Vietnam eyes creative ‘orange economy’ for future growth

The ‘orange economy’—economic activities centered on culture, creativity, and intellectual property—is being identified as a potential new growth engine for Vietnam. Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vipra Pandey, noted that media, social networks, and culture are vital for shaping international perceptions and building soft power.

Pandey cited South Korea’s success with K-pop and animation, as well as India’s global recognition through Bollywood, as examples of how cultural exports can strengthen national brands and diplomatic ties. He suggested that a robust creative sector could help Vietnam effectively communicate its rapid transformations and development to a global audience.

Vietnam is currently working toward ambitious targets for this sector, including a goal of 10 percent annual growth and a 7 percent contribution to the national GDP by 2030. The government is also drafting laws for cultural industry development and identifying major cities to serve as cultural hubs.