Vietnam CultureTech 2025: Technology - New driving force of Vietnam's cultural industry

The workshop attracted a large number of experts, entrepreneurs, policy makers... (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The event was co-organized by TRIHD ASIA Media Company and Ho Chi Minh City Center for Creative Entrepreneurship - SIHUB, under the direction of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City. The workshop attracted many representatives of the Department, creative enterprises, cultural and technological startups, designers, artists and investors.

Unlike purely theoretical seminars, Vietnam CultureTech 2025 offers a space for interaction, connection and practice. The event opens up opportunities for exchange and connection between experts, startups, creative businesses, policy makers, investment funds, etc. to discuss how technology can improve creative productivity, expand markets and bring Vietnamese cultural products to the world.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hue - Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City - emphasized the importance of applying science and technology to enhance the value and competitiveness of Vietnamese cultural products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hue stated that through this series of exciting activities, Ho Chi Minh City has affirmed the spirit of "dare to think - dare to do" to nurture the aspiration to bring Vietnamese culture and the City's identity to the international level.

“I believe that with the harmonious blend of culture, technology and creativity, this festival will create new values and new successes on the journey of sustainable development and prosperity of Ho Chi Minh City,” said Ms. Hue.

Founder and CEO of Pencil Group Nguyen Tien Huy.

The first highlight was the presentation by Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy, Founder and CEO of Pencil Group. He focused on the role of technology in enhancing the effectiveness of visual communication. Notably, many practical examples were given on the use of AI, AR (Augmented Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality) to vividly tell stories about heritage, immersing the audience in the depth of history and culture.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy said that currently, with more than 930 businesses operating in the field of cinema and entertainment, attracting 9,000 professional workers, Ho Chi Minh City is building a strong creative cultural ecosystem.

On October 31, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Cinema, becoming the first cinema city in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, opening up many opportunities for global connection.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy also pointed out outstanding investment opportunities for cultural industry startups in Ho Chi Minh City, including attractive incentive policies (such as corporate income tax exemption and reduction, land support for production, access to specialized funding funds specifically for creative cultural startups), professional connection network (with the Vietnam Cultural Industry Development Association (VCIDA) connecting businesses - artists - managers, creating a bridge for strategic cooperation) and multi-industry potential (such as exploiting opportunities in films, performing arts, fashion , creative advertising, experiential cultural tourism and many other fields).

Analyzing Vietnam's unique advantages, Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy said that Vietnam has a young workforce under 35 years old, accounting for 60% of the population, which is a rich creative potential. In addition, it also has a rich cultural identity, which is the foundation for developing creative products. In addition, there are policies to prioritize cultural industries such as the Cultural Industry Development Strategy to 2030. At the same time, the startup ecosystem is also expanding, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.

A large number of delegates attended the conference.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Huy also pointed out major challenges for cultural industry start-ups such as scarce capital, lack of initial investment capital and difficulties in sustainable financial management, especially in the start-up phase. In addition, there are other difficulties such as limited capacity, lack of modern technology, management skills and experience in penetrating international markets, rigid legal framework, as well as inflexible regulations, 10% VAT causing great financial pressure, hindering competitiveness, unequal competition, foreign investment funds dominating 90% of venture capital, creating a large gap in resources.

Master Kieu Cong Thuoc - Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Cultural Industry Development - Chairman of the Board of Directors of VNFund opened a more practical perspective: Opportunities to find investment capital for startups in the cultural industry. This is a key issue, because capital is the "lever" that helps creative ideas reach the market.

According to Master Kieu Cong Thuoc, the biggest barrier to the cultural industry today lies in the awareness of those working in this field. When awareness is not adequate, policies, models and practices are unlikely to go in the right direction, and are unlikely to conform to international standards.

Master Kieu Cong Thuoc presented his paper.

"Only when the nature is correctly identified and the investment is focused, can cultural products have the ability to reach the international market and create a driving force for economic growth" - Master Kieu Cong Thuoc emphasized.

In the following discussion, delegates had a lively and frank dialogue about the difficulties in mechanisms and policies... on how to apply technology as an infrastructure to help culture flourish and develop into valuable IP (intellectual property). According to experts, the close connection between creative enterprises, technology, Funds and investors is the key to creating products that are not only unique but also of high value.

Delegates participating in the discussion

The discussion also focused on practical actions, successfully connecting creative businesses such as the project "I love Ao Ba Ba" by designer Nguyen Mi Trang with investors and technology startups, turning the policy into reality from practical activities right on the spot.

This specific collaboration demonstrates the spirit of CultureTech: Transforming potential into action, opening up a new and applicable approach for Vietnam's cultural industry.

THANH DUY

Source: https://nhandan.vn/vietnam-culturetech-2025-cong-nghe-suc-bat-moi-cua-cong-nghiep-van-hoa-viet-post923330.html