Implementing Resolution 28 and Decision 875 – A New Driving Force for Comprehensive Cultural Development and Hai Phong's Aspirations

Culture serves as the spiritual foundation of society, representing both the goal and a vital driving force for socio-economic development. In the current phase of deep international integration, strengthening internal power through cultural development has become an urgent requirement. The introduction of Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16 by the National Assembly and Decision No. 875/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister marks historical milestones, creating a breakthrough legal corridor for Vietnam's cultural development while providing practical action guidance for localities, including Hai Phong.

On April 24, 2026, the 16th National Assembly passed Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16, which moves beyond general orientations by specifying exceptional and specific mechanisms. A significant highlight of this Resolution is the designation of November 24 each year as Vietnam Culture Day. This is an occasion for the entire nation to honor its cultural identity, and notably, workers will be entitled to a paid day off to participate in cultural activities. Furthermore, the State has committed to robust financial resources by stipulating that annual expenditure for culture must reach at least 2% of the total state budget, with increases planned according to development needs. This financial "leverage" is crucial for localities like Hai Phong to boldly invest in large-scale cultural projects.

Resolution 28 introduces a new mindset by treating culture as a key economic sector through the formation of cultural creative industrial clusters and cultural creative complexes. This modern ecosystem, based on high-technology platforms, links spaces for research, testing, and the commercialization of cultural products such as cinema, performing arts, and historical educational video games. To attract investment, the State applies highly attractive tax incentives: a corporate income tax exemption for the first two years and a 50% reduction for the following four years for cultural activities. In the digital era, the Resolution prioritizes the development of a national database on culture and pilots new business models such as open museums, mobile theaters, and digital libraries to bring culture closer to the public via cyberspace.

Human resources are vital to culture, and Resolution 28 provides humane and practical regulations. Public service units are permitted to recruit without examinations for artistic talents with exceptional achievements or international awards. Regarding remuneration, officials and workers in specialized performing arts, particularly those in border and island areas, receive a professional allowance of 40% to 60% of their current salary. Additionally, training and performance allowances have been significantly increased (by 5% to 30% of the base salary per session) to match the specialized labor of artists. This helps artists, especially those preserving endangered traditional arts, feel secure in their dedication.

To bring Resolution 28 to life, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 875/QD-TTg on May 15, 2026, approving the implementation plan. This plan sets a clear roadmap starting from July 1, 2026, with key tasks: organizing dissemination conferences, drafting detailed regulations, and providing intensive human resource training. The Decision emphasizes the role of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as the lead agency responsible for the state management of the cultural industry and for urging local implementation.

Upon receiving instructions from the central government, the Hai Phong People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to lead specific tasks. These include strategic integration, such as incorporating Resolution 28 into the city's draft plan for the Politburo's Resolution 80-NQ/TW and the City Party Committee's Action Program No. 18-CTr/TU. The city will also propose organizing in-depth training and dissemination conferences for cultural workers across the city, from the departmental level to communes and special zones.

The Department will act as a focal point to monitor and urge the implementation of these mechanisms and policies, ensuring efficiency while avoiding waste or mere formality. With its advantage as an international port city, Hai Phong has great potential to develop cultural tourism and the digital cultural industry. The fact that provincial-level People's Committees are now responsible for allocating land for public art displays and prioritizing the use of redundant public offices for cultural activities will help the city solve its long-standing shortage of creative spaces.

Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16 and Decision No. 875/QD-TTg are a "fresh breeze" igniting aspirations for national cultural development. To ensure these policies are effective in the Port City, the city is accelerating the establishment of a Local Cultural and Arts Fund based on a public-private partnership pilot model permitted by the Resolution. This will serve as seed capital to support creative startups and breakthrough cultural projects that the state budget cannot fully cover. With decisive leadership and synchronized efforts, Hai Phong is poised to become not just a vibrant economic hub but also a cultural bright spot for the whole country, where national identity is preserved and promoted within the flow of technology and digital integration.