Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the importance of culture and the need to preserve traditional customs and cultural values for national development. 

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets village elders, skilled artisans, and reputable citizens in Hanoi on April 19. Photos: VGP

Cultures of ethnic groups in Vietnam are the national assets and belong to the nation and people but not to individuals, places, or regions, the prime minister made the statement at the meeting with nearly 130 village elders, skilled artisans, and reputable citizens in Hanoi on April 19.

The meeting takes place on the occasion of the Vietnam Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Day (April 19), the 49th anniversary of the National Reunification (April 30), and the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7).

In this regard, he has urged respected village elders, accomplished craftspeople, and reputable citizens to put forth more effort in preserving and advancing tangible and intangible cultural heritage as the essence and core value of the country.

The prime minister emphasized that the Party and the State have given due consideration to and made significant investments in the development of the culture as well as the preservation of ethnic groups’ traditional cultures.

Thousands of ethnic festivals are held across the country to support the growth of tourism as a major driver of the economy, and numerous notable heritage items have received international recognition. 

A village elder speaks at the meeting.

Role of village chiefs

He praised the contributions made locally, particularly by village chiefs and elders, skilled craftspeople, and respectable individuals, to the advancement of cultural characteristics and good customs and traditions, the eradication of superstitious practices, the development of a strong political structure at the local level, security order, and strong national unity.

“The 128 village chiefs and elders, accomplished craftsmen, and respectable individuals are outstanding models of patriotism, accountability, ambition, and commitment to the cause of cultural and national advancement,” he declared.

He expressed his hope that they would keep inspiring their people to uphold revolutionary and patriotic traditions, strengthen resilience, and foster strong national unity to contribute to the creation of a prosperous country. 

An artisan speaks at the meeting.

Step up cultural conservation

To better cultural conservation, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant agencies to take action as follows.

The first and foremost is refining the legal framework, improving people’s awareness of cultural conservation, and fostering training courses with cultural lessons integrated into curricula while encouraging research and creativity in this field.

It needs to mobilize all resources, especially the public-private partnership (PPP) in developing cultural industry to make it a spearhead in the country’s development. At the same time, it’s necessary to organize cultural events, festivals, and community activities.

Meanwhile, all available means must be used to the engagement of business community and the general public in promoting the national culture and the organization of cultural events and festivals to increase people’s pride in the nation’s cultural heritage.

Additionally, it should invest more in the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism to make it a common house for the 54 ethnic groups. It’s necessary to make policies to encourage village elders and chiefs, skilled artisans, and prestigious people to promote national solidarity, bolster digital transformation in cultural development, and enhance international cooperation in conserving traditional values.

To make the goal attainable, it turns to digital transformation in cultural development by increasing the coverage of electricity and telecommunication in remote areas, boundary regions, islands, and places where ethnic minorities reside. 

The PM and delegates.