Culture as a driver of development | Vietnam Today

The world's culture is increasingly seen not only as heritage, but as a powerful economic engine. In Vietnam, filmmakers, artists and cities are now redefining culture as a driver of growth. From record-breaking cinema to high-tech heritage tourism, as the country updates its national cultural development strategy. The 24th Vietnam Film Festival concluded recently in Ho Chi Minh City. Amid a standout year for Vietnamese cinema, Red Rain, directed by People's Artist Đặc Thái Huyền from the military film studio, won the Golden Lotus Award. The historical war drama broke Vietnam's all-time box office record with revenues exceeding 26 million US dollars and touched the hearts of many. What we experience today comes from the sacrifices of those in the past who gave everything for us. Cinema is one of 10 priority cultural industries identified by Vietnam's national strategy. By 2030, the cultural sector aims to contribute 7% of GDP, rising to 9% by 2045. Technology becomes rigid without meaningful storytelling. Its value lies in how deeply it connects to content. Technology is also transforming how people experience heritage. Over the past decade, Vietnam has laid the foundations for a heritage economy, where cultural assets become drivers of economic growth. In Hanoi, the nighttime tour of the Temple of Literatures showcases 3D mapping projections. The tour not only generates revenue but also stimulates the surrounding cultural and tourism services. This shows that heritage with an innovative design can become a sustainable economic level. High-value cultural products generate commercial returns. This allows for reinvestment and reduces dependence on the state budget. From record-breaking films to digitally enhanced heritage tourism, Vietnam's recent successes show that culture can become a powerful engine for economic growth. The country stands as a pivotal moment to accelerate this momentum forward.