On the occasion of the New Year, VietNamNet talked with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, about cultural diplomacy, its influence and role in international integration.
In the context of deep and comprehensive integration, the international community's understanding of Vietnam's country, culture, people and progressive policies and guidelines is extremely important, contributing to enhancing the country's position, image and overall strength. Therefore, the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030 has identified cultural diplomacy as an important pillar of foreign affairs to promote the image of Vietnam's country, people and culture to the international community. In recent times, cultural diplomacy has been implemented systematically, widely, with a large number of forces, diverse in composition and rich in content. The most prominent point is high-level cultural diplomacy, especially chaired and implemented by the four highest leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly. These activities have created breakthroughs and increased political trust between us and our partners. Activities carried out by ministries and sectors such as Vietnam Week/Day abroad, including activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh, have had many innovations, playing a leading role, honoring the intelligence, qualities, character, and noble ideals of the Vietnamese people; elevating and spreading Vietnamese cultural values to the international community. In addition, there are many activities carried out by localities, businesses and people, especially those with cultural connotations, which are the foundation for nearly 9,000 annual festival events and local foreign affairs cooperation, as well as people-to-people diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy is truly a sharp psychological weapon, contributing to the completion of foreign affairs goals, while making partners admire the spirit and character of our nation. From there, partners respect, share and support the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of the Party and State. 
To improve the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy, it is necessary to focus on implementing the following five key points. One is to connect and coordinate more closely between cultural diplomacy activities with political diplomacy and economic diplomacy activities in a comprehensive foreign affairs work rich in Vietnamese identity. Two is to strengthen in-depth research on Vietnamese culture and the culture of countries around the world, thereby advising on policies and developing plans to implement cultural diplomacy in a systematic and appropriate manner. Three is to improve the effectiveness of coordination between cultural diplomacy subjects, focusing on implementation in each locality, enterprise, and with each Vietnamese citizen both at home and abroad. Four is to diversify the mobilization of resources to serve the implementation of specific cultural diplomacy activities. Five is to implement a professional and effective public diplomacy model through harmoniously combining cultural diplomacy with foreign information and propaganda work, consolidating Vietnam's "soft power". 
If “soft power” is a tree, then cultural diplomacy is the root because it transforms the strength of our nation’s more than 4,000-year-old civilization into the soft power of today’s nation. At the same time, cultural diplomacy is also the flowers that crystallize and spread fragrance, bringing Vietnamese cultural values to the international community. In 2023, cultural diplomacy contributed to increasing national soft power, enhancing Vietnam’s image and brand in the international arena, when UNESCO recognized Cat Ba as a World Heritage Site, put Hoi An and Da Lat into the system of creative cities and honored the famous physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong. Vietnam’s position and influence were enhanced when Vietnam assumed the responsibility of Vice President of the UNESCO General Assembly and was elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee, and a member of 5/5 important mechanisms of UNESCO. Vietnam has been among the countries that play a key role in deciding on UNESCO issues as well as submitting dossiers to recognize, preserve and promote the value of world heritages in UNESCO member countries. As a developing country, Vietnam's brand ranks 32nd out of 193 countries. Last November, Japan opened e-visas for Vietnamese tourists, and South Korea relaxed requirements for granting work visas to 16 countries, including Vietnam. For localities and people in the country, 60 UNESCO honorary titles not only increase people's pride but also the prestige and image of the locality. Ninh Binh, by promoting heritage values, of which Trang An World Heritage is the core, has effectively implemented economic restructuring. 
Currently, only 10% of the province's workforce is in agriculture, 45% in industrial parks and 45% in tourism. Agriculture also focuses on clean, unique, endemic and specialty products for tourism. Tourism revenue in 2023 will jump, double that of 2019. Thus, the achievements of cultural diplomacy over the past years, especially in 2023, will not only contribute to making Vietnam's "soft power" tree grow stronger and spread wider, but also spread those results to localities and penetrate deeply into the lives of many people across the country. 
Culture is the shortest path from heart to heart, an effective bridge connecting with other nations, through sharing the beauty, values and traditions of the Vietnamese people with international friends. Every idea, every cultural diplomacy event organized comes from the love for the homeland, the country and pride in Vietnamese culture, with the desire to show an image of Vietnam as friendly, peaceful, and cooperative with countries around the world, as well as the desire to share its cultural values, and learn and respect the cultural values of other countries. The foreign affairs activities of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders are not only political and economic meetings, but also an opportunity to show the hospitality and friendliness of the Vietnamese people. Images of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong enjoying tea and talking with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping; President Vo Van Thuong and the President of South Korea walking around Hoan Kiem Lake; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presented the calligraphy “Sincerity, Affection, Trust” to the Japanese Prime Minister; National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presented books to the Cuban National Assembly Chairman… which left a deep impression on the Vietnamese people and other friendly countries. Organizing cultural diplomacy events and experiences close to local culture demonstrates the connection and understanding between Vietnam and other countries in many aspects. 
First of all, it is Vietnam's interest and respect for other cultures, as well as pride and confidence in Vietnamese cultural identity. Second is the discovery and exploitation of similarities and cultural diversity among countries, contributing to strengthening and tightening friendship among peoples. Third is sending a message about Vietnam's development and integration, as well as the desire to cooperate with other countries in building a world of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development. 
We are very proud that Vietnam was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the UNESCO General Assembly at the 42nd Session, representing the Asia-Pacific region, and was elected to the World Heritage Committee with a very high number of votes. This is a new success for Vietnam in the process of implementing the Resolution of the 13th Congress on multilateralization, diversification and comprehensive, extensive and effective international integration, promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy. At the same time, this is also evidence that we are on the right track, effectively implementing the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2030, receiving widespread support from countries. Realizing that this is a good opportunity for Vietnam to proactively and actively contribute more substantially to the management process, shaping important policies and decisions of UNESCO, contributing to protecting national interests, serving the cause of national construction and development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad will synchronously deploy and realize ideas to take advantage of UNESCO's initiatives, together preserving and promoting cultural values, heritages and other UNESCO titles of Vietnam. On the international front, Vietnam will join 20 member countries of the World Heritage Committee in contributing to the conservation and promotion of the values of 1,199 world heritages (933 cultural heritages, 227 natural heritages, 39 mixed heritages, 56 heritages in a state of danger); managing the World Heritage Fund; have a say in registering new world heritages, as well as supporting African countries, small island developing states... to build heritage profiles that these countries submit, thereby enhancing the position, role and prestige of Vietnam with international friends.
From the perspective of national development, this is a valuable opportunity for us to promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam; accumulate and update good lessons and good experiences in conservation, management, and resource mobilization to promote the value of Vietnam's world heritages recognized by UNESCO, contributing to the development of tourism products and services, improving livelihoods and improving the quality of life for people, making practical and effective contributions to the sustainable development of localities. In October 2024, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO will, together with UNESCO and Cao Bang province, organize the 8th Conference of UNESCO Global Geoparks in the Asia-Pacific region. The event is expected to have the participation of UNESCO leaders, ambassadors, experts and representatives of localities with geoparks from 44 countries in the region. This will probably be the largest cultural diplomacy activity that Vietnam will host in 2024. Thank you, Deputy Minister. Design: Minh Hoa Photo: Hoang Ha, Pham Hai, VNA, National AssemblyVietnamnet.vn
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