Strengthening the Party's leadership over festival management.

On February 5th, on behalf of the Central Party Secretariat, Comrade Le Hong Anh, Member of the Political Bureau and Standing Member of the Central Party Secretariat, signed and issued Directive No. 41-CT/TW on strengthening the Party's leadership over the management and organization of festivals.

The following is the full text of the Directive:

Over the years, the management and organization of festivals have gradually become more systematic. Festival activities are rich and diverse, promoting the role and creative capacity of the people in creating cultural values; educating about the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," honoring those who have contributed to the nation, meeting the people's spiritual and cultural needs, creating a joyful and healthy atmosphere; and preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​and good customs of the nation.

However, festivals are organized with high frequency and density. The organization of these festivals lacks creativity and appeal, leading to overcrowding at some historical sites and scenic areas. Security and social order are inadequate. The implementation of civilized conduct during festivals is not good. The burning of excessive amounts of votive paper and the improper placement of offerings are still common; environmental hygiene is not ensured, negatively impacting the aesthetics of places of worship and damaging historical sites and religious structures. Festival organization shows signs of ostentation with many cumbersome and expensive rituals; there is a tendency towards commercialization and exploitation of festivals for economic purposes. The invitation of guests and some leading officials to attend festivals does not comply with established regulations.

The reasons for this situation are that the Party committees and authorities in some localities and grassroots levels have been lax, lacking thoroughness and decisiveness; and the shortcomings and weaknesses in the management and organization of festivals have not been promptly prevented or rectified.

In light of the above situation, the Secretariat of the Central Committee requests that Party committees, Party organizations, government agencies, the Fatherland Front, and people's organizations at all levels focus on effectively implementing the following key tasks:

1. Strengthen the leadership of Party committees at all levels in the management and organization of festivals; ensure that the management and organization of festivals by each sector, locality, and institution comply with legal regulations, are practical, effective, and economical; are in line with traditional customs and practices, promote the fine traditional cultural values ​​of the nation, have high educational significance; and meet the healthy cultural and spiritual needs of the people.

The Central Propaganda Department, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant agencies, will guide the organization of cultural and sports activities, festivals celebrating the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Goat, and other major events and holidays in 2015 and subsequent years, ensuring practicality, effectiveness, and economy; and in accordance with the traditional culture of the nation and the customs and practices of each locality.

2. Cadres and Party members must set an example in complying with regulations on the management and organization of festivals; cadres and Party members who violate these regulations will be severely criticized and punished. Leading and managing cadres at all levels, especially at the central level, should not attend festivals in the name of their organization, agency, or unit unless assigned by the competent authority.

3. Reduce the frequency and duration of festivals, especially large-scale ones. Limit the use of state budget funds and promote the socialization of resources in festival organization. Continue to research, supplement, and improve the planning and organization of festivals, religious activities, and entertainment activities within festivals in a rational and healthy manner; prevent and overcome the exploitation of historical sites, places of worship, and festivals for profit, the propagation of superstition, and the organization of illegal activities. Strictly manage the burning of votive offerings; manage and use Vietnamese currency in festivals in accordance with the law; overcome the situation of placing donation boxes and offerings arbitrarily; manage and use donations openly and transparently, serving the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the value of historical sites and festival organization. Do not overuse live television broadcasts to solicit sponsorship for festival organization.

4. Strengthen measures to preserve and protect historical sites and scenic spots; ensure security, social order and safety, fire prevention and control, and traffic safety; resolve traffic congestion; ensure food safety and hygiene, and environmental sanitation at festivals. Promote civilized behavior in cultural, religious, and festival activities. Strictly manage service activities, publicly display service prices; inspect and prevent commercial fraud regarding prices, service fees, charges, and the circulation of illegal cultural publications; strictly handle, in accordance with the law, organizations and individuals who exploit festivals to increase or manipulate prices.

5. The Central Propaganda Department and the Party Committee of the Ministry of Information and Communications shall direct the dissemination of this Directive through mass media; guide and promote information and propaganda work, reflecting the beautiful traditional cultural aspects in festival activities, encouraging and highlighting exemplary establishments and individuals who perform well, while criticizing establishments and individuals who do not comply with regulations on the management, organization, and participation in festivals.

The Central Propaganda Department and the Party Committee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism advised the Politburo to organize a review of 15 years of implementing Directive No. 27-CT/TW, dated January 12, 1998, of the 8th Politburo and 5 years of implementing Conclusion No. 51-KL/TW, dated July 22, 2009, of the 10th Politburo on continuing to implement Directive No. 27-CT/TW, dated January 12, 1998, of the 8th Politburo on implementing civilized lifestyles in weddings, funerals, and festivals.

6. The Party Committee of the Government and the Party Committee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall direct and guide the implementation of the management and organization of festivals in accordance with the traditional culture of the nation and the development trends of the times; strengthen inspection, promptly prevent and strictly handle localities, establishments and individuals who commit violations in the management, organization and participation in festivals.

7. Party committees, government agencies, the Fatherland Front, and people's organizations at all levels are responsible for leading, directing, and organizing the serious implementation of this Directive within their respective localities, units, organizations, and associations.

The Central Propaganda Department will monitor and promptly report to the Party Central Committee on the implementation of the Directive.

This directive has been disseminated to the Party branch.