View culture as a “public resource”
On October 31, 2023, Hoi An officially became a member of the UNESCO Global Creative Cities Network, with consideration given to selecting the local core sector of crafts and folk arts to join the network.
Joining this network is a good opportunity for Hoi An City to promote the diversity of cultural expressions of a land rich in creative potential, continuing this tradition that has long roots in the city's history.
At the same time, continue to adapt and raise to a new level suitable for the contemporary context, based on innovation and effective use of cultural capital, human capital and other resources.
Creative culture is a resource for sustainable development in Hoi An. There, traditional crafts and folk arts - precious intangible values that create the identity and pride of the local people - are preserved, passed down and restored.
At the same time, "turning heritage into assets", with talent, intelligence and open-mindedness, we have promoted "creativity" to create new values, contributing to improving people's lives and contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.
Creative culture based on the heritage of Hoi An community has contributed to sustainable goals and multidimensional growth such as: protecting and promoting cultural identity, economic prosperity and social cohesion, contributing to protecting the ecological environment...
Ms. Pham Thanh Huong - Head of the Culture - Society Department (UNESCO Office in Hanoi), said: "People have now realized the important role of cultural capital in promoting urban livability. Culture should be considered a common asset of humanity, a "public resource" for urban development".
Fueling creativity
Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh - Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee said that the locality's viewpoints and action motto are to harmoniously resolve the relationship between inheritance, conservation and development, common identity and specificity, culture and civilization.
Preserving and promoting traditional crafts and arts in Hoi An towards a creative city for tourism development must be associated with enhancing livelihoods and improving the lives of local communities.
Continue to meet the diverse experience needs of tourists, while being environmentally friendly, creating high competitiveness and attractiveness for the Hoi An tourism destination brand.
Ms. Tran Hai Van - Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said that Hoi An needs to prioritize policies on digital transformation, forming a database and establishing a copyright protection system.
Through that, promote international cooperation activities to increase influence, expand markets; build and digitize databases on cultural institutions and creative forms including crafts and folk arts.
The purpose is to create an important foundation for building a comprehensive database on cultural industries in general and data serving effective participation in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; mapping cultural and creative industry sectors, periodically updating data, connecting with national and international data systems.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thanh Thuy - Head of Cultural Research Department (National Institute of Culture and Arts), creative cities do not come naturally or are a completely random process.
Creative cities need to be based on many fundamental elements and interactions between elements such as planning and vision, including the role of local authorities and stakeholders, research and development, nurturing human capital, using and promoting urban infrastructure appropriately as well as creating trust and consensus among stakeholders...
“Although there is no easy policy formula, if the above elements are built and activated appropriately, Hoi An Creative City can meet the aspects of promoting urban economic growth as well as long-term issues related to innovation and finding creative solutions to contemporary urban challenges. Thereby contributing to the harmonious, sustainable and inclusive development of the city,” said Ms. Thuy.
Statistics show that Hoi An's cultural industry contributed 5.2% of Hoi An's total product value in 2019 and this rate will reach 6.2% in 2022.
Hoi An City currently has 658 establishments and 1,710 households engaged in production and business activities related to the field of handicrafts and folk arts. Among them, there are more than 3,000 workers and 700 actors and musicians, with an average income of 250 - 350 USD/worker/month.
The core force of more than 200 skilled artisans, craftsmen, screenwriters... is divided into teams, groups, and clubs to take charge of the city's regular activities and support communities and schools.
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