To make cultural industry an economic sector

In the context of globalization and deep international integration, cultural industry (CNVH) increasingly affirms its important role in promoting socio-economic development. Vinh Long possesses rich and diverse cultural features from traditional and historical values ​​to ecological characteristics of garden culture that can develop CNVH. It needs much innovation and creativity to turn those cultural values ​​into products that bring practical value.

In the context of globalization and deep international integration, cultural industry (CNVH) increasingly affirms its important role in promoting socio -economic development.

Vinh Long possesses rich and diverse cultural features from traditional and historical values ​​to ecological characteristics of garden culture that can develop cultural industry. It needs a lot of innovation and creativity to turn those cultural values ​​into products that bring practical value.

Products from the "red kingdom" are a distinctive mark along the Co Chien river.

Potential, advantages in many aspects

According to Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung - Deputy Head of Marketing Department, University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Long is a province in the center of the Mekong Delta, surrounded by Tien and Hau rivers, creating a dense system of canals, favorable for agricultural development and waterway transportation.

In terms of society, the province has a diverse population with the harmonious coexistence of ethnic groups such as Kinh, Khmer and Hoa, bringing a rich and distinctive culture. This land has a tradition of learning and has contributed many talents to the country. With valuable human resources, Vinh Long is not only an attractive destination but also a place to preserve many traditional cultural values, favorable for the development of cultural industry.

The province always cares about preserving traditional cultural values.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong - Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism (DL) also said that Vinh Long possesses many outstanding advantages to develop the cultural industry.

The province is the cradle of Southern amateur music - an art form recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This is not only a unique cultural value, but can also become the foundation for building creative products and services associated with tourism and entertainment.

In addition, the traditional craft village system is also a valuable asset. In particular, Mang Thit pottery has a long history with more than 1,500 red brick kilns in operation and created the name "red kingdom" as a characteristic mark of the Co Chien riverside. This is both a place to create a unique cultural space, to create unique handicraft products, and has the potential to become a highlight of cultural and creative tourism. Mang Thit pottery, if properly planned and preserved, can develop into a "living pottery museum" - a place that combines production, performance, experiential workshops and trade of products with national geographical indications.

Kinh, Khmer and Chinese cultural identities.

In addition to pottery, the province also has mat weaving, bamboo and rattan weaving, and coconut product making, all of which have economic and cultural value, suitable for the development direction of "Handicrafts and folk arts".

The province currently has more than 130 accommodation establishments with 1,700 rooms and 26 homestays. Community tourism models associated with orchards, floating markets and river tourism are increasingly attracting domestic and foreign tourists. The geographical location between the Tien and Hau rivers also helps the province connect conveniently with the region, opening up the possibility of forming inter-regional creative cultural and tourism clusters.

Creating momentum for the development of cultural industry

Despite its great potential, infrastructure for creativity is still lacking. Vinh Long does not have a cultural center, walking street, art night market or creative space for young people. Existing grassroots cultural institutions are mostly still administrative in function, lacking the ability to directly participate in the creative economy.

Although human resources have been improved, the rate of workers with degrees is only 37%, low compared to the needs of the cultural industry. The design team, creative management, and digital media are still limited. The number of businesses investing in the fields of handicrafts, folk arts, and digital content is still too small, and policies to support creative startups are not really strong. Another challenge is the risk of losing heritage.

Don ca tai tu, folk festivals of the Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, and many other traditional crafts are facing the aging of artisans and the lack of successors. Without a preservation mechanism linked to the development of cultural industry, these heritages can easily be simply commercialized or disappear.

Community tourism models associated with garden areas are increasingly attracting tourists.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, to promote the development of the cultural industry, promoting resources from craft villages and a rich system of folk festivals is the core priority axis to shape the province's cultural industry products. Mang Thit pottery, mat weaving, bamboo and rattan weaving, and coconut processing are both cultural expressions and have the ability to transform into commercial products if the value chain is reorganized and design-packaging-quality standards are raised. The performance heritage system, especially Don Ca Tai Tu and Khmer-Chinese-Vietnamese folk practices, is the "soul" to develop performance products, experiential tourism and creative content.

According to the national orientation on the development of cultural industries, handicrafts, performing arts, cultural tourism, design and digital content are all in the priority group, thereby creating a legal framework for the province to choose its focus. Exploiting these pillars helps the province own a clear development story: from the "red kingdom" of Mang Thit and the garden-river space, forming a system of cultural products bearing the Southern mark, capable of going far thanks to e-commerce and the international market.

Associate Professor, Dr. Mac Van Tien - Academy of Posts and Telecommunications Technology, proposed that in order to meet the needs of developing the cultural industry towards digital cultural industry, Vietnam in general and Vinh Long in particular need to develop a digital workforce. That is a professional technical workforce with skills in digital technology, including information technology, telecommunications electronics, digital communications, network information security and other digital technology services.

The characteristics of digital human resources in the digital culture industry are the ability to master digital technology devices in the interaction process of cultural activities; the ability to be ready and highly adaptable to the working environment and rapid changes in technology; and the ability to be highly creative in work.

According to the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030, to comprehensively develop Vinh Long culture and people, it is necessary to ensure cultural development on par with economic development and social progress. Strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of culture. Promoting the unique cultural values ​​and diversity of ethnic culture is one of the important driving forces for sustainable development. Continue to upgrade, embellish and promote the value of historical-cultural relics, typical tangible and intangible cultural heritages, especially the unique cultural forms of the Khmer people. Develop cultural industry and cultural-sport services associated with tourism...

Promoting advantages from many aspects to develop the cultural and industrial sectors, not only helps develop the economy, but also strengthens the identity, improves the spiritual life of the people. This is not only a development strategy, but also a journey to affirm the identity of the province in the era of national development.

Article and photos: PHUONG THU

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/202510/de-cong-nghiep-van-hoa-thanh-nganh-kinh-te-37743e7/