"Taking the good and discarding the bad”.

The conclusion of the National Cultural Conference in 2021 emphasized by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underscores the necessity of building the Vietnamese people in the era of innovation, development, and integration, based on appropriate standard values that are closely tied to preserving and promoting the values of the Vietnamese family, cultural values, and the values of the nation and its people. These values are nurtured by Vietnamese family culture, which embraces core values of warmth, happiness, progress, and civilization. They are further developed by the advanced Vietnamese culture, enriched with the national identity, and rooted in a value system encompassing the principles of nation, democracy, humanity, and science. These values are built upon the foundation of the national value system and also represent the lofty aspirations of our nation: peace, unity, independence, wealth, strength, democracy, justice, civilization, and happiness.

The strongest foundation for building culture is through cultured individuals and for the happiness of the people. This principle has been identified and consistently emphasized by the leadership at all levels in Can Tho City throughout the process of directing cultural affairs. Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW, dated February 17, 2005, of the Politburo on the construction and development of Can Tho City during the period of industrialization and modernization of the country, as well as Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, dated August 5, 2020, of the Politburo on the construction and development of Can Tho City until 2030, with a vision towards 2045, have set the task of "Building intelligent, dynamic, compassionate, heroic, and refined people of Can Tho". The implementation of these criteria for the people of Can Tho is manifested and specified through concrete actions.

The movement of "Good people, good deeds" in Can Tho is flourishing, and there is an increasing number of exemplary individuals emerging. They include a disabled man who has voluntarily been repairing roads for decades. (Mr. Nguyen Hong Dan, residing in Binh Thuy District); a teacher who sells lottery tickets to help the poor (Teacher Nguyen Nhut Tan, in Phong Dien District); or a woman who overcomes adversity and dedicates her twilight years to assisting the impoverished (Ms. Dang Thi Tuyet, in Ninh Kieu District)... The number of volunteer models is increasing, such as zero-cost rice programs, zero-cost clothing closets, and free bread cabinets...

The construction of the value system for the Vietnamese people of Can Tho City is also being concretized at various levels and sectors through effective methods. One typical example is the development of behavioral culture in schools by the Department of Education and Training of the city, aiming to shape character and interpersonal skills for students right from their school days. Models such as traditional education, increased experiential activities, and enhanced life skills have shown clear effectiveness. Mr. Tran Thanh Binh, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Can Tho City emphasized, "It is necessary to build a core culture within schools: discipline, regulations, teachers serving as role models while students strive for excellence. At the same time, there should be further efforts to promote the values of “First is manners, second is knowledge” within the school environment”.

For over 10 years, the cultural heritage education program implemented by the Department of Culture and the Department of Education and Training of Can Tho City has yielded positive results. Field trips to historical sites, museums, and heritage exploration activities have nurtured a love for the homeland and country, and have helped students develop a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their families, and society. The construction of the core values of intelligent, dynamic, compassionate, heroic, and refined individuals in Can Tho is a continuous process. With the aspiration of "taking cultural values and the Vietnamese people as the foundation, the internal strength ensuring the sustainable development of the country," and following the principle of "taking the good and discarding the bad", the humanitarian values of the people of Can Tho will become the core of modern society.

Harness the "soft power"

Can Tho is a land rich in cultural identity and traditional potential. These values have formed a diverse and unique cultural resource ecosystem, which serves as the "soft power" for the city's development in the context of international integration.

The National Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, was approved by the 15th National Assembly on January 9, 2023. It sets important directions for Can Tho City, such as building the urban system of the Mekong Delta region with Can Tho City as its central urban area, and "Developing Can Tho City as a driving force for the overall development of the Mekong Delta region". Emphasizing this orientation in the city's cultural development brings forth numerous opportunities but also poses various challenges that need to be addressed.

The 'face' of Can Tho's culture primarily lies in the locally distinctive brand identity. In recent times, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (DCST) of the city has developed symbols and slogans for tourism branding, but their dissemination has been limited. Resolution No. 07-DA/TU dated December 28, 2021, issued by Can Tho City Party Committee on the development of Can Tho's culture in the 2021-2030 period, proposes solutions to enhance the quality of the cultural infrastructure system. Specifically, it includes the planning and construction of exemplary cultural facilities befitting a central city in the Mekong Delta region, such as theaters, squares, cultural and art exhibition centers. Additionally, it involves the renovation and upgrade of existing cultural facilities such as the Tay Do Theater, the City Cultural Center, and local cultural establishments. Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of the DCST, stated, 'Can Tho City is the cultural center of the Mekong Delta region, so there is a great need for a square to serve various events. However, finding suitable land for construction is challenging. It is known that the city's master plan includes the development of a square.' Mr. Nguyen Khanh Tung, Director of Can Tho City Institute for Socio–economic Development, suggested that the city should explore mechanisms for public-private cooperation in the renovation and upgrade of cultural infrastructure (libraries, theaters) and sports facilities (multi-purpose arenas, stadiums) to attract additional resources for the development of the cultural industry and the night-time economy. Additionally, efforts should be made to improve the quality and effectiveness of urban planning and management and to continue attracting investments in infrastructure such as tourist ports and exhibition centers.

Regarding in-depth activities, researcher Nham Hung disagrees with the fragmented way to organizing festivals and cultural tourism events for districts and communes as seen in the past and proposes: "Can Tho needs to concentrate resources and regularly organize the Mekong River Delta Garden Cultural Festival on a large scale, with high cultural content and clear effectiveness in promoting tourism. Only then Can Tho can truly demonstrate itself as the cultural and tourism center of the region". According to Nham Hung, if Can Tho wants its performing arts to reach the level of a regional center, it needs more innovation. Specifically, in the field of cai luong (a form of traditional Vietnamese theater), Can Tho has sufficient talent and human resources, but its activities have not been effective, and the Tay Do Theater stage is still underutilized. Can Tho is one of the birthplaces of cai luong and it needs to be revitalized and positioned in this field. Agreeing with this perspective, Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Institute for Research Development and Conservation of Southeast Asian Art and Culture, believes that Can Tho needs to focus on investing in the preservation and development of traditional art forms. This not only has significance in revitalizing cultural resources but also contributes to the education and transmission of traditional heritage.

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In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the increasingly rapid and extensive process of international integration, Can Tho's culture faces new opportunities and challenges. Under the leadership of the Party, together with the entire country, Can Tho is determined to continue building, preserving, and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture that is deeply rooted in national identity. It aims to realize the aspiration for a cultural renaissance, making culture truly a "spiritual foundation," a "driving force for development," and a "soft power," as President Ho Chi Minh taught: "Culture lights the way for the nation!" Can Tho's culture confidently strives for further development, bringing about even more economic benefits. It particularly aims to create a system of values that instills a sense of national pride, love for the homeland, and a spirit of dedication in every Can Tho people!