The flagship of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy strategy

The Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is the unit that advises and implements the "Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030" issued by the Prime Minister, promoting the role of titles and heritages for sustainable development.

Inauguration ceremony of President Ho Chi Minh statue in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 30, 2023. Photo: VNA

“Vietnam Phenomenon” at UNESCO With the spirit of “Cultural diplomacy is a common task of the entire political system, implemented synchronously on the pillars of Party foreign affairs, state diplomacy and people's diplomacy”, in recent times, the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO have effectively and substantially integrated the preservation and promotion of recognized heritages and international titles into projects, strategies, plans for socio-economic development, tourism, cooperation, investment... of localities. For the first time in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized an international conference on promoting the value of UNESCO titles for sustainable development in Vietnam in July 2023 in Ninh Binh. The Department has been proactive and innovative in implementing the Project approved by the Secretariat on honoring President Ho Chi Minh, the national liberation hero, an outstanding cultural figure, abroad, contributing to honoring the intelligence, qualities, and noble ideals of the Vietnamese people. In 2023, the Department presided over and coordinated with relevant agencies to build and inaugurate the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Saint Petersburg, Russia; renamed Hoa Binh Park to Ho Chi Minh Park in the capital Habana, Cuba... In addition, the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO have contributed significantly to strengthening bilateral relations, building trust through high-level cultural diplomacy activities, creativity, innovation of Vietnam Week/Day abroad, introducing the image of the country and people of Vietnam to international friends. High-level cultural diplomacy in recent times, especially in the past 2 years, has created important marks, contributing to strengthening political trust with partners, developing soft power and enhancing the national brand. Typical examples include the image of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong enjoying tea and talking with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the calligraphy "Sincerity, Affection, Trust" to the Japanese Prime Minister... One of the outstanding marks of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO is to promote nomination dossiers and effectively mobilize resources for socio-economic development, enhance local and national brands and promote tourism. Regarding UNESCO titles in particular, the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy sets a target of having over 60 heritages and UNESCO titles by 2030, and has so far exceeded the target with 67. The Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO have proactively and actively promoted the partnership between Vietnam and UNESCO to become increasingly in-depth, comprehensive and substantive. For the first time in 48 years of joining UNESCO, Vietnam has simultaneously participated and promoted its role as a member in 5/7 of UNESCO's most key operating mechanisms. In 2023, the Department coordinated with relevant agencies to develop and implement a campaign project for the 2023-2027 World Heritage Committee. As a result, Vietnam was elected with a high number of votes (121/170), leading in the number of votes among the candidate countries in the Asia-Pacific group, creating a "Vietnam phenomenon" at UNESCO. Impartial and sharp weapon The success of cultural diplomacy in the past 2 years has important significance in many aspects. First of all, the results and achievements have continued to affirm the correctness of the Party and State's policies and guidelines, affirming that "Culture is the spiritual foundation, an important endogenous strength to ensure sustainable development". Cultural diplomacy, along with political diplomacy and economic diplomacy, are three important pillars of comprehensive and modern Vietnamese diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy is truly a sharp psychological weapon, contributing to demonstrating the identity of "Vietnam's Bamboo Diplomacy", contributing to the achievements of the country's foreign affairs in the past year - an impressive highlight in the country's overall achievements. Second, cultural diplomacy makes a practical contribution to sustainable socio-economic development in localities. Cultural festivals and events with the UNESCO title as a foundation have supported localities to quickly and effectively transform the economic development model with people and communities playing a central role, based on tourism development and promoting heritage values. Third, cultural diplomacy has been successful in conveying the image of a beautiful Vietnam with unique culture and a love of peace to international friends, making an important contribution to promoting people-to-people exchanges, strengthening friendship and mutual trust, enhancing soft power and ensuring national security.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/thoi-su/ngon-co-dau-trong-chien-luoc-ngoai-giao-van-hoa-cua-viet-nam-1339124.ldo