Hoa Sen University and its 35-year journey in preparing human resources for Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural industry

In Ho Chi Minh City’s cultural industry development strategy toward 2030, human resources are recognized as a key determinant of sustainable growth. In an article published by the Government News of Ho Chi Minh City, MA. Doan Ngoc Duy, Vice President of Hoa Sen University, highlighted the strategic role of higher education in nurturing a qualified workforce for the city’s dynamic, creative, and cultural sectors.

The Cultural Industry as a Strategic Growth Engine for Ho Chi Minh City

Through the Development Plan for Ho Chi Minh City’s Cultural Industry until 2030, the city envisions the cultural industry contributing more than 7.2% of GRDP. Beyond economic growth, this strategy aims to turn cultural creativity into lasting value while projecting Ho Chi Minh City’s identity and soft power internationally.

Discussing this issue, MA. Doan Ngoc Duy, Vice President of Hoa Sen University (HSU), emphasized that the cultural industry had evolved beyond artistic activities to become a driver of economic, social, and sustainable development. With appropriate investment, this industry had the potential to stimulate related sectors, including tourism, advertising, fashion, and digital content, thereby creating high-quality employment and enriching the spiritual life of the citizens. That represented a new growth engine, transforming cultural values into high-value economic products in line with the development trends of the knowledge economy.

High-Quality Human Resources as the Key Element of the Project

Drawing on the development experiences of many countries, the cultural industry truly becomes a core economic sector only when it is driven by a workforce with creative thinking, professional competence, and international integration capacity. For Ho Chi Minh City, a regional megacity, developing human resources has become an urgent mission.

Moreover, HSU Vice President also commented that the development of human resources for the cultural industry needed to be approached from a long-term and comprehensive perspective. He emphasized that the training program should not be limited to the younger generation but expanded to all participants across the city’s cultural value chain. Beyond professional expertise, those working in this field need to be equipped with intercultural dialogue skills, the ability to apply technology, and a global mindset.

From an educational perspective, universities play a strategic partner role for Ho Chi Minh City in formal education, advanced training, and customized programs. This partnership forms the foundation for the city to develop a highly specialized workforce in areas, including content creation, film production, fashion design, digital art, and modern media.

Hoa Sen University of 35 Years of Commitment to Liberal Education and Innovation

At HSU, the development of human resources for the cultural industry reflects a long-term commitment shaped by 35 years of liberal education, social engagement, and development needs.

Speaking to the Government News, MA. Doan Ngoc Duy affirmed: “Human resources are the decisive factor in the success or failure of the cultural industry. Therefore, training must extend to everyone involved across the city’s cultural value chain”.

Building on this foundation, HSU continues its journey toward becoming an applied and innovative university by partnering with Ho Chi Minh City in interdisciplinary training aligned with urban and business practices, delivering flexible short-term and customized programs for professionals, and promoting intercultural dialogue, integration, and technology application across tourism, creative industries, services, and communication at international standards.

When the cultural industry operates as a multi-generational ecosystem grounded in open-mindedness and lifelong learning, cultural values are not only preserved but also continuously recreated and shared. This vision aligns with Ho Chi Minh City’s long-term development strategy and reflects the path that HSU has persistently pursued for over three decades.

Source: Government News