Developing Nha Trang City from cultural strength

Currently, Nha Trang City is actively celebrating its 100th anniversary of construction and development. Khanh Hoa Newspaper conducted an interview with PhD Nguyen Viet Chuc - former Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children, to further clarify Nha Trang people’s values and cultural characteristics which are recognized as the resources contributing to the sustainable development of the city.

PhD Nguyen Viet Chuc

Nha Trang City has developed dramatically

- Nha Trang City is aiming to become a prosperous and happy city. According to you, what role does culture play in this process of development?

- I first came to Nha Trang City in 1976 and returned in 1984. Since then, I have been to Nha Trang many more times. What impressed and attracted me the most every time I came to Nha Trang was that the people are gentle, friendly and always optimistic. Another impression is the development of the coastal city. Many people may think that Nha Trang is developing slowly compared to its potential and other cities in the country, but to me, if Nha Trang has developed slowly, it is slow compared to our desires and expectations. 49 years since liberation, especially since the early 90s, Nha Trang City has undergone remarkable changes and development. The appearance of Nha Trang is now completely different; there has been a remarkable change in perception and action of Nha Trang people. During the process of development, the city has still kept its characteristics. I really like the development orientation of Nha Trang City's leaders, which is prosperity and happiness. Prosperity is not only wealth, material and economic development but also spiritual and cultural elements. The cultural characteristics of Nha Trang people are the strength and motivation to achieve that goal of development.

- What makes you prioritize the cultural element of Nha Trang people over other values?

- Both tangible and intangible culture is products created by humans, including relics and heritages from the past or current products and future trends. In order to produce quality cultural products, individuals have to possess and value culture. Nha Trang City’s culture is unique and represents Khanh Hoa’s culture. Therefore, Nha Trang City’s culture cannot be separated with the culture of other localities in the province. Nha Trang people have presented their cultural identities as urban people, people of a coastal city and people of a young city. Nha Trang has an age-old and ancient culture and the beauty of a fishing village, which needs to be preserved and promoted. 

Proud of the past, confident in the future

- Can you share your views on issues considered important and necessary for Nha Trang City in the time to come?

- Nha Trang City is celebrating its 100th anniversary of construction and development. The leaders of Khanh Hoa Province and Nha Trang City are taking right steps for development, most clearly shown through the development plan until 2040 approved by the government. 100 years is a proud milestone. The city shouldn’t sacrifice everything for economic development. In my point of view, it is better to be slow than to do something hastily that will cause negative impacts on the city. I support the development of night-time economy, but that must be associated with building the city’s unique culture in accordance with its customs and traditions. Nha Trang’s economic development must be based on its cultural identities. 

A music performance celebrating Nha Trang City’s 100th anniversary of construction and development

- Nha Trang City has gone through 100 years of construction and development. In your opinion, what else do the city's governing body and citizens need for the future?

- Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province and their people are loved by the people who visit the land. In the past, the poor fishing village of Nha Trang captured the heart of Doctor Alexandre Yersin, who loved travelling and after that decided to stay in Nha Trang. Many generations of people from other localities over the country have come to Nha Trang to make a living and considered the land their second homeland. This is a priceless asset that Nha Trang has had for the past 100 years and needed to be exploited during the city’s process of development. From a cultural perspective, it is necessary to invest in and get rich on what we have. It is the local people who will make Nha Trang prosperous and happy. The key thing now is that the local authorities and citizens need to make a huge investment to become a center in a certain field in the country and the world. For example, Nha Trang can become a vaccine research center for human diseases through attracting talent. Nha Trang people have responsibilities for long-term benefits of the city and play the key role in creating a synergy for the city’s development. The 100th anniversary of the construction and development of Nha Trang City is be an occasion to strengthen pride in the past and increase confidence in the future.

- Thank you for your answers

Nhan Tam
Translated by H.N