When Vietnam’s identity is rooted in creativity, humanity, and modernity, opportunities for international collaboration will emerge naturally. That’s why cultural diplomacy should not trail behind economic efforts - it must go ahead and pave the way. What we urgently need is a shared compass.

To guide Vietnam’s creative industries, that compass could be summed up in four values: identity, creativity, modernity, and trust.

We must preserve our identity without isolation. Encourage originality without imitation. Embrace modern methods without losing depth. Build trust through commitments and consistent quality.

With this shared compass, every film, festival, design, or performance becomes a piece of a larger national mosaic - no longer isolated efforts, but interconnected elements of a coherent story.

Not someone else’s responsibility

The creative economy is a new engine for growth, a foundation of soft power, and a vital bridge in foreign affairs. But it is not just the responsibility of the state or the arts community.

Businesses participate through investment and governance. Artists contribute through their imagination. Schools engage by nurturing aesthetic sensibility and fresh thinking. The media tells Vietnam’s story in ways that captivate. Citizens contribute through modern, confident lifestyles. Each of us, in our own way, can become an ambassador of Vietnamese culture.

While national resolutions provide direction, it is our shared national aspiration that truly drives momentum. This is a vision of Vietnam not only known for its wartime past but also for its creativity and values in the present and future.

A Vietnam that does not merely export goods - but exports stories, symbols, and soul. A Vietnam that, when mentioned, evokes rich culture, humane people, and a spirit of innovation.

In the end, developing cultural industries and pursuing cultural diplomacy is not just about making money from culture. It is about how Vietnam tells its story to the world - a story deep enough to be respected, vibrant enough to be loved, and strong enough to stand the test of time.

Tran Si Chuong