CC BY
24
https://doi.org/10.29013/ESR-21-9.10-41-48
Tran Toan Trung, PhD student in Public Management, National Academy of Public Administration, Hanoi, Vietnam
E-mail: trungtt@napa.vn
IMPROVEMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF STATE MANAGEMENT ON ETHNIC GROUP CULTURE ASSOCIATED WITH SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNTAINOUS PROVINCES IN THE NORTH OF VIETNAM
Abstract. The northern mountainous area has the home of the largest number of ethnic groups in Vietnam. The history of ethnic groups in this area is associated with the process of reclamation, establishment of sovereignty, enforcement of sovereignty and protection of sovereignty of the northern border territory ofVietnam, share everything in the process of conquering nature, fighting against the common enemy together, and protecting the labor results. Over thousands of years living together, building common values, contributing to the formation of a rich, diverse Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity. The state management in general and the state management of ethnic group culture in particular have been carried out synchronously by local authorities throughout the past time, contributing to preserving and developing the cultural values of ethnic groups, contributing to socio-economic development, and improving the lives of the people. In the new context, the state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development in the region needs to be further enhanced with synchronous solutions.
This article focuses on researching and clarifying related issues in order to improve the efficiency of state management of ethnic group culture in association with sustainable development in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam.
Keywords: efficiency, state management, ethnic group culture, sustainable development.
1. Introduction ern mountainous area is the home of more than 30
The Northern mountainous area includes 15 different ethnic groups such as Kinh, Thai, Muong,
provinces: Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Hmong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Kho Mu, Cong, La Ha, La
Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Hu, Lao, Hoa, Mang, Cao Lan... According to inves-
Tho, Bac Giang, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa tigated data on population and housing in 2019, the
Binh, Quang Ninh. This is an especially important whole area has a natural area of 100.965 km2 and a
strategic area in terms of socio-economy, national population of 12,532,081 people (ofwhich the Kinh
defense, security and foreign affairs, and plays a deci- ethnic group has 5.495.484 people and other ethnic
sive role in the ecological environment ofthe North- groups have 7,037,317 people) [1, P. 54]. ern region. Besides, this is considered an area with With many ethnic groups living together, this
great potential for hydropower, agriculture, animal place is considered an area with the richest and most
husbandry, forestry, etc., which is favorable for the diverse cultural identity in the country. Although it
economic development of the country. The north- has undergone thousands of years of construction
and development, the culture of ethnic groups in the Northern mountainous region always keeps its own distinct identity, each ethnic group has its own culture, but common characteristics of their culture are a combination in harmony with nature, high community character, depending on the gods and having profound human values, from the way of eating, dressing, staying, traveling to the religious life, culture, art and architecture... creating a very separate area with Thai people's Xoe dance, Hmong people's Khen dance, Then singing, Si, Lon of the Tay, Nung...
In order to promote the cultural values to become a resource in socio-economic development, at the same time deeply grasp the Party's viewpoint on "Developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity. to make culture closely linked and permeated into the entire social life, becoming a solid spiritual foundation, the endogenous strength of development to ensure the association between the economic development, building and rectifying the Party and improving the culture - the spiritual foundation of the society; creating a comprehensive and sustainable development of the country" [3, p. 75-76]. Therefore, in recent years, localities of the Northern mountainous region have strengthened the state management of ethnic group culture associated with socio-economic development towards sustainable development.
2. Research methods
To carry out this study, on theoretical basis, the author has based on the point of view of the Communist Party of Vietnam on culture in general and ethnic group culture in particular and based on policies, Vietnamese law on culture and ethnic group culture. In terms of scientific research methods, this article uses the sources of documents and the author's perception through the process of field research. by means of ethnographic fieldwork, tourism study with basic techniques such as observation, interview, photography, and at the same time, using the scientific method inherited from the previous authors.
In addition, the article also uses materials, data, and perceptions obtained by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing reports from departments, agencies, and localities in the area to give an objective view of the state management on ethnic group culture associated with economic development in the northern mountainous area.
3. Study results
3.1. The role of state management on ethnic group culture in the current period
State management on ethnic group culture is the management of a field that plays an important role in ensuring fairness in creativity and cultural enjoyment of the ethnic group community in Vietnam. It should avoid taking advantage of cultural activities to incite division of the great national unity, or turn traditional cultural products into common goods for profit exploitation.
State management on ethnic group culture also aims to increase cultural values, bring benefits to the community and the country, but still ensure the specific values of each ethnic community. On the other hand, state management on ethnic group culture is also the use of effective and appropriate measures (laws, institutions, policies, plans, etc.) to honor the cultural values of each ethnic community, increasing the resistance of the culture of each ethnic group from the invasion of foreign cultural factors that threaten the existing good cultural values [4, P. 184].
In the past years, before the strong development and the influence of the market mechanism, the process of international integration and the fourth industrial revolution have had a strong impact on the culture in general and the culture of the ethnic groups in particular. Therefore, the state management of ethnic group culture plays an increasingly important role, reflected in the following contents:
Firstly, the stable, sustainable and equal development of ethnic group culture. The State, with its planning, promulgation and organization of implementation of legal norms and policy systems, will ensure the goals of cultural development. Cultural policies,
including ethnic group culture, include the creation, preservation and promotion of cultural values. And it also raises the self-consciousness of each ethnic group in preserving cultural values.
Secondly, the State's role in regulating cultural activities of ethnic groups. The position and role of culture has been established by the assessments and views of our Party and State towards culture in general and ethnic group culture in particular. Accordingly, culture is really the driving force and goal of development. Only the State with a comprehensive management function, through a system of policies, laws, organizational apparatus and effective tools, can establish that important role of culture [4, P. 191].
Thirdly, the role of supporting ethnic group culture. Culture is diverse and rich, which is the creative product of many different individuals, communities and ethnic groups. In the context of traditional cultural values, non-profit cultural fields are facing many risks and challenges, the State's participation in management will play the role of "midwife" for cultural activities and creation, especially in the field of conservation and promotion of traditional cultural values, cultural values of ethnic groups and specific cultural values.
Fourthly, the role of controlling and regulating cultural activities of ethnic groups. Due to the nature of the culture, this field is very easily exploited. Especially in the context of integration towards modernization, cultures have penetrated into the culture of ethnic groups, putting traditional cultural values in many challenges. It is necessary to have the right orientations for ethnic group cultures in order to both preserve and develop traditional values with national identity, while actively purifying new suitable values for the development of the country.
Fifthly, the role of development of ethnic group culture. Culture belongs to the category of society, movement, change and development according to the general laws of the society. However, culture cannot be allowed to develop spontaneously. The role of the State is to orient the development of culture,
to build mechanisms and methods for that development. On the one hand, it helps culture to participate in the integration process firmly, exploiting cultural advantages in both material and spiritual aspects; On the other hand, it preserves traditional cultural values so as not to be affected from the negative effects of the development. State management on ethnic group culture must affirm the fundamental position and driving force of ethnic group culture in its general development and ascent. State management on ethnic group culture contributes to orienting and adjusting the development of culture, thereby affecting the goals and activities of culture.
Sixthly, state management on ethnic group culture contributes to orienting and adjusting the cultural development of ethnic groups, to realize the Party's cultural and artistic undertakings and guidelines. For a development policy or guideline, no matter how correct it is, the ineffective implementation and implementation process will affect the political system and the ascent of an entire nation. Culture is associated with people, so it also contains fluctuations. State management on ethnic group culture is the way to ensure stability for the development of this field. Among the core objectives for state management on ethnic group culture, the goals of ensuring fairness for the needs of creative activities and cultural enjoyment is an important and challenging goal. Through a system of policies, programs, plans and management activities, the State will bring the Party's guidelines and policies into life, meeting the set core goals.
3.2. State management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development in the Northern mountainous area
Throughout history, since its inception, our Party and State have always attached great importance to the task of building and developing Vietnamese culture and people, with emphasis on improving the efficiency of state management on culture in general and improving the efficiency of state management on ethnic group culture in particular. In recent years, the
Party Committee and local authorities in the northern mountainous area have advocated that the development of culture and tourism must be associated with local economic development, selectively and in line with customs and practices of ethnic groups with the integration into the international community. Strengthening the quality of cadres and renovating the management mechanism, ensuring rich and effective activities according to the orientation of the State. Improving the quality and efficiency of cultural and artistic activities, creating conditions for literary and artistic creation activities to meet the people's enjoyment needs. Therefore, over the past time, the state management on ethnic group culture has achieved many results, namely:
Firstly, the Party committees and authorities at all levels in the Northern mountainous area have thoroughly grasped and concretized the guidelines and resolutions of the Party and the State's laws on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people imbued with national identity, the contents of state management on ethnic group culture, policies on preserving and promoting cultural values of ethnic groups into specific plans and action programs. The localities have issued resolutions and schemes on economic, cultural and social development, directed functional branches to research and develop topics and schemes, in which special attention is paid to development of ethnic group culture, such as: The plan of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lai Chau province on inventory and preparation of traditional cultural value preservation list of 13 ethnic groups in the province; Strategy "Preservation and development of folklore of ethnic groups in Yen Bai province until 2020"; Plan "Preservation and development of ethnic group culture in Tuyen Quang province in the period 2016-2020"; The plan on preserving, restoring and promoting the typical Hmong ethnic culture in Ha Giang province"; Plan "Development, preservation and promotion of cultural identity of Lao Cai ethnic groups"; Plan on preserving, translating, exploiting and promoting the
cultural heritage of ancient Thai books in Son La province... In addition to plans, the cultural authorities also coordinate with localities in the province to review festivals, folk songs and dances of different ethnic groups to have a plan for restoration and conservation. In general, the plans and topics have basically carried out the inventory and assessment of the current status of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the area, carried out the collection for preservation of culture, folklore of the ethnic groups.
As a result, the policy system on ethnic group culture has been gradually improved, creating conditions for improving the efficiency of state management on ethnic group culture, and actively protecting the rights and obligations of the people, profoundly impacting the cultural life of the country.
Secondly, the preservation, restoration and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural values of ethnic groups have been carried out by the localities with important results. Up to now, Lai Chau province has collected over 31,000 artifacts, including nearly 1,900 national cultural artifacts, made inventory and list of intangible cultural heritage of 13 ethnic groups in the community; jointly organized to open 13 classes for teaching intangible culture of ethnic groups. Collecting and preserving folk knowledge of two ethnic groups (Dao and Ha Nhi); 6 folk songs and dances of ethnic groups: Thai, Si La, Lu, Hmong, Ha Nhi, Dao; Restoring 16 festivals of ethnic groups, and at the same time maintaining and organizing 40 festivals every year [9]. According to the total heritage inventory data in Yen Bai province, there are over 1,200 cultural heritages, ofwhich more than 700 tangible cultural heritages and over 400 intangible cultural heritages" [11]. Famous heritages and festivals ofYen Bai province are known as: Pang Cang Traditional house and Ancient Village of Hmong people in Suoi Giang; Vieng Cong ancient village of Thai ethnic group in Hanh Son (Van Chan); Ngoi Tu ancient village of Cao Lan ethnic group, Vinh Kien commune (Yen Binh), ... In 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selectd 7 traditional fes-
tivals of ethnic groups that need to be restored, preserved. In which, there were 5 festivals in the Northern mountainous area, including: Traditional festival of the Lao ethnic group (Dien bien province); Traditional festival of La Chi ethnic group (Quang Binh district, Ha Giang province); Traditional festival of Nung ethnic group (Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province); Traditional festival of Thai ethnic group (Yen Bai province); Traditional festival of Shi La ethnic group (Lai Chau province).
Thirdly, the organizational system of the management apparatus on ethnic group culture has been increasingly completed and consolidated, gradually improving management capacity, innovating management methods, promoting the development and limiting the negatives in the cultural and artistic life of ethnic groups. Inter-sectoral coordination between the cultural sector and related sectors such as tourism, industry and trade, planning - investment, traffic - transportation ... to promote tourism, call for investors to participate in investment and projects to support and develop socio-economy in a sustainable manner in localities has been effectively implemented such as the construction project of Hoa Binh Lake National Tourist Area, Hoa Binh province until 2035 with an area of about 52,200 ha, destinations: Fansipan Legend, Topas Ecologe, Ham Rong, Cat Cat ... and 5-star hotels such as Hotel de la coupole -Mgallery by sofite, Silk Path, Pao's Sa Pa (Lao Cai)...
Fourthly, the management and organization of festivals in the localities have had positive changes, gradually coming into order. Festival activities take place solemnly, safely and economically, along with many cultural activities, sports and exciting folk games attracting a large number of people and tourists. Festivals with violent practices that do not match the trend of the times have transformed the form of ritual practice.
In addition to activities to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, localities have opened cultural tourism routes "come back to the origin" to exploit the advantages of cultural tourism, serve the
local economic development and well organize traditional cultural festivals of ethnic groups. According to the data of the cultural industry, on average, each locality takes place over 40 folk festivals at historical and cultural relics each year. Many annual traditional festivals take place in districts, towns and cities with many rich and diverse activities, becoming a beauty in the cultural activities of the people. In particular, in 2019, Yen Bai province held a great show to set a Guinness Vietnam record in Nghia Lo town, with the participation of thousands of actors, artists, etc., to introduce the unique traditional culture tradition of Thai ethnic group in Muong Lo area, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.
The strengthening of state management on ethnic group culture in combination of preservation and promotion of ethnic group culture and tourism development in localities has obtained many positive results. In the period 2016-2020, Lao Cai tourism achieved impressive results, tourism gradually become a "breakthrough" stage in economic development of Lao Cai province. The average growth rate of tourists to Lao Cai was 22.6%/year (twice as much as in the period 2010-2015), the total number of tourists to Lao Cai in 2019 reached 5.1 million, the total revenue from tourism reached VND19,200 billion. Tourism business developed in both quality and quantity, many hotels, resorts and tourist attractions met high standards. In 2020, anticipating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao Cai soon proposed many solutions to stimulate demand and restore tourism, so that by the end of June 2021, the total number of tourists to Lao Cai reached over 2 million, the revenue was about VND9,000 billion [6] or in Tuyen Quang province, in 2020, the total number of tourists to Tuyen Quang was estimated at 1.7 million, the estimated revenue of the whole industry was VND1,500 billion [7].
However, besides the achieved results, the state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development has some limitations as follows:
Firstly, although the Party committees and authorities at all levels have had correct awareness of the role of state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development, a part of the people and Party committees at all levels are not fully aware, leading to the low level of attention and low efficiency. In particular, the propaganda in the people, especially in ethnic groups, has not been focused on preserving cultural heritage. Some contents that need urgent conservation, such as: languages, folklore compositions, indigenous knowledge of ethnic groups, have not been fully paid attention, leading to low conservation efficiency. Lao and Kho Mu people in Pa Thom, Muong Loi, Phu Luong (Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province), Hmong people (Phung Sang, Tuan Giao, Dien Bien); Thai people in Chieng Mai (Mai Son, Son La) or Giay people in San Thang commune (Lai Chau city, Lai Chau province) are asked about the history of the people, the history of the place of residence or the practices of ethnic group culture and have no satisfactory answers (Author interviewed during fieldwork).
Secondly, the ethnic cultural heritage has not been well exploited in socio-economic development, especially in sustainable development. Culture is considered as an important resource in socio-economic development, as a capital source in development strategies. The historical and cultural relics, scenic spots, ethnic group culture. have become important resources in tourism economy, such as: Sapa, Lac village. However, the implementation of the socio-economic development projects in ethnic group areas in localities still lack the "involvement" of participants: managers, project owners, experts and communities that are benefited or disadvan-taged from projects. The state of national cultural identity of many ethnic groups has been seriously lost. Ethnic groups in Mon - Khmer language group such as Khang, Mang, Kho Mu . are in danger of being "Thaiized". Ethnic groups in the border areas with China are at risk of being "sinicized", . And ethnic groups in urban areas and along roads are at
risk of "Kinhized". Ha Nhi people in Y Ty (Lao Cai) and Muong Te (Lai Chau) give up their traditional costumes and wear the costumes of Ha Nhi people (China) made of industrial fabrics. Similarly, Hmong people on the northern border also abandon their handmade clothes to buy clothes whose materials were manufactured with Chinese industrial methods. Good artisans of traditional music have disappeared, young people rarely know how to use instruments left by their ancestor, many young people do not know a folk song or tune. Therefore, the relationship between heritage conservation and socioeconomic development has not been harmoniously and satisfactorily resolved.
Thirdly, the training and fostering human resources for culture development has not been paid attention, not focused on educating awareness about ethnic cultural heritage in socio-economic development for ethnic groups. According to the study, the perception of the value of ethnic cultural heritage in the socio-economic development of the ethnic groups themselves is still not very comprehensive. For example, in Noong Luong commune, Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province in 2017, in a family with three generations of witch-doctor and teacher, no one in the present generation knows Thai. The family does not allow children to study Thai characters, Thai language and culture, because learning Thai characters, being good at Thai culture could not give them money. In Kho Mu area in Pa Xa Xa and Xa Cuong villages (Pa Thom commune, Dien Bien district, Dien Bien province), only 1-2 old people in the village of 70 or 80 years old know the history of the settlement, ancestor worship, village worship, animist beliefs . of their ethnic group.
Fourthly, the attraction of social resources to participate in the conservation of cultural values is still weak and has not been invested strongly enough; there is no mechanism to attract large-scale investment; Therefore, there has not been a breakthrough, the operating budget is still low compared to the demand, especially for the district and commune levels.
The above limitations contribute to reducing the effectiveness and efficiency of the state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development, requiring local authorities to have appropriate solutions to overcome this problem.
4. Discussion
In terms of geopolitics, economy, security and defense, the Northern mountainous area is a strategic area, adjacent to neighboring countries such as China and Laos, so the exchange, adaption and transformation of ethnic group culture in localities are very diverse and complex. Therefore, the state management on ethnic group culture, preservation and promotion of the cultural values of local ethnic groups associated with sustainable development is a necessary and urgent task.
In order to improve the effectiveness of state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development, in the coming time, the local authorities in the Northern mountainous area should well implement the following solutions:
Firstly, continue to effectively implement the guidelines of the Party, the policies of the State, the Resolutions and Decisions of the Party Committee and the provincial government on the conservation and promotion of the ethnic group culture to attract tourists and contribute to sustainable development, including: Directive No. 36-CT/TW, dated June 25, 1998, of the Ministry of Politics "On strengthening the environmental protection in the period of industrialization and modernization of the country"; Strategic Orientation for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (Vietnam's Agenda 21) promulgated together with the Prime Minister's Decision No. 153/2004/QD-TTg, dated August 17, 2004; Vietnam's sustainable development strategy for the period 2011-2020 approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 432/QD-TTg dated April 12, 2012 and the National Action Plan to implement the Agenda 2030 for the sustainable development promulgated under Decision No. 622/QD-TTg, dated May 10, 2017 of the Prime Minister; Resolu-
tion of the 9th Conference of the Central Committee of the Party, term XI (Resolution No. 33-NQ/ TW) dated June 9, 2014 on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet requirements on sustainable development of the country; Decision No. 1270/QD-TTg dated July 27, 2011 of the Prime Minister approving the Plan "Preservation and development of the culture of Vietnam's ethnic groups until 2020";. At the same time, building appropriate mechanisms and policies in the state management on ethnic group culture, conservation and development of traditional cultural values. Strengthen the management of the cultural sector, create a favorable environment for the development of culture in accordance with the law. Have a policy to attract resources for the conservation and sustainable development of culture.
Secondly, promote propaganda to create a strong change in awareness and consciousness of all cadres, public servants, public employees, workers and people in the localities about conservation. then promote regional tourism development. contribute to socioeconomic development in a sustainable direction. Besides, it is necessary to improve the quality and efficiency of cultural and artistic activities, create conditions for cultural activities to meet the people's enjoyment needs. At the same time, promote the socialization of cultural activities; create mechanisms, increase investment in building cultural institutions to serve cultural activities from the province to the grassroots.
Thirdly, promote and widely introduce detailed planning of cultural works and key tourist areas of the province to call for investment. Focus on investing in the traditional cultural heritages of ethnic groups in order to create the unique characteristics of each province. In addition, develop publications to introduce culture and tourism, build large advertising billboards on the mass media to widely propagate among local people as well as nationally and internationally.
Fourthly, organize and open training courses on cultural skills for ethnic group culture workers in various forms. For example, coordinate with schools
to train service professions arising during the implementation process. Increase investment in training and regular professional development for cultural cadres at commune and ward levels, pay special attention to cultural cadres in remote, ethnic group areas and cultural cadres in village. At the same time, there are appropriate remuneration policies for cultural cadres.
Fifthly, strengthen cooperation in cultural development with provinces in the region as well as provinces nationwide; fully participate in regional and national cultural events, as well as well organize traditional cultural festivals of ethnic groups. Promote cooperation between provinces in the
northern mountainous area, facilitate coordination and exchange of information, and introduce ethnic group culture to people and organizations at home and abroad.
5. Conclusion
It can be seen that improving the efficiency of state management on ethnic group culture associated with sustainable development not only increases budget revenues for localities, improves both material and spiritual lives of the people, but also helps to preserve and develop the traditional values of ethnic groups in the northern mountainous area. Therefore, in the coming time, the local governments need to well and synchronously implement the above solutions.
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