50 years of Ho Chi Minh City literature and art: A journey of creativity and awakening the desire to rise up

The event is of special significance, not only as an opportunity to look back on the glorious half-century of creativity, but also to arouse the aspirations of the City's artists, aiming at the goal of building Ho Chi Minh City into a major center of culture, art and innovation in Southeast Asia.

The conference summarizing 50 years of literature and arts in Ho Chi Minh City after the National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) is not only an opportunity to look back on the glorious half-century of creativity, but also to arouse the aspirations of the city's artists. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

Attending the conference were Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang; Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Quoc Phong; Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Tran Thanh Lam; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong; Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Head of the Steering Committee to summarize 50 years of Ho Chi Minh City literature and art after the country's reunification (Steering Committee); Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Duong Anh Duc - Deputy Head of the Steering Committee; Head of the Department of Culture and Arts, Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Tran Thi Phuong Lan; along with leaders, former leaders, standing members of the City People's Committee - People's Council; representatives of leaders of Departments, branches, and veteran artists, artists with many outstanding contributions to Ho Chi Minh City literature and art...

Paying tribute to artists, inspiring the young creative generation

Speaking at the conference, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang expressed his deep respect and gratitude to the city's artists - those who have tirelessly created and devoted themselves to the cause of culture and art, making an important contribution to the overall development and position of Ho Chi Minh City today.

He believes that the greatest significance of today's conference is not only to look back on the past 50 years, but also to be an opportunity to meet, share, honor and inspire the young generation of artists - those who will continue the creative flame, contributing to bringing the City's culture and arts further in the future.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang pays tribute to artists and writers, inspiring the young creative generation. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

The City Party Secretary also shared a lot of information about the policy of expanding and developing the City's cultural space, including the formation of creative spaces, performances and art exchanges to serve the community. He said that the City is studying the planning of some central areas, including the cultural space along the Saigon River, to become a destination for art activities, performances and international exchanges.

Along with that, the City also aims to call for strategic investors, in combination with domestic and foreign architects, to build modern, multi-functional cultural works, both serving the spiritual life of the people and creating a unique cultural highlight for the creative urban area named after Uncle Ho.

Looking back at 50 years of creativity - Towards a regional cultural center

Presenting the summary report at the conference, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee of the City Party Committee Duong Anh Duc, said that over the past 50 years, under the leadership of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the field of literature and art has always played an important role in the spiritual life of the people, contributing to fostering the cultural identity of the City named after Uncle Ho.

The leadership and direction of Party committees and authorities at all levels have always been strengthened, especially in building and consolidating cultural institutions, creating conditions for the creation, performance and promotion of literary and artistic works. The Party's programs, resolutions and directives on cultural and artistic development have been seriously implemented, associated with ideological education , patriotism and humanistic spirit among artists.

According to Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the City Party Committee Duong Anh Duc, the fields of literature and art always play an important role in the spiritual life of the people, contributing to fostering the cultural identity of the City named after Uncle Ho. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

The city has invested, upgraded and built many key cultural and artistic works such as Tran Huu Trang Drama Theater, Phu Tho Multi-purpose Circus and many other cultural institutions, meeting the enjoyment needs of people, especially in suburban areas. In addition, creative movements and artistic activities are organized regularly, promoting creativity, contributing to the formation of new aesthetic values, reflecting the breath of modern urban life.

Exchange activities, performances, and literary and artistic creations are organized in conjunction with important political and cultural events of the City and the country. Many programs aimed at borders, islands, and overseas Vietnamese communities have spread the spirit of solidarity and national pride. The work of preserving and promoting cultural heritage, folk art, and traditions is focused on, especially honoring and promoting the role of folk artisans and outstanding artisans in teaching and creating.

The city also pays attention to discovering, training and nurturing young talents; has policies to support and care for elderly artists and artists in difficult circumstances; and at the same time encourages socialization in creative activities and production of cultural and artistic products to serve the public.

The field of literary and artistic theory and criticism has also received attention and close guidance. The Ho Chi Minh City Council of Literary and Artistic Theory and Criticism has played a role in orienting, summarizing, and evaluating creative activities, affirming the values of truth, goodness, and beauty, while fighting against deviant and incorrect manifestations in the field of ideology and art.

International exchange and cooperation in the field of culture and arts has been promoted, contributing to promoting the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, creative and integrated city. Many international art programs and festivals have been organized, creating opportunities for exchange and learning between domestic and foreign artists.

Ho Chi Minh City orients cultural and artistic development in the new period

According to the Head of the City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, entering a new phase from July 1, 2025, the City has identified a number of key tasks and solutions:

Strengthen propaganda and political and ideological education in the field of literature and art; effectively implement resolutions and directives of the Central and City Party Committee related to cultural and artistic development.

Perfecting mechanisms and policies to attract, employ and reward talents in the field of literature and arts; creating a favorable environment for artists to promote their creativity and have a long-term commitment to the cause of building and developing the City.

Synchronously invest in the cultural institution system, improve facilities serving creative activities and performing arts; develop mass arts movements, and bring culture and arts to the grassroots.

Art program serving the conference. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

Strengthen management and orientation of cultural, artistic and media activities, proactively combat harmful cultural products, protect the Party's ideological foundation, and preserve national traditions and customs.

Preserving and promoting the value of traditional cultural heritage, associated with the development of modern literature and art, creating a unique identity for Ho Chi Minh City in the process of international integration.

Developing cultural industry into an important economic sector of the City, contributing to economic growth and building Ho Chi Minh City into a creative city and a major cultural center of the region.

Mr. Duong Anh Duc emphasized: “Over the past 50 years, Ho Chi Minh City’s literature and arts have continuously developed, truly reflecting the life and people of the City named after Uncle Ho – dynamic, affectionate, creative and humane. Entering a new phase, we believe that the team of artists will continue to accompany the Party Committee, government and people of the City, contributing to building Ho Chi Minh City into a cultural and artistic center of regional and international stature.”

At the conference, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City was honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal - a noble award of the Party and State, in recognition of the great, persistent and responsible contributions of the Department in the cause of building and developing culture and sports of the City named after Uncle Ho.

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports was honored to receive the First Class Labor Medal. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

Also on this occasion, 51 collectives with positive and important contributions to the development of literature and art in Ho Chi Minh City 50 years after the National Reunification Day were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, recognizing their dedication to the city's cultural and artistic career over the past time.

51 collectives with positive and important contributions to the development of literature and art in Ho Chi Minh City 50 years after the National Reunification Day were awarded Certificates of Merit by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Photo: HUYEN MAI.

On the same morning, within the framework of the series of activities "Ho Chi Minh City Literature and Arts Days" to celebrate the Conference on Summarizing 50 Years of Ho Chi Minh City Literature and Arts after the country's reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City together with press and publishing units presented the "Knowledge Tree" Space and 126,000 books to the Ho Chi Minh City Academy of Officials.

The “Knowledge Tree” and the Book Space displaying press and publishing is a symbolic initiative in the series of exhibitions serving the 1st Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress, term 2025-2030.

Not only stopping at the display value, the donation of the "Knowledge Tree" Space with 126,000 books (including paper books and audio books) shows the city's deep concern in contributing to building a diverse learning environment, improving spiritual life and affirming the role of reading culture in sustainable development and integration.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/50-nam-van-hoc-nghe-thuat-tp-hcm-hanh-trinh-sang-tao-va-khoi-day-khat-vong-vuon-len-1019799.html