Improving the Institutional Framework of National Culture.

The resolution No. 80-NQ/TW of January 7, 2026 by the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture defines culture as being at the same level as politics, economy, and society; considering culture as the foundation, an endogenous resource, and an important driving force for national development.

The Party and the state have always considered the preservation and promotion of national cultural values as a strategic mission. Although many policies and orientations related to national culture have been implemented, this field has not yet been fully institutionalized by specific laws or decrees. In a context of urbanization and socio-economic development, many valuable traditional values, especially in regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, are at risk of disappearing, requiring comprehensive solutions, among which strengthening the institutional framework is an urgent necessity.

According to experts and researchers in culture, Vietnam’s advantage lies in its status as a member state and its participation in many important international conventions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on cultural heritage, such as the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

However, the application of these legal frameworks in practice has not been uniform and their effectiveness limited. Mr. Bui Quang Thanh (Vietnamese Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism) notes that from Decree No. 65 of November 23, 1945 of the Provisional Government on the preservation of historical relics to the policies and directives of the Party and the state, these legal aspects contribute to the protection, preservation, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Vietnamese people.

Recognizing that culture is an asset and a national strength, Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (National University of Vietnam, Hanoi), stated: “The legal framework regulating the management and administration of ethnic cultures remains insufficient. The absence of a comprehensive management system hinders the effectiveness of managing, preserving, and promoting cultural values.”

Indeed, during the past period, the work of preserving and promoting the culture of ethnic minorities has yielded positive results, integrated into programs such as Politburo Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW of January 16, 2017 on the development of tourism as a key economic sector, project 6 of the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minorities and mountainous areas. These policies have contributed to supporting many localities in the preservation and promotion of their cultural identity.

However, in this new phase of development, in order to gradually transform national cultural values into a resource for socio-economic development and create sustainable livelihoods for the population, it is necessary to establish a specific mechanism and ensure its unified operation. The lack of specific legal regulations leads to management difficulties and limits the ability to mobilize resources for cultural development through public-private partnerships. This situation also affects the implementation of preferential tax policies and financial support for the restoration and preservation of the cultural values of ethnic minorities.

From a governmental management perspective, Trinh Ngoc Chung, director of the Department of Ethnic Cultures of Vietnam (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), said: “Currently, there is no specific law governing the field of ethnic culture. Based on practical experience and the needs of minority ethnic communities, the proposal to create a specific legal mechanism to preserve and promote the traditional values of ethnic minorities will not only meet management objectives, but also contribute to preserving these values and local socio-economic development.”

Efforts in institutional reform must strike a balance between conservation and development, linking culture to tourism and economic activities, and contributing to the building of a healthy cultural life within the community.

This demand is also in line with the government’s action plan to implement Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW, which emphasizes the revision and improvement of the legal framework for areas still regulated by sub-laws or not yet institutionalized, such as ethnic culture, mass culture, propaganda and promotion, and cultural management in the digital environment.

Given the current situation, the elaboration of laws or decrees related to cultural and ethnic affairs is necessary. This will improve the efficiency of governmental management, while promoting the role of culture as an endogenous resource, ensuring sustainable development, and preserving the Vietnamese cultural identity in the integration process.

Source: [https://nhandan.vn/hoan-thien-the-che-ve-van-hoa-dan-toc-post951852.html] (Context: The source for the information provided in the article)