Vietnam Proposes Comprehensive Cultural Industry Law to Boost Creative Economy and Preserve National Identity

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam has released the initial draft of the Law on Cultural Industry Development, targeting the establishment of a unified legal framework to stimulate growth in the country’s cultural economy. The draft law aims to create a coherent ecosystem that leverages Vietnam’s creative resources, intellectual property, science, technology, and cultural heritage to produce high-quality cultural products with economic and social value.

Under the draft, the cultural industry is defined broadly as economic activities that harness cultural resources combined with science, technology, and intellectual property to generate goods and services that contribute to human development, preserve national cultural identity, and enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness and soft power globally.

Key sectors identified within the cultural industry include cinematography, fine arts, photography, performing arts, software and entertainment games, advertising, handicrafts, cultural tourism, creative design, television, radio, and publishing. These sectors are envisioned as integral components of the cultural economy’s growth.

The draft law proposes developing an integrated cultural industry ecosystem that connects creators, businesses, educational and research institutions, professional organizations, investment funds, and cultural institutions. This interconnected framework is intended to facilitate collaboration and value creation across the entire cultural value chain.

The State’s role is articulated as enabling and guiding, focusing on creating favorable conditions for stakeholders to engage deeply in activities ranging from creation and production to distribution, commercialization, consumption, and reinvestment.

Intellectual property (IP) receives particular emphasis in the draft. Rather than treating IP merely as an output of creative work, the legislation seeks to establish mechanisms for more effective identification, management, valuation, protection, and utilization of IP assets. The draft specifically advocates for the development of digital tools to assist creators in managing the creative process and registering IP rights.

This approach aims to transform creative value—often intangible and difficult to quantify—into tangible assets that can be managed, traded, and marketed, thereby unlocking new economic potential.

Human resource development is addressed through an interdisciplinary approach that aligns training with production, business activities, and market demand. The draft highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing talent, as well as attracting highly qualified experts, artists, artisans, and creators to the cultural industry.

To support market-driven growth, the draft law proposes mechanisms to diversify investment sources. Beyond the state budget, it encourages mobilization of resources from domestic and foreign businesses, organizations, individuals, investment funds, and other lawful sources.

The draft also aims to facilitate investment in infrastructure and the provision of cultural industry products. It includes provisions to support small businesses, innovative startups, and creative groups in accessing resources, markets, and promotional programs.

Certain priority sectors and products with strong potential to generate economic and social value and promote Vietnamese identity are earmarked for enhanced support and incentives.

Additionally, the draft promotes export activities, national brand building, and attracting foreign-invested projects capable of developing and globalizing Vietnamese cultural intellectual property.

The Draft Law on Cultural Industry Development is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and potential passage in October 2024, marking a significant step toward formalizing and accelerating Vietnam’s cultural economy.