Nhan Dan-Investindo– Feb 19
The “cultural industry” is an umbrella term for the combination of the industries involved in the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of cultural or creative products and the protection of intellectual property rights. Specifically, it covers the production and service activities inherent in the act of creation, so it can often be referred to as the “Creative Industry”.
CULTURAL INDUSTRY IN VIETNAM
“Cultural industry”, is a new term for the economy and culture of Vietnam, only coming into use over the last three to five years. Since 2016, the term gained greater recognition when the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 1755 / QD-TTg dated September 8, 2016 on a strategy of developing cultural industries until 2020 with a vision to 2030.
The development of cultural industries plays an important role in exploiting the economic potential of culture, promoting national identity, creativity, and innovation while empowering the nation in the age of globalisation, digitisation, and increased competition, as well as taking advantage of cultural resources in building the economy and exalting international prestige of the country.
In developed countries, the annual growth rate of the cultural industries is twice as high as the annual growth rate of the service industry, and four times that of the manufacturing sector. It is positioned as a key economic sector, creating an overall competitive advantage, fostering innovation and creating a more balanced and diversified economy. Cultural organisations and businesses have been playing an important role in promoting economic growth, by enhancing the integration of the culture – arts sector with the business and technology sectors.
However, over the years, general society in Vietnam, particularly the management of culture and art, have not seen the importance of cultural industry to the economy in the context of marketability, international integration, and the development of art and culture. Even so, the cultural industry is sometimes identical to the commercialisation of art and culture.
The Decision No. 1755 / QĐ-TTg has solved many problems related to the cultural industry, elevating it to a new position of relevance to the national economy. Accordingly, the burgeoning cultural industry is the cause of the whole people, as one of the leading manufacturing and service industries. The cultural industry strives to contribute about three percent of Vietnam’s GDP in 2020, rising to seven percent by 2030, and being a continual source of job creation.
The cultural industry combines three elements: innovation, the distribution of goods through modern infrastructure and production technology, and the ability to produce cultural products for economic benefit. In Vietnam, there are 12 industry groups: advertising, architecture, software and entertainment, handicrafts, design, cinema, publishing, fashion, performing arts, fine art – photography – exhibitions, television and radio, and cultural tourism. The cultural industries can exist independently, but they are often interdisciplinary; concentrated in one area that aims promote synergy such as: Cultural industry complexes, cultural industry parks, and cultural industry centres.
Cultural tourism – Spearheading the cultural industry
Vietnam is a country with a rich cultural tradition, being home to many World Heritage Sites and cultural legacies.
By 2017, Vietnam had the highest number of World Heritage Sites in ASEAN, including eight world heritage sites; 12 intangible cultural heritages; two world documentary heritages; nine World Biosphere Reserves; and one global geological park. At present, Vietnam has recorded more than 40,000 cultural heritages; with nearly 10,000 cultural festivals per year of 54 ethnic groups in the country, as well as the customs and cultural cuisines of different regions that are a valuable cultural treasure for Vietnam’s tourism industry.
The heritages offer many advantages and potential, and are a great resource in developing a rich cultural industry. They are the inspiration, the material for the creation of cultural products. There exists a mutual benefit, as cultural products contribute to promoting heritage values, linking them with common cultural values of the community, region, nation and the world. As a result, it can be said that cultural tourism will be a spearhead of the cultural industry, in the coming time.
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