Bringing the “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” to religious communities

An initiative from Ho Chi Minh City

“Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” is an initiative originating in Ho Chi Minh City, which has a large number of religious followers and places of worship. From initial models in agencies and schools, the movement quickly spread and took deep root in religious communities. Up to now, hundreds of models have been implemented in temples, churches, shrines and community centers…

A distinctive and successful aspect of integrating “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Spaces” into religious establishments is the harmonious blend of traditional spiritual spaces with modern cultural spaces. These “spaces” are arranged elegantly and tastefully within the grounds of temples, monasteries and shrines, enhancing their cultural value. Instead of dry forms of propaganda, the people, monks, Buddhists, and believers are able to access President Ho’s ideology through images, documents, books, newspapers and videos in a visual and vivid way.

Harmonious integration of spirituality and worldly life

In a peaceful setting like the Phung Son ancestral temple in Minh Phung ward, Ho Chi Minh City, the arrangement of a bilingual Vietnamese-Chinese “Audiobook Library” within the “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” has created favorable conditions for the Chinese community, especially the elderly, in order to listen to stories about President Ho Chi Minh, helping them to better understand his feelings and thoughts regarding religion and the spirit of unity.

Or at Hoang Linh Pagoda, Buddhists and people can scan QR codes to view and learn documents about Uncle Ho, turning learning into a personal need, a voluntary action. During the Lunar New Year, Buddha's birthday or the 1^st and 15^th days of the lunar calendar, the number of Buddhists and people coming to visit the “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” model at Hoang Linh Pagoda is very large.

Activities at these “Spaces” are not limited to exhibitions but are also integrated into community gatherings, sermons and seminars. In some lectures, religious leaders and officials have incorporated President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology into their research, emulating his example as an important aspect of religious practice. This encourages believers to demonstrate a virtuous and moral spirit, actively participating in charitable and social welfare activities.

Spreading values, strengthening trust

By the end of 2024, nearly 4,600 models had been built throughout Ho Chi Minh City. The “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” in religious establishments has demonstrated its vitality and strong ripple effect, providing religious communities with a rich and authentic channel of information to better understand President Ho Chi Minh, the Party and State’s policies and creating a healthy cultural environment where traditional and moral values ​​are nurtured. More importantly, the model has contributed to strengthening national unity, creating strong bonds between religious communities and local authorities, becoming cultural bright spots where religion and beliefs are promoted in a positive way, linked to the common interests of the country.

It can be said that the creativity in approach, the enthusiasm in organization, and the unity of religious followers have transformed the “Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space” into a unique cultural highlight, enriching the spiritual life and affirming the profound faith of religious followers in the path chosen by the Party, President Ho Chi Minh and the nation./.