Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks at a conference to review the performance last year and launch tasks for 2024 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 3. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — One of the key missions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2024 is to improve inter-regional, national, and international connectivity in culture, sports and tourism while ensuring equal access to culture and tourism of people in difficult, remote areas, emphasised Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

He was speaking at the conference to review the performance last year and launch tasks for 2024 of the ministry, themed Harnessing the Motivational Role of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the Country's Sustainable Development. The event was held on January 3 and attended by leaders from ministries and agencies.

Highlighting the growing role and position of the culture, sports, and tourism sector in recent years, he said the Party and State attach great importance to culture, which is an internal strength of a nation. 

He said: "Culture is the internal strength of a nation; as long as there is culture, there is a nation; culture illuminates the path for the people; culture embodies the national, scientific and popular movements."

He said that the organisation of the National Culture Conference in 2021 and 80th anniversary celebration of the Outline of Vietnamese Culture demonstrated the Party and State's attention to, and the great importance of, the cultural sector.

Additionally, sports contribute to improving the physical and mental health as well as will of each people. Tourism, a smokeless industry, is a key sector in the country's economic development.

He also acknowledged and commended the efforts and achievements of all officials and individuals involved in cultural, sports and tourism activities throughout the country in 2023. Specifically, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) successfully completed 133 out of 148 tasks assigned by the Government in 2023, contributing to the overall socio-economic development.

The PM mentioned several limitations and challenges the sector needs to overcome, such as lack of coordination within the sector and between the sector and other organisations; a deteriorating cultural infrastructure system, especially in areas with ethnic minority populations; and persistent limitations in the field of physical education and sports.

He therefore instructed the MoCST to maximise its internal strength, traditions and achievements; overcome difficulties and challenges; and make breakthroughs to accelerate rapid and sustainable development of culture, sports and tourism.

He also requested the determination to make breakthroughs in institutionalising the Party's and State's policies, guidelines and laws regarding the development of culture, sports and tourism.

Focus should be placed on reforming administrative procedures; improving the investment and business environment while promoting digital transformation; preserving, upgrading, and bringing into play national heritage and cultural values, along with tangible and intangible cultural values of regions; harmonise the relationship between preservation and development; and diversify forms of communications and education about heritage, he added.

The sector needs to coordinate with other sectors and localities to build, upgrade, and promote the effectiveness of cultural facilities; properly organise cultural activities in celebration of major anniversaries and events of the country; and strongly bring into play the role of families in nurturing people’s morality and dignity, he continued.

The Government leader told the sector to improve the effectiveness of and reform state agencies’ management over sports, facilitate private parties’ engagement in sports development, devise mechanisms and policies for promoting sports economy, and reform the mass sports movement.

In addition, the PM ordered strongly reforming tourism promotion methodology, developing a smart tourism ecosystem in tandem with conducting digital transformation, enriching experiences for tourists, and stepping up green technology application so as to reach the targets of 18 million international tourist arrivals, 110 million domestic visitors, and VNĐ850 trillion (US$34.8 billion) in tourism revenue this year.

He particularly stressed the importance of connectivity within each region, among different regions, and with other countries in cultural, sports, and tourism affairs.

"We must strengthen inter-regional, interregional, national and international connectivity in the fields of culture, sports and tourism, build a 'one route, multiple destinations' tours, a 'heritage trail,' and connect people through sports. We must ensure equal access to culture, sports and tourism, particularly for residents in rural, remote, border, and marine areas and for vulnerable groups," he said.

The PM expressed confidence that the culture, sports and tourism sector will successfully fulfil the key tasks of 2024, achieving new accomplishments and contributing to the construction of a strong and prosperous country.

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng said the sector continued to undergo fundamental and comprehensive changes in shifting its mindset but still achieved significant results in several aspects in 2023.

Specifically, the sector has proactively reviewed the "gaps" in the legal framework to provide recommendations to the Government and the National Assembly on tasks to improve the institutional structure, enhancing the effectiveness of State management work.

Many new models, effective practices and typical examples have emerged, contributing practically to building a foundation of good ethics and the values of "virtue, kindness, and beauty" in individuals. This makes the lives of each family and society increasingly better, happier, and more beautiful, he noted.

Additionally, all levels, sectors, and localities have gained a deeper understanding of the role of culture as a driving force for the sustainable development of the country and that cultural development requires the collective efforts of all levels and sectors.

In sports, the Vietnamese delegation has achieved outstanding results, leading the overall medal tally and surpassing the set targets at the Southeast Asian Games held in Cambodia. They also performed well at the 19th Asian Games in China, Olympic qualifiers, and other regional, continental, and world-level sporting events. The national women's football team had the opportunity to participate in the World Cup for the first time.

Tourism has achieved remarkable results, making a significant contribution to the country's economic growth. In 2023, the total number of international tourists is estimated to exceed 12.5 million visitors, surpassing the set target of eight million and reaching the adjusted goal. The total number of domestic tourists is estimated at 108 million visitors, surpassing the annual plan by 5.8 per cent.

According to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2024 is an important year in the implementation of economic and social development goals as outlined in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the five-year Socio-Economic Development Plan for the 2021-25 period. — VNS