PUBLIC ART: The Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space project focuses on building public spaces such as pedestrian streets and amusement parks. Cultural activities in photography, fine arts, traditional theatre and music are also featured. Photo courtesy of the HCM City Theatres Association.

HCM CITY — HCM City has achieved good results in cultural growth a year after launching the project called “Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space”.

The project is part of a strategy of the city’s cultural industry between 2020 and 2025 approved by the municipal People’s Committee.

It focuses on building public spaces such as pedestrian streets and amusement parks. Cultural activities in photography, fine arts, traditional theatre and music are also highlighted.

Under the project, more than 2,900 Cultural Space activities have been launched at cultural centres, religious sites, and residential areas around the city.

Local organisations and associations have offered 2,000 contests and festivals featuring traditional theatre, music, fine arts and literature.

Art clubs around the city have organised many singing and sports contests aimed at children and teenagers.

Photo and book exhibitions and showcases on the late President Hồ Chí Minh were launched.

CULTURAL SPACE - Artists of HCM City work together to expand the Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space project, which is part of the strategy of the city’s cultural industry between 2020 and 2025. Photo courtesy of the organiser.

The Hồ Chí Minh Museum has also offered several showcases displaying many literary and artistic works, newspapers and documentaries to introduce President Hồ’s legacy to the public.

The city organised a special programme of cultural and artistic activities celebrating the 46th anniversary of the day Sài Gòn-Gia Định was officially named after President Hồ Chí Minh last year.

It attracted several thousand artists from leading art troupes, theatres and clubs, who used their art to introduce the city’s history, culture and lifestyle.

The city spent VNĐ45 billion (US$1.93 million) from its budget to restore the Hồ Chí Minh Museum of History, one of the city’s seven biggest museums.

The museum is still open while the restoration work, which began in April, is being carried out.

According to Nguyễn Thế Thuận, director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, the Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space programme is essential to the city’s cultural growth.

“We will continue to develop of the Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space project in the future. Our new programmes this year will provide local people, particularly youngsters, in suburban areas with more chances to experience cultural activities,” he said. — VNS