On the morning of August 23, the 80th Anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Cultural Industry (August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025) took place solemnly at the Hanoi Opera House.
Speaking at the ceremony, the General Secretary expressed his deepest gratitude to generations of cadres in the fields of Culture, Information, Sports, Tourism; artists, journalists, teachers, researchers, grassroots cultural coreans, propaganda teams, mobile information teams, art troupes, library staff, museums, relics; tour guides, businessmen; coaches, athletes; along with millions of people working in non-professional cultural work in villages, hamlets, residential groups...
Culture is a soft power, an endless "root energy" of the Vietnamese people
The General Secretary affirmed that right from the time the new Party was born, in the smoke and fire of the Revolution and the anticipation of the future of the country, our Party and beloved President Ho Chi Minh have determined the special position of Culture.
The outline of Vietnamese Culture in 2003 outlined a vision, establishing three major principles: nation, science, mass; affirming the Culture of leading the way for the nation, Culture is a front and those who do Culture are soldiers.
Right from the beginning of the people's government, right in the war against France and the US, the Party and Uncle Ho sent hundreds of young people abroad to study Culture, Arts, Sports...
Since then, throughout the Congresses, Resolutions, Conclusions, and Directives of the Central Committee and the Politburo, the Secretariat have emphasized: Culture is the spiritual foundation of society, both a goal and a driving force for development; culture is a soft power, an endless "basic energy" of the Vietnamese people.
The General Secretary said that we will forever engrave the first steps of cultural soldiers in the revolutionary climax, when every cheering painting, every song, every newspaper, every performance in the communal house yard or on the edge of the fields has turned into a flame.
In the General Uprising for Power, in the early days of building the revolutionary government, we cannot help but be grateful to the great culturalists who composed the National Flag, National Anthem, and National Coat of arms of the People's Democratic State.
In the resistance war against colonialism and imperialism, many generations of artists, information and propaganda officers, and grassroots cultural officers have transformed into the people, bringing enthusiasm throughout the mountains, forests, plains, and urban areas. Many people have fallen, have offered their youth and talent, so that culture becomes a sharp weapon, so that faith spreads, so that the will to fight is multiplied many times.
In peace, construction, development and innovation, Culture is still the shock force on the ideological and spiritual front.
The General Secretary said: "A number of generations of heritage cadres are waiting in the rain and sun to preserve the communal house roof, the majestic, each ancient brick; a series of diligent library cadres in the middle of the bookcase; a series of artists silently practicing behind the stage cocks; a series of reporters and photographers recording typical moments of the breath of life; a series of tour guides contributing smiles to the national brand; a series of coaches and athletes pouring sweat and tears to let the Vietnamese flags fly on the international arena".
Culture to bloom requires a healthy environment and adequate resources
In his speech, General Secretary To Lam emphasized a number of lessons learned in the practical revolution of nearly a century.
Firstly, all cultural achievements start from steadfastly following the right path, respecting cultural rules and putting people at the center.
Second, identity is the root, integration is the branch. Identification helps us stand firm and last; integration helps us bloom and bear fruit and spread.
Third, Culture must have a healthy environment and appropriate resources to bloom. Investing in culture is investing in the future, giving the "source" of national strength.
Fourth, Culture only lasts forever when it is integrated into life. All policies must be aimed at the public, the community, each family, each neighborhood, village, school, agency, and business.
Fifth, in the digital age, creativity is the main mach, innovation is the method, linkage is the driving force.
The country is entering a new stage of development with the goal of becoming a developed country with high income in the socialist orientation.
The world context is changing rapidly and complicated; the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digital economy, the green economy, the circular economy, smart cities... are shaping new standards; strategic competition, information explosion, "fighting in cyberspace" are taking place fiercely; the penetration of diverse and multi-dimensional foreign cultural products.
In that context, Culture must take a step forward, guide, nurture courage, strengthen trust, and form national soft capacity.
The General Secretary suggested that the entire sector focus on implementing well a number of key tasks and solutions.
First, continue to thoroughly grasp and comprehensively implement the Party's guidelines and viewpoints on Culture; place Culture on par with economics, politics and society.
Second, building a healthy cultural environment from family, school, and society; promoting the exemplary role of cadres and party members.
Third, foster, promote and honor intellectuals, artists, coaches, athletes, tourism businessmen, and cultural workers at all levels, especially at the grassroots level.
Fourth, developing cultural industries and creative economies becomes a new pillar of growth.
Fifth, preserve, restore and promote heritage associated with community livelihood and sustainable development.
Sixth, creating a breakthrough for mass sports and high-performance sports.
Seventh, restructure, improve the quality and competitiveness of Vietnam's tourism.
Eighth, strengthen cultural diplomacy, promote the national image.
Ninth, promote comprehensive digital transformation in the industry.
Ten is, continue to fight to defeat the plot of " peaceful development" in the field of ideology and culture; resolutely protect the Party's ideological foundation; build a "soft shield" as a value system, trust, and social standards; improve policy communication capacity; proactively inspire good people, replicate good deeds.
Eighties - a milestone
The 80th anniversary of the glorious tradition of the cultural sector is a milestone to be grateful, to be proud and to rise up.
The General Secretary expressed that each cultural person should have a patriotic passion, self-respect for their profession, sense of discipline and tireless creativity in their heart.
The General Secretary hopes that the team of intellectuals, artists, and "soul engineers" of the People will continue to be persistent, brave, and passionate about creativity; take life as a source, take the People as a support, take the truth, beauty, and reason as a guiding principle...
The sports industry continues to train will, discipline, and aspiration to win; consider ethical standards as the foundation, science and technology as strength; respect the rules of the game; nurture talents from schools, families, and communities.
The tourism industry is persistent with the path of identity, quality, sustainability, intelligence, creativity, innovation, and integration; considering the experience of tourists and the benefits of the community as the center; taking culture and nature as "invaluable assets", taking the smile and soul of Vietnam as a gathering place for hearts.
Grassroots cadres, those who "use cultural seeds" every day, continue to be dedicated, innovate methods, and connect the community; so that each cultural house, library, playground, and public space is truly joyful and useful; so that good values are nurtured from small things.
The General Secretary believes that, under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State, the participation of the entire political system, the consensus and support of the people; with the bravery, talent and love of the profession of the team of people working in culture, information, sports and tourism; the Vietnamese cultural sector will develop worthyly, so that the country is strong, the nation is prosperous, the nation lasts forever, so that each Vietnamese person is happy, confidently integrated and shines.
