Improving institutions creates momentum for cultural breakthroughs

Unlocking resources for cultural development

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh emphasised that the Resolution has promptly and relatively comprehensively institutionalised the major orientations set out in Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW of the Politburo, with 10 groups of highly feasible policies. Associate Professor, Dr Bui Hoai Son shared that this is an important legislative milestone, demonstrating the strong political determination of the entire political system to unlock resources, improve institutions, and create conditions for culture to become a development driver in the new era.

The core breakthrough of the Resolution lies in the fact that, for the first time, major orientations for cultural development have been concretised into a comprehensive, synchronised, and feasible policy system. Previously, many policies remained at the level of orientation, lacking implementation tools; now, the 10 policy groups have created a clear operational framework, ranging from investment mechanisms and cultural industry development to heritage preservation, human resource development, promotion of creativity, and digital transformation. All are placed within a scientific, coherent, and interconnected structure, enabling policies not to exist separately or in isolation but to support one another during implementation.

Notably, the Resolution affirms the viewpoint that culture and people are the foundation, an important endogenous resource, a major driving force, a pillar, and a regulating factor for the country’s rapid and sustainable development. When culture is recognised as a resource, implementation no longer stops at preservation or honouring, but shifts towards the effective exploitation, promotion, and investment in cultural values, creating both economic and social benefits. On that basis, the mindset for mobilising resources for cultural development has also undergone a clear transformation.

Alongside the State’s role in creating and leading, social resources, community participation, and the private sector are identified as important driving forces. In recent years, reality has shown that many fields such as cinema, music, and creative design have experienced strong growth thanks to the dynamism of the non-public sector, contributing to the creation of cultural products with wide influence, even reaching international markets.

Professor, Dr Tu Thi Loan, Director of the Thang Long Institute of Cultural Studies, noted that while Party resolutions set out strategic visions, the National Assembly’s resolution serves as the legal instrument to realise these visions through specific policies, resources, and mechanisms. For many years, numerous cultural policies have faced the situation of being “correct but difficult to implement” due to the lack of a clear legal framework, causing localities and implementing units to hesitate and struggle, resulting in outcomes falling short of expectations. This Resolution, with its concrete policy system, is expected to remove those “bottlenecks”, creating favourable conditions for cultural ideas and initiatives to be brought into practice.

From institution to action

The Resolution clearly requires a harmonious combination of preservation and development. Accordingly, alongside safeguarding and passing on traditional values, there must also be efforts to promote, renew, and integrate these values into contemporary life. In the context of deep international integration, where opportunities for cultural dissemination come with the risk of dilution, this approach carries long-term guiding significance.

Son analysed: “The greatest value of this document lies in bringing culture from awareness to institution, from orientation to policy, and from expectation to implementation conditions.” This observation highlights a reality: culture cannot rely solely on enthusiasm or movements, as that would easily lead to formality and lack sustainability; instead, it requires resources, mechanisms, infrastructure, and an appropriate legal environment. Concrete leverage points are the conditions for culture to develop in proportion to its potential.

From Resolution No. 80 of the Politburo to the National Assembly’s resolution is a clear process of transformation, from strategic vision to tools for action. Each year, November 24 has officially been designated as “Viet Nam Cultural Day”. According to Loan, the two documents form a unified whole, complementing each other and creating momentum for a new stage of development.

Experts point out that although culture is a field that is difficult to quantify, it is not impossible to measure. Indicators such as the contribution of cultural industries to GDP, the rate of public participation in cultural activities, and the effectiveness of heritage preservation and promotion can all be quantified, serving as a basis for policy adjustment. This is also a modern governance trend that many countries have successfully applied.

At the same time, the human factor must be placed at the centre. The Resolution mentions the identification, nurturing, and utilisation of talent in the field of culture and arts; however, to realise this, policies must be sufficiently attractive and suited to the nature of creative work. When cultural practitioners are ensured the conditions to create and contribute, they will become the pioneering force bringing the Resolution into life.

In the context of strong digital transformation, the application of technology in the cultural sector is a strategic direction. The digital space expands accessibility and stimulates new forms of creativity and business models; if effectively utilised, it will serve as a driving force enabling Viet Nam’s culture to make breakthroughs, enhance competitiveness, and spread its values internationally.

Ultimately, the decisive factor lies in the awareness and actions of the entire society. Culture cannot develop if it relies solely on the State; it requires the participation of the community, businesses, and each individual. When every citizen recognises their role in preserving and promoting cultural values, the Resolution will no longer remain a rigid document but will become integrated into social life, changing mindsets, promoting action, and contributing to the country’s sustainable development.