Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan entrusted new tasks to the sector at a conference in Quang Ninh province on February 9.

He said that culture, sports and tourism should coordinate with each other to develop by mobilizing all resources for cultural advancement and considering investment in culture as a human investment.

Deputy PM Nhan urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to focus cultural activities on human development, complete the legal system and work toward equal access to cultural services in all areas: urban and rural, delta and mountain, and ethnic minority, border and island alike.

In addition, the sector should work with relevant agencies to expand relations with other countries, territories and international organizations to promote Vietnamese artworks amongst international friends, Mr Nhan noted.

The Deputy PM recommended that the ministry should direct relevant agencies to prevent social disorder at festivals, manage cultural heritage and art performances, improve living conditions of artists, coaches and athletes and reduce domestic violence. It should also deal with disruptions in football matches, propose proper models to exploit tourism resources, and protect the biological environment for sustainable development, especially for sea and island tourism.

MoCST Minister Hoang Tuan Anh reported that the ministry has designed some strategies to 2020 with a vision to 2030, mostly focussing on developing tourism, ethnic groups and the height of the Vietnamese people.

Vietnam has 15 cultural heritages recognised by UNESCO. More than 1,100 public cultural festivals were held last year attracting more than 2 million spectators.