From the 13th National Party Congress to the National Cultural Conference in 2021, the entire culture, sports and tourism sector received a new flow of vitality, a driving force for comprehensive development, with many highlights and turning points gradually realising the Party’s consistent viewpoint: Culture is the spiritual foundation of society and culture must be placed on par with economics, politics and society.

It can be said that culture has never received as much attention as it does today. Never before has culture recorded so many achievements as it does today. The entire sector has received close attention and firm instructions from Party, State, National Assembly and Government leaders; especially the instructions of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a great cultural figure, a prime example of cultural practice, a leader who wholeheartedly devoted to developing an advanced Vietnamese culture, deeply imbued with national identity.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and artists at the National Cultural Conference in 2021. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and artists at the National Cultural Conference in 2021. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: A great cultural figure

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was born and grew up in Lai Da Village, Dong Hoi Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi (previously Tu Son, Bac Ninh), a sacred land with rich cultural and revolutionary traditions. The beautiful melodies of quan ho are like cool streams of water that nurtured the mind and personality of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong right from his childhood.

It can be said that during his lifetime and revolutionary career, from when he was a student at the Literature Department, University of Hanoi, to when he became the Party and State’s highest leader, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always cared for and gave much devotion to the cause of building and developing the national culture.

The General Secretary had many articles and speeches that summarised theory and reality and affirmed the significant role of culture in national construction and defence. In most speeches at important Party and State conferences, the General Secretary always devoted a certain amount of time to discuss culture and the aspiration of rejuvenating and developing the national culture, amid the context of contradiction between tradition and modernity, the old and the new, integration and protection of the nation’s core and humane values.

As a great cultural figure and a bright example of revolutionary ethics, the General Secretary left a deep impression of the disposition and personality of a lofty cultural figure. Such things were displayed not in a grand way but in a simple, elegant and humble way, in each word and action of cultural practice, in the morality and lifestyle, and in setting examples.

As one of the leaders who spent his whole life striving, studying and devoting himself to the Party, the country and the people following the ideology, morality and style of President Ho Chi Minh, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was always devoted to the mission determined by the Party and Uncle Ho that “culture must shine the way forward for the people”.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was a leader who left a special mark in Vietnamese history in the early years of the 21st century, in almost all spheres, including culture. With a high level of intelligence and a soul for literature and arts, he created a unique style, deeply imbued with the characteristics of a northern scholar, closely associated with the thousand-year-old and heroic cultural style of Trang An, Thang Long, Dong Do and Hanoi.

The General Secretary has always been a pioneer and creatively applied the theory of cultural construction in a broad sense and the practice of culture in a narrow sense, in a very natural way, with a kind, simple, and noble heart, always striving for the eternal development of the nation and the happiness of the people. The General Secretary once advised: “Human happiness is not only in having a lot of money, a lot of property, delicious food, and beautiful clothes but also in the richness of the soul, living amidst love and compassion, reason and justice”.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is always simple and close to the people.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is always simple and close to the people.

Human happiness is not only in having a lot of money, a lot of property, delicious food, and beautiful clothes but also in the richness of the soul, living amidst love and compassion, reason and justice.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with artists and delegates at the 2021 National Cultural Conference.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with artists and delegates at the 2021 National Cultural Conference.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates attending the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Art Associations, July 2023. Photo: TRI DUNG

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and delegates attending the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Art Associations, July 2023. Photo: TRI DUNG

A man wholeheartedly devoted to the development of Vietnamese culture

The statement that the General Secretary repeatedly emphasised at the 2021 National Cultural Conference: “Culture is the soul of the nation, expressing the identity of the nation. If culture exists, the nation exists”, is an important guideline for developing national culture. That viewpoint has also added motivation for the contingent of cultural cadres in the country to always strive, and constantly move forward, with the determination and aspiration to revive and successfully build an advanced Vietnamese culture, imbued with national identity.

Having devoted his whole life to the country and the people, the General Secretary has always been concerned about the development of national culture, facing countless challenges in the context of global international integration. Understanding the fundamental principle that “If a culture exists, the nation exists”, we see that when we “lose” traditional cultural values, and lose our identity, we will become a “faint copy” of another national culture. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a leader who has made many important contributions to developing the Party's theoretical thinking on building Vietnamese culture, especially since our Party carried out the national renewal. As the person who directly participated in drafting and directing the drafting of Party documents, from the 6th Congress to the 13th Congress documents, and preparing documents for the 14th Party Congress, the General Secretary, together with the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party Central Committee, and the Party’s theoretical research agencies, inherited and absorbed Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought on building and developing Vietnamese culture to a new height: “Advanced, imbued with national identity”.

The General Secretary’s articles at the National Cultural Conference implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party, the session of the Party Central Committee, the National Conference on Ideological and Cultural Work, and the National Communications Conference, all demonstrate consistent thinking of the head of our Party on the task of building and developing Vietnamese culture, in the context of increasingly deep international integration. The General Secretary's writings and speeches in many positions and periods have shown his profound vision and thinking about the special position and the role of culture. After the Resolution of the 5th Central Conference of the 8th tenure on culture was issued in 1998, until the General Secretary's speech at the National Cultural Conference in November 2021, the General Secretary always emphasised: “Advanced culture, imbued with national identity, includes within it the dialectical relationships between tradition and modernity; inheritance and development; national and international; based on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought”.

At the 2021 National Cultural Conference to implement the 13th National Party Congress's Resolution, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong requested the urgent building of a national value system, cultural value system, family value system, and the standards of the Vietnamese people in the new period. Building these value systems is crucial for strengthening the ideological foundation and revitalizing culture, contributing to developing the soft power and sustainable internal strength of the nation.

Man inspires, motivates and aspires to revive culture

The views crystallised from the intellectual stature of the General Secretary and Vietnamese Party in the recent period, have gradually turned culture into "soft power", the foundation for national development; the cultural sphere must be on the same footing as the economic, political and social domains. This has strongly urged the entire culture, sports and tourism sector not to be afraid of difficulties and challenges to shoulder and fulfil the mission of building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture, imbued with national identity.

Since its establishment, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always attached importance to the role of culture, and given utmost attention to the development of culture, in the process of national liberation and construction.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Seventy-five years after the first National Cultural Conference in 1946, in November 2021, the country's cultural sector was excited and had high expectations when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong directly chaired the National Cultural Conference. In his speech at the Conference, the General Secretary emphasised: "Since its establishment, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always attached importance to the role of culture, and given utmost attention to the development of culture, in the process of national liberation and construction, especially during the transition to socialism. The Party's perception of culture has become more comprehensive, thorough and deeper. Our Party holds that: Culture is the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and an endogenous strength, and an important driver for national development. We have identified that holistic development of culture in harmony with economic growth and social progress is a fundamental direction of the process of building socialism in Vietnam and a demonstration of the superiority of our regime."

A scene from the documentary "General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - A Loyal, Intellectual and Exemplary Leader."

A scene from the documentary "General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - A Loyal, Intellectual and Exemplary Leader."

In his passionate speeches on culture at the 2021 National Cultural Conference, the General Secretary directed the entire cultural sector to focus on implementing six core tasks and four main groups of solutions, to build and develop Vietnamese culture in the new period. Highly appreciating the role, responsibility and outstanding contributions of localities, agencies, units, cadres, party members and people of all walks of life, in preserving, building and developing Vietnamese culture and people; the General Secretary also always directed prompt criticism towards signs of degradation in ideology, politics, ethics, and lifestyle, which are contrary to the nation's fine traditions and customs.

The culture that we develop is a progressive one, richly imbued with the national identity. Its core elements include national independence and socialism. Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought play a key role in the spiritual life of the society.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

The General Secretary's notes, statements and directions on culture and towards culture in recent years have become important orientations in the development of the entire sector. In August 2023, on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the culture sector (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2023), the General Secretary sent a letter to the sector with special feelings. The letter is not long but fully expresses concern, praise, encouragement, and motivation; at the same time, it reminds those who work in culture and practice culture to live beautifully, not to be satisfied or content with initial achievements, but also not to be discouraged by difficulties and challenges.

It can be said that the encouragement, messages, and expectations of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in his congratulatory letter to the cultural sector, have become a source of strength, and invaluable motivation for each individual to strive harder.

Not only at cultural conferences but in his speeches at almost all other conferences and forums, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong always spoke about the significant role and position of culture in the cause of national construction and defence. The General Secretary directed and requested Party committees, authorities, and the entire political system, each cadre, Party member, public servant, and official, to thoroughly grasp and concretise the Party's viewpoint into a synchronised, cohesive, and unified institutional system; to create new lively spaces for cultural development; and to increase resource investment in cultural development because investment in culture is an investment in the future.

Especially, in the final days of his life, the General Secretary agreed to the publication of the book titled, “Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity”. The over 900-page book consists of three parts with 92 important writings, speeches, and talks, along with valuable documentary images of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on building and developing Vietnamese culture. This work represents the thought, vision, and dedication to the cause of building and developing Vietnamese culture and people. It can be said that the book is a "Declaration" and a "Compass" which orient the movement and development path of an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity.

The book “Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity” consists of 928 pages, selecting 92 writings, speeches, talks, summaries, interviews, letters, etc., by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on building and developing Vietnamese culture.

The book “Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity” consists of 928 pages, selecting 92 writings, speeches, talks, summaries, interviews, letters, etc., by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on building and developing Vietnamese culture.

For cultural sector’s officials, reading the General Secretary's book is like accessing an invaluable "handbook." Beyond the basic arguments, it also addresses issues the General Secretary conveys through the book, enabling each cultural official to deeply understand the Party's guidelines and policies on culture; and to imbue theoretical issues from practical summaries that the General Secretary has conveyed in the final publication of his life.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong talks with delegates attending the National Cultural Conference held at the National Assembly House on the morning of November 24, 2021.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong talks with delegates attending the National Cultural Conference held at the National Assembly House on the morning of November 24, 2021.

Thoroughly grasping the Party's and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's directives, in recent years, especially after the National Cultural Conference, the culture, sports, and tourism sector in general, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in particular, have implemented comprehensive solutions with the motto of “decisive action, aspiration to contribute”. The entire sector has persistently and comprehensively carried out a shift in thinking from “doing culture to state management of culture”; managing culture through legal tools and by law. Accordingly, a system of legal documents has been newly developed or revised and supplemented, accompanied by a more synchronised policy system, fostering development rather than merely serving as administrative management tools.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the people in Thuong Dien Village, Vinh Quang Commune, Vinh Bao District, during the Great National Unity Festival in Hai Phong City on the afternoon of November 15, 2017.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the people in Thuong Dien Village, Vinh Quang Commune, Vinh Bao District, during the Great National Unity Festival in Hai Phong City on the afternoon of November 15, 2017.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong views the printing of Dong Ho folk paintings at the Do Temple historical-cultural site in Thuong Street, Dinh Bang Ward, Tu Son City, during his visit to extend Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings to the Party committee, government, and people of Bac Ninh Province (January 24, 2022). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong views the printing of Dong Ho folk paintings at the Do Temple historical-cultural site in Thuong Street, Dinh Bang Ward, Tu Son City, during his visit to extend Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings to the Party committee, government, and people of Bac Ninh Province (January 24, 2022). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong beats a gong with the Muong ethnic people during the Great National Unity Festival at Cau Hamlet, Bac Son Commune, Kim Boi District, Hoa Binh Province (November 13, 2011). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong beats a gong with the Muong ethnic people during the Great National Unity Festival at Cau Hamlet, Bac Son Commune, Kim Boi District, Hoa Binh Province (November 13, 2011). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year in 2012, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited and extended Tet greetings to musician Pham Tuyen on the afternoon of January 18, 2012. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year in 2012, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited and extended Tet greetings to musician Pham Tuyen on the afternoon of January 18, 2012. (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with prestigious people, intellectuals and entrepreneurs of ethnic minority groups (in Hanoi on December 18, 2017). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with prestigious people, intellectuals and entrepreneurs of ethnic minority groups (in Hanoi on December 18, 2017). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Professor Vu Khieu presents a Tet couplet to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the Party leader’s visit to extend Tet greetings to the Professor’s family (Hanoi, February 16, 2015). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Professor Vu Khieu presents a Tet couplet to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the Party leader’s visit to extend Tet greetings to the Professor’s family (Hanoi, February 16, 2015). (Photo: Tri Dung/VNA)

Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat Luong Cuong and Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC’s Commission for Communication and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, present books to representatives of Party committees. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat Luong Cuong and Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Head of the PCC’s Commission for Communication and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, present books to representatives of Party committees. (Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA)

People’s Artist Le Ngoc (second from left) talks with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 2021 National Cultural Conference. (Photo: VNA)

People’s Artist Le Ngoc (second from left) talks with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 2021 National Cultural Conference. (Photo: VNA)

Culture is the soul of the nation, expressing the national identity. As long as culture remains, the nation remains...
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

The leader of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations presents the Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Literature and Arts and flowers to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, at the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations.

The leader of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations presents the Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Literature and Arts and flowers to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, at the ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations.

Culture lights the way for the nation
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expresses Tet wishes to artists (Hanoi, February 15, 2018). Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expresses Tet wishes to artists (Hanoi, February 15, 2018). Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

In particular, the implemented policies have been closer to life, with deep decentralisation to localities to promote cultural development. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with ministries, localities and relevant agencies, to submit to the National Assembly for the first comments on the “National Target Programme on Cultural Development in the 2025-2035 period”, at the 7th session of the National Assembly, which is expected to be approved by the National Assembly at the 8th session in October 2024. Investment in cultural resources on a national level is always higher year after year. Great attention is paid to building a cultural environment, from which many typical models regarding cultural practice have emerged in specific industries, areas, and localities. The national cultural tradition is sustainably developed, penetrating deeper into all classes of people and the practice of a cultural lifestyle, associated with the practice of morality of President Ho Chi Minh, has gradually become a habit of many people.

Cultural events are organised on an increasingly large scale with enhanced quality while special attention is given to culture diplomacy. Never before has Vietnamese culture been so deeply present in international events and multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, as in recent years. Vietnamese sports continue to develop comprehensively, despite many difficulties and have reaped many important achievements, in international and regional arenas, such as the first ranking in the Southeast Asian Games for two consecutive times. “Sports for all” continues to be boosted, contributing to supporting the development of high-performance sports.

Tourism continues to be a bright spot in the overall picture of the country’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, 2023 and the first six months of 2024, tourism achieved many important indicators according to international standards with diverse tourism products, while the number of international visitors to Vietnam is soaring with increasing duration of stay and spending. The images of the Vietnamese nation and people through culture and tourism are growingly affirmed and spread in the international arena. 

Acknowledging the achievements of the cultural sector, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said, “Amid difficulties, the cultural and social sectors continue to receive attention and investment and have gained many important and visible results”, at the 13th Party Central Committee mid-term meeting.

As an exemplary role model, the General Secretary has left special feelings for the officials and workers in the culture, sports and tourism sector. The General Secretary has gone to the other world, with beloved President Ho Chi Minh and the ancestors of the nation, but his great contributions to the cause of national building and defence and the cultural sector will last forever. Turning grief into action, the whole cultural sector will unite to overcome all difficulties and generate new vitality, contributing to fostering the nation’s endogenous strength at the instruction and expectation of the General Secretary.

Since its establishment, the Communist Party of Vietnam has always attached importance to the role of culture, and given utmost attention to the development of culture, in the process of national liberation and construction, especially during the transition to socialism. The Party's perception of culture has become more comprehensive, thorough and deeper. Our Party holds that: Culture is the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and an endogenous strength, and an important driver for national development. We have identified that holistic development of culture in harmony with economic growth and social progress is a fundamental direction of the process of building socialism in Vietnam and a demonstration of the superiority of our regime.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares joys with Hanoi people and children on New Year’s Eve at the Ly Thai To monument area.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares joys with Hanoi people and children on New Year’s Eve at the Ly Thai To monument area.

Published: July 22, 2024
Content: NGUYEN VAN HUNG, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Design: Hanh Vu
Photo: VNA, Nhan Dan