Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences Nguyen Quang Ngoc told The Hanoi Times his view on the capital’s cultural development ahead of the scientific conference “Promoting Cultural Values and Resources toward Developing a Modern – Cultured – Civilized Capital” held today [March 21].

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences Nguyen Quang Ngoc. Photos: Lai Tan

How would you assess the resources available in the capital and its recent efforts to promote cultural values?

The Vietnamese Cultural Outline (1943-2023) firmly established the importance of culture. At the first National Cultural Conference held on November 24, 1946, Uncle Ho stated that culture should be a guiding light for the nation.

In addition, the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress in 2021 also emphasized the importance of culture as a spiritual foundation, an inherent resource, and a driving force for socio-economic development and international integration.

At the National Cultural Conference on November 24, 2021, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong further emphasized the importance of culture by placing it on an equal footing with other crucial fields.

But in difficult conditions, we can only do so by giving priority to economic development, and culture has not been at the center of attention.

However, in recent times, Hanoi has made significant strides in cultural development, demonstrating a strong commitment to implementing the central government's policies and guidelines in this regard, particularly the Politburo's Resolution 15/NQ-TU, which outlines the city's development objectives until 2030, with a vision towards 2045.

The Resolution aims to elevate the cultural development of the capital to the level of the thousand-year-old Thang Long - Hanoi.

The Hanoi Party Committee has further solidified this policy in its Resolution for the 2020-2025 term, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to cultural development and cultivating the city's citizens. The Resolution identifies promoting Hanoi's culture and people as one of the three breakthroughs for the term. They are important endogenous resources that determine sustainable development and great spiritual value.

In this regard, the Hanoi Party Committee's Program No. 06-CTr/TU, dated March 17, 2021, delves into the Party's viewpoint and policies on cultural development, recognizing culture as the spiritual foundation of society and an essential resource for sustainable development. The program places culture on equal footing with the economy, politics, and society, considering it a driving force for progress.

The program also emphasizes culture's critical position, role, and contribution to the capital's socio-economic development and in ensuring defense and security.

Complex 1 Creative Space in Dong Da District, Hanoi.

What is your expectation from the scientific conference with the participation of nearly 300 scientists, experts, and managers?

I want to express my gratitude to Hanoi for providing the platform for nearly 300 scholars to gather and contribute their efforts in promoting cultural resources to develop the capital. The seminar allowed the experts to share their enthusiasm and years of research on the capital.

Having read about 60 research papers at the conference, I was pleased to see many elaborate and passionate articles that displayed the spirit and high sense of responsibility of intellectuals and experts in contributing to promoting cultural values and resources for building the capital.

I also appreciate the extensive coverage of topics ranging from geography, planning, culture, history, and archeology of the Red River. The presentations confirmed the Red River's central position, which played a significant role in the Red River civilization - the first civilization of the era of nation-building - and served as a material resource for the birth of the Van Lang state. 

What would be the impacts of the conference on Hanoi's cultural development?

Following the 13th Party Congress, the National Cultural Conference, and various seminars on policies, institutions, and resources for cultural development, Hanoi is hosting a scientific conference focusing on Thang Long - Hanoi culture.

This event is seen as a strategic effort to elevate the city's culture to a top-tier position, bringing it on par with the economy and other critical fields. By applying creative and effective research findings, especially in the realm of Hanoi's culture, the city aims to address real-life challenges. The ultimate goal is for Hanoi to become the capital of Culture - Civilization - Modernity, embodying high standards of culture and creativity and achieving a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity, fast and robust development, and comprehensive and sustainable progress in the next 5-7 years.

Thank you for your time!