In her opening speech, Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, underlined that globalization, urbanization, and climate change are posing new development challenges. In this context, she noted, countries, including Vietnam, must reshape policy thinking and affirm culture as a strategic resource.

Vietnam is accelerating a development model anchored in the nation’s cultural strengths, reflected through the National Target Program on Cultural Development for 2025–2035, the cultural industries strategy toward 2030 with a vision to 2045, and the forthcoming resolution on cultural revitalization.

According to Nguyen Phuong Hoa, the forum themed “Sustain the Future through Culture and Creativity” serves not only as an academic platform but also as a space for new ideas where countries examine how culture can function as a driver of sustainable development. She expressed hope that the event would become an annual platform, helping build an Asian creative network and supporting pilot initiatives at the local level, particularly in UNESCO Creative Cities.

At the forum,  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism stated that culture embodies identity, cohesion, and creativity, and stands as an independent pillar of global cultural-industry strategies.

This year’s discussions underscore Asia’s emergence as a “laboratory” for development models rooted in heritage, identity, and creativity. Vietnam- home to four UNESCO Creative Cities (Ha Noi, Hoi An, Da Lat, and Ho Chi Minh City), alongside rising creative models in Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, and Khanh Hoa,  is gradually shaping a new creative map.

At the event, speakers from the United Kingdom, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and Vietnam examined trends in creative urban design, integrating culture into planning, models linking arts-heritage-tourism, and opportunities for regional cooperation.

The forum also presented a video highlighting Vietnam’s Creative Cities and featured artistic performances, including “Fields of Heritage” and traditional puppetry. The event is expected to become a destination for knowledge exchange and cooperation, advancing culture and creativity as key resources for the region’s sustainable development.

Creative Advertising Awards 2025 to honor Vietnam’s cultural identity

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