# China and Vietnam cultural and tourism development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-and-vietnam-cultural-and-tourism-development
> Updated: 2026-09-21T17:05:19.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

China and Vietnam have initiated strategic efforts to bolster their cultural and tourism sectors. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism released the ‘15th Five-Year Plan for Culture and Tourism Development’, which targets the deep integration of culture and tourism and the protection of heritage to enhance national soft power by 2030.

In Vietnam, central committee decisions aim to use culture as a resource for sustainable development, with goals to increase the cultural industry’s contribution to GDP to 7% by 2030. This strategic focus has translated into rising consumer demand for heritage-based tourism, with travelers increasingly seeking UNESCO World Heritage sites in locations such as Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Hue. To engage modern audiences, Vietnamese cities are implementing interactive initiatives like digital storytelling and ‘heritage passports’ in Ho Chi Minh City.

Building on this momentum, Vietnam is scheduled to host the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity from September 27 to October 1, 2026, in Hanoi and Ninh Binh. Co-organized with UNESCO, the event will convene approximately 250 international delegates to discuss preserving cultural values against challenges like climate change, urbanization, and technological advancement. The program includes a groundbreaking ceremony for the conservation of the Kinh Thien Palace at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi, as well as field surveys at the Trang An Landscape Complex and the Tam Chuc area in Ninh Binh.

## Claims

- Vietnam and UNESCO will co-host the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The event will gather approximately 250 international and regional delegates (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The dialogue aims to discuss heritage conservation challenges posed by climate change, urbanization, natural disasters, and sustainable development (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The dialogue will be held in Hanoi and Ninh Binh (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The conference will officially take place from September 27 to October 1, 2026 (single source)
- The program includes the groundbreaking ceremony for the conservation and restoration project of Kinh Thien Palace at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Vietnam to host Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity

Vietnam will host the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity in Hanoi and Ninh Binh from Sept 27 to Oct 1, 2026, gathering 250 experts to discuss heritage preservation and authenticity.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-heritage-sites-adopt-interactive-experiences-to-engage-public

### 2026-09-15: China and Vietnam announce strategic cultural and tourism development plans

China and Vietnam are advancing strategic cultural and tourism development plans, focusing on economic growth, heritage protection, and digital sovereignty to enhance national soft power.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-and-vietnam-announce-strategic-cultural-and-tourism-development-plans

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Cite as: China and Vietnam cultural and tourism development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-and-vietnam-cultural-and-tourism-development