Literature and the arts: A positive contribution to people-to-people diplomacy and international cultural cooperation
WVR - Associate Professor Dr. and musician Do Hong Quan believes that a cultural diplomacy strategy based on “soft power” should be developed, leveraging literature and the arts to introduce Vietnam to the world and help international friends gain a more accurate and profound understanding of the country and its people.
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| Delegates attend the Conference reviewing people-to-people diplomacy in 2025 and outlining orientation and tasks for 2026. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
During the Conference reviewing people-to-people diplomacy in 2026 and outlining orientation and tasks for 2026 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the morning of December 30, Associate Professor Dr. Musician Do Hong Quan, Non-specialized Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, presented a paper titled "Promoting the Role of People's Organizations in Enhancing Vietnamese Cultural Values and Soft Power through Diplomatic Activities and International Cooperation".
According to him, in the current context, the rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable global situation presents new opportunities but also poses significant challenges for cultural work, literature, and arts in general, and the creative activities of artists in particular.
Especially, the explosion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the breakthrough development of science and technology, and the integration of AI into life, along with the national innovation and digital transformation, have become an inevitable trend, profoundly and swiftly impacting the cultural environment and the creative environment of literature and arts.
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| Associate Professor Dr. and Musician Do Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, presents a paper at the Conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
In response to the impacts of the new era, along with changing tastes and increasing demands in public experiences of literary and artistic works, artists must continue to be pioneers in innovation and creativity; leading the construction and development of culture, literature, and arts; contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of the country.
Associate Professor Dr. and Musician Do Hong Quan emphasized that the Party and State always pay special attention to culture in general and Vietnamese literature and arts in particular. In the process of national renewal and increasingly comprehensive international integration, the Party and State's attention and leadership are even stronger and more specific; manifested by consistently encouraging exploration, respecting the creative freedom of artists, and establishing special mechanisms and policies for literature and arts in line with the country's socio-economic development.
Additionally, the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, with over 75 years of history, is a mass organization entrusted by the Party and State, comprising 10 Central Specialized Literature and Arts Associations and 34 Provincial and City Literature and Arts Associations, with over 40,000 members in fields such as literature, music, theater, dance, fine arts, cinema, photography, architecture, folklore, and ethnic minority arts. This is a formidable intellectual and artistic force, whose works and creative projects have positively contributed to people's diplomacy and international cultural cooperation.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Musician Do Hong Quan, literature and arts, through the unique characteristics of each form, will promote and spread the image of Vietnam and its people to the world. Literature, through translation, will convey classic works to friends, from The Tale of Kieu (great poet Nguyen Du), Diary in Prison (President Ho Chi Minh)… to contemporary novels and poetry…
Music, fine arts, cinema, and photography can also introduce the world to Vietnam's core cultural values from ancient history, revolutionary heroism, the patriotism of the Vietnamese people, and the deep affection for peoples worldwide.
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| Overview of the 2025 People's Diplomacy Summary Conference and the 2026 Orientation and Tasks. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations also highlighted that through activities such as festivals, exhibitions, and art performances, like the Hue Festival, the International New Music Festival in 2014, 2016, 2018, and most recently in November 2025, which attracted nearly 300 international and Vietnamese musicians and artists. Or the International Theater Festival in Ninh Bình in November 2025 with over 20 performances by international troupes; the Asian Film Festival in Da Nang (DANAFF) is also a prominent event for cinematic exchanges among countries in the region and the world…
"In the context of globalization and the 4.0 technological revolution, along with digital transformation, AI is present in all areas of life, making the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting the image of Vietnam and its people even more important. This role largely lies with people's organizations such as friendship associations, professional associations, and literature and arts associations within the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations," affirmed Associate Professor Dr. Musician Do Hong Quan.
More importantly, to bring the cultural values of the S-shaped country closer to the world, Associate Professor Dr. Do Hong Quan believes a cultural diplomacy strategy based on “soft power” should be developed, using literature and arts to introduce Vietnam to the world, helping international friends understand the country and its people more accurately and deeply. Specifically:
Firstly, strongly promote cultural exchanges such as Vietnam Cultural Days in other countries; exchange of art troupes; enhance translation and introduction of Vietnamese books abroad along with promoting the translation of foreign literature into Vietnamese.
Secondly, combine forms of cooperation between the State and people's organizations, businesses, and domestic artists, as well as the overseas Vietnamese community.
Thirdly, leverage the role of people's organizations as a strategic tool to promote cultural values and soft power, requiring long-term policy planning, infrastructure investment, and human resource training, while enhancing the exploitation of digital platforms.
"It is necessary to combine preserving tradition with innovative creativity. Only then will cultural values be disseminated, positively contributing to people's diplomacy and international cooperation," stated the President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations.
