Ho Chi Minh City plans to create at least five national cultural industry brands by 2030, targeting cinema, performing arts, advertising, cultural tourism and publishing. This strategy shows how culture can boost the city’s economy and identity.

The municipal Department of Culture and Sports says the share of cultural industries in the city’s GRDP rose from 3.54 % in 2020 to an estimated 5.7 % by the end of 2025, with an average annual growth of about 14 %. The city aims to lift that share to 7.2 % by 2030.

More than 17,670 cultural‑industry businesses are operating in Ho Chi Minh City, representing 7.74 % of all local enterprises, and they employ roughly 97,000 people, according to the municipal Department of Culture and Sports. These figures highlight the sector’s role as a major source of jobs in the metropolis.

Cinema is a key pillar: the city’s film industry generates nearly VND13 trillion (about US$500 million) each year, which is 0.43 % of the GRDP and roughly 40 % of Vietnam’s film market. Flagship projects such as a performing‑arts ecosystem around Phu Tho Circus and the Ho Chi Minh City Light Festival are planned to strengthen cultural infrastructure.

By building recognizable national brands in five creative fields, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to drive faster economic growth, create more jobs, and give the metropolis a distinct cultural identity by 2030. The plan demonstrates how cultural industries can become a cornerstone of the city’s future.