The Vietnamese capital became a new member ofthe network in the field of design, the department said, noting that althoughHanoi is strong at many fields of creativity, it decided to apply for thestatus in terms of design since this area has wide coverage, is closely linkedwith other fields, and can reflect the city’s potential and strength inbringing into play its creativity.

Besides, Hanoi has also met the standards for a creative city of design, including a developed design industry, multipleopportunities for creating designs from natural materials and conditions, andthe presence of design groups with frequent activities.

The municipal department said joining the UNESCOnetwork is the first but significant step for Hanoi to raise its standing andcreate a new and more attractive image of the city.

To realise its commitment to the UNESCO CreativeCities Network, Hanoi will issue a long-term action programme and connect itspolicies to promote cultural industries and enrich local cultural resources. Itwill also create prerequisites to help other Vietnamese cities to take part inthe network and actively contribute to the network’s development, therebyaffirming its stature as the creative capital of Vietnam in Southeast Asia andthe world.

A total of 66 cities were designated as UNESCOCreative Cities on this occasion. Apart from Hanoi, the seven other creativecities of design are Asahikawa (Japan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bangkok (Thailand),Cebu City (the Philippines), Muharraq (Bahrain), Querétaro (Mexico), and SanJosé (Costa Rica).

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network , founded in2004, aims to enhance cooperation among the recognised cities with creativity considered a strategic factor of sustainable development. Its membership hasreached 246 at present./. VNA