On November 28, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, in coordination with USSH, VNU-HCM, organized a scientific conference titled “Current Situation and Solutions for the Operation of Grassroots Cultural and Sports Institutions,” focusing on theoretical foundations, institutional roles, and operational realities under the two-tier local government model.
On behalf of Ho Chi Minh City leadership were Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Head of the Municipal Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization; Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut, Deputy Head of the Culture and Society Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council; Mr. Vo Trong Nam and Mr. Le Van Thai, Deputy Directors of the Department of Culture and Sports; along with representatives from various municipal departments, agencies, and leaders of People’s Committees and cultural and sports centers.
Representing USSH, VNU-HCM were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Van Quyet, Vice President of the University; leaders of the Office of External Relations and Research Affairs; heads of academic faculties; and experts and lecturers from universities and research institutes.
The conference attracted a large number of leaders at all levels, scientists, scholars, and lecturers from universities and research institutes – Photo: TUAN VU
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Vo Trong Nam highlighted the need to reorganize the grassroots cultural and sports institution system, noting that despite having more than 200 facilities, many face challenges related to infrastructure, organization, and resources. He emphasized the conference as a platform to assess current conditions and propose feasible solutions for a more effective and community-oriented system.
Mr. Vo Trong Nam assessed the importance of rearranging administrative units and reorganizing the system of cultural and sports institutions to meet the needs of community development - Photo: Tuan Vu
In his keynote address, Associate Professor Dr. Luu Van Quyet described grassroots cultural and sports institutions as the city’s “soft infrastructure,” underscoring their role in community cohesion, cultural identity, and sustainable urban development.
Associate Professor Dr. Luu Van Quyet emphasizes that cultural institutions are places that nurture spiritual values, connect communities, and preserve identity. - Photo: Tuan Vu
The conference featured academic discussions on the restructuring and operation of grassroots cultural and sports institutions, with a focus on governance models, policy frameworks, administrative coordination, and the role of non-state actors in cultural and creative development
Dr. Nguyen Minh Nhut presents his paper "Grassroots Cultural Institutions – the Foundation for Implementing the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space", reviewing implementation results and proposing solution groups for sustainability. – Photo: Tuan Vu
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Anh Tu, Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Studies at USSH, examines structural and operational challenges facing cultural institutions after the adoption of the two-tier local government model. - Photo: TUAN VU
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Quoc Thang, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Cultural Studies, discusses administrative coordination issues between cultural institutions and local authorities within the current governance system – Photo: Tuan Vu
Ms. Vu Thi Bich Duyen, Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, highlights the expanding role of private cultural and sports institutions in shaping creative services and cultural markets in the city - Photo: Tuan Vu
The discussion session highlighted the need for coordinated efforts among government agencies, businesses, and local communities to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of grassroots cultural and sports activities.
The lively discussion at the conference attracted many contributions from the delegates – Photo: TUAN VU
Overall, the conference provided important scientific foundations for future policy development and reaffirmed the role of USSH, VNU-HCM in supporting Ho Chi Minh City’s sustainable socio-cultural development
TUẤN VỦ
(Translated by Hoang Oanh Nguyen)
