International context
Creative industries have become and important and growing part of the global economy, working at the interface of culture, business and technology with the world trade of creative goods and services reaching $592 billion in 2008 (UN Creative Economy Report 2010).
The creative sector is one of the largest contributors to the UK economy, which incorporates 13 sub-sectors including: advertising, architecture, arts and antiques, crafts, design, fashion, film and video, interactive leisure software, music, the performing arts, publishing, software and computer services, television and radio and together provided around two million jobs and accounted for 10.6 per cent of the UK’s exports in 2009 (Creative Industries Economic Estimates 2011, UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport).
The Creative Economy project in Vietnam
As a culture rich country with a large domestic market of 90 million people, a fast growing IT sector and a young population keen on entrepreneurship, Vietnam has huge potential for developing its creative economy.
The British Council's Creative Economy project was initiated in 2008 to strengthen Vietnam's new creative sectors and support socio-economic growth until 2016.
Our key objectives are to:
- engage policy makers, build awareness and profile of the creative sector
- forge stronger links between Vietnam and the UK creative industries
- support skills and build capacity across sectors
- promote entrepreneurship through Young Entrepreneurs Awards
- promote the growth of creative entrepreneur networks locally and internationally.
Our achievements
Since the project began, we have established the very first Vietnam entrepreneur network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and organised four awards for young creative entrepreneurs in fashion, screen, design and screen/multimedia. Additionally, in collaboration with UNESCO we have been assisting Vietnam to develop National Strategy Framework for Cultural Industries.
Furthermore, UK experts have also been invited to come and share insights and knowledge with network members through workshops and frequent meetings. Among these was David Parish, UK author of the book T-Shirt and Suits’ – a guide to the Business of Creativity who came and had a talk in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City about how to set up business in the creative sector.
More information
To learn more about this project, please contact our Creative Economy team.
