Ha Noi to pilot new policies for cultural development

The Deputy Secretary made the announcement at a conference on the implementation of Resolution No. 09 on "Development of Cultural Industry for the Period 2021-2025 with orientation to 2030, and vision towards 2045."

Cultural industry-an important economic sector

Nguyen said that in the past years, the Ha Noi Party Committee has always underlined the role and value of cultural heritages. "It is an important task to make the cultural industry an important economic sector of the capital soon," he added.

Viewing culture as an infinite and priceless asset, Ha Noi wants to encourage businesses to create cultural goods and services so that the city can grow in the areas of design, handicrafts, art, and cultural tourism. "This would be a cultural industry with many strengths to create a driving force for development," Phong said.

To make a breakthrough in the strategy to develop the capital's cultural industry in line with the Vietnamese Government's direction in 2022, the Ha Noi Party Committee issued Resolution No. 09 on "Development of Cultural Industry for the Period 2021-2025, Orientation to 2030, and Vision to 2045."

The move aims to transform the capital's cultural industry into a major economic sector that could contribute up to 8 percent of the city's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2030 and 10 percent of the city's GRDP by 2045.

According to Phong, after the issuance of Resolution No. 09, in 2022, the cultural industry alone contributed about US$1.49 billion to Ha Noi's GRDP (accounting for 3.7 percent). By 2023, the economic structure of the capital has changed rapidly, with the service sector accounting for 65.13 percent.

Ha Noi welcomed 21 million tourists in 2023, including nearly 4 million international visitors. In the first nine months of 2024, the total number of tourists to Ha Noi is estimated at 21.12 million, up 11.7 percent year-on-year. Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND82 trillion (US$3.2 billion), an increase of 18.5 percent over the same period in 2023.

"The result shows that Ha Noi's cultural industry is gradually contributing to the city's competitiveness and international integration," Phong emphasized.

Ha Noi is determined to implementing a cultural development strategy in line with the potential and advantages of the capital. 

Specifically, it is necessary to arrange appropriate investment resources, and create favorable mechanisms to realize the goal of building a "Creative City" - a new driving force recognized by the international community associated with the goal of developing the capital with a vision to 2045.

Outstanding outcomes

The official stressed that the issuance of Resolution No. 09 demonstrates the innovative thinking and strategic vision of the city government to adapt to the cultural development trend in Southeast Asia and the world.

"In particular, Ha Noi is focusing on developing unique and attractive tourism products based on promoting the value of cultural heritage, which has created appeal for local and foreign tourists," Phong said.

Some of Ha Noi's cultural products that have been highly appreciated in recent times include the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas; Phung Hung Mural Street; Hanoi Book Street; Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour exploring cultural heritage in the Old Quarter. Others of interest include the Quintessence of Education night tour at the Temple of Literature; the "Quintessence of the North" performance program; art and culinary performance space on Trinh Cong Son Walking Street; Quang An Lotus Teamaking; and others.

Transportation and tourism infrastructure in some craft villages have been synchronously invested. Attention has also been paid to signage to make the handicraft villages attractive tourist destinations. 

"Typical examples include Ha Thai lacquer craft village and Hong Van ornamental plant craft village in Thuong Tin District; Bat Trang pottery craft village in Gia Lam District; Van Phuc silk craft village in Ha Dong District," Phong said.

In addition, the city has projected the image of Ha Noi as a friendly and peaceful capital to the world by promoting its cultural heritage values in combination with organizing international events and developing conference tourism.

Many cultural and sports events are held every year, such as the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, Viet Nam Airlines Classic – Ha Noi Concert, Ha Noi Heritage International Marathon Day, Ha Noi International Film Festival, Monsoon International Music Festival, Creative Design Festival./.