Hanoi affirms its position as a creative capital city.

The first Hanoi World Culture Festival left a lasting impression on visitors and international friends. Photo: HNM

The driving force of development in the new era.

The development of cultural industries is a rapidly evolving trend and a crucial driving force behind the socio -economic development of many countries worldwide. In Vietnam, thanks to the attention of the Party and State, and the involvement of all levels, sectors, and localities, cultural industries have made significant progress, gradually becoming important service sectors that contribute positively to the sustainable development of the country.

Deeply aware of the importance of culture, the Party and State of Vietnam have issued and implemented many policies and guidelines on the development of culture in general and the cultural industry in particular. Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW, dated June 9, 2014, of the 9th Plenum of the 11th Central Committee on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development, sets out the goal and requirement: "Building a healthy cultural market, promoting the development of the cultural industry, and strengthening the promotion of Vietnamese culture."

Hanoi is asserting its position as a creative capital by transforming culture into a driving force for socio-economic development. Photo: HNM

In line with the Party's viewpoint, on June 8, 2016, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1755/QD-TTg approving the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Cultural Industries until 2020, with a vision to 2030, which affirms: "Cultural industries are an important component of the national economy."

The role of culture was further affirmed at the 13th National Congress of the Party with the task set forth: "Urgently implement the focused and targeted development of the cultural industry and cultural services sector based on identifying and promoting the soft power of Vietnamese culture, effectively applying the values, essence, and new achievements of world culture, science, technology, and engineering."

In particular, on November 17, 2022, the 6th Plenum of the 13th Central Committee issued Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW on continuing to promote industrialization and modernization of the country until 2030, with a vision to 2045, setting the goal of "Rapid, sustainable, and effective development of cultural industries and cultural services associated with tourism development".

On December 22, 2023, the Government organized a national conference on the development of Vietnam's cultural industries, clearly outlining the development trends of these industries for both domestic and international markets. Based on this, several areas with potential and advantages were selected for focused investment and development. This can be considered the "Dien Hong Conference" on the development of Vietnam's cultural industries. At the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that, globally, the development of cultural industries is a growing trend and is gradually becoming an important driving force for the socio-economic development of nations. Vietnam is considered to have significant potential and advantages for developing its cultural industries.

Many cultural heritage sites have gained more creative space to breathe new life into contemporary society. Photo: HNM

In response to the demands of the new era, on November 14, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decision No. 2486/QD-TTg approving the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Cultural Industries until 2030, with a vision to 2045. This strategy identifies 10 key cultural industries prioritized for development: Film; Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions; Performing Arts; Software and Entertainment Games; Advertising; Handicrafts; Cultural Tourism; Creative Design; Television and Radio Broadcasting; and Publishing. The strategy clearly states that by 2030, the cultural industries aim to achieve an average annual growth rate of approximately 10% and contribute 7% to the country's GDP. The strategy also outlines the establishment of distribution centers, the promotion of exports of cultural industry products, focusing on existing markets and expanding into potential domestic and international markets.

According to Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, the resolutions and decisions on cultural development issued by the Party, State, and Government throughout the country's development process show that the Party and State always consider culture as the spiritual foundation and an important driving force for national development. Vietnam's cultural industry is taking shape more clearly and specifically as it identifies key areas for focused investment, development, and competition with other countries. This will open up creative and innovative approaches for Vietnam to become a major cultural industry center in the region and the world.

The cultural industry center of the whole country.

As the cultural center of the country and a UNESCO member of the "Creative Cities Network," Hanoi has always played a leading role in cultural development activities, especially in the cultural industry.

Following the directives of the Central Government, Hanoi has proactively and pioneered the development of the cultural industry, becoming the first locality nationwide to issue its own resolution – Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU on “Developing the cultural industry in the Capital City in the period 2021-2025, orientation to 2030, vision to 2045”, which sets the goal that by 2030, the capital's cultural industry will fundamentally become a key economic sector, strongly promoting the development of other sectors and fields. Hanoi is among the leading cities with a developed cultural industry, possessing reputable brands and products, and high competitiveness with other cities in the region. The goal is to gradually increase revenue from cultural industries each year, contributing approximately 8% of the city's GRDP by 2030 and 10% by 2045.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha and delegates visit the creative space at the Hanoi Spring Calligraphy Festival 2025. Photo: Hoang Lan

After nearly four years of implementing Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU, the landscape of Hanoi's cultural industry has undergone significant transformation. Many tourism products linked to the cultural industry have become model examples, creating momentum for new innovations. For instance, Hanoi has developed a series of products exploiting the value of historical sites, heritage, and traditional craft villages; announced more than 20 night tourism products, becoming a leading locality in the development of night tourism, notably the "Sacred Night" tour at Hoa Lo Prison, "The Essence of Taoism" at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, and "Mysterious Ngoc Son Night" at Ngoc Son Temple…

Many historical sites and heritage sites have become innovative spaces, applying modern technologies such as 3D mapping, lasers, virtual reality, and AI to refresh products and increase their attractiveness. For example, Thang Long Imperial Citadel has launched a digital space and the "Memories of the Flagpole" tour; and the Temple of Literature - National University has transformed Ho Van Lake into a unique creative space with regular art performances.

Tourists experience the digital space at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Hoang Lan.

According to Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha, Hanoi is orienting its development of the cultural industry towards the brand of "Creative City". Along with promoting heritage values, more and more new creative spaces are emerging, attracting tens of thousands, even millions, of participants, such as: the Hanoi Creative Design Festival, the Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival, the Hanoi Food Festival, the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, the Hanoi Autumn Festival… and most recently, the Hanoi World Culture Festival and the Thang Long Festival.

As someone closely following Hanoi's creative activities and heritage promotion, Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative Office in Vietnam, noted that Hanoi has long been a bridge between cultures, a place where traditional values intersect with creativity. “We believe that the city has all the conditions to become a center of creativity, because creativity is at the core of culture and Hanoi possesses a cultural soul,” shared Jonathan Wallace Baker.

In response to the demands and requirements of the new era, along with Resolution No. 09-NQ/TU, Hanoi quickly implemented Resolution No. 24/2025/NQ-HĐND dated July 10, 2025, of the City People's Council on the organization and operation of the Cultural Industry Center in the city; and Resolution No. 25/2025/NQ-HĐND of the City People's Council on the commercial and cultural development zone in the city.

In the new term (2026-2031), Hanoi will continue to affirm the pivotal role of culture in the capital's development, emphasizing the goal of building Hanoi into a leading innovation center, a smart city, globally connected, and attractive both regionally and internationally. The Resolution of the 18th Congress of the Hanoi City Party Committee sets the goal that by 2030, Hanoi will be a "Cultural - Civilized - Modern" capital, green, smart, a place where cultural excellence converges, deeply integrated internationally, highly competitive, and with a level of development comparable to the capitals of developed countries in the region…

It is evident that, with its rich heritage, diverse cultural spaces, and young, creative workforce, Hanoi – the thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam – possesses all the elements to become a cultural industry center for the entire country and the region. With strong determination and timely, correct policies, the city has been affirming its consistent development strategy, considering the cultural industry as a crucial driving force, contributing to both preserving its identity and asserting its position as a creative capital.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ha-noi-khang-dinh-vi-the-thu-do-sang-tao-731010.html