Ha Long Bay

Vietnam now has 8 cultural and natural heritages and 13 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO. Thousands of Vietnam’s historical and cultural relic sites have been restored, boosting tourism development. Many festivals, social customs, traditional crafts, and folk arts have been revitalized and developed. There are some 40,000 historical and cultural relics in Vietnam including thousands of national and national special relics, according to Le Thi Thu Hien, Head of Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Department.

"More than 62,000 intangible cultural heritages have been listed. We have set a target of having at least 5 more cultural heritages recognized at the global level by 2025," said Ms. Hien.

Over the past decade, cultural exchanges between Vietnam and other countries have been broadened. Vietnam’s cultural strategy ties the development of cultural industries to promote the image of Vietnam and protect its cultural identity.

Under the strategy, cultural industries have been developed to boost economic growth and job creation by turning out diverse, high-quality cultural goods and services.

"Vietnam’s Cultural Development Strategy until 2020 emphasizes preserving and promoting traditional cultural values while selectively absorbing foreign cultural influences," said Ms. Hien.

At a conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi last month to review the ten-year implementation of the Cultural Development Strategy, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam praised the achievements of the cultural sector in the past ten years. He said cultural awareness has been raised, especially in Government and Party committees at all levels.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at a conference to review the ten-year implementation of the Cultural Development Strategy in Hanoi in December, 2019.

"Arts and literature have experienced strong development, and the cultural enjoyment of people has grown. During the Fourth Industrial Revolution, agencies at all levels should try to understand its impacts on culture and look for breakthroughs. More attention should be paid to developing Vietnam’s cultural industries, which has always been Vietnam’s soft power," said Mr. Dam. 

Associate Professor Doctor Bui Hoai Son, Head of the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts, said: "Cultural development contributes to human development and vice versa. Culture is society’s spiritual background and socio-economic growth driver. Cultural development should provide breakthroughs for Vietnam’s future growth."

According to a report from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Cultural Development Strategy until 2020 has made positive impacts on grassroots democracy, political stability, social security and combating social evils.