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| Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Foundation, emphasizes the crucial role of soft power in national development. (Photo: Le Giang) |
Vietnam is more than just a war name
On November 13, the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Foundation organized the Vietnam 2025 Moment Forum with the theme "Vietnam's Soft Power: Advantages – Challenges – Prospects" at Military Hospital 175 (Ho Chi Minh City).
This event opened a multidimensional dialogue space, bringing together scholars, experts, entrepreneurs, artists, and the younger generation to collectively define, identify, analyse, and propose directions for building soft power – a key factor in Vietnam's national brand and position on the international stage.
The forum is considered timely, appropriate, and practically significant in the context of global epochal changes.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Foundation, stated: Soft power plays a crucial role in national development. It encompasses culture, values, people, and stories with widespread influence. Soft power is becoming increasingly essential amid complex global changes.
"This forum aims to seek practical proposals that can contribute to the country's development policy, spreading the image of a humane, creative, and sustainably developing Vietnam," Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh emphasized.
Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh affirmed: "Vietnam is not just the name of a war, but the name of a country, an independent and free nation, aspiring to rise and develop for growth and happiness."
In this context, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh called for: "This must be a comprehensive, holistic, and synchronized approach with the State's focus, supported by society, and involving various components and activities actively participating for effective implementation."
At the forum, sharing from a foreign affairs perspective, Ms. Le Thi Hong Van – Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, assessed that the world is undergoing epochal changes, posing urgent requirements for national positioning in a newly shaping multipolar world order.
Ms. Hong Van affirmed that leveraging soft power to contribute to the nation's comprehensive strength is particularly important.
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| Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Le Giang) |
"This is a timely forum, of great significance, both strategic and urgent, and very much in line with current interests. How can we have shared contributions from everyone, from businesses, artists, intellectuals, media, and all Vietnamese people... to truly mobilise the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual strength of the Vietnamese in this very important mission in the new era," Ms. Hong Van shared.
According to Ms. Hong Van, an invaluable asset of soft power that few nations possess is the tradition of patriotism, solidarity, with the humane strength, peacefulness, and intrinsic vitality of a millennia-old civilization. She also emphasized that soft power is the national development identity and intrinsic capability.
Culture - The foundation of identity and distinction
At the Forum, the organisers announced an additional list of 30 shining and inspiring figures in various fields such as martial artist Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat, singer Ha Anh Tuan, People's Artist Bui Cong Duy, chess player Lai Ly Huynh... These are exemplary figures who have contributed to bringing Vietnam's image to the world, as well as achieving outstanding accomplishments.
Experts at the forum suggested that a nation's soft power is the ability to create influence through cultural appeal, values, and beliefs.
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| Speakers engage in open discussions on the topic: Vietnam's soft power. (Photo: Le Giang) |
Mr. Kunio Takahashi, Vice President of the International Strategy Institute, Japan Research Institute, stated that "soft power" is the ability to attract rather than coerce.
He cited an example: "Anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics) are clear symbols of Japan's soft power. Many foreigners come to know and love Japanese culture through animation and comics, leading them to learn Japanese and travel to 'manga sanctuaries'."
According to Mr. Kunio Takahashi, even the Japanese government initially did not fully anticipate the influence of manga – an industry now generating $19.8 billion globally (2023, according to Parrot Analytics and the Japan Animation Association).
From a European perspective, Mr. Adam Koulaksezian, Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV), stated: "If asked: What does soft power mean to you, as a French person?" I would answer that soft power is the ability to inspire rather than impose. He believes that France's influence comes from culture, education, diplomacy, and creativity – not merely power or size.
At the Forum, drawing from international cases, many experts suggested that building soft power requires a long-term strategy, perseverance, and the ability to connect policy, cultural creativity, media, and content industries. Vietnam can refer to these models as it enters a new phase in building its national brand.
For Vietnam, soft power is nurtured from traditions of patriotism, compassion, national harmony, diligence, creativity, and cultural identity...
Many experts believe that culture – the foundation of identity and distinction – is a core factor in enhancing Vietnam's soft power. Alongside this, creative economy, high-quality human resources, and technological innovation are factors that help transform cultural values into real attraction.
According to experts, investing in soft power is not just a cultural story but also a long-term economic development strategy. Vietnam needs policy mechanisms to encourage creative industries, education, and cultural diplomacy to elevate its national position.
| The Vietnam Moment Forum is a non-profit initiative aimed at connecting Vietnamese people at home and abroad, encouraging two-way exchanges and sharing success stories – especially from the younger generation. The Vietnam 2025 Moment Forum hopes to contribute to identifying Vietnam's identity in the context of globalization, spreading the image of a modern, humane, creative, and sustainably developing Vietnam. |
