President Ho Chi Minh's views on culture
President Ho Chi Minh had a unique and comprehensive view of culture. For him, culture was not only abstract spiritual values, but also an inseparable part of social life. "For the sake of survival as well as the purpose of life, mankind created and invented languages, writing, ethics, laws, science, religion, literature, art, tools for daily life in clothing, food, housing and methods of use. All of these creations and inventions are culture".
Uncle Ho emphasized the important role of culture in the development of the nation. He affirmed: "Culture must light the way for the nation to go". This saying not only affirms the leading and pivotal role of culture but also emphasizes the importance of building an advanced culture with strong national identity. He also pointed out that culture is not only a heritage that needs to be preserved, but also a driving force for the development of the country and its people.
He understood that, in the context of globalization, preserving national cultural identity while absorbing the quintessence of world culture is essential for the country's sustainable development. In the book On Cultural and Artistic Work, he pointed out, "Whatever is good in the West or the East, we learn to create a Vietnamese culture. That means taking the good experiences of ancient and modern cultures, cultivating Vietnamese culture to have a purely Vietnamese spirit, to match the democratic spirit."
Uncle Ho's specific actions in preserving cultural heritage
President Ho Chi Minh was not only a cultural thinker but also a pioneer in taking concrete actions to preserve national cultural heritage. Right from the early days of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, he made historic decisions in this field. One of the most important actions was Uncle Ho signing Decree No. 65/SL on November 23, 1945 on the preservation of relics nationwide. This was the first legal document of independent Vietnam on the preservation of cultural heritage. This Decree, although brief, demonstrated his far-sighted vision of the role of cultural heritage in the development of the country. He also emphasized: "Cultural heritage is the place that most clearly reflects the soul of a nation". The loss of heritage, even if only a small part, means the loss of national identity. Therefore, protecting and preserving cultural heritage is the task of every generation.
Not only issuing policies, Uncle Ho also directly participated in heritage conservation activities. On January 29, 1960, Uncle Ho visited the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, where the cultural and intellectual values of the nation are preserved. Here, he read the stone steles with the names of doctors, showing his respect for the nation's tradition of studiousness. This action of Uncle Ho was not only a concern for historical relics but also an encouragement of the spirit of learning and training of the younger generation. Uncle Ho also regularly reminded cadres, party members and people about the importance of preserving cultural heritage. He once said: "Our people have a passionate love for the country. That is a precious tradition of ours. From ancient times to the present, every time the Fatherland is invaded, that spirit is stirred up, it forms an extremely strong, huge wave, it overcomes all dangers and difficulties, it drowns all traitors and invaders".
He also pointed out: "Develop the fine traditions of national culture and absorb the new things of the world's progressive culture". This shows his far-sighted vision in building a Vietnamese culture that is both imbued with national identity and advanced and modern. All in all, his thoughts on culture are still a valuable asset, a foundation for our Party and State to pay attention to and invest in culture to serve the sustainable development of the cause of innovation, renewal and development of the country.
