Cultural Industries: Foundations and Development Challenges in Vietnam

In the context of globalization, cultural industries have increasingly become strategic assets in diplomacy, international cooperation, and the strengthening of national identity and competitiveness. In Vietnam, the development of cultural industries is now considered an urgent and essential requirement for sustainable socio-economic growth. Under the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Cultural Industries to 2020, with a Vision to 2030, the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam established specific targets for cultural industries to contribute approximately 3% of national GDP while simultaneously generating additional employment opportunities for society. Although these objectives were initially formulated as strategic orientations, they demonstrate that cultural industries are receiving growing governmental and social attention and possess significant developmental potential in Vietnam. Nevertheless, the sector also faces numerous structural limitations and developmental challenges in the process of integration into the global cultural economy.

This study employs a qualitative research approach based on document analysis, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary review methods. Data were collected from governmental policy documents, UNESCO reports, World Bank statistics, and previous academic studies related to cultural and creative industries in Vietnam and internationally. Through comparative and interpretive analysis, the article evaluates the foundations, opportunities, and challenges associated with the development of cultural industries in Vietnam within the contemporary globalization era.