Hanoi intends to work out a strategy to develop and export cultural products, according to Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong.

Speaking at the workshop "50 Years of Building an Advanced Culture with Strong National Identity" held recently in Hanoi, Phong said that in the past years, the Hanoi Party Committee has always emphasized the role and value of cultural heritages. "It is an important task to make the cultural industry an important economic sector of the capital soon."

Viewing culture as an infinite and priceless asset, Hanoi wants to encourage businesses to create cultural goods and services so that the city can grow in the areas of design, handicrafts, art, and cultural tourism. "This would be a cultural industry with many strengths to create a driving force for development," Phong said.

GiGi and Thomas from Romania are excited about the culture of asking for calligraphy letters at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Photo: The Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities

To make a breakthrough in the strategy to develop the capital's cultural industry in line with the Vietnamese Government's direction in 2022, the Hanoi Party Committee issued Resolution No. 09 on "Development of Cultural Industry for the Period 2021-2025, Orientation to 2030, and Vision to 2045."

The move aims to transform the capital's cultural industry into a major economic sector that could contribute up to 8% of the city's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) by 2030 and 10% of the city's GRDP by 2045.

The official stressed that the issuance of Resolution No. 09 demonstrates the innovative thinking and strategic vision of the city government to adapt to the cultural development trend in Southeast Asia and the world.

"In particular, Hanoi is focusing on developing unique and attractive tourism products based on promoting the value of cultural heritage, which has created appeal for local and foreign tourists," Phong said.

Some of Hanoi's cultural products that have been highly appreciated in recent times include the walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas; Phung Hung Mural Street; Hanoi Book Street; Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour exploring cultural heritage in the Old Quarter. Others of interest include the Quintessence of Education night tour at the Temple of Literature; the "Quintessence of the North" performance program; art and culinary performance space on Trinh Cong Son Walking Street; Quang An Lotus Teamaking; and others.

The Quintessence of Education night tour, equipped with LED lights at the Temple of Literature, offers visitors a new perspective. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

Transportation and tourism infrastructure in some craft villages have been synchronously invested. Attention has also been paid to signage to make the handicraft villages attractive tourist destinations. “Typical examples include Ha Thai lacquer craft village and Hong Van ornamental plant craft village in Thuong Tin District; Bat Trang pottery craft village in Gia Lam District; Van Phuc silk craft village in Ha Dong District,” Phong cited.

In addition, the city has projected the image of Hanoi as a friendly and peaceful capital to the world by promoting its cultural heritage values in combination with organizing international events and developing conference tourism.

Many cultural and sports events are held every year, such as the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival, Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert, Hanoi Heritage International Marathon Day, Hanoi International Film Festival, Monsoon International Music Festival, Creative Design Festival, and so on. 

The entrance gate of Thang Long – Hanoi Imperial Citadel. Photo: The Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center

 Developing cultural products in line with the new development stage

Hanoi welcomed 21 million tourists in 2023, including nearly 4 million international visitors. In the first nine months of 2024, the total number of tourists to Hanoi is estimated at 21.12 million, up 11.7% year-on-year. Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND82 trillion ($3.2 billion), an increase of 18.5% over the same period in 2023.

"The result shows that Hanoi's cultural industry is gradually contributing to the city's competitiveness and international integration," Phong emphasized.

He went on to say that Hanoi is determined to implement a cultural development strategy in line with the potential and advantages of the capital. Specifically, it is necessary to arrange appropriate investment resources, and create favorable mechanisms to realize the goal of building a "Creative City" - a new driving force recognized by the international community associated with the goal of developing the capital with a vision to 2045.