Vietnam Focuses on Promoting Ho Chi Minh Ideals Abroad, Balancing Heritage Preservation and Economic Growth

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on June 9 hosted an international workshop in Hanoi, connecting online with Vietnam’s diplomatic missions worldwide to discuss the development of “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” abroad. The ministry has coordinated with agencies and localities to promote his ideals globally through various cultural and diplomatic initiatives. Across more than 30 countries, locations such as schools, parks, streets, and memorial sites bearing his name have helped foster international friendship. Domestically, museums in Ho Chi Minh City are embracing digital innovation and cultural activities to showcase its rich heritage, helping boost cultural tourism, stimulate the night-time economy and attract a growing number of domestic and international visitors. This reflects Vietnam's strategy within its one-party system to leverage the ideals of its founding father while balancing economic growth with cultural preservation. The article also touches upon various other cultural and promotional events. A campaign connects air travel with cuisine, music, sports, and urban experiences, offering new ways to promote Hanoi during autumn. Hoi An's traditional lantern making, a craft with over 400 years of history, uses saltwater-treated bamboo frames covered with delicate silk to produce a soft, warm glow, reflecting Vietnam’s cultural heritage. The Vietnamese national anthem played as the red flag with a yellow star was raised at Nagoya Port, marking the official presence of the Vietnamese delegation at ASIAD 2026, boosting athletes’ morale. Hanoi Jazztival 2026 aims to expand access to jazz and increase its visibility in the capital’s urban cultural life through open and free-of-charge activities. The Great American BBQ Festival 2026, showcasing premium US food and agricultural products, is taking place in Hanoi. Coverage of sporting events is set to run daily on vtv.vn and VTV's social media channels. Two brick-built burial chambers, identified as Han tombs, have been discovered, commonly known to be widespread in areas along major rivers and waterways that served as important links between settlements and the sea. A program co-organized by the Embassy of Colombia, Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, and others, strengthened cultural exchanges and promoted friendship between the two countries. The King and Queen of Thailand offered candles and flowers, with prayers for peace and well-being, and deeper progress in the Vietnam-Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, timed to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. CADAO Collective, a new space dedicated to traditional arts in Hanoi, introduces audiences to puppetry, "xam" singing and "ca tru" through fusion with contemporary art. Inspired by the streetscapes and daily life of ancient Thang Long, a program presents images and historical artifacts of Hanoi’s historic '36 Streets' while offering hands-on workshops with traditional craftspeople, unfolding the story of Hanoi’s rich history and dynamism. Vietnamese teams are traveling to Japan for ASIAD 2026, with shooting, karate, and sepak takraw carrying high expectations after winning gold medals at ASIAD 19. The Vietnamese delegation is targeting at least four gold medals at ASIAD 20. Vietnamese film "Quan Ky Nam" won several awards, including Best Director, at the 25th Imagine India International Film Festival. The Vietnam U23 team leveled the score at 1-1 in a recent match. Vietnam’s presence at an event in Canada was highlighted through artistic performances and activities promoting Vietnamese tea and coffee, conveying a message of national pride and the beauty of Vietnam. The festival aims to promote the traditions of the VFF, affirm the value of the great national unity bloc, and strengthen ties between Vietnamese communities abroad and the homeland. It also aims to foster patriotism, encourage the preservation of the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and inspire overseas Vietnamese (OVs) to contribute to national development. Culture is now regarded as a spiritual foundation, an internal strength, a resource, and a key driver of sustainable development, not merely a field to be preserved and upheld. Minh Ha Patmore, an artist from the Vietnam-Australia Cultural Exchange Organisation (VACEO), stated that overseas Vietnamese artists can serve as natural “cultural ambassadors,” connecting Vietnam with international friends through art. The festival unfolds through five tracks forming a dynamic ecology of creative experiences. Organized by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a festival scheduled for September 25–27 aims to promote Hanoi as an attractive autumn destination, stimulate tourism demand, and contribute to local economic growth. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.