Ho Chi Minh City plays a pioneering role in cultural diplomacy in international integration.

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has just released a preliminary report on the five-year implementation of the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030 in the city. In the context of the country entering a new stage of development with the requirement for deep international integration, cultural diplomacy continues to be identified by HCMC as one of the three important pillars of its foreign relations activities.

Promoting the image of a dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich Vietnam.

During the period 2021-2025, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong province, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (before the merger) concretized the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030 with many synchronized action programs, linking culture, economy, and politics to spread the image of a dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich Vietnam to the world.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Electronic Information Portal, in the former Ho Chi Minh City, many typical cultural diplomacy activities were organized, such as: art performances, fashion shows, sports events, and culinary events within the framework of conferences, festivals, and investment, tourism, and trade promotion events; activities promoting traditional culture such as the Ao Dai Festival, the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue, or art performances commemorating diplomatic relations with other countries.

The "Meeting Korea" program was held in Binh Duong province (formerly). (Photo: hochiminhcity.gov.vn)

The city has also actively hosted numerous international cultural and sports exchange events such as the Vietnam-Japan Festival, the 2024 Teqball World Championship, and the 2025 Vietnam-Korea Friendship Cultural Festival, creating a strong ripple effect. These activities have helped the city integrate cultural elements into its foreign relations programs, thereby enhancing overall effectiveness in political, economic, and cultural aspects.

Binh Duong province also promotes cultural diplomacy through programs such as "Meeting Korea," "Meeting Japan," and "Meeting Singapore," along with many prestigious international sporting events such as the 3-Cushion Carom Billiards Tournament and the Biwase Cup International Cycling Race.

The former Ba Ria - Vung Tau province maintained cultural and sports exchange activities with other countries, notably the "Friendship Melodies" Festival and cooperation programs with Russia, Japan, Thailand, Laos, etc., contributing to introducing the image of the locality to the world.

Promoting the pioneering role of cultural diplomacy.

From July 1st, 2025, the merger of three localities (Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau) along with the two-tiered government model poses new demands on the organization, personnel, and management of cultural diplomacy. Updating data, adjusting policies, and building a unified coordination mechanism among units are urgent tasks. In the context of a world predicted to remain volatile, cultural diplomacy is considered a crucial "soft power" that helps Vietnam expand its influence and maintain foreign policy stability.

Cultural diplomacy continues to be one of the three important pillars in Ho Chi Minh City's foreign affairs work. (Photo: hochiminhcity.gov.vn)

Entering a new phase, Ho Chi Minh City (after the merger) has identified cultural diplomacy as a crucial pillar in its international integration strategy, contributing to building the image of a modern, dynamic, and distinctive megacity. The city continues to implement its Cultural Diplomacy Strategy until 2030 with flexibility and creativity, closely adhering to the goals of socio-economic development and international integration.

The city has set seven key tasks for the 2026-2030 period: perfecting the theoretical framework, policies, and raising awareness of cultural diplomacy; reviewing and adjusting the action plan to suit the new organizational structure and scope; closely linking cultural diplomacy with political and economic diplomacy; building an international brand for the city and promoting Vietnamese cultural values; absorbing the best of human culture while promoting cultural exchange among nations; promoting the application of technology, digital media, and artificial intelligence in cultural promotion; and enhancing the international integration capacity of officials, businesses, artists, and creators to form a professional and effective force for cultural diplomacy.

Specific solutions include: organizing "Ho Chi Minh City Overseas Day" in conjunction with the city leaders' official trips; focusing on large-scale cultural events with a clear focus and priority; encouraging research, training, and policy in the field of cultural diplomacy; selecting and promoting the role of "Cultural Ambassadors"; utilizing resources from overseas Vietnamese communities and Vietnamese representative offices abroad to promote national culture; and simultaneously boosting the training of high-quality human resources in the fields of culture and foreign affairs…

With that orientation, Ho Chi Minh City's cultural diplomacy in the period 2026-2030 is expected to continue to play a pioneering role in international integration, promoting the image of a modern and humane Vietnam, contributing to strengthening national soft power and serving the sustainable development of the country.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-phat-huy-vai-tro-tien-phong-cua-ngoai-giao-van-hoa-trong-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-217232.html