Vietnam possesses substantial potential and comparative advantages to develop its cultural industries, yet current outcomes remain modest. The value chain linking creation, production, distribution, and consumption remains fragmented, while policy mechanisms aimed at cultivating market demand, attracting capital, and enhancing competitiveness lack synergy.
Enacting a Law on the Development of Cultural Industries is therefore critical to finalizing the legal framework, unblocking resources, spurring creativity, expanding markets, and positioning cultural industries as a national growth engine.
This assessment was delivered by Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Ms. Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, during the 6th session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on September 24, as lawmakers reviewed the draft Law on the Development of Cultural Industries.
The draft legislation is formulated around six guiding principles:
First, adopt a value-chain approach to advance cultural industries as a strategic economic sector, minimizing new administrative procedures, accelerating digital transformation, and shifting focus toward post-clearance audits.
Second, avoid duplicating policies already codified under specialized statutes and existing laws.
Third, clarify regulatory grey areas left unaddressed by specialized laws, with particular emphasis on administrative enforcement.
Fourth, prioritize plugging legislative gaps that have not been covered under current frameworks or where clear mechanisms are lacking.
Fifth, target identifiable bottlenecks under existing laws to propose bespoke mechanisms and policies within the NA's jurisdiction.
Sixth, codify high-level principles and essential policies into statute to establish a foundational legal architecture, keeping the law concise while avoiding excessive reliance on subordinate decrees that could create bureaucratic hurdles.
Speaking at the session, Chairman of the NA's Committee on Culture and Social Affairs Nguyen Dac Vinh stated that the committee's Standing Board endorsed the necessity of passing the bill. However, as this constitutes an entirely new legislative initiative introducing distinct mechanisms and specific policies, the board urged the drafting agency to continue its review to ensure system-wide legal coherence.
The committee emphasized adherence to core principles: the law should restrict itself to overarching, statutory matters falling under the NA's purview; refrain from restating rules contained in specialized statutes; and provide deeper assessments regarding the viability and real-world impact of newly introduced incentives and state support mechanisms.
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