Optimizing cultural institutions

In the effort to build a system of cultural institutions in Ho Chi Minh City, many good and effective methods have emerged, and many ideas have shown high feasibility.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Hoc Mon Eco -tourism Park and Thoi Tu Stadium, recently opened by Hoc Mon district, have immediately attracted a large number of people.

Many practical models

Mr. Nguyen Van Hay, Head of the Culture, Science and Information Department of Hoc Mon District, said that the two locations were funded by the state budget.

The Hoc Mon Ecotourism Park, covering nearly 6 hectares, features numerous amenities such as a plaza, canteen, waterfront area, outdoor sports area, swimming pool, and tourist service area. On a normal day, it attracts 500 visitors, not including holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year). The park's popularity stems from its green spaces, lakes, and harmoniously arranged facilities, blending modern and traditional elements. It regularly hosts various performances, competitions, traditional music shows, and day tours for students.

Daily photos at Hoc Mon Ecotourism Park. Photo: THU HONG

Meanwhile, Thoi Tu Stadium has just undergone phase 1 of its upgrade and renovation, and phase 2 is currently under construction, including a multi-purpose sports building and a football field covering nearly 8,000 square meters. Every day, the stadium attracts hundreds of people for training. In the near future, Hoc Mon district will continue to upgrade the cultural facilities in its communes.

Similarly, the District 11 Labor Cultural Center is known for its many practical activities serving the needs of improving the spiritual life of the people. Mr. Luong Phuong Quan, Director of the District 11 Labor Cultural Center, said that the factor that helps maintain effective activities despite limited space and personnel is the appropriate content and the dedication of the staff. "Every year, the cultural center surveys the needs of workers in businesses, and then organizes appropriate learning and entertainment classes," Mr. Quan said. With the motto "on the go and mobile," many fun and creative game shows are brought to each facility, organized right at the factory after working hours so that workers can access and enjoy them.

Mobilize multiple resources

Speaking to a reporter from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, affirmed that developing cultural and sports facilities is a central and core element in the strategy and development orientation of the culture and sports sector. The city always prioritizes investment and aims to attract numerous domestic and foreign resources to develop the cultural industry, the sports economy, and build world-class cultural and sports facilities.

Ms. Thuy stated that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council has approved a list of 23 projects to attract investment through public-private partnerships. Notable among these are the Phu Tho Racecourse project, the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex, and the Ben Thanh Theater... The city has also organized investment promotion conferences for projects in the culture and sports sector, and to date, dozens of investors have expressed interest and proposed projects for 14 key projects.

The Department has coordinated with relevant parties to guide investors in conducting field surveys, research, and hiring consulting firms. Due to adjustments in the latest law, investors are updating and finalizing their dossiers. It is expected that these will be submitted to the Department of Culture and Sports by the end of March for the next step.

A well-structured investment strategy is needed.

Mr. Cao Thanh Binh, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, acknowledged that cultural institution projects have been planned. The key issue is prioritizing resources to invest in a manner befitting a special urban area, thereby enabling the organization of cultural and sports events of national, regional, and international significance.

Mr. Binh also agreed that during the implementation process, Ho Chi Minh City needs to continue inviting investment and social mobilization while prioritizing certain budget allocations.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Training and Development, commented that although comparable to many large cities in the region, to reach international standards, Ho Chi Minh City needs strong investment and a well-structured strategy to develop a modern, creative, and high-class cultural institution system. Through this, it should soon have a large, internationally-standard theater capable of hosting top-tier artistic events such as symphony concerts, ballets, and operas. Following that, it should continue to invest in cultural and sports complexes that combine tourism development, providing cultural and artistic venues for residents and tourists.

With many museums serving as significant landmarks attracting generations of city residents and tourists, the city needs to upgrade its facilities by not only showcasing static exhibits but also applying virtual reality (VR) and digital interaction technologies to create a more immersive experience. "Most importantly, human resources are crucial. Ho Chi Minh City needs to collaborate with countries with developed creative industries such as the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea in training cultural personnel to build a team of professional managers and artists with a global mindset. Only then can the city operate a professional and high-class system of cultural institutions," Dr. Nguyen Thuy Vu stated.

(*) See the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper from the issue dated March 13th.

Over 4,900 Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space institutions

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee announced that there are more than 4,900 models and facilities of Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space located in the city's offices, historical sites, traditional houses, libraries, religious and belief establishments, schools, businesses, apartment buildings, etc.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum - Ho Chi Minh City Branch, along with the system of cultural spaces dedicated to him, has long been an ideal destination for locals and tourists. (Photo: HOANG TRIEU)

The city is strengthening its digital transformation, bringing the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space online through online museums and electronic libraries. Simultaneously, it is providing information and images, combined with QR code scanning and 3D spaces, to make it easier for readers and viewers to access materials and documents about President Ho Chi Minh. Currently, about 80% of the models and institutions within the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space utilize QR code scanning.

Soar high on magnificent wings

In Ho Chi Minh City in 2005, the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal area was the ideal location for us first-year sociology students to put our classroom knowledge into practical experience.

The foul-smelling, thick, black muddy water, the rows of makeshift houses, and the miserable lives of the people inside—all of this formed a microcosm of society, almost completely isolated from the glitz and glamour not far away—and that's what attracted us to investigate.

And then, a few years later, the canal was given a new look through a project driven by determination. From then on, everything changed miraculously. Now, along its gentle flow are two majestic and proud roads, Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, modern buildings reaching towards the blue sky, and a park stretching for kilometers, always filled with the joy of people coming to relax or visit.

The remarkable transformation of the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal is one of many examples of Ho Chi Minh City's development. Looking more broadly, to achieve its leading position in many fields, confidently representing dynamism, creativity, and compassion, the city has done a great deal – from striving to develop the economy and ensure social welfare to improving the spiritual well-being of its people.

The most recent evidence of this is that, alongside the determination to achieve double-digit economic growth from 2025 onwards, cultural institutions are also being prioritized for improvement and enhancement.

Dozens of cultural and sports facilities; the expansion of many museums associated with the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space; the restoration and preservation of historical relics... are among the 61 outstanding projects, programs, and initiatives at the city level, competing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. These affirm the determination to bring people comfort in receiving knowledge, enjoying culture, and satisfying their needs for recreation and training.

Of course, determination is one thing, but realizing that determination into concrete products is a whole other story.

Nevertheless, just as the story of the canal's transformation brings about change in everything, it is believed that in the not-too-distant future, with the heart and enthusiasm of a city possessing many outstanding citizens, the cultural institutional system will be optimized and shine brightly. The city named after President Ho Chi Minh is expected to soar on magnificent wings, with economic development on one side and the fulfillment of spiritual needs on the other.

Ngoc Ky

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nang-tam-voc-do-thi-dac-biet-toi-uu-thiet-che-van-hoa-196250315203313076.htm