The water music space at Hue City Sports Center becomes a meeting place for Hue people. Photo: Bach Chau

Turning cultural values ​​into competitive advantages

In fact, what has been achieved is just the beginning. Hue is still facing many challenges: the economic scale is not large, investment resources are limited, the speed of infrastructure development is slow compared to the demand, and above all, the requirement to preserve identity in the process of urbanization and modernization. Therefore, the Political Report for the 2025 - 2030 term at the 17th Congress of Hue City Party Committee clearly stated: Hue must develop through the path of culture - heritage, using that as a foundation to break through in the new period.

This orientation is reasonable, correct and feasible because Hue does not have strengths in heavy industry or large-scale production; its outstanding advantages are its rich cultural capital, massive heritage system, academic and creative traditions. If exploited properly, culture - heritage is not only a "brand" but also an " economic resource", creating jobs, attracting investment, nurturing creative industries, promoting high-quality tourism. On that basis, Hue can move towards sustainable development, balancing between conservation and innovation.

In that picture, culture and heritage emerge as an irreplaceable pillar. The report clearly stated that culture is the “spiritual foundation of society” and at the same time the “driving force for development”. This is absolutely true, because only culture can make a difference. Other cities may have seaports, industrial zones, large international airports, but Hue has an ancient capital, a heritage complex recognized by UNESCO, royal court music and a rich treasure trove of intangible heritage, unique and extremely diverse cuisine, and unique religious and academic spaces. These are invaluable resources, both creating a unique identity and paving the way for long-term development.

Opportunity to become a cultural and creative city

However, to turn advantages into real strength, Hue cannot rely solely on what it already has. The 2025-2030 term requires a new approach: strong investment in culture, especially in three key aspects.

Firstly, cultural institutions: The city needs a system of modern museums, international conference centers, performing arts centers, creative spaces, libraries, community cultural houses, etc. capable of becoming places to nurture, spread and connect culture with the community. This is an indispensable material condition for Hue to develop its cultural industry, as well as for heritage to "live" in contemporary life.

Second, policy mechanism: To develop culture into a resource, we need a breakthrough policy system that encourages creativity, supports artists, researchers, and businesses operating in the cultural field. Hue needs its own mechanism to mobilize social capital for conservation, encourage private investment in creative spaces, and provide special incentives for the cultural and tourism industry. Good policies will transform heritage from being protected to being exploited properly, creating sustainable added value.

Third, and most importantly, the human factor: Without the right human resources, all plans will only stop at orientation. Hue needs artists, cultural managers, conservation experts, tour guides, creative entrepreneurs - people who know how to preserve heritage but also know how to innovate, create, bring culture and heritage into life and integrate with the world. Investing in education and training high-quality cultural human resources must be the top priority, because this is the decisive factor for success.

The political report presented to the 17th Congress of the Hue City Party Committee has laid an important foundation for a new development path. But to realize it, it requires the decisive participation of the entire political system, the consensus of the people, and especially the appropriate investment priority for culture. When institutions are consolidated, policies are renewed, and people are nurtured, Hue will not only maintain the title of "heritage city" but also rise as a creative urban area, an international cultural and tourist center, a place worth living, worth visiting and worth remembering.

The development path of Hue in the new period is therefore inevitable: taking culture as the foundation, taking people as the root, taking heritage as the fulcrum. This is not only a suitable choice, but also the only way for Hue to affirm its identity, maintain competitiveness and develop sustainably in the future.

Dr. Phan Thanh Hai

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/vai-tro-cua-van-hoa-doi-voi-hue-trong-phat-trien-ben-vung-158570.html