Vietnam Champions Culture as New Economic Driver, Pushing Digitalization and Soft Power

Vietnam is accelerating its strategy to maximize the potential of culture, positioning it as a new engine for economic growth. Emphasis is placed on enhancing the nation's competitiveness on the global stage through digital transformation and the strengthening of soft power. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has stressed the need to address bottlenecks hindering the transformation of culture into an endogenous resource, soft power, and a driver of national development. He noted 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 and content. As Vietnam identifies cultural industries as a new driver of economic growth and national branding, AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening their competitiveness. The digitization of folk culture, including oral literature, beliefs, customs, festivals, and arts passed down through generations, has become an urgent lever for national cultural development in the new era. In the Hanoi Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision, culture is identified as the core value underpinning the entire plan, serving as an endogenous resource, a source of soft power, and a driving force for the capital city's sustainable development strategy. Experts believe that with coordinated reforms in institutions, technology, human resources, and infrastructure, Vietnam can transform its cultural heritage into a powerful engine for innovation, economic growth, and national soft power in the new era. Vietnamese cuisine ranks 16th among the world's top 100 cuisines in the latest TasteAtlas rankings, moving up from previous years. Travel + Leisure has also described Vietnamese cuisine as "exceptional" and listed Vietnam among the leading destinations for travelers seeking cultural experiences through food. Furthermore, the implementation of the cultural diplomacy strategy sends a clear message: by combining its rich cultural heritage with proactive diplomacy, innovation, and digital transformation, Vietnam would strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage. Information Source: VietnamPlus English