Hanoi is preparing to develop a creative ecosystem as the draft Resolution on the organization and operation of cultural industry centers is being widely circulated for public and community feedback.
This legal document aims to implement Clause 7, Article 21 of the Capital Law, promising to open new spaces for the cultural industry – an economically potential sector that has proven successful in many developed countries.
The draft Resolution proposes a comprehensive legal framework for the establishment, management, and operation of cultural industry centers, where traditional cultural heritage is connected with modern technology to produce high-value cultural products and services.
According to the draft, a cultural industry center is defined as “an area with a clearly defined geographical boundary, specializing in activities in the cultural industry.” These centers can be established under three organizational models: enterprises, public non-business units, or cooperatives.
| Hanoi to have a new mechanism for developing cultural industry centers. |
This is considered an important step to facilitate the conversion of old, inefficiently used facilities into new cultural creative spaces while attracting investment in the cultural industry – a new economic driver of the capital.
A notable point in the draft is the proposal of two main methods to develop cultural industry centers. The first method is for the State to invest in infrastructure using the budget, then establish a public non-business unit or franchise it to enterprises or cooperatives for management and operation. The second method allows organizations or individuals to lease public assets (such as relocated old industrial or commercial facilities) to renovate and convert them into cultural industry centers.
Lieutenant Colonel, musician Ta Duy Tuan (currently working at the Army Music and Dance Theater) expressed his excitement: “If this Resolution is passed, it will be a great opportunity for the creative artist community. We have long awaited a centralized space where artists, designers, and creative individuals can work together, share ideas, and develop unique cultural products.”
To encourage investment in this sector, the draft proposes many attractive incentives such as prioritizing planning and land allocation, waiving land lease fees, waiving building lease fees for the first 3 years and reducing them by 50% for the next 3 years, supporting loan interest, training human resources, and participating in the City’s trade promotion programs.
The lease term for buildings is determined by agreement between the competent authority and investors, but not exceeding 10 years and can be renewed each time for no more than 10 years. This is considered a reasonable timeframe for investors to recover capital and develop sustainably.
Cultural industry centers are allowed to operate in diverse sectors such as advertising, architecture, software and entertainment games, handicrafts, design, cinema, publishing, fashion, performing arts, fine arts, photography and exhibitions, television and radio, and cultural tourism.
The cultural industry center model has proven successful in many countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China. In Vietnam, there have been experimental models such as Zone 9 and Nha San Collective (Hanoi), but there has not yet been a comprehensive legal framework for sustainable development.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son, Standing Member of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Education, assessed: “The Capital Law (2024) will certainly play an important role in solving the difficulties that Hanoi’s cultural industry is facing, especially in encouraging investors and enterprises to participate in this sector. The amendment of the Law has introduced several new policies with the potential to create breakthroughs.
The new policies in the Capital Law (2024) will create a more favorable environment for businesses and investors, promoting the development of the cultural industry in Hanoi. If implemented effectively, these mechanisms will help reduce current difficulties while providing leverage for sustainable development of the cultural sector in the future.”
| Currently, the Department of Culture and Sports is coordinating with the City People’s Committee Office to gather wide feedback from citizens and the community on the draft Resolution via the City’s electronic portal. All contributions will be compiled to finalize the draft before submission to the City Council for approval.
Once approved, this Resolution is expected to create a new wave in cultural industry development in the capital, contributing to the goal of building Hanoi into a “Creative City,” while positioning culture as a key economic sector that generates high economic value and helps promote the image of the capital. |