Editor's note: The year 2024 marks a turning point for Vietnam’s cultural sector, with numerous large-scale, high-quality artistic programs gaining widespread public attention. By creatively leveraging Vietnam’s diverse traditional culture, a promising new pathway for the nation’s cultural industries is emerging.

In 2025, the first year of the National Target Program for Cultural Development (2025–2035), Vietnam aims for cultural industries to contribute 7% of the country’s GDP by 2030. VietNamNet explores the potential of Vietnam’s cultural industries through insights from artists, experts, and policymakers.

A landmark year for cultural industries in Ho Chi Minh City

The year 2024 signals a major transformation in Vietnam’s cultural industries, from policy to practice.

As cultural industries become a pivotal force in sustainable development, their contributions to national growth are increasingly evident.

Key cultural events organized this year include the Hanoi Creative Design Festival, the first-ever Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF), the performances Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai and Anh trai say hi (Brothers Say Hi), the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, and the third Ninh Binh Festival under the theme Heritage Flows.

Vietnam’s recognition by UNESCO as a hub of creative cities highlights its global cultural potential. Hanoi, Da Lat, and Hoi An have each earned titles as UNESCO Creative Cities for Design, Music, and Folk Arts & Crafts, respectively.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a leader in Vietnam’s cultural and entertainment landscape, cultural industries have made substantial progress.

As part of the strategic plan to develop cultural industries through 2030, HCMC has prioritized eight key sectors: cinema, performing arts, fine arts, photography, exhibitions, advertising, cultural tourism, and fashion.

Cultural industries as a driving force

The combined revenue of these eight sectors is expected to reach 6.2 billion USD by 2030, with 2.2 billion USD projected for 2025 alone.

The municipal government views cultural industries as a "soft power" tool that fosters socio-economic breakthroughs.

According to Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, the city has long been a trailblazer in advancing cultural industries, yielding significant societal value.

This momentum is evident in recent events such as the Ho Do International Music Festival, HIFF, and individual or collective concerts by Vietnamese artists. These efforts represent the initial steps toward a long-term cultural development plan.

Large-scale music events like Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai and Anh trai say hi not only energize Vietnam’s entertainment sector but also bolster cultural tourism and national identity.

Creativity and technology in cultural industries

Vietnam’s burgeoning cultural industries benefit from technological integration and innovation.

Heritage sites and cultural landmarks are increasingly leveraging digital tools to engage visitors. For example, the Hue Imperial Citadel recently launched an interactive project, De Do Khao Co Ky (Imperial Capital Archaeological Chronicles), showcasing how digital platforms can elevate cultural tourism.

Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, emphasizes the need for robust development of cultural industries in the digital age.

She highlights the importance of translating strategic goals into actionable initiatives while addressing systemic barriers such as legal frameworks, financial mechanisms, workforce development, and taxation policies for cultural products and services.

The National Target Program for Cultural Development sets ambitious objectives, including having cultural industries contribute 7% of GDP by 2030.

A key aim is to build a progressive, deeply rooted cultural identity that amplifies Vietnam’s soft power on the global stage.

Tinh Le - Tuan Chieu