Over the years, cultural diplomacy of Phu Tho has made many development steps, which is considered as an effective tool of "soft power" of Phu Tho. Cultural diplomacy has promoted its role as a method to spread cultural and human values, promote the image, enhance the position and voice of the province in the international arena; thereby creating more impetus and room for development. Cultural diplomacy activities have been implemented in various forms, such as promoting information and propaganda activities abroad; organizing cultural and art exchange activities, and cultural events; joining international cultural organizations; and strengthening the role of expatriates in promoting cultural exchange activities...
Overcoming the difficulties of the COVID-19 epidemic, Phu Tho cultural diplomacy has made recovery steps after the pandemic. Cultural diplomacy activities are organized creatively and effectively. Phu Tho has become an attractive place chosen by foreign countries and international organizations to organize cultural programs. By the end of 2022, together with four provinces across the country, including the capital Hanoi, Phu Tho was selected by the Organizing Committee of the Miss Tourism World 2022 Contest as the typical experience heritage of Vietnam in the final round of the contest. The contestants, representing beauties of many countries, visited the Hung Kings’ Temple Historic Site and experienced Xoan singing and making traditional banh chung in Hung Lo ancient village, Viet Tri city.
In addition, Phu Tho owns a massive cultural heritage system, including two representative intangible cultural heritages of humanity, Hung Kings Worshiping Belief and Phu Tho Xoan Singing. The diversity of types of cultural heritage is one of the strengths for Phu Tho to develop cultural diplomacy activities associated with tourism development. In the major holidays of the province as well as the country, especially on the occasion of Hung Kings“death anniversary - Hung Kings” Temple Festival every year... cultural and diplomatic activities are integrated. Phu Tho province also regularly organizes and participates in cultural exchange activities on the occasion of public holidays, Tet, cultural weeks and days of Vietnam in other countries; on the occasion of the anniversary of the even-numbered year, the full year, the day of establishing diplomatic relations, the National Day and important events of the brother countries and localities such as: Luang Nam Tha, Luang Prabang (Lao People"s Democratic Republic), Nara (Japan), Shanxi (China), Hwaseong City (Korea)...
It can be seen that cultural diplomacy also actively contributes to supporting industries and localities to successfully implement socio-economic development plans, and gradually building local brands. Many periodic and annual cultural festivals and events of the province have gradually become the “brand” of the locality, creating attraction for the diplomatic corps, international friends and guests, thereby promoting the image of Phu Tho"s localities to become increasingly close, friendly and open, contributing to attracting domestic and foreign investment, promoting the development of the local economy in particular and the country in general.
Mr. Du Van Quang - Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs said: In the coming time, in order to continue to improve the quality of cultural diplomacy activities, Phu Tho will continue to improve the quality of organizing traditional cultural festivals in the province; develop publications and special products about the Fatherland culture towards foreign partners and localities; continue to preserve and promote two intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, namely “Phu Tho Xoan singing” and “Hung Kings worshiping belief”. Promoting advantages as Hung Kings’ Temple is recognized as a National Tourist Site; building Viet Tri into a festival city for returning to the roots of the Vietnamese nation. Developing the unique landscapes, monuments and cultural heritages of the Fatherland to become separate tourism products to attract international tourists and our compatriots abroad. Organizing cultural exchange delegations with international localities that have cooperative relations with Phu Tho province…
Huy Le
