DECIDES:

Article 1.- To approve the Planning on development of the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions up to 2010, with the following principal contents:

1. Objects covered by the Planning

a/ Cultural and information centers, cultural houses or information and exhibition centers at provincial level.

b/ Cultural centers and cultural and sport centers at district level.

c/ Cultural houses of communal level, cultural houses of villages or hamlets.

d/ Cultural palaces and cultural houses of ministries, branches or armed forces (belief and religious institutions and specialized recreation and entertainment centers are not subject to this Planning).

2. Viewpoints on formulation of the Planning

a/ The system of grassroots cultural and information institutions constitutes a very important component of the national cultural and information institution, a sharp instrument of propagation of the Party and State at the grassroots level and, at the same time, a place for enjoyment, creation, conservation and promotion of the Vietnamese nationalities’ cultural identities.

b/ The consolidation, construction and development of the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions must be carried out in a comprehensive manner; cultural houses must be durable with fine architectural designs suitable to each locality, and convenient for cultural activities of communities. The investment in material foundations and equipment must be made in parallel with the raising of the quality of their staff, the renewal of their managerial mechanisms and assurance of their diversified and effective activities in line with the state guidelines.

c/ The State creates conditions for the socialization of the construction and development of the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions. Institutions directly managed by the State shall be further invested with state budget capital and must apply the mechanism of financial autonomy so as to well perform their directing and guiding functions. Cultural institutions in communes, villages and hamlets shall be built mainly with capital mobilized from the society. For grassroots cultural and information institutions in poor, mountainous, and border areas and islands, the State shall consider and provide 100% of funds for their capital construction as well as equipment procurement.

d/ To enhance the state management by the culture and information service and uphold the responsibilities of branches and administrations of various levels, mass organizations and the whole society for the construction and development of grassroots cultural and information institutions.

3. Objectives of the Planning:

a/ Overall objectives:

- To build and develop the synchronous system of grassroots cultural and information institutions, overcoming disparities in cultural enjoyment by people in different areas and regions throughout the country.

- To harmonize economic development with cultural and information activities by organizing cultural activities and raising the quality of cultured life at the grassroots level, boosting the socialization of cultural activities, mobilizing various sources to improve material foundations and create conditions for people to participate in the realization of the goal of "building and developing a modern Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity."

- To promote grassroots cultural and information activities in the building of a new man possessing upright thoughts, good ethics and healthy lifestyle and having the sense of combating ideas and acts contrary to the national culture.

b/ Specific objectives:

- 70% of villages and hamlets shall have grassroots cultural and information institutions up to national standards.

- 80% of communes, wards and townships shall have grassroots cultural and information institutions up to national standards and effectively operating.

- 80% of districts, towns and provincial cities shall have grassroots cultural and information institutions up to national standards and effectively operating.

- 90% of provinces and centrally-run cities shall have grassroots cultural and information institutions up to national standards and effectively operating.

- For cultural and information institutions of provincial level: 90% of their grassroots cultural and information staffs shall have obtained a university or higher degree suitable to their jobs.

- For cultural and information institutions of district level: 70% of cadres involved in grassroots cultural and information work shall have obtained a university or higher degree suitable to their jobs.

- For cultural and information institutions of communal level: 30% of cadres involved in grassroots cultural and information work shall have obtained a university degree and 70% of them shall have obtained an intermediate degree suitable to their jobs.

4. Contents of the Planning

a/ The system of grassroots cultural and information institutions under the management of the culture and information service is divided into 4 levels:

- Provincial-level cultural and information institutions.

- District-level cultural and information institutions.

- Communal-level cultural and information institutions.

- Village, hamlet or population group cultural and information institutions.

b/ The system of grassroots cultural and information institutions under the management of ministries, branches, mass organizations and armed forces shall be developed according to their assigned plans as well as the common orientations for cultural and information development in the locality and the region.

c/ To build, perfect and consolidate the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions according to criteria and standards promulgated by the Ministry of Cultural and Information and the following criteria:

- Being included in the annual socio-economic development plannings and plans.

- Cultural works must bear the typical traits of the local culture and be convenient for people to participate cultural and information activities.

- Material foundations and special-use equipment must suit the requirements of on-the-spot and mobile activities.

- All sections of a cultural and information institution shall be organized on the principle of high specialization and their staff must meet public employees' standards.

d/ Planning on land areas to be used:

- For provincial-level cultural and information institutions: 5,000 m2 or more;

- For district-level cultural and information institutions: 2,500 m2 or more;

- For communal-level cultural and information institutions: 1,000 m2 or more;

- For village or hamlet cultural and information institutions: 500 m2 or more.

5. Solutions for implementation

Based on the practical conditions, it is necessary to efficiently take the following measures from now till 2010:

a/ To step by step perfect and upgrade the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions from the central to local level in the aspects of material foundations, organizational apparatus, operation mechanisms and policies, and staff training.

b/ The State shall invest in the development of provincial- and district-level cultural and information institutions (infrastructure, funds for major non-business activities, staff training and special-use equipment according to regulations of the culture and information service).

c/ To further socialize the mobilization of sources for construction of grassroots cultural and information institutions.

d/ To train and foster staffs of grassroots cultural and information institutions; adopt appropriate mechanisms and policies toward them.

e/ To conduct more research so as to emphasize social impacts of the system of grassroots cultural and information institutions.

f/ To study, perfect and promulgate legal documents on grassroots cultural and information activities.

g/ To guide and disseminate the law on grassroots cultural and information activities.

6. Capital sources for implementation

a/ Capital allocated from central budget according to annual plans.

b/ Local budget capital.

c/ Budgets of ministries, branches, mass organizations and armed forces earmarked for cultural and information activities.

d/ Contributions of people and mass organizations; donations of foreign organizations and individuals.

Article 2.- Organization of implementation

1. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and branches in, planning and organizing the implementation of this Planning according to the approved contents; guide the integration of this Planning into socio-cultural and economic schemes and projects and national target programs on culture till 2010 and 2020; and annually report to the Prime Minister on the implementation progress and arising problems.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, Government-attached agencies, provincial/municipal People's Committees and concerned agencies shall, within the scope of their functions and tasks, coordinate with the Ministry of Culture and Information in organizing the implementation of this Planning.

3. Provincial/municipal People's Committees, ministries, branches and mass organizations shall, based on this Planning and the guidance of the Ministry of Culture and Information, formulate their annual plans and allocate funds for the implementation of the Planning.

1. This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in "CONG BAO."

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and Government-attached agencies, presidents of provincial/municipal People's Committees, and concerned agencies shall have to implement this Decision.