Cultural challenges in the digital age

On the afternoon of April 20th in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Journalists Association, the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, and Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television (HTV) organized a seminar titled "Culture in the Digital Age - From Identity to National Soft Power" to propose a system of viewpoints, goals, tasks, and breakthrough solutions for cultural development in the new era.

Currently, the cultural industry is identified as one of the key industries that enhances the nation's standing. Every film, musical work, handicraft, or cultural festival can become a "cultural ambassador," carrying the country's message.

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, affirmed: "Policy planning, the establishment of a system of values, and the orientation of development trends that are commensurate with Ho Chi Minh City's potential, along with the effective exploitation of resources to enhance efficiency and continue developing the cultural sector in the future, are essential."

Speaking from the perspective of a management agency, Ms. Thuy stated: "Ho Chi Minh City will invest in cultural services such as film studios, performance centers, exhibition centers, and specialized training facilities… We will strengthen the application of modern science and technology in all stages of product and service production; cooperate domestically and internationally in developing advanced technical and technological solutions to create optimal conditions for investment and development of products in cultural industries. In particular, we will effectively implement regulations on intellectual property rights; strengthen the role of state management in protecting intellectual property rights, raise awareness, and consolidate the enforcement of intellectual property rights."

Scene from the seminar

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

THE DOUBLE BURDEN OF THE PRESS

In the digital age, journalism is seen as bearing a "double burden": both disseminating cultural values ​​and acting as a "gatekeeper" protecting cultural norms. How can we reconcile these two important roles?

In his presentation, journalist Chu Ninh, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City representative office of Dai Doan Ket Newspaper, stated: "If journalism leans too heavily towards its role of disseminating information, it risks losing its identity and becoming part of an uncontrolled flow of information. Conversely, if it only focuses on its role as a gatekeeper, journalism can become rigid, detached from the public, and lose its influence."

In addition, journalist Chu Ninh shared his views on the role of journalism in contributing to building national soft power: "Beyond simply providing information to the public, journalism also contributes to shaping the cultural landscape of society in the digital space. This is the core measure for evaluating the role of journalism in contributing to building national soft power in the digital age."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, spoke about the city's cultural development policies.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

V UN CULTURAL VALUES THAT LASTING SUSTAIN

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen Trinh, founder of Doi Canh Media Company, with over 20 years of experience in the field, considers herself a tireless "storyteller" of culture. She proposes that private enterprises and creative entities be given favorable access to financial resources, support funds, and appropriate preferential policies by the government, enabling them to make long-term investments in valuable projects. According to Ms. Trinh, when culture touches people's hearts, it becomes a nation's soft power.

At the seminar, "A Perspective," journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, shared his insights on the practical experiences of journalists and the enduring core cultural values ​​clearly reflected in the newspaper's slogan selection . He stated: " Thanh Nien must first and foremost be generous , kind , and humane to gain the trust of its readers. This is the essence of all journalistic activities and content work that we persistently pursue and strive to improve every day. Each article about a forgotten heritage is an act contributing to its preservation. Each report on an innovative model in the world is a door opening to new horizons. Each charitable program is a thread connecting generations and the enduring values ​​of the nation."

Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, shared about the programs beyond the newspaper's pages.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan spoke extensively about social activities beyond the newspaper's pages, "where core cultural values ​​are nurtured in depth": the Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship Fund, the "Together with Children Continuing Life" program… have changed countless lives and destinies, helping people overcome adversity and rewrite their lives. Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan also mentioned the very humane writing competition called "Living Beautifully," organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper, now in its 6th season, becoming a gentle, enduring cultural current reminding us that kindness always exists in our lives. In particular, the 3rd season of the Vietnamese Short Film Competition, co-organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper, is a prime example of efforts contributing to the development of the country's cultural industry.

Journalists cover the opening ceremony of Vietnam's Book and Reading Culture Day in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026.

Photo: QUYNH TRAN

"When the press stands firm on the foundation of national identity while simultaneously broadening its vision to the world, Vietnamese people can enter a new era with a firm mindset, capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with other civilizations in the world," journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan affirmed.

"The digital age provides modern tools for us to tell the story of Vietnamese culture more vividly and closely to the world. I believe that this seminar will propose practical and insightful solutions, contributing to integrating culture into all aspects of life, truly becoming an intrinsic strength that will propel our country to new heights in the new era," said Ms. Van Thi Bach Tuyet, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

The press protects the spiritual "green zone" for society.

Concluding the seminar, Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, noted that the scientific seminar was not just a purely academic forum, but a convergence of intellect and dedication. In the digital age, Vietnamese people need not only patriotism and resilience but also "cultural antibodies" and "digital skills." The deeper we integrate, the more we must preserve our identity; the higher we soar in the digital space, the more deeply we must remain rooted in our national traditions...

In particular, Mr. Tran Thanh Lam emphasized: Every journalistic product must be a bridge transforming cultural values ​​into inspiring stories. The press must be a pioneering force in combating deviant behaviors and protecting the spiritual "green zone" for society.

Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department.

PHOTO: NGOC DUONG

The seminar was chaired by Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department. Also in attendance were Ms. Van Thi Bach Tuyet, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; Mr. Tran Trong Dung, Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; representatives from the Department of Local Affairs 3 (Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department), departments and agencies of Ho Chi Minh City, and leaders of press and publishing agencies... The seminar organizers received more than 30 papers from journalists, managers, and scientists.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thach-thuc-van-hoa-trong-ky-nguyen-so-185260420205811099.htm