Strengthening the spirit of national unity

On the evening of November 24, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony of the “Great National Solidarity - Vietnam Cultural Heritage Week 2025,” themed “United as One - Toward Central Vietnam”, held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

The event was also attended by Politburo member and Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien, leaders of central ministries and agencies, representatives of international organizations, and artisans and village elders from across Vietnam’s 54 ethnic communities.

Before the program began, delegates observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of recent floods in Central and Central Highlands provinces.

According to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, the annual event aims to reinforce the great national unity bloc under the Party’s leadership and to honor and preserve the traditional cultural values of ethnic communities, enriching the identity and “unity in diversity” of Vietnamese culture.

“Cultural values forged over thousands of years of building and defending the nation will remain a firm foundation for Vietnam as it enters a new era,” Minister Hung affirmed.

Culture as the inner strength of the nationIn his address, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh cited President Ho Chi Minh’s words: “Culture must light the way for the nation.” He stressed that the Party and State regard culture as the inner strength and spiritual foundation of the nation:

“When culture endures, the nation endures. When culture is lost, the nation declines.”

He underscored that cultural development must be scientific, people-oriented, deeply national, civilized, and modern, serving as both a driver and resource for sustainable development and a form of soft power enhancing Vietnam’s global standing.

The Prime Minister praised the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism as a vibrant symbol of national identity, the “common home” for 54 ethnic groups, a place that showcases and transmits their cultural essence. He also commended the contributions of artisans and cultural guardians the “living human treasures” preserving traditions and heritage.

Preserving heritage: A responsibility and a pathway forward

Prime Minister Chinh affirmed that cultural preservation is not only a historical responsibility but also a way to honor the past, educate younger generations, and build a sustainable future.

He warned, however, that globalization and urbanization are introducing harmful cultural influences that run counter to traditional values, calling for firm resistance against these trends.

To enhance cultural preservation and development, the Prime Minister directed ministries, localities, and agencies to: Implement the Party’s cultural resolutions effectively, treating cultural preservation as a long-term national duty; Improve legal frameworks and policies to support artisans, craft villages, and cultural enterprises; Allocate resources for heritage conservation, especially for endangered traditions, linking culture with sustainable tourism and poverty reduction; Develop distinctive, eco-friendly cultural tourism products that protect community interests and encourage young artisans; Digitize heritage and expand community participation, particularly in remote and ethnic-minority areas.

“Culture must become both a spiritual and economic asset, contributing to prosperity for every citizen and the nation,” the Prime Minister stated.

He also urged further investment in the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism to make it a leading national and international center for cultural exchange, with regular programs, exhibitions, and education activities.

At the ceremony, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a donation campaign to support flood-affected communities in Central and Central Highlands Vietnam, raising VND 540 billion from organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Delegates and audiences nationwide were invited to contribute via QR code donations, reflecting the enduring tradition of unity and mutual support that continues to define the Vietnamese spirit.