Reasons why the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed to the National Assembly to have one more day off to receive full salary

On April 20, continuing the First Session, the 16th National Assembly, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, authorized by the Prime Minister, presented a report on the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on a number of breakthrough mechanisms and policies for the development of Vietnamese culture.

The Government proposes 10 major policy groups to develop Vietnamese culture, including the proposal to institutionalize the Politburo's policy that November 24th every year is "Vietnamese Culture Day", workers are allowed to take leave from work and receive full salary.

After listening to the submission and verification, the National Assembly discussed in groups about the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on the development of Vietnamese culture.

Participating in the discussion, Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem (Hanoi Delegation) said that the issuance of the resolution is a necessary step in the context that our country is entering a new stage of development, where culture is not only a spiritual foundation but also becomes an important endogenous resource of growth.

Regarding the regulation on Vietnam Culture Day November 24, the delegate acknowledged that this is a noteworthy initiative. However, if it only stops at employees being allowed to take leave from work and free visits, the spreading effect is not large.

Therefore, Venerable Thich Bao Nghiem suggested that it is necessary to design this day to become a national-scale creative cultural event, associated with activities such as cultural festivals, creative industry weeks, tourism stimulus and cultural consumption.

Thus, this day is not only of spiritual significance but also creates profound economic and social value" - he said and believes that the resolution on breakthrough mechanisms and policies for Vietnamese cultural development can completely create an important shift, bringing culture from the position of budget consumption to becoming a value-creating industry, contributing to strengthening and enhancing national strength.

To do this, he proposed that the drafting committee study the opinions of National Assembly deputies in groups and in the hall recently to complete the Resolution in the right direction of key breakthroughs, linking policies with practical effectiveness and ensuring high feasibility in organization and implementation.

Speaking to clarify the opinions of the delegates, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh said that November 24th is only one day in many major holidays of the country, but it is meaningful in organizing cultural activities to improve the level of enjoyment of people and promote cultural values and the strength of national unity.

The Minister shared that, according to the initial plan, this content would be included in the amendment of the Labor Code at the second session (October), but if we wait for the law to take effect, it will not be implemented in time for November 24 this year. Therefore, it is necessary to include it in the Resolution to have a legal basis for early implementation, not waiting until the law is amended.

We are advising on building an operating framework for November 24 and ask delegates to support including this content in the resolution. When amending the law, we will continue to calculate" - the Minister said.

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