Under the decision, Permanent Secretariat member Tran Cam Tu will serve as head of the Steering Committee.

The committee's two deputy heads are Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

Committee members include Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee President Bui Thi Minh Hoai; Head of the Party Central Committee's Organization Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc; Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission Tran Sy Thanh; Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization Trinh Van Quyet; Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission Nguyen Thanh Nghi; and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung.

Other members include Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra; National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh; Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh; and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, who will also serve as the committee's standing member.

Additional committee members are Interior Minister Do Thanh Binh; Industry and Trade Minister Le Manh Hung; Education and Training Minister Hoang Minh Son; Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan; Science and Technology Minister Vu Hai Quan; Justice Minister Hoang Thanh Tung; Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang; Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Dang Xuan Phong; Permanent Deputy Chief of the Party Central Committee Office Nguyen Thi Thu Ha; Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Pham The Tung; Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Gau; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy; and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Hung.

According to a Politburo decision on the committee's functions and responsibilities, the Steering Committee is accountable to the Politburo and the Secretariat for directing, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of policies and solutions related to the development of Vietnamese culture.

A key focus of its work will be the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture.

The committee is tasked with researching and proposing major policies, legal frameworks, mechanisms and strategic orientations related to cultural development. It will also direct, supervise and coordinate with Party organizations and authorities to ensure the effective implementation of Party resolutions and regulations concerning culture, while reviewing existing laws and policies and recommending necessary adjustments.

Culture as a pillar of national development

Resolution No. 80 identifies cultural and human development as a foundational element, an important internal resource, a major driving force and a balancing pillar for the country's rapid and sustainable development.

The resolution emphasizes that cultural values must be closely integrated into all aspects of social life, including politics, economics, society, environmental protection, national defence, security and foreign affairs, becoming a genuine source of national soft power in the new era.

The Politburo has set a target of allocating at least 2% of annual state budget expenditure to cultural development by 2030, with funding expected to increase further based on practical needs.

The resolution also aims for cultural industries to contribute 7% of national GDP and calls for the creation of five to ten national cultural brands in sectors with strong growth potential, including cinema, performing arts, cultural tourism, design and fashion.

Additional goals include establishing five internationally recognized arts festivals and cultural events focused on film, music and visual arts, as well as opening one to three new Vietnamese cultural centers abroad, prioritizing countries that maintain comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam.

Vietnam also aims to secure UNESCO recognition for five additional cultural heritage sites.

Looking ahead to 2045, the Politburo envisions the successful development of a socialist Vietnamese culture in which people remain the central focus, principal actor, ultimate goal and driving force of national development.

Under that vision, cultural values will serve as the foundation and guiding standards across all sectors of society, shaping the country's long-term development trajectory.

Tran Thuong