilized, creating attractive cultural and tourism products, boosting tourism development, creating jobs for the community, and contributing to the transformation of the local economic structure.

Party and State leaders visit the exhibition on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Cultural Sector.

Efforts to build a healthy cultural environment have been persistently pursued, creating a foundation for building Vietnamese people with the spirit of "self-confidence, self-reliance, self-strength, and national pride." Cultural development within families, communities, agencies, units, and businesses has been prioritized. The management and organization of festivals have seen positive changes, and people's awareness of civilized lifestyles has been enhanced. The "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life" movement is becoming increasingly substantive. Many typical cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities are preserved and promoted. Efforts to prevent and combat domestic violence have been intensified, contributing to the building of happy and sustainable families.

The cultural industry has seen new developments, with the boom in the film and performing arts sectors, improving the competitiveness and integration of the cultural market. Potential cultural products are being focused on and developed; businesses are participating more effectively, thereby promoting Vietnamese culture and affirming the national brand and position.

Cultural diplomacy plays a strong role in enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige on the international stage. Vietnamese culture continues to shine internationally, becoming a bridge connecting friends from all over the world to better understand Vietnam, contributing to introducing and showcasing the nation's "soft power" on the international stage.

In particular, in 2025, the UNESCO Executive Board unanimously approved Vietnam's initiative to propose that the United Nations consider declaring an "International Decade for Culture for Sustainable Development." This demonstrates Vietnam's positive contribution to the flow of human civilization.

SPREADING THE PATH OF MASS SPORTS, HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTS LEAVES ITS MARK

The campaign "All people practice physical training following the example of the great President Ho Chi Minh" has been intensified among all groups. The mass sports movement has developed extensively, with increasingly diverse forms of training; many new forms of recreational sports have been formed. Sports for people with disabilities continue to receive attention and have achieved many high results in international competitions. The percentage of people regularly practicing sports and physical training is increasing year by year, estimated to reach 37.5% in 2024.

The Vietnam U23 team won the gold medal at the 31st SEA Games.

High-performance sports have seen many positive developments. Achievements in some Olympic sports have improved significantly; key sports continue to make their mark at regional, continental, and world championships and tournaments.

Vietnamese sports consistently ranked among the top 3 countries at the SEA Games, including two consecutive times topping the overall medal table. Several athletes in Olympic sports such as shooting, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting, and badminton reached top-tier levels in Asia and the world. Notably, Vietnamese football continued to flourish during this period…

TOURISM RECOVERS STRONGLY, AFFIRMING ITS POSITION

AND NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS

The tourism sector has experienced impressive growth, continuing to be a bright spot in socio-economic development. International visitor numbers have recovered strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is highly likely that the sector will achieve its target of welcoming 22-23 million international visitors by 2025; 120-130 million domestic visitors; and total tourism revenue of approximately 980-1,050 trillion VND.

Vietnam was honored at the World Travel Awards.

Vietnam's tourism sector is focusing on innovating its promotional and marketing methods, prioritizing key areas, effectively combining budgetary resources with business resources, and improving the quality of promotional activities. Vietnam's tourism competitiveness in the region has significantly improved. Vietnam continues to be honored at the World Travel Awards in the categories of: Asia's Leading Destination, Asia's Leading Heritage Destination, and Asia's Leading Natural Destination.

THE PRESS "LEADS THE WAY, IMPLEMENTS TOGETHER, AND SUMMARIZES AFTERWARDS"

The press and publishing play a crucial role as a forum and voice for the people; they are pioneers in "leading the way, participating in implementation, and summarizing afterwards." The press plays a vital role in promoting the democratization of social life, discovering and disseminating good models and advanced examples; and actively promoting the socio-economic development solutions of the Party and State, strengthening people's trust, and fostering patriotism and the nation's historical and cultural traditions. The press also plays an important role in the fight against corruption, waste, and negative phenomena; refuting erroneous viewpoints, and combating "peaceful evolution."

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents commemorative plaques to veteran journalists.

The basic legal framework for broadcasting, television, and electronic information activities has been perfected to suit practical realities. The approach to institution building has changed, focusing on drawing lessons from practice to enhance feasibility and avoid situations where institutions are detached from reality.

Publishing houses adhere to their principles and objectives, aligning with the functions and responsibilities of their governing bodies; meeting the requirements of serving the political tasks of the sector and locality. The quality of publications has seen many positive changes.

Party and State leaders attend the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of Vietnam's revolutionary press.

These results affirm the collective spirit of the leadership, officials, and employees throughout the sector who have strived to uphold the principles of "Culture as the foundation - Information as the conduit - Sports as the strength - Tourism as the connecting bridge".

Looking back at the 2021–2026 term, what remains is not just the achievements, but the qualitative transformation in state management: from thinking to action, from institutions to people, from movements to long-term strategies. This was a term of persistent striving, of decisive reforms, of a sense of responsibility and aspiration to elevate the cultural values ​​and human qualities of Vietnam.

The improvement of institutions, innovation in management methods, acceleration of digital transformation, and enhancement of human resource quality have laid the foundation for the sector to enter the 2026–2031 period with greater aspirations.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dau-an-nhiem-ky-2021-2026-nganh-van-hoa-the-thao-va-du-lich-khat-vong-kien-tao-suc-manh-mem-quoc-gia-20251231213317718.htmthoi