Vietnam Seeks to Leverage Cultural Heritage for Economic Growth

Vietnam is advancing its strategy to leverage its rich cultural heritage as a new driver of economic growth. While the focus has traditionally been on preserving cultural heritage, the country now aims to maximize its economic, educational, and social impact by strengthening connections with science, technology, education, design, and the marketplace. Central to this effort is the utilization of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the competitiveness of cultural industries. The Communist Party of Vietnam has stressed the need to address bottlenecks hindering the transformation of culture into an endogenous resource, soft power, and a driver of national development, noting that the appeal and reach of positive cultural values in the digital environment have yet to keep pace with the rapid growth of digital platforms. In the capital Hanoi, a series of initiatives have been launched to realize its vision of becoming a "Civilized – Distinctive – Creative" capital, with culture and innovation serving as key growth engines. Among the most notable are the creative infrastructure development program and the 2026 creative space design competition, which encourage architects, designers, and creative communities to revitalize former industrial sites, relocated facilities, traditional craft villages, parks, squares, and other public spaces through innovative yet practical design solutions. Furthermore, the digitization of Vietnam's folk culture, including oral literature, beliefs, customs, festivals, and art passed down through generations, has become an urgent lever for national cultural development in the new era. This is expected to open new opportunities for smart tourism, expanding public access to heritage and enhancing research activities. Ho Chi Minh City, from its origins as Saigon-Gia Dinh, has absorbed successive waves of ethnic communities and external influences. Geography and diversity have fused to produce a population known for generosity, openness, straightforwardness, solidarity, tolerance, and compassion, showcasing a unique blend of historical influences and modern dynamism. The leveraging of cultural heritage is also emphasized as a means to promote Vietnam's cultural identity both domestically and internationally. The Vietnamese gallery at the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow stands out as a vivid testament to the country's history, culture, and craftsmanship, helping promote Vietnam's cultural identity to Russian and international visitors. Similarly, the vast scholarly contributions of the cultural figure and scholar Le Quy Don are showcased through photographs, historical documents, woodblock reproductions, stone inscriptions, books, and other valuable archival materials. Moreover, Hue's imperial cuisine reflects a culinary tradition rooted in the city's history as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, renowned for its refined flavors, meticulous preparation, and artistic presentation. In Da Nang city, businesses and coffee artisans are reimagining the central region's signature specialties through creative coffee beverages, adding value to OCOP (One Commune One Product) items and strengthening links between agriculture, culture, tourism, and commerce. Vietnam's martial art, Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao, has steadily gained international recognition, particularly in France, where it has become firmly established with over 10,000 practitioners and about 50 clubs. These efforts to transform cultural heritage into a driver of economic growth are positioned as part of a long-term strategy under Vietnam's one-party system, aiming to strengthen the nation's soft power and enhance its international competitiveness. In its relationship with China, establishing a distinct identity through culture may also be crucial in maintaining geopolitical balance.