Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra issued a directive through Official Letter 10851/VPCP-KGVX on October 24, 2026 instructing the Hanoi People’s Committee to organize a special art program celebrating Vietnamese Culture Day. The government office transmitted the deputy prime minister’s agreement with Hanoi’s proposals on the program’s plan and scale according to Vietnam News Agency reports. Hanoi must urgently complete and issue its organization plan while coordinating with the ministries of Culture Sports and Tourism, National Defence, Public Security and Foreign Affairs to prepare detailed scripts and assign specific responsibilities for the event. The directive requires the program to be implemented solemnly, creatively, safely, economically and with wide impact as outlined in Prime Minister instructions.
Vietnamese Culture Day on November 24 was established under Politburo Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture with 2026 marking its first observance alongside National Great Unity Day. A week of cultural activities will run nationwide from November 18 to 24 according to government announcements. The Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism is preparing supporting events that include a national cultural conference, an arts exhibition on cultural development from 2021 to 2025, film activities and the Vietnam Sounds 2026 program. These initiatives aim to promote participation across communities.
The deputy prime minister stated that conditions must be created to allow the people to participate in and enjoy the special art program celebrating Vietnamese Culture Day in line with guidance from the Central Steering Committee for Vietnamese Culture Development. Vietnam Television and the relevant ministries are to appoint leadership representatives to the organizing board and work closely with Hanoi on performance arrangements, venue selection, live broadcasting, publicity, security and other requirements. The special program in Hanoi is expected to draw an audience of around 60,000 people according to planning documents reviewed by Tuoi Tre News.
Resolution No. 80 sets specific targets for cultural development including allocating at least 2 percent of annual state budget expenditure to culture and growing cultural industries to contribute 7 percent of GDP. It designates November 24 as an annual paid holiday to enhance the population’s ability to enjoy culture and encourage artistic creation across society. The resolution also calls for completing the digitization of all nationally ranked heritage sites by 2026 and ensuring 100 percent of students participate regularly in art and heritage education programs.
Localities have been developing plans for Vietnamese Culture Day observance since September 2026 with 27 of 34 provinces and cities having issued directives or strategies according to Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism updates. Hanoi has already launched preparatory activities that utilize cultural institutions and public spaces to involve residents and visitors. The events emphasize promoting traditional values, patriotism and community engagement while expanding access to museums, theaters and historical sites through extended hours or free entry on the day itself.
