However, to have an inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystem, Vietnam still needs to continue to change and improve.
These were the contents discussed at the Consultation Workshop with relevant parties on Vietnam's National Report on the implementation of this convention. The workshop was recently organized by the Department of International Cooperation, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and the UNESCO Office in Hanoi.
Rich in cultural and creative activities
"We must form a group to go to Gia Lam Railway Factory", "Have you visited Hang Dau water tower yet?"... are the messages in the group of friends of Mr. Le Duc Minh (No. 4 Ly Nam De, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi) on the occasion of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival taking place at the end of 2023. Living since childhood on a street a few hundred meters from Hang Dau water tower, the ancient round house architecture has always aroused curiosity in Mr. Minh and his friends. During the festival, they did not miss the opportunity to explore and learn about this familiar place.
It must be said that the Hanoi Creative Design Festival was a success beyond expectations. Many of the festival's events took place far from the city center but still attracted a large number of people and tourists thanks to their uniqueness and novelty. More than 230,000 visitors; more than 4 million discussions on social networks; 26,000 train tickets sold for visitors to experience the heritage train route but still not enough to meet the demand... are proof of the spread of cultural creativity.
Music images are decorated in response to the event of Da Lat becoming a member of the “UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music”. Photo: DINH DONG
In fact, a series of cultural and creative events in all fields and at all levels show that a vibrant cultural and artistic life exists in Vietnam. These include the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, Vietnam Game Day, Vietnam Design Week, Vietnam Music Week, etc.
Along with that are international cooperation activities with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, the United States, South Korea... and many open forums to dialogue, enhance understanding, and solve problems in the implementation process between state management agencies and individuals and non-public units. Vietnam also has two more creative cities: Da Lat (Lam Dong) and Hoi An (Quang Nam).
These are evidences showing that in the 2020-2023 period, Vietnam has made significant changes in thinking, policies and practices of creative culture compared to before, affirming the important position of culture contributing to the country's socio-economic development in a sustainable direction.
According to Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation: “The Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the cultural sector due to the restriction of activities requiring large gatherings of people. But in that context, the cultural sector has received special attention from the Party and the State. Most notably, the National Cultural Conference in November 2021 chaired by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. This was followed by seminars and conferences held by the National Assembly and the Government; a series of documents and resolutions from the Central to local levels were issued. Vietnam has a fairly comprehensive and up-to-date awareness of the development of cultural industries, positioned in association with sustainable, inclusive development, aiming to put people at the center of development."
Solving problems fosters innovation
However, Vietnamese culture and cultural industry have not yet met expectations, and there are still problems that need to be resolved so that the whole system can operate smoothly, creating momentum for Vietnamese cultural and creative industries to develop with national brands and access international markets.
From a specific perspective, Ms. Truong Uyen Ly, Director of Hanoi Grapevine, stated the reality: “When working with artists, we realize that they have many difficulties in traveling when attending events, programs to introduce, promote and promote culture abroad. The reason is that artists are often freelancers, so it is difficult to prove invitation letters, income... Foreign artists who want to perform in Vietnam are also very confused because of the many procedures they have to follow”. There are a large number of artists, so Ms. Truong Uyen Ly hopes to have specific support to make the implementation of the UNESCO 2005 Convention more effective.
In general, Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thanh Thuy, Head of the Department of Cultural Research (Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts), commented: “Vietnam still lacks specific and appropriate mechanisms and policies on attracting capital and developing resources to support and promote the comprehensive development of cultural industries across the country in general and in each locality in particular. In addition, human resources in cultural industries are still lacking in both quantity and quality, while the incentive policy has not really encouraged and attracted them.”
Considering that the diversity of cultural expressions is also the output of cultural industries, therefore, to create opportunities for connection, expression and performance for individuals and creative talents, Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thanh Thuy proposed: "Vietnam needs to research and perfect mechanisms and policies to unleash resources to promote the development of cultural industries in the period of international integration such as: Preferential capital policies, encouraging creativity; improving tax levers, policies to support domestic growth and promote exports; promoting human resource training for the development of cultural industries in a suitable, professional and systematic direction...".
Mr. Bui Nguyen Hung, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Creative and Copyright, expressed his hope that agencies related to the creative industry and individuals would closely coordinate, support each other in development, and connect to create a favorable environment, an inclusive and sustainable cultural ecosystem for businesses to operate more effectively.
| In June 2024, as an active member, Vietnam must submit its periodic National Report for the period 2020-2023 to UNESCO to share information to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions within its territory and at the international level. |
Source
Comment (0)