A workshop on policies and resources for sports and cultural institutions was held in Quang Ninh province on May 12 (Photo: dangcongsan.vn)

The workshop provided scientific arguments for the National Assembly in law-making and oversight of law enforcement in areas that need to be prioritized for development.

Institutionalizing policies on the right to enjoy and access cultural values

Over the past four decades of national renewal, Vietnam has transformed its closed, isolated, and disconnected cultural and sports institutions into a coordinated system of cultural and sports institutions from the central to the grassroots levels, throughout urban, rural, remote, island, and border areas.

The Planning of the Cultural and Sports Facility Network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, has been submitted for promulgation. Many other plans are being supplemented and integrated into the planning system of the culture and sports sector, national master plans, regional plans, and provincial plans. To date, 42 provinces and cities nationwide have reserved land for new cultural and sports facilities.

Libraries, exhibition houses, arts centers, museums, theaters, sports training centers, and stadiums have been refurbished, upgraded, and modernized to international standards.

As of March 2024 Vietnam had 66 province-level cultural facilities, including exhibition houses, arts centers, and cinemas; 98% of districts had cultural and sports centers or cultural houses; and 78% of communes, wards, and towns had cultural and sports centers.

State investment in building cultural and sports facilities is channeled mainly through national target programs and targeted supplementary programs.

Focus of future policies and resources for cultural and sports development

Vietnam considers cultural and sports institutions a very important part of social infrastructure, says Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.

"We aim to fine-tune policies on investment in cultural and sports development, including public investment, public-private partnerships, and socialization policies. We will also focus on preferential policies and investment incentives, particularly for land, taxes, and credit capital to encourage all economic sectors to engage in cultural and sports development," said Man.

Planning for cultural and sports institutions will take into consideration coordination, modernity, identity, efficiency, ensuring equality, and meeting people's needs. Land for cultural and sports facilities will be reserved in locations suitable to the circumstances. Attention will be paid to building and developing cultural and sports institutions for children, youths, workers, people with disabilities, and the elderly.

Priority will be given to mountain, island, border, and other remote areas and to ethnic minority areas. Vietnam will increase the State budget for cultural development, particularly cultural and sports facilities.