ĐỀ CULTURE & IDENTITY

1⃣ Sports and entertainment figures are more valued than doctors and teachers. Why? Is this positive or negative?

Many individuals claim that celebrities in sports and entertainment fields receive greater recognition and higher income than professionals in healthcare and education. From my perspective, this trend can be attributed to the immense commercial value and global viewership that public figures generate, and I firmly believe this phenomenon is a negative development since it can distort social values and discourage the younger generation from pursuing essential professions.

The primary reason why sports and entertainment figures are more highly valued is the massive commercial revenue and audience engagement they bring to businesses. This can be attributed to the fact that top athletes and entertainers possess huge global fanbases, which enables them to attract massive viewers and lucrative corporate sponsorships. In particular, since modern media and social media platforms can amplify their influence to a mass audience, brands are willing to pay exorbitant salaries to these celebrities to promote products and boost profits. For instance, many successful entertainers in Vietnam often cooperate with multinational corporations to launch high-profile marketing campaigns on Facebook or TikTok, which not only generates billions of VND in revenue but also elevates their financial status far beyond that of traditional workers. In contrast, while doctors and teachers provide indispensable services to society, their work does not directly generate immediate commercial profits or entertainment value for mass audiences, leading to lower financial compensation.

The foundation for my belief is that this growing disparity in social valuation represents a highly negative development for society. This is due to the fact that when public figures are excessively glorified and financially rewarded, it can create an unhealthy mindset among residents regarding career priorities. Consequently, witnessing celebrities earn fortunes with seemingly minimal academic effort might discourage young people from dedicating themselves to rigorous fields like medicine or education, which could potentially trigger a severe shortage of highly skilled doctors and qualified teachers in the future. For example, recent surveys in Vietnam indicate that a large proportion of high school students prefer becoming online influencers or entertainment figures over pursuing careers in healthcare or teaching, which can undermine the long-term development of national public health and educational systems. Therefore, prioritizing entertainers over essential workers can lead to a less stable and imbalanced society.

In conclusion, the trend of valuing sports and entertainment figures over doctors and teachers is primarily driven by financial incentives and commercial media promotion. Although this reflects the nature of the modern entertainment economy, I believe it is a negative development because it devalues critical professions and misleads the career choices of the younger generation.

Art galleries and museums should display more traditional cultural works and fewer artworks from other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many individuals claim that art galleries and museums should prioritize the exhibition of domestic traditional cultural works over international art pieces. From my perspective, I firmly disagree with this opinion since integrating foreign artworks can not only enrich the cultural knowledge of local citizens but also boost the national tourism industry.

Exhibiting a diverse range of international artworks is an indispensable tool to broaden local residents' cultural horizons. This is because if cultural institutions only display domestic artifacts, citizens, especially the younger generation, may develop a restricted understanding of global history and artistic movements. In contrast, by introducing art pieces from various countries, museums and galleries enable audiences to learn about foreign traditions, historical contexts, and artistic techniques without having to travel abroad. Consequently, this fosters mutual understanding and global integration among citizens in modern society. For instance, many major art galleries in Vietnam have recently integrated various contemporary Western paintings and traditional Asian sculptures into their permanent exhibitions, which has enabled local students and art enthusiasts to discover diverse global heritages, thereby enhancing their critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Furthermore, displaying international art pieces plays a vital role in stimulating the national tourism industry and boosting economic growth. This can be attributed to the fact that cultural centers showcasing global masterpieces tend to attract a larger number of both domestic and international tourists who desire to appreciate world-renowned art. In particular, since these institutions are able to draw massive crowds, they can earn more revenue from ticket sales and merchandise, which allows them to upgrade their facilities and preserve local heritages more effectively. As a result, governments can improve the national economy based on the revenue and tax generated by these cultural events. For example, several prominent museums in Japan often organize exchange exhibitions featuring rare traditional artifacts from Southeast Asian countries, which successfully attracts millions of global travelers annually. Therefore, maintaining a balanced combination of local and international art is an optimal way to enhance a nation’s cultural and economic value.

In conclusion, I strongly disagree with the idea that museums and art galleries should limit foreign artworks. I believe that displaying international art pieces can not only enrich public knowledge about global cultures but also stimulate economic growth through tourism, which creates a more diverse and prosperous society.

TASK 2: Some people say that the increasing business and cultural

contact between countries has positive effects. Others say it would

lead to the loss of national identities. Discuss and give your opinion

Many individuals claim that the growing commercial and cultural exchange among nations generates adverse social consequences, such as the erosion of national identities, while others believe that it brings significant benefits to global society. From my perspective, while international integration can pose a threat to traditional customs, I firmly believe that its positive effects on economic growth and mutual understanding are more substantial.

On the one hand, the primary reason why critics worry about global integration is the potential loss of local cultural identities. This can be attributed to the fact that when foreign lifestyle and international products become overly ubiquitous, they can dominate the local market and appeal strongly to the public. In particular, since the younger generation is frequently exposed to global media platforms and Western or pop culture trends, they may gradually neglect their own heritage and adopt foreign habits. Consequently, traditional values and historical customs could face extinction over time. For instance, a large number of teenagers in Vietnam currently tend to prefer wearing international fashion brands and celebrating foreign festivals, such as Halloween or Christmas, rather than engaging in traditional cultural events, which potentially leads to a decline in their connection to native heritage. However, this drawback is minimal compared to the advantages.

On the other hand, the foundation for my belief is that increasing international cooperation serves as an optimal way to stimulate economic growth and enhance mutual understanding between countries. This is due to the fact that cross-border business contact enables multinational corporations to invest in developing nations, which can create a tremendous number of employment opportunities for residents and upgrade national infrastructure. Furthermore, exchange programs in cultural fields allow citizens to share innovative ideas and eliminate historical prejudices, leading to a more stable and cooperative global environment. For example, many successful enterprises in Japan have established robust commercial partnerships with local businesses in Vietnam, which has not only driven the technological advancement of both nations but has also allowed millions of people to appreciate each other’s unique heritages. Therefore, fostering international contact is highly beneficial for global prosperity.

In conclusion, although increasing contact between nations may negatively affect national identities by discouraging the practice of traditional customs, I believe that its role in stimulating economic development and creating job opportunities is far more substantial. As a result, governments should encourage international integration while implementing balanced policies to preserve native heritages, establishing a more prosperous and harmonious society.