(VOVworld) – A national seminar to discuss the role of arts and literature in developing personalities in Vietnam closed in HCM city on Sunday. In his address, President Truong Tan Sang said the Party and state consider culture the foundation of society and the driving force for national development. He added that in the time of international integration, culture will contribute to expanding understanding and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and other countries. President Sang said: “I hope that artists and writers will have more works to reflect Vietnam’s past resistance and national construction and development. Artistic and literary works should encourage role models in society and the promote the good, the true, and the genuine.”

The same day, President Sang visited and congratulated staff of the Saigon Economic Times on the 20^th anniversary of the first English edition of the Saigon Times Daily.