Cultural diplomacy is proving to be a powerful, effective and practical influence. Not only does it strengthen foreign relations, build trust, promote cultural values to the world, and absorb world culture to enrich national culture, cultural diplomacy also creates momentum for sustainable tourism development.
Mutual relationship
Globalization has brought favorable conditions and opportunities to many countries, especially in tourism activities through promoting images, increasing prestige and attractiveness. In fact, some countries have been very successful in combining and using cultural diplomacy to promote economic development, expand trade relations, investment, cooperation, attract tourists, etc.
Typical examples include Thailand with its activities combining the promotion of the country's image and national tourism with the slogans "Amazing Thailand" and "Kitchen to the world" which have been extremely successful. Japan with its animated films, manga comics and national tourism promotion program "Yokoso Japan" (Welcome to Japan). Korea with its strategy "Korean Wave"...
Vietnamese artists perform at the Vietnam Culture - Tourism Festival in Yunnan, China, November 2024. Source: icd.gov.vn
This demonstrates the impact of globalization on cultural diplomacy, and also shows the connection and interaction between cultural diplomacy and economic diplomacy. In the current period, the role of cultural diplomacy is increasingly important, as a bridge connecting peoples around the world, creating conditions for mutual understanding, promoting friendship and cooperation between countries.
Cultural diplomacy contributes to deepening and making political diplomacy and economic diplomacy more effective and vice versa. In addition, cultural diplomacy also enhances soft power, acting as a bridge to promote tourism development between countries.
Comprehensive promotion of Vietnam's country, people and culture
The positive impacts that cultural diplomacy brings to the country as well as the increasingly important role of culture in international relations are the basis for affirming that Vietnam will continue to promote cultural diplomacy activities with other countries in the coming time to position the national image, enhance its position and prestige with countries in the region.
In recent times, the practical cultural diplomacy activities between Vietnam and China have been implemented in many fields such as cultural and artistic exchanges and cooperation, exhibitions, organization of cultural events, festivals, cuisine, media, overseas Vietnamese communities, activities of the Vietnam Cultural Center in some countries, Vietnam days/weeks abroad... with the synchronous coordination of many ministries and branches to comprehensively promote the country, people and culture of Vietnam, promoting the development of tourism activities.
Through many solutions, including cultural diplomacy activities, Vietnam's tourism has developed rapidly in both scale and quality, affirming its important role and position in the economy. The General Statistics Office's 2024 socio-economic report stated: "Tourism is a bright spot in the country's economic picture in 2024, with positive spillover effects on many other industries and fields". In 2024, international visitors to Vietnam reached over 17.5 million, an increase of 39.5% over the previous year. The total number of domestic tourists reached 110 million. Total revenue from tourists reached about 840 trillion VND. Tourism growth positively contributed to the growth of the service sector as well as the entire economy.
This result is thanks to the tourism industry's proactive participation in major tourism fairs around the world, organizing programs to introduce Vietnamese tourism abroad, actively implementing international cooperation activities in bilateral and multilateral mechanisms... In particular, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has mobilized social resources to organize national tourism promotion at the TRAVEX Fair in Laos and organized the Vietnam - Australia Tourism Conference. At the same time, organizing tourism promotion activities in major target markets such as: Vietnam - Korea Tourism Promotion and Cultural Cooperation Forum in Seoul; program to introduce Vietnamese tourism in Russia within the framework of Vietnam Cultural Days in Russia; tourism promotion program in 3 European countries: France, Germany, Italy... In particular, to create unity of action in the whole industry, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism organized the 2024 tourism promotion conference, orienting localities and businesses to implement promotion activities and attract tourists.
Implement multiple solutions simultaneously
The 13th National Party Congress set the task of “expanding and improving the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy, making practical contributions to promoting the national image and brand and enhancing the country’s overall strength”. To carry out this task, agencies and organizations need to coordinate and implement a number of solutions.
Firstly , education raises awareness of all levels, sectors, localities, all economic sectors and the entire Vietnamese community about cultural diplomacy; there is a national coordination mechanism on cultural diplomacy.
Second , strengthen training and improve the quality of human resources for cultural diplomacy; diversify the subjects and methods of cultural diplomacy work.
Third , build Vietnam's cultural message in promoting the image, country and people of Vietnam to the world.
Fourth , expand the network of Vietnamese Cultural Centers abroad; create favorable conditions for cultural diplomacy activities in terms of facilities, finance, etc.
Fifth , promote cultural diplomacy, develop and promote culture through tourism, promote deep integration between culture and tourism, through on-site cultural export tourism to international tourists and friends.
It can be affirmed that culture is a sustainable foundation for foreign affairs activities. In today's era, culture increasingly affirms its role as a bridge connecting peoples in the world, as a goal and driving force for development, as a foundation for preserving and protecting peace, and as a factor to promote the development of other fields. Promoting the role of cultural diplomacy will contribute to elevating and spreading Vietnamese cultural values to the international community, while developing sustainable tourism activities in the future.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/ngoai-giao-van-hoa-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-2025022715011382.htm
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