Proud of 80 years of the Cultural sector: Accelerating with the nation's rising era

Over the past 80 years, the cultural sector has always accompanied the nation's destiny, both preserving and promoting cultural identity and traditions, and creating and innovating to meet the requirements appropriate to each historical period.

The "milestone" of 80 years of the Cultural Sector's Traditional Day is an opportunity for us to look back on the journey with proud achievements, the Central Resolutions on building and developing culture that have been concretized and widely implemented at the grassroots level, and at the same time, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the cultural journey accompanying the nation, firmly entering the new era.

Over the past eight decades, the cultural sector has always accompanied the country's destiny, both preserving and promoting cultural identity and traditions, and creating and innovating to meet the requirements appropriate to each historical period.

With that meaning, the 80th Anniversary of the Cultural Sector’s Traditional Day (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) and the 80th Anniversary of National Day (September 2) were solemnly held today, August 23, at the Hanoi Opera House. In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will also organize many attractive events and activities to promote the glorious tradition of the sector.

"Culture is the soul of the nation"

Since the Party's founding, in the 1930 Platform as well as the Party's platform documents and resolutions, the issue of culture has always been placed at the top, linked to the issue of human development. The Party also proposed the policy of building and developing a new culture before gaining power.

The Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established before President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence (September 2, 1945) at the historic Ba Dinh Square. Among the 12 ministries of the first cabinet at that time, there was the Ministry of Information and Propaganda, the predecessor of the later Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ).

The Dao Thuc water puppetry troupe in Dong Anh, Hanoi is still preserved and developed. (Photo: Vuong Cong Nam/Vietnam+)

And then Vietnamese culture has always upheld the spirit of “singing over the sound of bombs” in the resistance war against the US to save the country. The late General Secretary Le Duan once summarized very deeply, correctly, scientifically and convincingly: “We defeated the US first of all by winning in culture.”

Later, in his opening speech at the National Cultural Conference on November 24, 2021, the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that: “Culture is the soul of the nation, expressing the identity of the nation. As long as culture exists, the nation exists…”

Also at that event, the late General Secretary emphasized: “Since its founding, our Party has always attached great importance to the role of culture and paid great attention to the work of building culture in the cause of national liberation and nation building… The Party's awareness of culture is increasingly comprehensive, complete and profound.”

“Carrying” the responsibility that history, the times and the entire nation have given to us over the past 80 years, it can be seen that the Vietnamese cultural sector has continuously contributed to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Culture has not only become a force to encourage solidarity and foster the indomitable will of the entire people during the resistance war, but also literary and artistic works and mass cultural movements have aroused patriotism, built confidence in victory and helped the nation overcome countless challenges.

In the period of peace, unity and innovation, the cultural sector continues to lead the entire population to preserve and promote national identity, expand international exchanges and integration. In particular, not only stopping at conservation, culture also accompanies socio-economic development, contributes to GDP growth, creates jobs, and at the same time spreads the image of a dynamic and friendly Vietnam to the world. The cultural industry gradually covers the fields of performing arts, cinema, fine arts, advertising, cultural tourism, etc.

On top of Dong Pagoda, Yen Tu. Recently, the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) recognized the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem, Con Son, Kiep Bac (located in Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong city) as a World Cultural Heritage. (Photo: VNA)

Culture has now become a bridge, enhancing the soft power of the country, not only effectively supporting economic and social development, but also affirming the role of culture in building national defense posture.

The era of growth, "accelerated" culture

Our Party identifies “culture as the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and an endogenous strength, an important driving force for national development… The culture we build is an advanced culture, imbued with national identity…” That is the emphasis on the position, role, goal, and direction of building Vietnamese culture and people.

Culture is the internal strength for the country to survive. If the economy gives us food and clothing, then culture gives us faith, courage and aspiration. As President Ho Chi Minh said: "Culture must light the way for the nation to go."

Today, as the nation enters a new era - an era of deep integration and strong growth, the cultural sector is "accelerating" digital transformation with a strategy of promoting the country's image on digital platforms, digitizing heritage, building virtual museums, applying virtual reality technology (VR, AR) in performing arts... This creative adaptation helps bring Vietnamese heritage closer to the world, especially the youth.

Developing the cultural industry is identified as one of the new growth drivers, with the goal of making culture a key economic sector by 2030, contributing about 7% of GDP. This is truly a great aspiration, requiring the joint efforts of the entire population, especially artists, intellectuals, creative businesses, etc.

For the first time, on August 12, the Vietnam Military History Museum applied augmented reality (AR) technology combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to 'awaken' precious film footage and documentary images, making history appear vividly right before the eyes of viewers. (Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

If there is harmony between tradition and modernity, between national spirit and mass character, culture will continue to be the spiritual driving force, the endogenous strength for the country to move forward, firmly on the path of building a strong, prosperous and "taking off" Vietnam. Especially, in the context of deep international integration, if we know how to promote the power of culture, linking culture with development, Vietnam will soon have a worthy position on the world map.

8 decades of glory and pride

After 80 years of accompanying the cause of preserving and developing national independence, the cultural sector has carried out many propaganda activities to clarify the role of culture in the revolutionary cause, from the "Outline on Vietnamese Culture" in 1943 to the Resolutions and Directives of the Party during the renovation period. Propaganda work is carried out simultaneously and widely in the press, digital platforms, social networks, through publications, literary and artistic works, media events and online contests applying artificial intelligence.

With great achievements and contributions throughout 80 years of construction and development, the cultural sector has been honored by the Party and State with noble awards such as the Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, and many other noble titles and awards that have been awarded by all levels and sectors from central to grassroots to thousands of collectives and individuals.

'Proud to be Vietnamese': Affirming love for the Fatherland through music. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

In particular, on this occasion, many activities spread good models, typical examples of progress in culture, information, sports and tourism, associated with the patriotic emulation movement and the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style were also widely deployed. Towards the important anniversary, the whole industry has recently organized many emulation campaigns, propaganda activities, forums, seminars and meetings with generations of cadres.

Notably, on the evening of August 23, at the Hanoi Opera House, a special art program will take place with the theme "80 years of glory and pride - Culture accompanies the nation," celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Cultural Sector's Traditional Day.

The program consists of two parts: “Culture accompanies the nation” and “80 years – Imprints of Vietnamese culture.” The program brings together many unique performances, combining art and politics such as “The torch lights the way,” “Dien Bien Victory,” “The country is full of joy,” “Great Unity – The Strength of Vietnam”…

To build and develop Vietnamese culture and people to truly become the "foundation," "endogenous resources," and "driving force" for rapid and sustainable national development in the new era, in Conclusion 156-KL/TW, the Politburo requires: Urgently perfecting institutions, mechanisms, and policies; prioritizing additional resources to promote the development of Vietnamese culture and people in the new period;

Mobilize all resources and motivations to build and develop culture and people; Strive for cultural expenditure to be no less than 2% of total state budget expenditure; Develop a strategy for human resource development, especially high-quality human resources and strategic-level cadres;

There are breakthrough solutions to promote the development of cultural industries to ensure the following factors: innovation, creativity, identity, uniqueness, professionalism, healthiness, competitiveness, and sustainability; Building a digital cultural environment suitable for the digital economy, digital society, and digital citizens; Proactively integrating internationally in culture, absorbing the quintessence of human culture, and promoting the promotion of Vietnamese cultural identity in the international community.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/tu-hao-80-nam-nganh-van-hoa-tang-toc-cung-ky-nguyen-vuon-minh-cua-dan-toc-post1057270.vnp