In the 12th Army Corps, the planning of grassroots cultural institutions such as cultural centers, traditional houses, libraries, and Ho Chi Minh rooms has created a comprehensive transformation in agencies and units. Newly built or renovated cultural facilities have become a "cultural space" within the units, contributing to the creation of a regular, disciplined, healthy, and distinctive military cultural environment reflecting the spirit of the Ho Chi Minh Army.

We arrived at the 390th Division on a sunny afternoon. From the unit's courtyard, the Dong Bang Division's Traditional House stood out on the high, wide, and airy ground. Within the grounds, soldiers were preparing for a unit tradition education session. Stepping inside the Dong Bang Division's Traditional House, a historical space unfolded with many valuable artifacts, information, and documents. The display, combining photographs, artifacts, documents, and explanations, made the flow of history vivid and easily understandable for the young soldiers. Corporal Cong Viet Hung, Squad 6, Platoon 5, Company 6, Battalion 2, Regiment 48, stood silently before the photographs of the unit's fallen soldiers. His eyes scanned dozens of portraits, his ears attentively listened to the political officer's explanation, and his hand quickly jotted down his impressions in a small notebook. With bright, clear eyes brimming with faith, Viet Hung shared with us: “Hearing and learning about the heroic martyrs of the 390th Division has given me more motivation to study and train so as to be worthy of the contributions and sacrifices of previous generations. Through today's gathering, I love and am proud of my unit even more, and cherish the time I have spent as a soldier of the Vietnam People's Army.”

Soldiers of the 390th Infantry Division learn about the traditions at the Dong Bang Division's Traditional House.

At the 368th Artillery Brigade, the Ho Chi Minh Rooms are a prominent feature, integrated with the library and common room, creating a comprehensive political and cultural space in each battalion. The room has a bookshelf filled with various publications, including newspapers, history books, law books, life skills books, short stories, and poetry. A large television screen and a new sound system above the stage are sufficient to liven up the room during cultural and artistic activities.

On a weekend morning, we had the opportunity to attend a cultural activity in the Ho Chi Minh Room of Battalion 1, 368th Artillery Brigade. The usually quiet room suddenly became lively with laughter and chatter, and the seats were quickly filled with soldiers. When the political officer and soldiers sang the song "Life Is Still Beautiful," the room truly became a spiritual meeting place, nurturing positive emotions and fostering camaraderie. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Viet Manh, Political Officer of Battalion 1, said: "Cultural exchanges, studying resolutions, unit meetings, reading books and newspapers, and showing documentary films are regularly organized in the Ho Chi Minh Room. The integrated space makes activities more diverse and special, contributing to enriching the soldiers' spiritual lives after strenuous training hours."

For the 325th Division, the traditional rooms and exhibition spaces are always organized scientifically, neatly, and with a rich educational depth. Over the years, thematic tours and study tours have taken place regularly, attracting more than 15,000 officers, soldiers, students, and civilians to learn. These spaces are "living history classrooms," igniting pride and providing motivation for the troops to continuously strive and train.

Alongside this, the library system and Ho Chi Minh Room are effectively maintained within the unit. Over 120 internet-connected computers have been invested in and are in use, combined with approximately 200 new books added to the library each year, meeting the increasingly high learning and research needs of officers and soldiers. Daily news and articles about traditions, exemplary individuals, and good deeds are quickly updated and disseminated through the internal broadcasting system, from the Division to all battalions, contributing to the enrichment of the unit's spiritual life and spreading positive values.

When mentioning a highlight in the modernization of cultural institutions in the 12th Army Corps, the 312th Division cannot be overlooked. At the cultural center of the Division and the 165th Regiment, LED screens have been installed to display images and documentaries, accompanying competitions and performances. In the grounds of units throughout the Division, more than 500 banners and slogans have been added, creating a bright, green, clean, and beautiful landscape. The upgraded film and sound recording studio has opened up a new creative space where performing arts groups can independently stage, record, and produce propaganda products right within the unit.

Through our research, we learned that after the Ministry of National Defence issued a Decision on the planning of the cultural institution system in the Vietnam People's Army for the period 2021-2025, the Party Committee and Command of the 12th Army Corps identified this as a key, long-term task. All agencies and units fully understood and implemented the plan on schedule, ensuring standardization, regularity, and synchronization throughout the Army Corps. Based on this orientation, a series of solutions were implemented, such as: consolidating the system of regulations and rules; reviewing the current state of cultural institutions in each unit; classifying and identifying the list of those needing new construction or upgrading; and developing annual investment plans.

Thanks to that determination, over the past five years, the Corps has built, renovated, and upgraded 8 auditoriums, 8 libraries, 10 traditional rooms, 66 Ho Chi Minh rooms, and 286 common rooms, all in accordance with the plan. These projects are synchronized in terms of ceremonial systems and equipment, gradually modernizing and creating "cultural spaces" within the units, contributing to improving the cultural and spiritual lives of officers and soldiers, as well as fostering political fortitude and cultivating the fine qualities of the Ho Chi Minh Army.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/quan-doan-12-xay-dung-va-phat-huy-hieu-qua-he-thong-thiet-che-van-hoa-bai-1-nhung-khong-gian-van-hoa-giua-long-don-vi-1017069