Motivation for artisans to devote wholeheartedly

The policy of providing monthly living expense support for Meritorious Artisans (NNUT) and People's Artisans (NNND) has been implemented by many communes. The stable monthly funds are a source of encouragement and motivation for artisans who have been honored by the State to devote themselves wholeheartedly, passing on values and skills related to various forms of folk culture and art.

Practical attention

On August 21, the People's Committee of Khanh Son commune issued a decision on monthly living allowance for Meritorious Artisan Mau Quoc Tien (Ta Luong hamlet), with a monthly amount of 3,250,000 VND, effective from February 2026. Meritorious Artisan Mau Quoc Tien has long been known and respected for his contributions to preserving the unique traditional cultural and artistic values of the Raglai people. For many years, driven by passion and dedication, he quietly collected and researched Raglai epics to write books highly appreciated by folk culture researchers. He also regularly participates in teaching the art of singing and telling Raglai epics... Mrs. Mau Thi Le Thu - Vice Chairwoman of Khanh Son Commune People's Committee, said that the contributions of Meritorious Artisan Mau Quoc Tien in preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Raglai people are very precious. Therefore, when the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DCST) provided guidance on implementing the policy of monthly living expense support for artisans, the locality studied relevant documents to apply the payment in accordance with regulations and ensure the rights of artisans. The stable monthly support will help artisans feel secure in their dedication and contributions to the cause of preserving and promoting traditional cultural values at the local level.

Although there is no complete summary from the authorities, according to the reporter's research, many communes have implemented monthly living expense support for Meritorious Artisans from local budget sources. In addition to Khanh Son commune, there are also communes such as Phuoc Huu, Phuoc Ha, Cong Hai... As a result, Meritorious Artisans who have benefited from the policy include: Han Nghien (Huu Duc hamlet, Phuoc Huu commune), Phu Van Luong (Nhu Ngoc hamlet, Phuoc Huu commune), Ta Yen Lo (La A hamlet, Phuoc Ha commune), Chamelea Thom (Dong Thong hamlet, Cong Hai commune). Some communes have sent documents to the DCST for guidance on some remaining issues.

Receiving the joy of benefiting from the policy, Meritorious Artisan Chamelea Thom said: "I was conferred the title of Meritorious Artisan by the State in 2015. Since then, I have continued to perform and teach the skills of performing the ma la (gong) instrument because it is my passion and responsibility. Now, I am very happy to receive monthly living expense support from the government. I will actively contribute more to preserving and promoting the art of performing the ma la instrument of the Raglai people."

According to regulations, the standard amount is 500,000 VND/month. For Meritorious Artisans, a coefficient of 6.5 times the standard is applied, equivalent to 3,250,000 VND/person/month; for People's Artisans, a coefficient of 10 times the standard is applied, equivalent to 5 million VND/person/month.

Will review and urge implementation

In Khanh Hoa province, there are 1 People's Artisan and 43 Meritorious Artisans in 26 communes and wards who have been conferred titles by the President. Currently, there are 34 living Meritorious Artisans (1 People's Artisan and 9 Meritorious Artisans have passed away), most of whom are elderly, so applying the monthly living allowance policy to artisans is something that needs to be done immediately. The monthly living allowance policy for People's Artisans and Meritorious Artisans is based on documents including: Decree No. 215 dated August 4, 2025 of the Government, which stipulates policies for artisans and subjects of intangible cultural heritage; Decree No. 308 dated November 28, 2025 of the Government detailing some articles and measures to implement the Cultural Heritage Law. A notable point in these decrees is that Meritorious Artisans and People's Artisans receive monthly living expense support according to their recognized talents and contributions without being limited by conditions as in some previous documents.

According to Mr. Le Van Hoa - Deputy Director of the DCST, People's Artisans and Meritorious Artisans are those who hold and practice at a high level of knowledge, skills, and techniques of one or more forms of intangible cultural heritage. They are people with exceptional talents and professional skills; with great and typical contributions to the cause of protecting and promoting the value of the intangible cultural heritage they hold. However, the attention to the lives of People's Artisans and Meritorious Artisans in the province in recent times has sometimes not been commensurate with their contributions. The monthly living expense support policy for People's Artisans and Meritorious Artisans is a source of motivation to encourage artisans to continue contributing to the journey of preserving intangible cultural values. The DCST has sent documents to 26 communes and wards where artisans with titles are living to guide the process and implementation methods. In the coming time, the department will review to specifically identify localities that have implemented the policy, as well as urge those that have not.

After many years of waiting, the practical policy supporting artisans has been put into practice and brings joy to many people. The remaining localities need to implement it soon to meet the expectations of artisans, as well as contribute to demonstrating the superiority of the policy in the cause of preserving and promoting traditional national culture.

GIANG DINH