Recently, Ho Chi Minh City has promoted the strategy of developing cultural industries; building an economy and culture with high scientific content, creating a foundation for a creative economy to adapt to the digital era.
Narratives from the film industry
Recently, the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City issued a decision approving the Project to develop Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural industry until 2030. Accordingly, in the period 2021-2025, strive to develop and turn Ho Chi Minh City into a cultural industry center of the whole country and region.
During the 2026-2030 timeframe, the goal of the project is to comprehensively and contemporarily enhance the development of diverse cultural industries in the city in a sustainable manner, utilizing advanced technology. The city’s cultural products and services will have prestigious regional and international brands, meet the standards of developed countries, and deeply participate in the value chain of cultural products and services of the region and the world. The objective is to establish Ho Chi Minh City as a prominent cultural industry hub in Southeast Asia.
Numerous art performance programs in Ho Chi Minh City are invested in on a large scale. Photo: DUNG PHUONG
The film industry is also targeted in the roadmap to develop cultural industries in the city, so that Ho Chi Minh City can apply to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. In fact, Ho Chi Minh City always plays a leading role and is the cinema center of the country. An important highlight of Ho Chi Minh City cinema is the mark of socialization, especially in the past two decades. As a result, Ho Chi Minh City now has many private film studios and film production facilities established and operating effectively.
Ho Chi Minh City also holds the largest film market share in the country with about 40%, higher than all other provinces and cities combined (except Hanoi, which accounts for 30%). The city currently has only two state-owned film studios that have been equitized: Giai Phong Film Joint Stock Company and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Film Company Limited. More than 99% of other film establishments are owned by private enterprises, creating creating jobs for thousands of people.
International strategy
Over the past 5 years, efforts to develop cultural industries in Ho Chi Minh City have left many marks, serving as a stepping stone for the city to reach out in its development roadmap. Art programs branded by Ho Chi Minh City include: Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival (Hò dô); 2 seasons of Vietnam Music Week; GENfest Music Festival (Gate to Multi-Sensory Music)…
In addition, many major domestic and international music programs also choose Ho Chi Minh City as the organization destination, such as: the world tour The Wild Dreams of the band Westlife at Thong Nhat Stadium; Inviolate World Tour show of guitar legend Steve Vai at Nguyen Du Gymnasium (first stop in Southeast Asia); BridgeFest 2023…
The “Hò dô 2023” international music event showcases a significant advancement in terms of event scale, artist quality, and festival-related services. This bold move underscores Ho Chi Minh City’s dedication to unwaveringly pursue an investment strategy for cultivating the cultural industry, creating a new prominent destination, and positioning “Hò dô” on the global music scene.
Assoc Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Dung, former Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture, commented: “Ho Chi Minh City has many advantages to develop cultural products and services, cultural industries, and creative industries of the whole country.” Along with the economic restructuring policy, the city is focusing all resources for development (including cultural resources) and aiming to become the cultural center of the Eastern region by 2030. South Asia, by 2045, will be an attractive global destination with unique cultural development.”
To evaluate the development of each city based on many factors, the international strategy for cultural industries in Ho Chi Minh City or the goal of joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network… are important factors for see the belief that Ho Chi Minh City’s culture will reach out, positioning the city’s culture, identity and people to the region and the world.
| * Ms. NGUYEN THI THANH THUY, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports:
Identification of the city’s cultural industry Although the cultural industry was born later than many other industries, because it is in line with the trend of the times, it has great prospects, has the potential to develop and bring high efficiency. Setting the goal of developing the cultural industry in Ho Chi Minh City not only satisfies people’s needs for cultural enjoyment and consumption, but also establishes the city’s brand of cultural products and services, enhances competitiveness of brands in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general with international friends. |
Credit: HẢI DUY – TIỂU TÂN – THIÊN THANH (BÁO SGGP). Translator: K.Uyen
