HÀ NỘI. Culture must become a spiritual strength, an internal resource, a driving force and a source of capital for the country's rapid and sustainable development, as well as a mechanism for national development. Party Central Committee Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà made the statement while chairing a nationwide online conference on Việt Nam Culture Day held with the 2026 Great National Unity Festival. The conference was held on Monday at the Government Office and connected online with all 34 provinces and cities.
Deputy Prime Minister Trà said 2026 was particularly significant because it is the first year of implementing Politburo Resolution No 80-NQ/TW on Vietnamese culture and the first year of organising Việt Nam Culture Day on November 24. The first year should make a strong impression and establish the day's lasting value and vitality. People should look forward to November 24 each year, take part and feel that they belong to Culture Day.
Linking Việt Nam Culture Day with the Great National Unity Festival on November 18 and Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Day on November 23 in a Culture and Great National Unity Week programme carries significant meaning. Culture nurtures identity and people, while great national unity provides the strength needed to preserve and widely share cultural values.
Trà said preparations by some ministries, central agencies and local authorities had not been thorough enough or aligned closely enough with the objectives and requirements. In some places understanding remained incomplete and the issue had not received proper attention. With implementation taking place during a busy period and more than a month remaining before the activities, people must be recognised as the main participants. They should create, preserve and pass on culture while benefiting directly from cultural values.
Agencies and local authorities should use museums, libraries, theatres, heritage sites, cultural and sports institutions and tourist attractions. They should open facilities to visitors, extend opening hours and provide fee waivers or reductions, especially on November 24. The Government should direct the programme, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front should bring people together, citizens should create cultural projects and businesses should support the programme with preferential products and services.
She directed ministries, sectors and local authorities to follow the 'six clear' principle: clear tasks, lead agencies, coordinating agencies, timelines, resources and outputs. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must complete guidance for Culture and Great National Unity Week before the middle of this month, coordinate major events nationwide and create conditions for Party and State leaders and residents to attend together.
Local authorities must standardise data for the Vietnam Digital Culture Map Platform before October 15 so it can be officially launched and operated nationwide from the beginning of next month. She also directed text-message information campaigns for the entire population.
The Hà Nội People's Committee was assigned to lead, with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a national-scale arts programme at Mỹ Đình National Stadium, with an expected audience of approximately 60,000–70,000. The Ministry of National Defence must ensure conditions related to the venue, infrastructure, security and safety.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade was assigned to guide businesses on promotional and discount periods for Việt Nam Culture Day. Deputy Minister Nguyễn Huy Dũng said the ministry had issued Decision No 1558 and specialist guidance documents and was finalising a shared visual identity.
The ministry officially launched the 'Vietnamese Sounds 2026' programme, running from this month to the end of the year on digital platforms and in person. It aims to spread knowledge of traditional Vietnamese music and enable people from all walks of life to create and enjoy the arts directly. Source: VNS.
Sources: Viet Nam News
