Not only hosting exhibitions, the Ha Noi Museum has transformed itself into an appealing creative space. There are currently around 120 creative spaces in the city, spanning a wide range of fields. Some of these spaces operate as complexes, integrating various forms of culture and creativity, while others are more “specialised”, focusing on areas such as music, visual arts, and architecture.
Recently, a new trend has emerged with the rise of creative spaces centred on handicrafts or traditional performing arts, such as Magic of Color (Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem District), Am Cake (Lac Long Quan Street, Tay Ho District), or Vun Art Cooperative (Silk Street, Van Phuc Ward, Ha Dong District). In terms of ownership, while most creative spaces used to be privately operated, state agencies are now increasingly taking the lead in this area.
Many government agencies have now become creative spaces, such as: Ha Noi Museum; the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature; and the Centre for Art and Culture at 22 Hang Buom Street (Hoan Kiem District). These creative spaces are not only engines for the development of cultural industries and the creative city, but also serve to bring cultural values closer to the public—especially the younger generation.
From the very outset of preparing its application for designation as a Creative City in 2019, creative spaces were identified as one of Ha Noi’s greatest strengths. However, the past few years have revealed a lack of large-scale creative spaces in the city, as most remain small and fragmented. In fact, many have proven short-lived. A typical example is 60S Tho Quan (Dong Da District), which had to shut down due to the inability to secure a suitable location. Another issue is that despite their positive contributions to both economic and cultural development, these creative spaces have yet to receive substantial support from the city.
Upon joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, Ha Noi made concerted efforts to fulfil its commitments and collaborate with other member cities to build a creative metropolis. In order to translate its commitments to UNESCO into concrete actions, at the end of 2024, the city established the Coordination Centre for Creative Activities.
Subsequently, in May 2025, the city officially called on the creative community and creative spaces to participate in the Ha Noi Creative Spaces Network. Notably, becoming a member of the network brings a wide range of support benefits.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa, Director of the Coordination Centre for Creative Activities, stated: “Spaces within the network can register to host activities at the Coordination Centre and at the Ha Noi Museum; enjoy tax incentives in accordance with regulations; receive support for communication and promotion through Ha Noi’s official creative city channels; and be guided and assisted in obtaining permits for events and advertising as stipulated. Members are also eligible for venue support and assistance in organising creative activities in walking street areas, cultural institutions, and appropriate historical-cultural sites.”
Additionally, participation in the network enables members to engage in exchange and learning opportunities with other creative cities around the world. Jonathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, also expressed strong support for the network's establishment and shared: “We encourage all creative spaces, large and small, public and independent, to take part in this growing ecosystem. Your ideas, voices, and cultural expressions are vital in shaping Ha Noi’s creative future.”
Pham Ut Quyen, representative of the creative space Heritage Art Space, voiced great expectations for the establishment of the Ha Noi Creative Spaces Network. She said: “This is not only an opportunity for our space, but also a chance to contribute to building a creative Ha Noi, a city that is both rich in tradition and dynamic and modern.”
The city is expected to receive applications to join the Ha Noi Creative Spaces Network until May 30, 2025. At the end of June, a ceremony to announce and present membership certificates will officially take place in Ha Noi. This marks a major step forward in paving the way for creative spaces to thrive. From there, these creative spaces will be able to contribute more practically to the development of a creative city in particular, and to the advancement of the cultural industry in general.
