Draft documents of the 14th Party Congress: To bring strategic orientations on culture and people into life

Commenting on the Draft Documents to be submitted to the 14th National Party Congress, Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha, currently working in France, President of the Elite Association, Vietnamese Ambassador Abroad 2025, said that in order for strategic orientations on culture and people to truly come into life, there needs to be specific, breakthrough mechanisms and policies.

From the perspective of a cultural research expert and direct worker in the Vietnamese community in France, Dr. Hong Ha emphasized two pillars: Strategic and systematic investment in teaching and learning Vietnamese, building a "digital cultural ecosystem" to preserve the "roots" of the nation; Strongly reforming administrative procedures, creating "real opportunities" through policies such as "Young Intellectual Visa" to arouse and attract the aspirations of the young generation of overseas Vietnamese to contribute.

Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha. (Photo: NVCC)

A systematic strategy is needed to preserve identity.

Expressing deep agreement with the orientation in the Draft Document of the 14th National Congress on "culture and people are the foundation, resources, and endogenous strength", Dr. Hong Ha said that this is a strategic vision, affirming the position of culture in the sustainable development of the country.

However, according to her, to turn this vision into concrete action in the community of more than 6 million overseas Vietnamese (OVERSEAS), systematic and breakthrough solutions are needed.

This is also a practical action to continue to bring the spirit of Conclusion 12-KL/TW of the Politburo on the work of NVNONN in the new situation into depth, especially in the tasks of preserving and promoting cultural identity and spreading Vietnam's "soft power".

From the perspective of an ethnologist, Dr. Hong Ha affirmed: "Language is the vehicle that carries culture. Losing Vietnamese means losing most of our identity.

Therefore, investing in teaching and learning Vietnamese abroad must be considered a strategic task , the 'root' to preserve the nation. We need a systematic national strategy, not just stopping at mass activities.

She recommended that the State should have appropriate investment policies, especially in compiling modern textbooks that are suitable for the psychology and living environment of the young generation growing up abroad.

"In my role as a Vietnamese Ambassador, I realize that the demand for learning Vietnamese is huge, but we are lacking attractive teaching tools. We need to boldly apply technology, build vivid Vietnamese learning applications and games, and have a mechanism to train and recognize Vietnamese language teachers abroad," Ms. Ha shared.

Along with language, Ms. Ha proposed the idea of ​​building a national "Digital Cultural Ecosystem". She analyzed that in the context of globalization, not all overseas Vietnamese families have the conditions to return home regularly.

A national digital library, a 3D History Museum, a repository of film, music , art documents... will be a way for the young overseas Vietnamese generation, no matter where they are, with just one click, to access and learn about the nation's history and culture in a visual, modern way.

This is the most effective way to 'return to the source' in the digital space." In addition, Ms. Ha also emphasized the role of culture as a "soft power" in people's diplomacy . She suggested that there should be an annual support mechanism and professionalization of the organization of large-scale Vietnamese Culture and Cuisine Weeks in other countries.

"Cuisine and art are the shortest way to connect emotions, so that locals understand and love Vietnam. This is an effective channel to promote the national image and connect emotions," said Dr. Hong Ha.

At the same time, the document needs to more clearly affirm the role of overseas intellectuals and businessmen as key bridges in knowledge diplomacy and economic diplomacy. Dr. Hong Ha suggested: "There needs to be a mechanism for close and regular coordination between representative agencies and overseas associations and experts.

Providing official and timely information is extremely important so that we have a solid basis and arguments to effectively participate in the fight against false allegations and protect the national image and interests."

Awakening aspirations for the young generation of overseas Vietnamese

Regarding the goal of "awakening the nation's strong aspiration to rise up", Dr. Hong Ha said that the most important target is the young generation, including domestic youth and students and the young overseas Vietnamese generation.

A very new point in Dr. Hong Ha's suggestion is to renew the concept of "national pride" in the eyes of young people.

She analyzed: "Pride comes not only from thousands of years of glorious history, but also from present achievements.

The young generation of overseas Vietnamese is living in an internationally competitive environment. They will be proud to see a dynamic, innovative Vietnam that is developing strongly in high technology such as Fintech, AI, and Digital Transformation. We need to promote communication about these images to inspire them."

She also suggested that there should be a policy to honor and proactively promote successful young overseas Vietnamese role models who have made practical contributions to their homeland, creating motivation and inspiring other young people.

However, Dr. Hong Ha emphasized that aspiration and pride must be "grounded" by specific and transparent participation opportunities. "Aspiration will cool if children do not find a way to contribute," she worried.

To solve this problem, she proposed building a "National Opportunity Portal". This would be a centralized, transparent platform, updating all needs for projects, research topics, internship positions, and volunteer activities from all ministries, branches, localities, and large enterprises in the country.

“At that time, a student in France, an engineer in Japan or a researcher in the US could easily find an opportunity suitable for their expertise to participate,” she explained.

The root of the problem, according to her, lies in administrative barriers. This is the point that Dr. Hong Ha believes needs the strongest breakthrough: "We talk a lot about attracting talent, but those returning home still face too many paperwork barriers. I recommend substantial reform, with a special 'one-stop' mechanism for young overseas Vietnamese."

Specifically, she proposed that the State could study and pilot the policy of 'Young Intellectual Visa' or 'Volunteer Visa'. This is not just a visa policy, but a strong message, affirming that "The Fatherland welcomes you".

This visa can be valid for 1-2 years, issued to young overseas Vietnamese under 35 years old with degrees, allowing them to return home to intern, research, work at institutes, schools, or start-up projects in the most convenient and fastest way.

According to Dr. Hong Ha, these proposals are specific, breakthrough solutions to contribute to the successful implementation of the newly issued Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo on building and developing the intellectual team, especially in the goal of "attracting, promoting" and creating a favorable environment for young scientists and intellectuals, including overseas intellectuals.

Finally, to support this "new strength", she proposed that the State create mechanisms and funds to support innovative start-up projects of overseas Vietnamese youth who want to deploy in Vietnam, especially in priority areas such as green technology, healthcare, and education.

At the same time, it is necessary to promote and closely connect existing overseas expert and intellectual networks (such as the Global Vietnamese Innovation Network) so that they can become advisors, directly leading and passing on experience to the younger generation participating in key projects of the country.

Exchange activities of the Vietnamese youth and student community in France. (Photo: NVCC)

Dr. Hong Ha’s proposals focus on two groups of leveraged solutions such as investing in cultural roots through systematic strategies on language and digital technology; at the same time, paving the way for the aspirations of the young overseas Vietnamese generation to contribute through administrative breakthroughs and opportunity creation. These are specific, practical suggestions, originating from the practice of community activities and deep expertise.

When barriers are removed, when culture truly becomes “soft power” and the young generation of overseas Vietnamese are given real opportunities, the great national unity bloc will be strengthened. That is the endless source of endogenous strength, the solid foundation for Vietnam to realize its aspiration for prosperous and happy development in the new period.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/du-thao-van-kien-dai-hoi-xiv-cua-dang-de-cac-dinh-huong-chien-luoc-ve-van-hoa-va-con-nguoi-thuc-su-di-vao-cuoc-song-333648.html