TTLA: Vietnam's Cultural Diplomacy Policy (2009-2020)

1. Full name of doctoral candidate: Le Thu Trang 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: February 28, 1986 4. Place of birth: Hanoi
5. Decision to recognize doctoral students: 3618/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018
6. Changes in the training process: Extension document 2689/QD-XHNV-DT dated 6/12/2021
7. Thesis title: Vietnam's Cultural Diplomacy Policy (2009-2020)
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 9310601.01
10. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hong Hanh
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
Purpose and scope of research for the thesis

Research objectives and tasks: The aim is to explain why the Vietnamese government is increasingly valuing the role of cultural diplomacy and considering it an integral part of Vietnam's foreign policy.

ObjectThe research topic on Vietnam's cultural diplomacy policy and activities focuses on the period from 2009 to 2020, which is the time when Vietnam implemented its "Cultural Diplomacy Strategy to 2020" both domestically and internationally.

Research methods used

Qualitative methods are primarily applied in this study, focusing on the meaning and enhancing understanding of processes, phenomena, and activities in international relations in general and cultural diplomacy in particular. Qualitative research encompasses a range of methods from interviews to discussions, historical analysis, and typically, multimodal research is the most common approach. In addition, policy research, logic, comparative research, etc., are also employed to approach and address the issues raised.

Main results and conclusions
a. Main results
- To explain the reasons why Vietnamese cultural diplomacy has gained an enhanced role in the context of modern Vietnamese diplomacy.
- To provide an overview of the current state and the disproportionate effectiveness of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy policies, despite increased investment and focus in recent years; and to recognize the challenges facing Vietnamese cultural diplomacy in the 21st century, which are significantly impacting Vietnam's foreign policy.
- To shed light on how Vietnamese cultural diplomacy has changed in recent years and to predict what changes will occur in the coming years to meet strategic diplomatic objectives in the current global context.

b. Conclusion
Vietnam's cultural and artistic heritage was formed very early on and was creatively, skillfully, and flexibly applied by our ancestors, making a significant contribution to the building, preservation, and protection of the country. However, these cultural and artistic activities lacked a systematic approach and were not carried out regularly and continuously. The introduction of the Cultural and Artistic Heritage Strategy has overcome these limitations. Since the Strategy was approved, policies and mechanisms regarding cultural and artistic heritage have been increasingly strengthened, and cultural and artistic activities have been implemented vigorously, comprehensively, and effectively. This has contributed positively to making the world understand more about Vietnam, its people, and its culture, strengthening trust with countries around the world, deepening and stabilizing relations between Vietnam and its partners, thereby enhancing the country's position in the international arena, creating conditions to support socio-economic development, and simultaneously absorbing the best of human culture, enriching and deepening the traditional cultural values ​​of the country.
Cultural and artistic activities from 2009 to the present have achieved many outstanding results, as demonstrated in the following areas:
Achievements
Firstly, the viewpoints, objectives, and content of the National Foreign Policy Strategy until 2020 have been thoroughly understood and systematically and professionally implemented step by step by ministries, departments, localities, organizations, businesses, and individuals. This is closely linked to the foreign policy, economic policy, and foreign affairs projects, strategies, and programs of relevant agencies and organizations, contributing to strengthening overall power and serving the country's foreign policy objectives.
Secondly, cultural diplomacy within the framework of multilateral forums in general, and multilateral cultural organizations and forums in particular, has been actively and proactively implemented, contributing to the country's deep cultural integration, gradually participating in building the rules of the game at these forums, and making concrete contributions to serving the goals of peace, security, development, and strengthening the country's position.
Thirdly, cultural and artistic activities have made positive and effective contributions, forming tangible resources to support sectors and localities in successfully implementing socio-economic development plans in specific periods. Local brands, through major cultural and artistic events, festivals, and activities, have also been gradually shaped, strengthened, and gained recognition regionally and internationally, contributing to promoting local products, attracting tourism and investment, and enhancing international cooperation.
Fourth, cultural diplomacy both domestically and internationally has seen new initiatives, forms, and methods in its implementation. The increasing participation of organizations, businesses, and individuals shows that cultural diplomacy has begun to receive attention from non-state entities, creating a long-term, potential, and sustainable resource for this work in the next phase.

Limit

However, alongside the aforementioned successes, cultural and artistic activities in the past period still have some shortcomings and limitations that need to be addressed, specifically:
Firstly, the general understanding of cultural and artistic activities is still at different levels, leading to a lack of genuine interest and implementation of this work by ministries, departments, and localities.
Secondly, cultural and artistic activities involve many ministries, sectors, and localities, and numerous activities at various levels, but the coordination mechanism between ministries, sectors, and localities is not yet truly effective; the long-term strategies and plans of ministries, sectors, and localities lack corresponding connections to create and leverage synergistic strength.
Thirdly, although cultural diplomacy activities have increased in number and become richer and more diverse in content, there is still a tendency towards fragmented organization and less than optimal effectiveness. Cultural diplomacy activities at Vietnamese representative offices abroad are not uniform or continuous, often focusing only on familiar locations and at specific times or events throughout the year. Furthermore, cultural diplomacy is currently concentrated only in a few localities with strengths in tourism and heritage.
Fourth, resources for cultural and artistic activities are limited, both in terms of budget and human resources. Each year, Vietnam's resources for cultural and artistic activities are very modest compared to the funding allocated to this work in other countries around the world and in the region. Meanwhile, the process of social mobilization is only just beginning to be implemented in a few small activities, and mechanisms to encourage and attract private sector investment in cultural and artistic activities are still in their early stages.
Reason
First and foremost, the aforementioned successes in cultural diplomacy stem from the following main reasons: Firstly, cultural diplomacy over the past 10 years has consistently received close attention and guidance from leaders at all levels, especially the high-ranking leaders of the Party and State; Secondly, awareness of the benefits and value of implementing cultural diplomacy has gradually improved, and the results of cultural diplomacy in the early years of implementing the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy have begun to show their effectiveness; Thirdly, the proactive, positive, and creative approach in implementing cultural diplomacy by relevant units both domestically and internationally; Fourthly, the implementation of cultural diplomacy is in line with the trend of applying cultural diplomacy in international relations in countries around the world.
In addition, the following reasons also contribute to some limitations in cultural diplomacy: Firstly, while the content of cultural diplomacy has gradually been defined, it still needs further refinement; moreover, the "main message" regarding Vietnam's cultural diplomacy has not yet been clearly established or defined; secondly, the implementation mechanism between the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy and the International Cultural Strategy has not been clearly defined, leading to occasional overlaps; furthermore, the combination of cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy has not been specifically studied to leverage the strengths and weaknesses of both forms; thirdly, coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities in implementing cultural diplomacy activities domestically and internationally is limited; fourthly, cultural diplomacy has not received adequate attention in terms of information and communication to the public, and there is a lack of connection with the development of Industry 4.0; fifthly, this work has not effectively utilized external resources.
Experience
After compiling reports from ministries, departments, localities, and Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has identified several lessons learned for effectively implementing cultural diplomacy in the next phase, as follows:
Firstly, there needs to be a "main message" regarding cultural diplomacy. In order to implement the overall cultural diplomacy strategy, enhance their image and position, and increase their influence in the world, each country has formulated its own doctrine.
Secondly, countries with successful cultural and artistic activities have invested adequate resources. For Vietnam, investing in cultural and artistic activities using state budget funds is essential. However, it is also necessary to frankly acknowledge that investment in cultural and artistic activities should be at a level appropriate to the country's economic capacity; therefore, it is necessary to make good and efficient use of all social resources and have appropriate mechanisms for using and allocating resources for the implementation of cultural and artistic activities.
Thirdly, we need large-scale programs. Many countries have large-scale programs on cultural exchange and culture, and through these, they achieve their goals. For Vietnam, we currently have major programs and projects such as: the Vietnam Week/Day program, the Vietnam Culture Week/Day program in other countries; the project honoring President Ho Chi Minh abroad; and the program for teaching the Vietnamese language worldwide. In the future, we can focus on developing programs related to areas where Vietnam has strengths, such as cuisine, martial arts, etc.

12. Directions for further research:
- Research on Vietnam's Cultural Diplomacy Strategy 2020-2030 includes implementation activities, evaluation, and lessons learned, comparing it with the 2010-2020 period.
- Monitoring and studying the practical implementation of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy in Asia, especially in neighboring countries.
13. Publications related to the dissertation:

1. Le Thu Trang, Do Thuy Duong, Nguyen Thi My Hanh, Ngo Tuan Thang, Bui Hong Hanh (2021), “A decade of Vietnamese cultural diplomacy: From recognition to action (2010-2020)”, International Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (2), pp. 57-63

2. Le Thu Trang (2019), “Cultural diplomacy – a tool in forming intangible structure in Asia-Pacific: Case studies of Japan and Thailand”, Proceedings of the international conference “The prospect of structure in Asia-Pacific to 2025 and Vietnam's response”, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 145-154

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Le Thu Trang

2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: February 28, 1986

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Amission decision number 3618/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities

6. Changes in academic process: n/a

7. Official thesis title: Strategy of Vietnamese Cultural Diplomacy (2009-2020)

8. Major: International Relations

9. Code: 9310601.01

10. Supervisor: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Hong Hanh

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis

Thesis purpose and object

Research purpose: explaining the increasing importance of cultural diplomacy by the Vietnamese government as an integral part of Vietnam's foreign policy.

Object of thesis focuses on the period 2009-2020, which is the period when Vietnam deploys the "Strategy of cultural diplomacy until 2020" in the country as well as in the world.

Produce methods

The main qualitative methods applied in this study are to focus on the meaning and improve the understanding of the processes, phenomena and activities in international relations in general and cultural diplomacy in particular. Qualitative research covers a wide range of methods from interview to observation, discussion, historical analysis and usually multimodal research being the most common., in addition to policy research, logic, comparison, etc. to approach and solve the problems posed.

Major results and conclusions
a. The major results
- Explain the reasons why Vietnam's cultural diplomacy has been enhanced in the context of modern Vietnamese diplomacy
- Generalize the current situation and the disproportionate effectiveness of Vietnam's policies and cultural diplomacy, despite more investment and attention in recent years; at the same time, aware of the challenges that Vietnam's cultural diplomacy faces in the 21st century, which are significantly affecting Vietnam's foreign policy
- Picture how Vietnam's cultural diplomacy has changed in recent years and predict how it will change in the coming years to meet strategic diplomatic objectives in the global context.
b. Conclusions
Vietnamese cultural diplomacy (VCD) was formed very early and was creatively, skillfully and flexibly applied by our forefathers, effectively contributing to the construction, preservation and protection of the country. However, these cultural activities are not systematic and are carried out regularly and continuously. The introduction of the Strategy on Cultural Diplomacy has overcome these limitations. Since the date of its approval, VCD has been increasingly strengthened, and cultural activities have been deployed strongly, comprehensively and effectively, making a positive contribution to making the world understand more about the country, people and culture of Vietnam, strengthen trust building with countries around the world, bring the relationship between Vietnam partners and into depth, stability and sustainability, through that enhances the country's position in the international arena, creates favorable conditions to support socio-economic development, and at the same time absorbs the cultural quintessence of humanity, enriching and deepening traditional culture values. values. of the country.
VCD from 2009 up to now has achieved many outstanding results, shown in the following contents:
Stars
Firstly, the viewpoints, objectives, contents... of the VCD to 2020 have been scientifically understood and gradually implemented by ministries, departments, branches, localities, organizations, enterprises and individuals; VCD has a close connection with other projects, strategies, programs of external activities of related agencies and organizations, contributing to serve the country's foreign policy goals.
Secondly, the work of VCD forums within the framework of multilateral in general and multilateral organizations on culture has been actively and actively implemented, contributing to the country's deep cultural integration, step by step participating in formulating the rules of the game at forums, making specific contributions to serve the goals of peace, security, development and strengthening the country's position.
Thirdly,VCD has actively and effectively contributed, forming a tangible resource, supporting industries and localities to successfully implement socio-economic development plans in specific periods. The local brand through major cultural events, festivals and activities has also gradually been shaped, consolidated and resonated in the region and internationally, contributing to promoting local products and attracting tourism, investing and strengthening international cooperation.
Fourthly, VCD in and outside country achieved new ideas, methods in implementation. The participation of increasing organizations and individuals creates a long-term resource steady potentials in the next stage.

Challenges

There are existing challenges to VCD: (1) Different levels of recognition of VCD in general leads to low attention and implementation at differents ministries, branches, localities; (2) VCD requires the enrolment of lots of ministries, branches, localities but the coordination is low; long-term strategies and plans of ministries, branches and localities do not have the corresponding connection to create and promote synergy; (3) although VCD literature activities have increased in number, with richer and more diverse content, there is still scattered organization with low effectiveness. Activities in overseas Vietnamese institutions are not uniform and continuous, usually concentrated in a few familiar locations and at one time or a few events in the year; (4) resources are limited, including budget and human resources. Each year, Vietnam's resources for cultural linguistics are very modest while the new socialization has been initially implemented in a small number; (5)
Reason
The above-mentioned successes in VCD work come from the following main reasons: Firstly, the VCD in the past 10 years has always received the attention and close guidance of leaders at all levels, especially senior leaders of the Party and State; Secondly, the awareness of the benefits and values ​​of the implementation of the cultural literature has been gradually improved, along with the results of the VCD work in the first years of implementing the Strategy on VCD; Thirdly, the initiative, positivity and creativity in the way of implementing VCD of relevant units at home and abroad; Fourthly, the development of VCD is in line with the trend of cultural diplomacy in international relations of countries around the world.
In addition, VCD still has some limitations because: First, the content has been gradually shaped, but still needs to continue to be improved, especially the "main message"; Second, the implementation of strategies has not been clearly defined and overlapped; in addition, the combination of cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy has not been specifically studied to promote the advantages and disadvantages of both forms; Third, the coordination of ministries, branches and localities in the implementation of cultural language activities at home and abroad is still limited; Fourth, the work of cultural literature has not been given adequate attention to information and communication to the public, and has not been linked with the development of industry 4.0; Fifth, this work has not made good use of external resources.
connections
In order to proceed the next stage of VCD, it is recommended as follow: First, it is necessary to have a “key message” about VCD. In order to implement the overall strategy, improve their image, position, and increase its influence in the world, Vietnam should form its own doctrines; Second, appropriate resource investments are required. For Vietnam, it is very necessary to invest in cultural diplomat activities with the state budget at a level that is suitable to the economic capacity of the country, so it is necessary to make good and effective use of all resources of the society and have an appropriate mechanism to use it. , allocate resources for VCD implementation; Third, it is necessary to have large programs to achieve the set goals. Vietnam has already had major programs and projects such as: Vietnam Week/Day Program, Vietnamese Cultural Week/Day Program in other countries; Project to honor President Ho Chi Minh abroad; Vietnamese language teaching programs in the world... In the coming time, it should continue to focus on building programs related to areas where Vietnam has strengths such as cuisine, martial arts, etc.

12. Further research directions

• Expand the research sphere to Vietnamese cultural diplomacy in the period of 2020-2030 in comparison to that of 2010-2020

• Examine the practices of Vietnamese cultural diplomacy in Asia, especially the neighbor countires

13. Thesis-related publications

• Le Thu Trang, Do Thuy Duong, Nguyen Thi My Hanh, Ngo Tuan Thang, Bui Hong Hanh (2021), “A decade of Vietnamese cultural diplomacy: From recognition to action (2010-2020)”, International Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (2), pp. 57-63

• Le Thu Trang (2019), “Cultural diplomacy – a tool in forming intangible structure in Asia-Pacific: Case studies of Japan and Thailand”, Proceedings of the international conference “The prospect of structure in Asia-Pacific to 2025 and Vietnam's response”, Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 145-154