Among these are new policy solutions offering incentives and creating an enabling environment to foster exchange and promote the commercialisation of creative products and ideas, providing valuable lessons for other Creative Cities across the country.
A wide range of solutions to support creative actors
From the very beginning of 2026, Ha Noi has implemented numerous activities to support collectives and individuals engaged in cultural and creative pursuits. A notable example is the Creative Gathering programme, recently held in the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian area (Hoan Kiem Ward) and Thong Nhat Park (Hai Ba Trung Ward), with the participation of around 200 units. More than merely an exhibition, showcase, seminar, or artistic performance space, the most distinctive feature of the Creative Gathering lies in the creation of a forum where brands within Ha Noi’s cultural and creative ecosystem can meet, exchange, and introduce their products, projects, and ideas.
According to Bui Thi Thanh Huong, Acting Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Architecture Magazine, a co-organiser of the programme, the programme not only brings together projects that have already been implemented, but also many initiatives that are still at the idea stage or are seeking investors, giving them an opportunity to present and find partners for implementation. Many unique ideas from collectives and individuals contributing to Ha Noi’s development have also been introduced.
Fashion designer Thu Tran of the Big Thu brand shared: “We are a unit that researches and develops products based on national cultural foundations. Normally, only people within the profession know about us. Taking part in the programme is therefore an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the public and connect with partners.” Similarly, Nguyen Ngoc Linh, a representative of Nhau Studio, a creative space specialising in watercolour and artistic anatomy, highly valued the opportunity for exchange and networking among units involved in the city’s cultural industries. In addition, the Creative Gathering also hosted numerous seminars on building an ecosystem for creative culture and developing cultural industry centres for the capital.
Since joining UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2019, Ha Noi has implemented a wide range of measures to build a Creative City and develop cultural industries. During the 2025–2026 period, an increasing number of new solutions to support communities and spread the spirit of creativity have been rolled out. The Creative Gathering represents the next highlight in this journey of renewal. Going beyond the nature of a one-off event, it serves as a starting point for many subsequent “stages” in supporting Ha Noi’s creative actors. Another major breakthrough is that, with support from the cultural sector, businesses are becoming increasingly involved in cultural and creative activities. TASCO Mall (Viet Hung Ward) has taken the lead in organising creative cultural activities such as fine art exhibitions, seminars, handicraft displays, acoustic music nights, and discussions on heritage.
A recent example is the programme “Pho – An Intangible Cultural Heritage Story in the Flow of the Creative Industry”, featuring activities including a seminar on the heritage value of pho, a historical exhibition, a space showcasing Ha Noi pho customs, displays of sketches on pho heritage, performances, and pho-tasting experiences.
Following TASCO Mall, the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Sports has outlined activity frameworks with Lotte Mall and several other commercial centres, featuring a series of displays, exhibitions, and design activities to bring creative culture closer to the community.
Creating new development momentum
Ha Noi’s efforts in building itself as a Creative City and developing cultural industries are gradually being translated from policy orientations into concrete solutions that provide a “launch pad” for cultural and creative activities and have gained international recognition. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Viet Nam, noted: “Ha Noi’s recognition as a Creative City opens a new chapter in which creativity becomes a key driver of development. The shift from organising an annual festival to building a dynamic creative ecosystem demonstrates Ha Noi’s strong commitment to placing creativity at the heart of its urban development strategy.”
In building a Creative City, creative cultural spaces are one of the capital’s strengths. Ha Noi currently has around 200 creative spaces in various forms. However, many face difficulties, including procedural obstacles for exhibitions and performances, and challenges in self-managing communications. These bottlenecks have been “unlocked” through the establishment of the Coordination Centre for Creative Activities.
According to Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Director of the Coordination Centre for Creative Activities, after joining the Creative Cities Network, these spaces have received various forms of support, including media and promotional connections, assistance with administrative procedures, links with members of the Global Creative Cities Network, funding support for community-oriented activities, and provision of venues for events. From this foundation, Ha Noi’s creative community will make steady progress, further spreading the spirit of cultural creativity to the wider public.
Expressing enthusiasm upon joining the Creative Cultural Spaces Network, Do Anh Duc, founder of the Pho Hang Coffee space (Hong Ha Street, Hong Ha Ward), said that although this is only the beginning, there is strong confidence that creative spaces will gain new momentum for development, particularly in resolving difficulties in connecting with other spaces and administrative procedures when organising activities. In addition, the city has introduced various measures to support organisations and individuals participating in models such as Cultural Industry Centres and Trade and Cultural Development Centres, including land rental policies and tax incentives. These measures provide the foundations for a breakthrough in building a Creative City and promoting cultural industries across the capital.
