For the capital's cultural industry to take off

The general goal identified by the capital city of Hanoi is to create comprehensive development steps for cultural industries in terms of scale, quality of products, services and markets. At the same time, the Resolution emphasizes focusing on investment in developing a number of potential and advantageous fields of the capital such as cultural tourism, performing arts, handicrafts, design, advertising, fine arts, photography and exhibitions, fine arts, etc.

The launching pad and ways to help the capital's cultural industry take off are topics discussed in detail by many experts, scientists, and cultural managers. Many proposals are specific, systematic, drawn from practical models and accurately assess the potential and strengths of the capital.

The cultural industry has been promoted to some extent, eliminating the prejudice that the cultural industry is only about flags, lights, trumpets and drums, and is an industry that spends money but does not make money. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, affirmed that working in the cultural industry must start with a change in mindset. In fact, culture both spends money and makes money.

Preserving monuments is a matter of spending money, but without beauty, the sediments of the monuments will not create tourist attractions, materials to create films, and creative design products.

“Hanoi has strengths in cultural heritage, and must closely link with the development of the cultural industry so that heritage can be accessed and spread. When visiting relics and heritage sites, visitors not only buy entrance tickets but also need to experience services such as cultural tourism products based on existing heritage values. Based on these heritages, creators will create different versions so that the public can easily enjoy, experience, and explore the heritage,” Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong analyzed.

The "menu" of cultural industrial products and cultural services needs to reflect Hanoi's cultural identity and meet consumer needs.

Experts give examples from small, cute products such as typical souvenirs such as creatively designed phone cases with images of Turtle Tower, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, or ice cream sticks shaped like the Cathedral, Opera House, Long Bien Bridge, O Quan Chuong Gate, etc.

Creative products are both a source of income and an effective promotional channel. “Preserving and promoting heritage values ​​is associated with spending money and making money. Preserving is spending money, but promoting heritage values ​​through cultural products and services means creating economic value. That source of income is used to reinvest, creating a continuous cycle,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong.

The model of cultural industry development in developed countries in the region and continent also leaves many valuable experiences. Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thanh Thuy (Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts) mentioned the model and project of cultural industry development in Kobe - a creative city in the field of design in Japan.

The city has made great efforts to nurture the creativity of local children, such as experiential projects that allow children to work with artists and creative designers to envision a “dream town”, create their own artwork from waste materials collected from shops and factories, etc.

Since the 1990s, many young Koreans have studied abroad to absorb a whole chain of filmmaking, cinema, museums, theaters, and other elite Western cultural and artistic institutions. From there, they learned how to create a Korean cultural industry with the pinnacle being the development of film.

Artist and curator Nguyen The Son affirmed that this is the sublimation of the cultural industry, an effective way to promote the soft power of culture by combining traditional culture, indigenous culture and modern products.

Villa 49 Tran Hung Dao after restoration becomes the new art destination of the capital.

In the modern context, movies are a bridge to promote culture that is positively received. Ms. Tran Thai Thuy, Director of Hanoi Cinema and Television Center, shared about the decision to produce the film series For the Love of Hanoi from mid-2024.

“Hanoi Radio and Television is a cultural agency, a part of the cultural institutions of the capital. There is no reason why it should not become a part of the development of Hanoi culture, contributing to the development of the cultural industry, including the film industry with much potential to be exploited. Hanoi is the first locality in the country to issue a specialized resolution on the development of the cultural industry. This is an important premise for the cultural agencies of the capital, including Hanoi Radio and Television. We strive to develop and build more programs with profound and sustainable cultural values. The film project For the love of Hanoi is not outside of this purpose,” Ms. Tran Thai Thuy affirmed.

Hoan Kiem District (Hanoi) is an urban heritage complex including the Old Quarter, national monuments, Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas. The Old Quarter has many values, proving the formation and development process of Hanoi in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Hoan Kiem owns a space dedicated to artists and art workers to develop ideas and art projects while serving the community. This place also marks many outstanding cultural works and spaces such as the Cultural and Art Center at 22 Hang Buom, the Heritage House (87 Ma May Street)...

Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, acknowledged that community resources play a very important role in developing the cultural industry. That is the reason why it is necessary to pay attention to supporting and creating favorable conditions for artists and art workers.

“It is not necessary to create new spaces, but it is possible to take advantage of existing spaces and conditions specifically for artists. Each locality has its own approach, creating its own characteristics to develop culture. This contributes to creating a unique identity for each area and locality. Urban activities have created a unique identity, each resident of Hanoi is a heritage keeper. We do not necessarily need a certain space, but the important thing is the lifestyle and behavior appropriate to the heritage, while introducing urban life to international friends,” Mr. Pham Tuan Long shared with Tien Phong .

Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, also proposed that Hanoi should invest in training high-quality human resources in the fields of culture, arts, cultural management, and cultural business.

“Interdisciplinary training programs, combining art and technology, business and culture, will create new generations of human resources to meet the development needs of the cultural industry. We should also encourage and create conditions to attract international experts and artists to work in Hanoi, while promoting multilateral cooperation projects in the cultural field, helping to improve the quality of cultural products and services,” said Associate Professor Dr. Bui Hoai Son.

Hanoi’s cultural brand already exists, but a comprehensive promotion strategy is essential to build and strengthen this brand. Major cultural events, international festivals, and creative media campaigns will help Hanoi affirm its position as a global cultural capital. We need to create iconic cultural products that are uniquely Hanoi, such as films, music, fashion, and contemporary art.

In a conversation with Tien Phong , Prof. Dr. , People's Teacher Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, former Director of the Center for Hanoi Studies and Capital Development, evaluated Hanoi's achievements in developing cultural industries . Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc expressed his belief that the capital's cultural industry will progress quickly and far thanks to its existing potential and the determination of the entire political system.

The role and position of culture were determined by our Party very early. This position was confirmed from the Outline on Culture in 1943 and the National Cultural Conference in 1946. From 1945 to the present, our Party has always promoted the role of culture, but at that time, resources were limited, so culture was not invested in properly.

In reality, culture does not have the conditions to develop as many people wish. However, after the renovation, especially after the 13th National Party Congress, we have a policy of placing culture on par with other important areas of the country. I think that is a breakthrough.

At that time, culture is no longer considered a “sideshow” but the basis and foundation for economic development. Culture can even become a spearhead economy. This policy shows a complete change in the perception of culture.

After announcing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress and successfully organizing the National Cultural Conference in 2021, Hanoi has become a leading locality in building a cultural industry. Hanoi is also a pioneer in developing cultural tourism.

Hanoi is also a leader in developing the heritage economy. Heritage economy can be understood as the economy based on cultural heritage resources and taking cultural heritage resources as the most basic foundation for economic development.

To implement all of the above, Hanoi issued many policies, resolutions such as Program 06, Resolution 09-NQ/TU of the Hanoi Party Committee identifying 8 key tasks and solutions in developing cultural industry in the capital for the period 2021-2025, orientation to 2030, vision to 2045....

Hanoi has promoted its pioneering role as one of the localities that prioritizes cultural development, even placing culture above other areas. This is also the reason why the latest planning of the capital has taken the Red River as the central axis and expanded development to both sides of the river. This is considered a major cultural renaissance of the capital Hanoi in the early 21st century.

The changes are not only reflected through awareness, ideology, guidelines and policies but also through specific and clear actions. I hope that with the current achievements, Hanoi has enough foundation to realize the goal of building a civilized, modern and cultural capital.

Previously, we saw that Hanoi still had many complicated and overlapping procedures. However, recently, we have seen Hanoi's determination. Recently, Hanoi passed the Capital Law (amended) and is about to announce the Capital planning.

In particular, the Law on the Capital (amended) especially emphasizes the role of culture and the planning of the Capital Hanoi also takes culture as the foundation, developing the Capital on the foundation of culture and cultural heritage. We also clearly see that all sectors not only have changes in awareness but also changes in specific actions. With such determination and efforts, the goal of becoming a leading locality can come true.

However, whether or not the goals are achieved depends on the self-awareness of the leaders and the people. If the leadership team only talks but does not act, those policies will become dangerous.

In fact, Hanoi is showing great determination in putting culture in the forefront. The biggest change is that culture is becoming a spearhead economic sector of Hanoi.

Linh Anh

Source: https://tienphong.vn/de-cong-nghiep-van-hoa-thu-do-cat-canh-bai-cuoi-tien-phong-quyet-tam-dua-van-hoa-len-hang-dau-post1662931.tpo