Vietnam Prioritises Improving Welfare for Cultural Workers: Minister

Ministers at the conference pose for a group photo. Photo: toquoc.vn

Hung led a delegation to join more than 2,500 delegates from 161 countries and territories at the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT) 2022 held in Mexico from September 28-30, VietnamPlus reported.

During a thematic session entitled “Culture for sustainable development”, Hung shared Vietnam’s experience and recommendation on identifying and fully assessing the role and contributions of culture for sustainable development, as well as the building and development of cultural policies in the coming time.

Vietnam is fully aware of the role of culture as a driving force for sustainable development and commits to carrying out and achieving the 2030 Agenda, the minister underlined.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung. Photo: toquoc.vn

To capitalise on the country’s diverse cultural heritage and young and creative human resources, the Vietnamese Government has exerted efforts in building strategies, particularly the one for the development of cultural industries by 2030, he said, adding that Vietnam is also among the first countries to pilot the culture index to review cultural databases, policy frameworks and development programmes.

The culture sector currently accounts for 3.6% of Vietnam’s GDP, Hung said, adding that improving working conditions and welfare of cultural workers will be a priority in policies of Vietnam and the world in the time to come.

Minister calls for UNESCO’s further support in heritage conservation

On this occasion, Hung met with UNESCO Chairperson of the Executive Board Tamara Rastovac Siamashvili, during which the minister expressed his hope that UNESCO will continue to support Vietnam in heritage conservation and the revision of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

For her part, Siamashvili spoke highly of Vietnam’s responsible participation in and contributions to UNESCO.

Vietnam possesses an array of intangible cultural heritages that have been recognised by UNESCO, according to VOV.

They are Nha Nhac – Vietnamese court music; Space of gong culture; Quan ho Bac Ninh folk songs; Ca Tru singing; Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples; Worship of Hung Kings in Phu Tho; Art of Don ca tai tu music and song in southern Vietnam; Vi and Giam folk songs of Nghe Tinh; Tugging rituals and games; Practices related to Vietnamese beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms; The art of Bai Choi in central Vietnam; Xoan singing of Phu Tho province; Then singing practice of Tay, Nung, Thai ethnic people; The art of Xoe Thai dance.

Meeting Mexican Secretary of Culture

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Mexican Secretary of Culture Alejandra Frausto Guerrero. Photo: VNA

The minister also met Mexican Secretary of Culture Alejandra Frausto Guerrero, during which the sides affirmed the special role of culture for both countries, shared their priorities in the building and implementation of cultural policies and measures for socio-economic development and the realisation of sustainable development goals.

They agreed that culture and art exchange will serve as a driving force for the Vietnam-Mexico ties, and foster solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding between peoples of the countries.

The Mexican government and Secretariat of Culture want to boost ties with Vietnam in culture-art and particular fields such as cinematography, exhibitions and archaeology, Frausto Guerrero stressed.

The two ministers consented to sign a cooperation agreement as soon as possible in sectors of mutual concern, as the two countries are looking forward to bringing the relations to a comprehensive partnership in the coming time./.