The Cultural Outline of Vietnam, authored by General Secretary Truong Chinh in 1943, is considered the inaugural directive of the Party on culture. It laid the foundation and paved the way for the construction of revolutionary cultural theory in Vietnam. It served as the guiding light, sparking the development of Vietnam’s literature and arts as a whole, and specifically, the cultural scene of the capital. The ideological content of the Outline remains relevant to this day, yielding numerous accomplishments for the cultural domain of the capital and perpetually evolving.
An artistic performance within an event organized by the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts Associations. Photo by Thuy Du
Paving the Way for Hanoi’s Literature and Arts
The Cultural Outline of Vietnam underscores three pivotal elements in culture: ideology, scholarship, and the arts. In conjunction with this, the three driving principles for constructing a new cultural foundation are the nation, science, and the masses. Within this current, the literature and arts of the capital have taken proud strides, reaping substantial rewards.
As the confluence, crystallization, and dissemination point of the nation’s literature and arts, Hanoi consistently attracts a multitude of talented artists. During the resistance period, alongside artists nationwide, the sons and daughters of the capital not only directly participated in combat but also crafted significant literary and artistic works. Exemplary figures include poets and martyrs Le Anh Xuan, Vu Dinh Van, and musicians and martyrs Hoang Viet and Vinh Bao, among others. Many artists from the capital actively joined movements like “Singing to Drown Out the Sound of Bombs,” “Read and Follow Books, Read Books of Good People, Do Good Deeds,” and staged performances to serve frontline officers and soldiers. Notable figures include People’s Artist Chu Thuy Quynh, People’s Artist Thanh Tram, and People’s Artist Thanh Hoa. After the reunification of the country, many Hanoi artists became nuclei, contributing to the construction and development of the revolutionary cultural and artistic front across regions and provinces nationwide.
Notably, from a small association, the community of Hanoi artists consolidated and formed the Hanoi Literature Arts Association, subsequently evolving into the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts Association. From approximately 200 members, the Union has grown to over 4,000, active in 9 specialized branches, engaging in various fields such as literature, music, stage, film, fine arts, photography, dance, folklore, and architecture.
Associate Professor, Dr. Do Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, acknowledges that the cadre of Hanoi artists has actively contributed to the cultural and artistic landscape of the capital and the nation at large. This underscores the affirmation of the enduring cultural values of the historic land of Thang Long over a millennium, playing a part in crafting the refined, cultured identity of Hanoi residents and truly transforming the capital’s culture into an intrinsic force, a domestic strength for the sustainable development of the country.
Continuing the Momentum and Unceasing Development
Following the Cultural Outline of Vietnam, the Party and the State have issued numerous directives and policies regarding culture, literature, and the arts, continuing to provide impetus for creative endeavors by artists in producing new works. Particularly, the Conclusion of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 2021 National Culture Conference sets forth tasks: “Urgently developing cultural industries, building a healthy cultural market… Emphasizing the construction and development of high-level culture, striving to have many great talents in various cultural and artistic forms, with monumental works.”
Hanoi has also issued several resolutions and action plans closely aligned with the Party’s direction and the state’s policies and laws in each period, to propel the development of literature and arts in the capital. Recent examples include Program No. 06-CTr/TU of the Municipal Party Committee dated March 17, 2021, on “Cultural development; enhancing the quality of the workforce; building elegant and civilized Hanoians in the period 2021-2025,” and Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU of the City Party Committee dated February 22, 2022, on “Developing the cultural industry in the capital area in the period 2021-2025.”
According to People’s Artist Tran Quoc Chiem, President of the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the achievements in literature and arts have not matched the demands of the nation’s innovation and development. Despite having abundant resources and favorable conditions for creative literature and arts development, Vietnam, in general, and Hanoi, in particular, lack works of significant ideological and artistic value.
In order to continue harnessing the strength of the Cultural Outline of Vietnam in the development of literature and arts in the capital, People’s Artist Tran Quoc Chiem asserts that Party committees at all levels, governmental authorities, especially those at the helm of relevant agencies and units directly and indirectly involved in the leadership and management of the cultural and artistic domains, must create every condition to channel the intellect and creativity of artists towards serving the interests of the people, the nation, and the ethnic community. Artists themselves should closely adhere to practical realities, innovatively producing high-quality artistic works, aiming for excellence, and dedicating their efforts to the noble cause of building the capital and the nation. This effort should guide individuals toward values of truth, goodness, and beauty.
According to https://hanoimoi.vn/khoi-nguon-phat-trien-van-nghe-thu-do-13164.html