Nha Trang promotes cultural resources

From a wild coastal land, Nha Trang City has gone through many ups and downs and changes to develop and become a political, economic and social center of Khanh Hoa Province. In the progress of development, cultural resources are the endogenous strength of many generations of Nha Trang people which helped them form a strong attachment and devote themselves to the land.

Land and people create great resources

The first time Doctor A. Yersin arrived in Nha Trang more than 130 years ago, he was strongly impressed by the city’s mountains and breathtaking landscape. The late General Secretary Truong Chinh, during a visit to Nha Trang, also wrote a poem praising the beauty of this land. Nha Trang people have always been proud of the land’s landscape, favorable climate and soil conditions. The diversity of terrain with plains, mountains, hills, bays and islands created majestic and poetic landscapes of this land. Favorable natural conditions helped Nha Trang people develop a rich and diverse intangible and tangible culture. Traditional handicrafts and unique festivals such as Whale worshipping ceremony, mausoleums and communal houses worship formed the diverse and rich sea and island culture. Natural conditions have also affected the personal qualities of Nha Trang people, which is industrious, diligent, enthusiastic and friendly.

A performance at the 1st international jazz program - Nha Trang 2024

For many years, the city's government and its people have tried to make this land a famous coastal tourist attraction in the country and the world. The city has attracted more and more domestic and international tourists. Nha Trang has been preserving  architectural works such as Ponagar Temple, Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang Cathedral, and village communal houses and traditional festivals namely Ponagar Temple Festival Whale worshipping ceremony, communal house worship, etc. Over the past 20 years, Khanh Hoa Province has maintained the organization of Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Sea Festival every 2 years. Recently, the province organized Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival. Nha Trang City is also the venue for many national and international cultural and art events, including the 1st international jazz program - Nha Trang 2024 last April and May. 

Developing from cultural dynamic

Many scientists and researchers shared the same opinion that exploiting and promoting cultural values are a great source of dynamic to help Nha Trang develop in the future. As said by Associate Professor, PhD. Vu Trong Lam, director, and editor-in-chief of Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House Nha Trang City is oriented to develop into a world-class tourist destination. In order to actualize that goal, exploiting and promoting the values of sea and island culture of Nha Trang, especially through the development of marine economy and sea and island tourism, need continual focus and more effective implementation with a comprehensive solution system.

Nha Trang has great potential to develop cultural industries; the city is also a cultural and art center of the whole region, according to Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Hoai Son, Standing member of the National Assembly Committee for Culture and Education. Therefore, Nha Trang needs to consider cultural industry as a strategic step which requires investment in cultural and spiritual tourism. The city also needs to reassess the current state of the preservation and promotion of value of cultural heritage; make investment plan for preserving, restoring and protecting these heritages; build ancient villages, craft villages and areas for cultural experience; focus on developing the film industry to attract independent film projects, domestic and international filmmakers; organize many music events, concerts, and music festivals on  national and international scales to attract tourists.

With numerous and unique cultural potential, Nha Trang has a resource for development in the future. Turning culture into a dynamic for development demands specific, methodical and synchronized actions.

Nhan Tam
Translated by H.N