(VOVworld)- The Vietnam Union of Arts and Literature Associations convened its ninth national congress in Hanoi on January 8th and 9th. 475 delegates represented 40,000 writers and artists nationwide. The delegates reviewed artists’ contribution to the development of Vietnamese culture and set out tasks for the coming years.

People's artists, Emeritus Artists honored

Vietnamese artists’ contributions to past national liberation struggles have been undeniable. In recent years, they have made great achievements in collecting, researching, promoting literary works, training young artists, and boosting international integration. Their work honestly reflects Vietnamese people’s lives, aspirations, and history. Many literary works clarify moral issues, criticize negative values, and defend righteousness. Artists have contributed to defending Vietnam's sovereignty over its sea and islands. In his address at the 9^th National Congress of the Vietnam Union of Arts and Literature Associations, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted Vietnamese artists’ contributions to national development: “Artistic and literary output has become more diverse and richer and has grown in quality and quantity. Artists’ right to create has been respected. Arts and Literature Associations have united and encouraged artists to lend their creativity to national development. Artistic and literary creative activities, research, and criticism have greatly improved”.

The Party leader emphasized artists' important role in enhancing the Party’s ideology and culture. He said readers want literary works that reflect the life and people of Vietnam, promote humanistic values, and  uncompromisingly confront evil. He said:“Each artist should make their work true to life. Artists, through their work, should honestly reflect the lives of the Vietnamese people and inspire national pride, patriotism, and trust in the Party’s guidelines”.