Deputy prime minister urges fostering cultural and entertainment industries

Deputy prime minister Le Thanh Long has called for the creation of a healthy cultural environment to boost the cultural and entertainment industries, positioning them as new economic drivers.

Speaking at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism's Patriotic Emulation Congress on 25/9, deputy prime minister Long acknowledged the significant contribution of the culture, sports, and tourism sector to the overall achievements of the patriotic emulation movement. In recent years, the sector has shifted from "doing culture" to state management of culture. Policies have been improved, leading to UNESCO recognition for numerous valuable cultural heritages. The cultural industry has developed, and cultural diplomacy has promoted Vietnam's image globally.

Tourism has emerged as an economic highlight, attracting 14 million international visitors in the first 8 months of the year, generating over 700,000 trillion VND. Vietnam's tourism sector has received repeated accolades from prestigious global organizations. High-performance sports have also seen positive results, with the happiness index in 2025 rising 8 places compared to 2024. The sector successfully co-organized major national events, including the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the 50th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, and National Day on September 2nd.

"Today's congress honors 300 exemplary individuals, who are not only the pride of the culture, sports, and tourism sector but also contribute to the nation's prestige, inspiring all people to achieve more in this new era of development," the deputy prime minister stated.

Deputy prime minister Le Thanh Long. Photo: Duc Tuan

Deputy prime minister Le Thanh Long. Photo: Duc Tuan

He proposed that the Ministry of Culture focus on drafting a Politburo Resolution on revitalizing and developing Vietnamese culture in the new era and promptly decide on investments for the National Target Program on Cultural Development. The Ministry should also launch an emulation movement for creativity, promoting initiatives to preserve heritage, foster a healthy cultural environment, and boost the cultural and entertainment industries.

The tourism sector must develop sustainably, creatively, professionally, and civilly to become a key economic sector, enhancing Vietnam's global standing. Sports should promote high-performance emulation, aiming for professionalism and focusing investment on strong disciplines. Press and publishing activities must leverage their role as a powerful tool of the Party and State on the ideological and cultural front, serving as a reliable forum for the people and a bridge to promote Vietnam's image.

The deputy prime minister also emphasized the task of promoting digital transformation and applying technology in management, digitizing heritage, museums, libraries, and cinema.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung. Photo: Tran Huan

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung. Photo: Tran Huan

At the congress, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung affirmed the sector's emulation efforts toward realizing the motto: "Culture is the foundation, information is the conduit, sports are the strength, and tourism is the bridge." He stated that the sector has preserved and enriched national identity, promoted Vietnamese culture internationally, and strived for excellence in sports to honor the national flag. Tourism has embraced creativity to become a safe, friendly, and attractive destination. Press and media have become "a conduit of knowledge, connecting the trust between the Party, State, and the people." Training and scientific and technological research have achieved significant results, creating a high-quality workforce.

Over the past 5 years, the Ministry has submitted nearly 400 Labor Orders and nearly 800 Certificates of Merit from the prime minister for commendation. Twenty-six collectives were awarded the Government's Emulation Flag. The president conferred 16 Ho Chi Minh Awards, 112 State Awards, the titles of 124 People's Artists, 268 Distinguished Artists, 65 People's Artisans, and 563 Distinguished Artisans. At the 80th anniversary of the sector's tradition, the Ministry was awarded the first-class Labor Order.

At the congress, deputy prime minister Le Thanh Long also conferred the title of Labor Hero upon Mai Duc Chung, former head coach of the Vietnam women's national football team, and the Government's 2024 Emulation Flag to three collectives: the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Department of Personnel Organization, and the Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theatre.