These issues were discussed at a seminar to promote the Vietnamese national culture at home and abroad which was recently held in Hanoi by the Research Centre for Preservation of National Culture and Development and the Germany- Asia Culture Centre.

Promoting the national culture with love for it

Addressing the seminar, Prof. Hoang Chuong, Director of the Research Centre for Preservation and Development of National Culture said activities to promote and introduce the Vietnamese culture abroad have gained momentum in recent years such as artistic performances, fashion shows, cuisine, fine arts exhibitions and cinematography, involving both State and private organisations. In particular, special attention was given to promoting the Vietnamese culture during the 14^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. However, research activities and long-term strategies to promote the Vietnamese culture have not yet been conducted in a professional way.

Prof. Tran Van Khe who has traveled a lot to promote the Vietnamese culture said, ”the national culture should be demonstrated through behaviour, cuisine, fashion and then fine arts. The Vietnamese food such as Pho (noodle soup) and Nem (spring-roll) are internationally known, so foreigners can understand the name of these dishes in English or French dictionaries without translation. Similarly, the Ao dai (Vietnamese national dress) is also honoured.” However, Mr Khe expressed his concern over the public transport culture in Vietnam, which he said, should be restored.

“We can promote the image of Vietnamese people through their behavior such as smiles, hospitality and warm welcome,”  Mr Khe noted.

Hero professor Vu Khieu, 91, brought his experience as a scientist and his love for national culture to the seminar. Prof. Khieu delivered a well-prepared speech with deep illustrations and vivid examples. He said Vietnamese people are simple but sophisticated in every way of eating, wearing, living and behaving. While promoting the Vietnamese culture, it is necessary to showcase Vietnamese characteristics of love for peace, heroism, and civilisation.

Vu Mao, chairman of the National Assembly Committee for External Relations, related stories about cultural behaviour in the area of foreign affairs. The right song at the right time often generates an open atmosphere for a meeting, resulting in beneficial and productive discussion. Mr Mao said each diplomat must be equipped with a firm background on Vietnamese culture and their partner’s culture.

In sharing experience and promoting culture, vice chairwoman Ton Nu Thi Ninh of the NA Committee for External Relations said Vietnamese people must have deep understanding of their national culture, as well as how the world looks at Vietnam, in order to identify their position in the world. She said she was deeply hurt to see artists performing Hue chamber music wearing creased and cheap costumes. Ms Ninh noted proper attention must be paid to traditional arts, including performing costumes. She also suggested that dishes provided when hosting international friends should all be Vietnamese dishes.

After returning to Vietnam from Germany, Prof. Dr. Thai Kim Lan, as director of the Germany-Asia Culture Centre and a veteran in promoting Vietnamese culture to the world, said that each Vietnamese person must be a culture messenger. Prof. Lan said Vietnam’s efforts to promote culture are no more than “the tip of the iceberg”, as culture is living and developing. It is also necessary to combine cultural promotion and economic development, Prof. Lan noted.

Arousing cultural fervour among youths

This is an important solution proposed by culturists and diplomatists in order to promote culture. Only when the young generation understand the beauty of the national culture can they love and promote it to international friends. Currently, most young people do not know Cheo (Popular Opera), Tuong (Classical Drama), Ca Tru (Ceremonial song) and Don Ca Tai Tu (Amateur Music Performance) or anther kind of southern Chamber music. If they do not understand the special beauty of traditional culture, they will not love it.

According to Professor Tran Van Khe, it is necessary to teach Vietnam’s traditional art in school and teachers must be researchers and good artists who can attract young people. Meanwhile Professor Thai Kim Lan said youths often like unknown and likely things. If traditional art could not reflect its beauty and attraction it won’t lure young people.

Ton Nu Thi Ninh said youths should be wise in their choice mass cultural products in the integration process. They should be a modern person but should preserve Vietnam’s traditional cultural identity.

Participants at the seminar also paid attention to the Government’s supporting policy to promote culture. They suggested that the Ministry of Culture and Information develop a project to promote the country’s culture overseas and develop cultural researchers who will follow such works of great culturists, such as Vu Khieu, Huu Ngoc and Tran Van Khe.

The traditional art should be promoted in all fields of social life ranging from politics, to diplomacy and cultural exchanges. Opinions collected at the seminar will be valuable experiences for people who are making great efforts in developing the Vietnamese culture to put its stamp on the world’s multi-coloured cultural picture.