The Turtle Tower on Hoan Kiem Lake, an icon of Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)The evaluationwas made at an event held by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports andthe UNESCO Office in Vietnam on April 25 to review the capital city’s performancesince it became a member of the network in the field of design four years ago.
DoDinh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, said that Hanoi hasobtained certain results after four years of carrying out initiatives topromote creative design in its cultural, economic, and socialdevelopment programmes. Apart from holding national and international workshopsand conferences, the city has also devised many mechanisms, policies, and plans toboost the building of a creative city.
ChristianManhart, head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, held that Hanoi is moving in theright direction in working to realise its creative city vision.
He saidhe is impressed with the city’s achievements based on the capitalisation ofcultural resources, especially the successful organisation of the creative design festival and the provision of conditions for local residents to takepart in creative activities.
Manhartexpressed his belief that Hanoi will maintain its role as an active member ofthe UNESCO Creative Cities Network to connect and cooperate with others in thenetwork.
Other experts also shared the view that the capital city of Vietnam has beentaking firm steps in implementing its initiatives and commitments to UNESCO.
DrNguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Cultureand Arts Studies, recommended that Hanoi should take appropriate steps torealise its ambition of establishing itself as the capital of creativity inSoutheast Asia.
It shouldpay attention to all groups in society, particularly the young and the vulnerable.Creativity competitions need to attract multiple groups of participants. Besides,Hanoi should build a creative city not only for itself but also a role modelfor others nationwide to develop into creative cities as well, she added.
At the event, participants also discussed Hanoi’s cooperation with relevantparties to carry out commitments and suggested the issues that need to be addressed in the coming time.
They said Hanoi has much room for designing and creation activities thanks to thediversity of cultural heritage, traditional craft villages, and other culturalresources, which are endless sources of inspiration for creativity.
Many partnersalso pledged to give assistance in developing the creative city of Hanoi, raiseits stature, and attract other parties in creative activities./.
VNA
