Nghe An strives to implement the "Happy Family - Prosperous Nation" initiative.

PV:More than 22 years ago, on May 4, 2001, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 72/2001/QD-TTg on Vietnamese Family Day. Therefore, could you please explain the significance of Vietnamese Family Day and the importance of family-related work in social life in general, contributing to the nurturing and promotion of the cultural identity and people of Nghe An in particular?

Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:Over generations, the Vietnamese family has been formed and developed with beautiful values ​​and norms, contributing to the building of the national cultural identity. Precious traditional values ​​such as patriotism, love for one's homeland, mutual affection and support, loyalty, filial piety, love of learning, diligence, creativity in labor, indomitability, and resilience in overcoming all difficulties and challenges have been preserved, nurtured, and promoted by Vietnamese families throughout the history of nation-building and national defense.

Throughout various periods of development, the structure and relationships within Vietnamese families have undergone changes, but the basic functions of the family remain, and the family continues to be an important and indispensable factor in the socio-economic development of the country.

In order to emphasize the responsibility of leaders at all levels, in all sectors, and in all social organizations and associations, as well as all families, to consistently focus on building prosperous, equal, progressive, and happy families, and to promote the protection, care, and education of children, contributing to the building and protection of the Fatherland, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 72/2001/QD-TTg on Vietnamese Family Day.

Since then, Vietnamese Family Day has become an extremely important cultural tradition with profound meaning for us. It is a major cultural event that honors the traditional cultural values ​​of Vietnamese families; an opportunity for families to interact, share experiences in building cultured families, and strive for the sustainable development of families in the era of industrialization, modernization, and international integration; a day of reunion at home for blood relatives, reminding each other of what each family member has done to continue good traditions, fostering compassion, understanding the value of home, and overcoming challenges together to have a happy family.

In Nghe An, family affairs are given special attention through numerous plans and action programs, both to concretize the tasks set by the Party and the State for family affairs, and to demonstrate the province's strong political determination to make culture and people truly become great spiritual values ​​and important resources determining the sustainable development of the province.

Notably, efforts have been made to effectively implement Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU, dated December 14, 2016, of the Provincial Party Committee on building cultured individuals and cultured families in Nghe An to meet the requirements of integration and development. Through this, the cultural environment within families has been given attention, contributing to preserving the good values ​​of traditional families, absorbing and supplementing new, progressive values ​​of modern families; promoting relationships within families and clans, and building happy, cultured families.

PV:Given its role and significance, how, in your opinion, has family-related work been implemented in Nghe An over the past years?

Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:Recognizing that propaganda is a central and crucial task in implementing family-related work, Nghe An province has, in recent years, intensified propaganda and mobilization efforts through various rich forms, such as: strengthening communication through mass media; conducting vivid visual propaganda and promotion using banners, slogans, leaflets, etc., on family building, activities to prevent and combat domestic violence, and promoting moral education and the Vietnamese family lifestyle in the era of industrialization and modernization.

In addition, organize mass competitions and performances on the theme of family, cultural and sports exchanges between families, seminars to exchange experiences on skills and knowledge in raising and educating children, caring for the elderly and people with disabilities, and thematic talks on family culture and building cultured families.

Family-related work has also been proactively implemented by localities and units, integrated with the "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life" movement, the new rural development movement, the civilized urban development movement, and the emulation movements of mass organizations. In particular, models for preventing and combating domestic violence and sustainable family development clubs are being developed and replicated by localities.

The province currently has 188 models for preventing and combating domestic violence, including 848 clubs, 1,663 domestic violence prevention groups, 2,881 community-based trusted addresses, and 673 hotlines for handling domestic violence cases. In 2022, 249 domestic violence cases were processed throughout the province. By the end of 2022, 86.4% of families in the province were recognized as culturally exemplary families.

PV:It is evident that, in the context of Vietnam's increasingly deep integration into the global economy, Vietnamese family values ​​have been significantly affected by the negative aspects of the market economy, and Nghe An province is no exception. So, besides the positive results, what are the remaining shortcomings and limitations in family-related work in the province, Madam?

Ms. Tran Thi My Hanh:Along with the country's development, alongside the achievements in improving the quality of life for families, there are still many issues that need attention and resolution. These include the decline of moral values ​​and fine family traditions such as filial piety, loyalty, respect for elders, and consideration for younger generations. Furthermore, generational conflicts within families regarding lifestyles and customs pose significant challenges for each family and for officials working in family affairs.

Furthermore, social evils continue to infiltrate families, especially young people. In particular, the serious issues of domestic violence and child abuse are causing concern and outrage in public opinion. Meanwhile, the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence at the grassroots level is still limited due to a lack of operating funds. Coordination and dissemination of legal education, including the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence and the Law on Marriage and Family, have not been sufficiently widespread. The work of identifying, detecting, collecting, and reporting information on families and preventing and controlling domestic violence in many localities is not truthful, objective, accurate, or timely.

It must be acknowledged that coordination between local authorities, relevant agencies, and various departments and organizations has not been close enough, synchronized, or truly involved in handling domestic violence cases. The community and society have not shown a firm and strong critical attitude towards those who commit domestic violence, still viewing it as an internal family matter.

PV:Could you tell us what specific issues will be focused on in the upcoming period for the intensified implementation of family-related work?

Ms. Tran Thi My HanhAs the permanent agency responsible for advising and guiding the implementation of family-related work, the Department of Culture and Sports will continue to strengthen propaganda based on directives from the Central Government and the province, aiming to raise public awareness of the position and role of the family, especially Plan No. 711/KH-UBND dated October 13, 2022, of the Provincial People's Committee on the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Vietnamese Families in Nghe An province until 2030; Plan No. 709/KH-UBND dated October 13, 2022, on the implementation of the Program on preventing and combating domestic violence in the new situation until 2025; Plan No. 319/KH-UBND dated June 9, 2021, on the dissemination and education of ethics and lifestyle in families in Nghe An province during the 2021-2025 period…

Furthermore, continue to promote the movement to build culturally exemplary families; focus on combining the roles of family, school, and society in traditional family education to preserve and promote the fine moral values ​​of Vietnamese families. Continue to direct the replication of models for preventing and combating domestic violence, linked with the dissemination and education of ethics and lifestyles within families, and the establishment of domestic violence prevention groups and sustainable family development clubs.

Furthermore, on an annual basis, we guide and organize communication campaigns in response to International Happiness Day (March 20), International Family Day (May 15), Vietnamese Family Day (June 28), and the National Action Month for the Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence, and International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), with practical content suitable to local conditions to create widespread social impact and honor family values; regularly and promptly commend and reward exemplary and happy families; and at the same time, criticize, condemn, and combat deviant behaviors that create negative public opinion and have a bad impact on the community, contributing to adjusting the awareness, attitudes, and behaviors of each family.

Furthermore, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of the steering committees for family affairs at all levels. Coordination among departments and agencies in organizing and implementing tasks related to family affairs should be strengthened to preserve the cultural values ​​and norms of Vietnamese families in the new context. Increased exchange of experiences and training to enhance the management capacity of officials and civil servants involved in family affairs at all levels is also crucial.

On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that building a "Peaceful Family - Happy Society" is also the responsibility of each individual, not just the propaganda and mobilization activities of departments, organizations, and social groups. Within each family, each individual must continuously raise awareness of the position and role of the family and the positive values ​​of family ethics and culture, and the importance of preserving the standard values ​​of Vietnamese family culture in socio-economic development…

Only then will the four criteria of "respect, equality, love, and sharing" be present in each family and spread to the community and society, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the country, as reflected in the overall theme for the family by 2025 that we are striving to achieve: "Happy Family - Prosperous Nation".

PV:Thank you for this conversation!