Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shared about the key tasks and special significance the cultural sector has brought to this special event.
Q: Dear Deputy minister, Autumn Fair 2025 is seen not only as a major trade event but also a unique cultural activity at the end of the year. What responsibilities has the Government assigned to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to ensure the fair’s success?
A: Autumn Fair 2025 is a very special event, the first national-scale fair in Viet Nam held under the direct guidance of the Government.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been entrusted by the Government and the Prime Minister with many important tasks. Particularly, we are responsible for participating in a goods market space of cultural industries, introducing the Vietnamese cultural quintessence to domestic and international audiences and businesses. This will also be a unique hub for trade and cultural exchange of the fair.
Additionally, the ministry is assigned to communicate and promote the fair, organise the opening and closing ceremonies, and a series of regular cultural and artistic activities, turning the event into a true festival for the people, businesses, and communities — connecting people with markets and goods. Through this, it aims to stimulate consumption, promote economic growth, and attract investment.
The participation of Viet Nam’s cultural industries in this year’s fair carries great significance.
Firstly, it promotes the development of Viet Nam’s cultural industries. According to the General Statistics Office, Viet Nam’s cultural industries currently contribute 4.4% to the national GDP, making them an increasingly important economic sector. Viet Nam has set the target for these industries to contribute 7% of GDP by 2030, with a vision to 2045. This is an ambitious goal, but their potential is great. The fair is therefore an excellent opportunity to stimulate the development of Vietnamese cultural industries, promote creativity and good ideas, and attract investment into the Vietnamese cultural industries market.
Secondly, the fair creates a vibrant platform to connect culture and commerce, and develop products. The businesses and people participating in the fair not only have the opportunity for shopping but can also enjoy cultural and artistic experiences. The participation of the Vietnamese cultural industries will help boost domestic consumption while promoting Vietnamese cultural values and quintessence to both national and international markets.
Q: What kinds of cultural industry products will be introduced at this year’s Autumn Fair?
A: The exhibition space for Viet Nam’s cultural industry products will cover over 10,000 square metres, providing a large and diverse area featuring products from all 12 Vietnamese cultural industries, including film, performing arts, and publishing. Visitors will have access to products from the film industry, performing arts, advertising, publishing, fashion-Ao Dai, fine arts, tourism, entertainment games, broadcasting, television, and many other fields.
All of these unique products are the quintessence of Vietnamese culture, introduced in both the form of physical goods and cultural services. This is the first time that Vietnamese cultural industries have fully and synchronously converged at a national-scale trade-promotion event, contributing to enriching the scale and depth of the fair.
Q: Autumn Fair 2025 is recognised as a trade-promotion event in combination with culture, and tourism. How will the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism collaborate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to promote the fair to the public?
A: We have assigned tasks to various departments — including the Department of Press, the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information, the Department of Grassroots Information, and the Department of External Information to carry out communication and promotional activities. A media centre will be established by the ministry at the fair to provide daily updates for domestic and international journalists. It is put into operational ahead of the event to ensure that press agencies can effectively disseminate positive and timely information nationwide.
At the same time, we are enhancing communication through social media and online platforms, engaging a wide network of key opinion leaders (KOLs) to quickly and dynamically spread information. We will host daily live shows featuring ao dai performances, contemporary and traditional art, and other cultural programmes. Our goal is to turn the fair into a true consumer festival where visitors can shop, experience culture, and enjoy the arts, creating a spreading social effect.
This year’s fair also includes a meaningful programme: the launch of a charity donation to support people affected by flooding. This reflects social responsibility and community spirit, ensuring the fair is not only a venue for trade but also a space to spread Vietnamese humanitarian values.
Q: In the context of the rapid development of digital technology, does the Ministry plan to apply digital platforms and social network to increase coverage and interaction for the fair?
A: Digital communication now plays an important and timely role. We are promoting the fair not only through mainstream media but also on social network and digital platforms. Particularly, we have created online forums where consumers can provide feedback and rate product quality and brand reputation. At the same time, we promptly receive feedback to quickly handle problems arising during the fair. This is a modern, two-way interactive approach, helping the event get closer to the public and increase promotional effectiveness.
Q: It is expected that more than 200 domestic and international press agencies will cover this year’s fair. How do you assess the role of the press in promoting such an important event?
A: We highly appreciate the involvement of the press. Since the fair’s announcement, press agencies nationwide have actively engaged in coverage. The press conference held on October 14 was attended by 200 journalists. Viet Nam Television broadcast the opening ceremony live, while VOV broadcast live on radio, and many other press agencies have provided timely and accurate information for readers.
The press not only informs the public but also plays an essential role in promoting products, brands, and business activities. Particularly, the Viet Nam Economic News, the communication agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has demonstrated its professionalism and creativity, significantly contributing to the success of the fair’s communications campaign.
Q: Thank you very much Deputy Minister!
