Vietnam is looking forward to promoting local cultures to the world on top international media and streaming platforms such as CNN, Google and TikTok, officials said on March 1.

Japanese girls try on traditional Vietnamese dress at the Vietnam Days in Fukuoka, Japan on November 30, 2023. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At the working session with Vietnam's overseas representatives, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said his agency would work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Vietnamese cultural values on these platforms.

"Through the art of filmmaking, we promote Vietnam to the world as a prosperous, culturally rich, and friendly nation," the minister said.

He said the Department of Cinema would release a short film on Vietnamese cultures, people, and landscapes this year.

In addition, through the series of Vietnam Days events in other countries, foreigners would be able to learn about the beauty of local cultures and popular places in the country, attracting more foreign tourists to the country. "Vietnam Days events should be held in countries with large overseas Vietnamese communities, with a good combination of traditional and modern elements," said Minister Hung.

He added that the ministry's Vietnam National Authority of Tourism will develop a digital manual for Vietnamese overseas missions so that they can soon organize activities to promote Vietnamese tourism.

Meanwhile, the Department of International Cooperation seeks the support of other ambassadors of ASEAN member countries for the campaign, based on mutual understanding and the win-win principle.

"The ministry hopes that Vietnamese missions abroad will make every effort to promote Vietnamese values to the world. And the ministry will also work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out the activities," he said.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet said the ministry has been organizing training courses for its overseas representatives, keeping them abreast of new developments in the world and the government to improve their background knowledge in all fields.

Traditional Dong Ho paintings on display at Vietnam Days in France, held in Paris, France, November 20-23, 2023. Photo: VGP

Culture is one of four key pillars in diplomatic relations, Viet said, adding that the two ministries have worked closely together to achieve the best results for Vietnam. The country has succeeded in obtaining UNESCO inscriptions for its cultural heritages, applied for a seat on the UNESCO Coordination Council, and cooperated with other nations to develop cultural and tourism programs.

Viet recommended that the two ministries organize more sports, cultural and travel events to promote Vietnamese culture on international occasions, thus enhancing understanding between Vietnam and the world and allowing foreigners to absorb the quintessence of Vietnamese culture.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also suggested that the two ministries and other government agencies promote Vietnam's relationship with UNESCO in order to apply for membership in other UNESCO bodies, get more local heritage sites inscribed by UNESCO, and improve Vietnam's status in international forums and organizations.