Creative hubs in Viet Nam receive spotlight during National policy dialogue

The policy dialogue is the result of the productive partnership between the Ministry and UNESCO through which a situation analysis on the development of creative hubs in Viet Nam and relevant supporting policies and management frameworks was conducted. The research falls under the broader framework of the Korean Fund-in-trust funded project aiming to kick-start the implementation of the newly approved National Strategy on Cultural Industries. This initiative is also supported by the British Council in Viet Nam through their provision of technical expertise from the UK.

The initiative seeks to set up a platform for policy dialogues and to enhance the communication and cooperation between State governing bodies and creative practitioners. In addition, it aims to raise the awareness of all stakeholders involved in the development of creative hubs as part of the strategy to develop major centers for cultural industries across the country.

Discussions generated among concerned stakeholders structured around the challenges confronted by creative hubs as networks of creative practitioners and recommendations on policy support to realize their potential to contribute to the local and national creative industries. Good practices in supporting these hubs as means of nurturing creativity and promoting the creative and cultural industries from the UK, US and other Asian countries were presented while the current situation of such creative entrepreneurship models in Viet Nam was analyzed by cultural policy experts before putting forward policy recommendations to relevant decision makers.

Participants of the event included representatives from various Departments under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Department of Industry and Trade and Department of Science and Technology from Hue, Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city, as well as managers and owners of a number of creative hubs in Ha Noi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, including Ha Noi Creative city, Manzi Arts space, Heritage space, Art Alternative Area, Sàn Art, Nha san Collective, The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre and New space Art Foundation.

Speaking at the event, UNESCO Viet Nam’s Head of office a.i, Ms. Susan Vize, commended the strong commitment of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to transform the cultural industries in Viet Nam through the National Strategy and highlighted the importance of multi-lateral cooperation in promoting diversity and nurturing creativity as a prerequisite for the prosperity of this sector.

Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Vice Director of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, stated that the initiative has enhanced the networking capability of relevant stakeholders including managers and owners of creative hubs, public cultural managers and policy makers as well as relevant government agencies, and has created a synergy for multi-sectoral efforts and resources in supporting the cultural industries. She also referred to the National Strategy as a reflection of the 2005 Convention’s spirit in Viet Nam and an active movement towards global integration from the Government.  

For more information, please contact: Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy, UNESCO Culture Unit, at tt.thuy(at)unesco.org