Cultural diplomacy: 'Psychological weapon' touches the hearts of international friends

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO affirmed that in the new era, cultural diplomacy will continue to be implemented in a professional, modern, creative and adaptive manner to new trends of the times, continuing to be a "sharp psychological weapon" to spread the image of a peace-loving, humane and creative Vietnam.

Cultural diplomacy, together with economic diplomacy and political diplomacy, are important components of Vietnam’s comprehensive and modern diplomacy. In your opinion, what are the core elements that have created the unique identity and outstanding achievements of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy over the past 80 years?

Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy , Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Cultural diplomacy is an important component of comprehensive and modern Vietnamese diplomacy, in which political diplomacy is the main force, economic diplomacy is the breakthrough, cultural diplomacy is the spiritual foundation that creates the identity of Vietnamese diplomacy, builds the foundation of soft power, spreads the country's image to international friends, and strengthens trust between Vietnam and friends around the world.

In recent years, cultural diplomacy has been implemented methodically, with many activities rich in content, diverse in form, focusing on depth and quality, while demonstrating innovation in ideas as well as implementation methods, achieving meaningful results.

At the international level, the task of proactive and extensive integration in the cultural field at regional and international organizations and forums, especially at UNESCO, has achieved many successes. We are taking on roles in the six most key operating mechanisms of UNESCO, such as the World Heritage Committee and the Executive Council, demonstrating the trust and support of international friends. The values, thoughts, and progressive and noble worldviews of the Vietnamese people are spread through the images and ideological values ​​of President Ho Chi Minh and the celebrities honored by UNESCO.

At the national level, cultural diplomacy, especially high-level diplomacy, has created important marks, such as images of high-ranking leaders enjoying tea, talking, and giving calligraphy to international leaders... demonstrating cultural depth, contributing to strengthening political trust with partners.

At the local level, many cultural diplomacy activities, international events and festivals have been positioning the local “brand”, creating attraction for international friends and tourists. 73 heritages and UNESCO titles contribute to protecting and honoring unique cultural values, while becoming a model of sustainable socio-economic development, improving people's livelihoods. The active participation of mass organizations, businesses and people at home and abroad creates a combined strength in implementing cultural diplomacy.

General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, attended the inauguration ceremony of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Seoul, on August 10, 2025.

During her recent visit to Vietnam, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay recognized Vietnam as one of the most active members of UNESCO and affirmed that the Vietnam-UNESCO cooperation relationship has never been as good as it is today. How do you evaluate Vietnam's role and outstanding contributions to UNESCO's overall development achievements?

It is no coincidence that UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay gave special appreciation to Vietnam during her recent visit. It is not only a recognition, but also an assessment by the international community of a country that is gradually asserting itself as an inspiring partner within the Organization.

The Vietnam - UNESCO relationship is a bright spot, demonstrating a proactive role, contributing to global thinking on conservation associated with sustainable development.

Milestones such as the historic visit of General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to UNESCO Headquarters and two visits to Vietnam by the UNESCO Director-General have contributed to positioning Vietnam as a cultural, scientific and educational partner with strategic vision.

What makes Vietnam different in UNESCO is not only political commitment, but also the ability to realize common development goals through specific models that are suitable to global practices and needs.

In the field of education, Vietnam has not only achieved well the educational goals for sustainable development, but also exempted all tuition fees up to high school for public students nationwide, demonstrating the national determination on “education for all”, which has been assessed by UNESCO as a “model of policy innovation” that needs to be widely shared. Vietnam has also actively contributed to the digital transformation of education, learning equality and participated in the Global Learning Cities network, promoting the spirit of lifelong learning, building a learning society, a knowledge society, bringing specific values ​​to the international community.

In the field of science, Vietnam is an active partner in biological conservation programs, artificial intelligence ethics, gender equality and science for sustainable development... Global geoparks, biosphere reserves... are not only natural resources, but also models of sustainable socio-economic development, contributing to improving people's livelihoods and contributing to local development.

In the cultural field, with 9 tangible cultural heritages, 16 intangible cultural heritages, 11 documentary heritages and 3 Global Creative Cities recognized by UNESCO, we are proud to be one of the countries with a rich, diverse culture, imbued with national identity, with unique characteristics of each region, making an important contribution to the world's cultural treasure, being a "typical model" of a harmonious model between preserving and promoting heritage values ​​associated with sustainable tourism development, economic development and people's livelihoods.

With its role in six key governance mechanisms, Vietnam's active and responsible contributions to promoting dialogue, cooperation and consensus, finding satisfactory solutions to issues of common concern in the context of a complex international situation, have been welcomed by UNESCO leaders and other countries. UNESCO leaders and international friends commented that Vietnam is the answer to many complex issues of the world today.

The General Secretary's wife, Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, presented a traditional Vietnamese ao dai to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay during her visit to the Vietnamese Women's Museum, June 27, 2025.

In the coming time, what should cultural diplomacy do to continue promoting its role as a "sharp psychological weapon", contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena?

The next two to three years are crucial for the process of comprehensively and synchronously promoting the renovation process and deep international integration. In particular, cultural diplomacy is of great significance to promote cultural values ​​and the strength of the Vietnamese people, enhance the nation's soft power, and realize the aspiration for national development.

One is to continue to thoroughly grasp, closely follow and effectively implement the Party and State's guidelines and policies on cultural development and cultural diplomacy, to promote the role of culture as the "soul of the nation", "culture is both a means, a motto, a principle and a goal of foreign affairs; constantly multiplying national soft power to new heights" as General Secretary To Lam directed, contributing to unleashing cultural strength as an endogenous resource and a great driving force for rapid and sustainable development of the country; considering investment in culture as investment in development, cultural policy as a strong lever for national actions.

Second is to continue promoting cultural values ​​and images of the country and people of Vietnam, focusing on spreading the values, thoughts, perspectives on life and the progressive and noble worldview of the Vietnamese people, especially through the images and ideological values ​​of President Ho Chi Minh and famous people honored by UNESCO.

Third is to more closely link cultural diplomacy activities with political diplomacy, economic diplomacy and work with overseas Vietnamese.

Delegates attending the international scientific conference “Protecting and promoting the values ​​of World Heritage: community-based approach for sustainable development” at the World Heritage Site of Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi, May 21, 2025.

Fourth , in the 4.0 industrial revolution, cultural diplomacy needs to quickly access new human knowledge, make the most of resources to serve the country's sustainable development, especially in priority areas such as developing cultural industries, creative industries, international cooperation in science and technology, education and training, etc.

Fifth , continue to promote creative and systematic cultural diplomacy activities with the harmonious coordination of ministries, localities, and people, especially overseas Vietnamese who are "Vietnamese cultural ambassadors" to spread Vietnamese cultural values ​​in the host country; at the same time, continue to perfect institutions, policies, and coordination mechanisms on cultural diplomacy in a systematic, synchronous, and interconnected manner to unleash social resources.

Sixth , promote two-way cultural integration, absorb the quintessence of humanity, and at the same time spread Vietnamese identity. Cultural diplomacy can help Vietnam become an attractive destination for international events; support localities and businesses to expand cultural spaces, from exhibitions, festivals, cinema... to digital art. Developing "Vietnamese cultural spaces abroad" will contribute to enhancing the position of the overseas Vietnamese community, creating a solid foundation for Vietnamese culture to have a sustainable presence on the world map.

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