Vietnam is making a significant bet on its cultural industries, aiming to elevate them to a cornerstone of its national economy. A newly approved strategy, signed into effect by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on , outlines an ambitious plan to have the sector contribute 9% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by .
The strategy, which extends to with a vision for , identifies eleven key cultural industries: cinema, fine arts, photography and exhibitions, performing arts, software and entertainment games, advertising, handicrafts, cultural tourism, creative design, television and radio broadcasting, and publishing. These industries are defined by their integration of culture, creativity, technology, and intellectual property, catering to both domestic consumption and international export.
The initiative isn’t simply about economic growth; it’s about establishing a strong national identity on the global stage. The Vietnamese government intends to leverage its cultural industries to promote its history, values, and brand internationally. A key component of this plan involves developing the entertainment industry to meet the diverse needs of both local residents and tourists, fostering community connections, and honoring traditional values while simultaneously exporting entertainment products worldwide.
By , Vietnam is targeting an average annual growth rate of around 10% for its cultural industries, with the sector contributing 7% to the national GDP. The workforce within these industries is also projected to increase by 10% annually, reaching 6% of the total national workforce. Economic establishments operating within the cultural sector are expected to grow at an average rate of 10% per year, and export values are forecast to rise by 7% annually through , accelerating to 9% thereafter.
The plan emphasizes the importance of structuring cultural hubs and creative spaces with a cohesive plan, supported by modern investments. These spaces are intended to showcase unique assets and contribute to the development of strong local and national brands. The vision for is even more ambitious, with the cultural sector’s contribution to GDP rising to 9% and its workforce reaching 8% of the national total. Crucially, the strategy anticipates that digital cultural products will represent over 80% of the total output by that time.
Six areas have been identified as particularly important drivers of Vietnam’s cultural influence: cinema, performing arts, software and gaming, advertising, handicrafts, and cultural tourism. These sectors are seen as having significant potential to showcase Vietnamese cultural resources and contribute to the nation’s “soft power.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been tasked with developing an implementation plan, playing a central role in guiding relevant agencies and local authorities. Collaboration with other ministries – including Police, Science and Technology, Finance, Industry and Trade – will be essential, as will the creation of a comprehensive database on the cultural industries integrated into the national system. The development of statistical indicators to measure the sector’s socio-economic contribution is also a priority.
The government’s approach includes enhanced public awareness campaigns, modernization of the institutional and policy framework, development of human resources, infrastructure improvements, and attraction of investment. Emphasis is also placed on the application of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, alongside market expansion, international cooperation, and intellectual property protection.
The strategy stresses that development must align with local potential, assets, and regional planning, prioritizing key economic regions. Support will be provided to businesses to foster an integrated ecosystem encompassing creation, production, marketing, promotion, and consumption, alongside robust intellectual property protection.
By , the focus will be on strengthening the domestic market for Vietnamese cultural products, while simultaneously increasing exports, initially targeting countries with significant Vietnamese diasporas. By , the goal is to fully leverage the professionalism, creativity, and competitiveness of the sector in the international marketplace. The success of productions like the musical drama “Chi Pheo’s Dream,” which has maintained a regular performance schedule for the past year, demonstrates the existing potential within the Vietnamese performing arts scene.
