Vietnamese cultural industry: future forum with artists and experts”

Vietnamese cultural industry: future forum with artists and experts”

On June 11, 2025, a major seminar was held in Vietnam dedicated to the future of Vietnam's cultural economy. The event was aimed at managers, artists, experts and agency representatives to discuss the development of this industry. Le Minh Tuan, deputy director of the Copyright Department, emphasized the great interest in cultural and economic development, which is of great importance to the country. He highlighted the need to involve various agencies, industries and media in information dissemination forums to reach a wider audience.

A central topic of the seminar was the training of specialists in the cultural sector. Nguyen Tan Kiet, head of the arts management department in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that human resource development should start from childhood. This was also supported by popular singer Hoa Minzy, who shared her passion for singing and pointed out the lack of early training. The call to integrate arts subjects in primary and secondary schools to nurture talent was reinforced by singer ST Son Thach, who offered his support as a teaching assistant.

The role of cultural identity

During the seminar, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diem, deputy head of the Department of Science, Culture and Arts, spoke about the importance of Vietnamese identity in the cultural industry. Dr. Phan Bich Ha highlighted the importance of communicating cultural products and the need for a focus on foreign languages. Noo Phuoc Thinh emphasized the importance of preserving culture and integrating cultural identity into the younger generation. The producer DTAP mentioned creative projects such as “Buôn Trăng” and “Rock Hạt Cơo”, which combine cultural identity and art.

Another point was the use of technology and social networks to spread Vietnamese national identity. This is particularly important in a globalized world where cultural influences can spread quickly. The discussions at the seminar are part of a larger effort to showcase Vietnamese culture in various formats and platforms.

Cultural connections to Germany

The cultural connections between Germany and Vietnam have a long tradition. The first Vietnamese guests, the “Moritzburgers”, traveled to the former GDR as early as 1955. Around 70,000 Vietnamese were educated or worked in the GDR, including 7,000 academics. Today, Vietnam is still a priority country in the campaign to internationalize Germany as a university location. According to information from 2021, around 7,600 Vietnamese students study at German universities.

The Goethe Institute in Hanoi, which has been active since 1997, conveys a modern image of Germany and its culture. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has had a branch in Vietnam since October 2003, and the Central Office for Schools Abroad (ZfA) has been operating in Vietnam with a partner school initiative since the beginning of 2008. These initiatives are part of an intergovernmental agreement signed on May 10, 1990 and entered into force on March 6, 1991.

The cooperation between Germany and Vietnam also includes important projects such as the Vietnamese-German University in Ho Chi Minh City and restoration projects such as the entrance gate to the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc in Hué. The Dien Phung Tien temple complex in Hué is currently being restored by a German team, highlighting the deep cultural and historical connection between the two countries.